NASA's GRACE project awarded $32.2M to UT Austin for vital climate research over 16 years
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $32,240,259 ($32.2M)
Contractor: University of Texas AT Austin
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 1997-08-15
End Date: 2013-09-30
Contract Duration: 5,890 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 51
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: GRAVITY RECOVERY AND CLIMATE EXPERIMENT
Place of Performance
Location: AUSTIN, TRAVIS County, TEXAS, 78712
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $32.2 million to UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN for work described as: GRAVITY RECOVERY AND CLIMATE EXPERIMENT Key points: 1. Contract delivered significant scientific data on Earth's gravity field and climate change. 2. Long-term nature of the contract allowed for sustained research and development. 3. Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector is critical for understanding global environmental changes. 4. The contract's performance period spanned over 16 years, indicating a stable and long-term research partnership. 5. The definitive contract type suggests a well-defined scope of work and established relationship. 6. The 'Cost No Fee' pricing structure implies that the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs, with no additional profit.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's value of $32.2 million over 16 years for a large-scale scientific research project like GRACE appears reasonable. While direct comparisons are difficult due to the unique nature of scientific research, the sustained funding over a long period suggests a consistent need and perceived value for the research conducted. The 'Cost No Fee' pricing structure, while not incentivizing profit, ensures that the research is conducted without additional overhead, focusing resources on the scientific objectives.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This competitive process is expected to yield fair pricing and ensure the selection of the most capable research institution. The high number of offers (51) further supports the notion of robust competition for this significant research endeavor.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down costs and ensuring that the government receives the best value through a rigorous selection process.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the scientific community and policymakers who utilize the data for climate change research and mitigation strategies. The project delivered crucial data on Earth's gravity field, water storage, and ice mass changes. The research has global implications, contributing to a better understanding of planetary processes. The project supported researchers and technical staff at the University of Texas at Austin, fostering expertise in Earth sciences.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- The 'Cost No Fee' contract type may offer less incentive for cost efficiency compared to fixed-price contracts.
- Long-term contracts can sometimes lead to complacency if not actively managed and reviewed.
- Reliance on a single institution for such a critical long-term project could pose a risk if institutional capacity diminishes.
Positive Signals
- The award to a reputable university like UT Austin suggests a strong track record in scientific research.
- The full and open competition indicates a thorough vetting process for the contractor.
- The long duration of the contract (16 years) points to a successful and productive research partnership.
- The significant scientific output expected from the GRACE mission is a major positive outcome.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector (NAICS 541710). This sector is characterized by innovation and the pursuit of new knowledge. Spending in this area is crucial for advancing scientific understanding and technological capabilities. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the highly specialized nature of Earth science research, but NASA's overall R&D budget reflects significant investment in such critical areas.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded to a university, not a traditional business entity, and there is no indication of small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would have been managed by NASA, likely through program managers and scientific leads who monitored research progress, data quality, and adherence to project milestones. The 'Cost No Fee' structure implies financial oversight focused on allowable costs. Transparency is generally maintained through scientific publications and data dissemination, though specific contract oversight details are not provided.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Earth Science Division Programs
- National Science Foundation Research Grants
- NOAA Climate Research Initiatives
- Geospatial Information Systems Development
- Satellite Remote Sensing Technologies
Risk Flags
- Long-term contract duration may require adaptive management to evolving scientific needs.
- Cost-reimbursement structure necessitates robust financial oversight to ensure cost reasonableness.
Tags
nasa, university-of-texas-at-austin, research-and-development, earth-science, climate-change, satellite-technology, definitive-contract, full-and-open-competition, cost-reimbursement, long-term-contract, texas, grant-like-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $32.2 million to UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN. GRAVITY RECOVERY AND CLIMATE EXPERIMENT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN.
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 $32.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 1997-08-15. End: 2013-09-30.
What was the specific scientific contribution of the GRACE mission awarded under this contract?
The GRAVITY RECOVERY AND CLIMATE EXPERIMENT (GRACE) mission, awarded to the University of Texas at Austin, was designed to provide unprecedented measurements of Earth's gravity field. Its primary scientific contributions include mapping variations in the gravity field with high precision, which allowed scientists to monitor changes in the distribution of mass on and within the Earth. This data was crucial for understanding large-scale hydrological processes such as groundwater depletion, soil moisture variations, and ice mass loss from glaciers and ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica. The mission provided critical insights into climate change impacts and water resource management on a global scale.
How does the 'Cost No Fee' pricing structure impact the value for money compared to other contract types?
The 'Cost No Fee' (Cost-Reimbursement, No Fee) pricing structure means the contractor (University of Texas at Austin) is reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred in performing the contract, but receives no additional profit. This structure is typically used for research and development or other projects where the scope is not fully defined or where the primary goal is the advancement of knowledge rather than a specific deliverable with a fixed price. For value for money, it ensures that funds are directly applied to research activities. However, it lacks the cost-saving incentives inherent in fixed-price contracts, as the contractor does not directly benefit from cost efficiencies. Oversight is critical to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable.
What is the significance of the 51 offers received for this contract?
Receiving 51 offers for the GRACE contract signifies a highly competitive procurement process. This large number of bids suggests that the opportunity was attractive to a wide range of potential research institutions and that NASA's solicitation was well-disseminated. High competition generally leads to better price discovery and increases the likelihood that the government selects the most qualified offeror at a reasonable price. It indicates that the research objectives were clearly defined and achievable by multiple entities, reinforcing the value derived from the full and open competition.
What are the potential risks associated with a 16-year contract duration for scientific research?
A 16-year contract duration for scientific research, while allowing for sustained effort, carries potential risks. Firstly, scientific priorities and technological capabilities can evolve significantly over such a long period, potentially making the original research objectives or methods outdated. Secondly, institutional capacity or key personnel at the contractor's site might change, impacting the project's continuity and expertise. Thirdly, long-term funding commitments can be subject to shifts in government budgets and political priorities. Finally, without regular re-evaluation and adaptation, the project might not remain at the cutting edge of scientific inquiry, potentially diminishing its long-term impact and value.
How does this contract fit within NASA's broader mission and spending in Earth science?
This contract for the GRACE mission is highly aligned with NASA's strategic goals in Earth science, which focus on understanding our changing planet. NASA invests heavily in missions that provide critical data on Earth's systems, including its climate, oceans, land, and atmosphere. GRACE's measurements of gravity anomalies directly contribute to understanding water cycles, ice melt, and sea-level rise – key areas of NASA's Earth science research. The $32.2 million awarded over 16 years represents a significant, albeit specific, investment within NASA's broader Earth science portfolio, enabling fundamental research that supports both scientific discovery and societal applications related to climate change.
What is the track record of the University of Texas at Austin in managing large federal research grants?
The University of Texas at Austin has a long and distinguished track record of managing large federal research grants, particularly from agencies like NASA, NSF, and NIH. As a major research university, it possesses extensive infrastructure, experienced administrative staff, and a deep pool of scientific talent necessary for handling complex, multi-year projects. Its involvement in numerous high-profile scientific endeavors, including space science and Earth observation, demonstrates its capability to successfully execute research objectives, manage budgets, and comply with federal regulations. The GRACE contract itself is evidence of their established credibility and capacity in managing significant federal funding for scientific research.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH
Offers Received: 51
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Contractor Details
Parent Company: University of Texas System
Address: 101 E. 27TH ST. ROOM 4.308, AUSTIN, TX, 78712
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, Not Designated a Small Business, U.S. Regional/State Government
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $42,199,061
Exercised Options: $34,985,383
Current Obligation: $32,240,259
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 1997-08-15
Current End Date: 2013-09-30
Potential End Date: 2013-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-26
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