NASA awards $15.5M contract for lunar surface experiment instrument, highlighting R&D in physical sciences
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $15,509,384 ($15.5M)
Contractor: Regents of the University of California, the
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2022-08-17
End Date: 2027-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,870 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.3K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL DESIGN, DEVELOP, AND DELIVER AN INSTRUMENT FOR THE LUNAR SURFACE ELECTROMAGNETICS EXPERIMENT AT NIGHT.
Place of Performance
Location: BERKELEY, ALAMEDA County, CALIFORNIA, 94710
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $15.5 million to REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, THE for work described as: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL DESIGN, DEVELOP, AND DELIVER AN INSTRUMENT FOR THE LUNAR SURFACE ELECTROMAGNETICS EXPERIMENT AT NIGHT. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on specialized scientific instrument development for lunar exploration. 2. Sole-source award suggests unique capabilities or limited market availability. 3. Long contract duration indicates a complex, multi-year research and development effort. 4. Cost-plus contract type may lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. 5. Performance period extends into late 2027, aligning with long-term space exploration goals. 6. The scientific domain is critical for understanding lunar geology and potential resources.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract is a Cost No Fee (CNF) type, which can present cost control challenges. Benchmarking is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns or comparable lunar instrument development contracts. The total award amount of $15.5 million for a complex scientific instrument over nearly five years appears within a reasonable range for specialized space hardware, but the lack of competition limits price discovery and potential savings.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one vendor was solicited. This typically occurs when a contractor possesses unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or when the agency determines that competition is not feasible or would not be in the government's best interest. The lack of competition here means the government did not benefit from a range of proposals and potentially lower prices that could arise from a competitive bidding process.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may have paid a higher price due to the absence of competitive pressure. Without multiple bids, there's less assurance that the negotiated price represents the best value achievable in the market.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA and the scientific community, gaining a new instrument for lunar research. The instrument will enable the Lunar Surface Electromagnetics Experiment at Night, advancing scientific understanding of the Moon. Geographic impact is primarily within the United States, with potential for international scientific collaboration. Workforce implications include specialized engineers, scientists, and technicians involved in instrument design and development.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits price competition, potentially increasing costs for taxpayers.
- Cost-plus contract type carries inherent risk of cost overruns without stringent oversight.
- Long performance period increases exposure to potential scope creep or evolving requirements.
- Lack of publicly available performance metrics makes it difficult to assess contractor efficiency.
- Specific details on the 'instrument for the lunar surface electromagnetics experiment at night' are limited, hindering full understanding of its complexity and necessity.
Positive Signals
- Awarded to a reputable institution (Regents of the University of California) with a history in research.
- Focus on a critical scientific objective for lunar exploration aligns with national space goals.
- The contract is for research and development, a necessary investment for technological advancement.
- Clear definition of the deliverable (an instrument) provides a tangible objective.
- The contract duration is aligned with the complexity of developing advanced space hardware.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on physical sciences. The market for highly specialized space-related scientific instruments is often niche, with a limited number of contractors possessing the requisite expertise and facilities. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more specific details on the instrument's capabilities and technological requirements, but R&D contracts for space missions can range significantly in cost depending on complexity and duration.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to involve a small business set-aside, as indicated by the 'sb': false flag. Given the specialized nature of developing a scientific instrument for a lunar mission, it is likely that the prime contractor, the Regents of the University of California, will perform the majority of the work. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans or opportunities for small businesses within this award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will be managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). As a Cost No Fee (CNF) contract, NASA will need to closely monitor the contractor's expenditures to ensure costs remain reasonable and allocable to the contract's objectives. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature and the proprietary aspects of R&D, but NASA's internal audit and program management functions are expected to provide accountability. Specific Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Lunar Exploration Programs
- Space Science Instrument Development
- Advanced Technology Research Contracts
- Physical Sciences Research Grants
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Cost-plus contract type
- Long contract duration
- Limited public performance data
Tags
research-and-development, nasa, space-exploration, scientific-instrument, sole-source, cost-plus, california, definitive-contract, physical-sciences, lunar-mission
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $15.5 million to REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, THE. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL DESIGN, DEVELOP, AND DELIVER AN INSTRUMENT FOR THE LUNAR SURFACE ELECTROMAGNETICS EXPERIMENT AT NIGHT.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, THE.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $15.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-08-17. End: 2027-09-30.
What is the specific scientific purpose and expected outcome of the Lunar Surface Electromagnetics Experiment at Night?
The Lunar Surface Electromagnetics Experiment at Night aims to study the Moon's electromagnetic properties during its nighttime phase. This could involve investigating phenomena such as lunar plasma interactions, subsurface electrical conductivity, or the generation of electromagnetic fields by geological processes. The expected outcomes include a deeper understanding of the Moon's internal structure, its interaction with the solar wind, and the potential for resources like water ice. The specific scientific goals are crucial for interpreting the data gathered by the instrument and validating its design.
Why was this contract awarded on a sole-source basis, and what are the implications for cost?
The sole-source award suggests that NASA identified the Regents of the University of California as the only entity capable of designing and delivering this highly specialized instrument, likely due to unique expertise, prior research, or proprietary technology. While this ensures the required capabilities are met, it eliminates the competitive bidding process. Consequently, the government lacks the leverage of multiple proposals to negotiate the lowest possible price, potentially leading to a higher cost for taxpayers compared to a competitively awarded contract. Rigorous cost negotiation and oversight are critical in such scenarios.
What are the key risks associated with a Cost No Fee (CNF) contract for a complex R&D project?
A Cost No Fee (CNF) contract means the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs but receives no fee or profit. The primary risk for the government is cost overrun, as the contractor has less financial incentive to control expenses compared to a fixed-price contract. If costs exceed projections, the government still pays for the incurred expenses without the contractor sharing in the financial burden. This necessitates robust oversight of expenditures, detailed cost tracking, and clear definitions of allowable costs to mitigate the risk of inefficient spending and budget blowouts.
How does this contract align with NASA's broader lunar exploration objectives?
This contract directly supports NASA's strategic objectives for lunar exploration, particularly those focused on scientific research and understanding the lunar environment. By developing an instrument for nighttime electromagnetic experiments, NASA aims to gather data that can inform future missions, resource utilization strategies (like identifying water ice), and the potential for establishing a sustained human presence on the Moon. Such R&D is foundational for advancing space science and technology, contributing to NASA's long-term vision for space exploration.
What is the typical cost range for developing specialized scientific instruments for space missions?
The cost for developing specialized scientific instruments for space missions can vary dramatically based on complexity, technology readiness level, mission duration, and environmental requirements (e.g., space-rated components). Simple sensors might cost tens of thousands of dollars, while complex payloads for deep space missions or advanced observatories can run into tens or hundreds of millions. For a lunar surface instrument requiring unique electromagnetic sensing capabilities and designed for a multi-year experiment, a $15.5 million award over nearly five years appears to be within a plausible range, especially considering the sole-source nature and R&D focus.
What are the potential long-term benefits of the data gathered from this experiment?
The data gathered from the Lunar Surface Electromagnetics Experiment at Night could have significant long-term benefits for both scientific understanding and future space endeavors. Scientifically, it could revolutionize our understanding of lunar geology, subsurface composition, and the Moon's interaction with space weather. Practically, this data could identify regions with valuable resources, inform the design of future lunar bases by assessing environmental hazards or resource availability, and contribute to the development of new technologies for lunar exploration and utilization. It lays the groundwork for more ambitious lunar science and exploration missions.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1608 4TH ST STE 201, BERKELEY, CA, 94710
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public)
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $15,509,384
Exercised Options: $15,509,384
Current Obligation: $15,509,384
Actual Outlays: $14,454,959
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 2
Total Subaward Amount: $207,297
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-08-17
Current End Date: 2027-09-30
Potential End Date: 2027-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-11
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