NASA's Hubble Telescope Servicing Contract Reaches $34.2M, Awarded to BAE Systems
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $34,225,685 ($34.2M)
Contractor: BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 1999-10-01
End Date: 2010-01-31
Contract Duration: 3,775 days
Daily Burn Rate: $9.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE (HST) INSTRUMENT SERVICING (HIS) CONTRACT THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE THE PERSONNEL, MATERIALS, AND FACILITIES, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THE CONTRACT, NECESSARY TO MAXIMIZE LONG-TERM HST SCIENCE RETURN THROUGH RE-USE OF SPARE FLIGHT AD NON-FLIGHT HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE.
Place of Performance
Location: BOULDER, BOULDER County, COLORADO, 80301, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $34.2 million to BAE SYSTEMS SPACE & MISSION SYSTEMS INC. for work described as: HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE (HST) INSTRUMENT SERVICING (HIS) CONTRACT THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE THE PERSONNEL, MATERIALS, AND FACILITIES, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THE CONTRACT, NECESSARY TO MAXIMIZE LONG-TERM HST SCIENCE RETURN THROUGH RE-USE OF SPARE FLIGHT AD NON-FLIGHT HA… Key points: 1. Contract focuses on maximizing long-term science return for the Hubble Space Telescope. 2. BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems Inc. is the contractor. 3. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 4. The contract type is Cost Plus Incentive Fee, aligning contractor incentives with NASA's goals.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $34.2M over its duration appears reasonable for specialized space instrument servicing. Benchmarking against similar complex aerospace engineering contracts would provide further context.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method typically leads to more competitive pricing by allowing all eligible bidders to participate.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is likely to have resulted in a fair price, maximizing the value of taxpayer funds allocated to this critical scientific endeavor.
Public Impact
Ensures continued scientific research and discovery from the Hubble Space Telescope. Supports advanced engineering and technical expertise in space mission operations. Contributes to the longevity and operational effectiveness of a key scientific asset.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns inherent in Cost Plus Incentive Fee contracts.
- Long-term reliance on a single contractor for critical servicing.
Positive Signals
- Focus on maximizing science return aligns with public interest in space exploration.
- Full and open competition suggests efficient use of funds.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting advanced aerospace and scientific instrumentation. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining and advancing national scientific capabilities.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses, as the 'sb' field is false. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had opportunities to participate as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by NASA, a federal agency with established oversight mechanisms. The Cost Plus Incentive Fee structure implies performance monitoring to ensure cost efficiency and achievement of science objectives.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Overrun Risk
- Technological Obsolescence
- Contractor Performance Variability
- Dependence on Specialized Expertise
Tags
engineering-services, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, co, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $34.2 million to BAE SYSTEMS SPACE & MISSION SYSTEMS INC.. HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE (HST) INSTRUMENT SERVICING (HIS) CONTRACT THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE THE PERSONNEL, MATERIALS, AND FACILITIES, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THE CONTRACT, NECESSARY TO MAXIMIZE LONG-TERM HST SCIENCE RETURN THROUGH RE-USE OF SPARE FLIGHT AD NON-FLIGHT HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BAE SYSTEMS SPACE & MISSION SYSTEMS INC..
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 $34.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 1999-10-01. End: 2010-01-31.
What specific performance metrics were used to determine the incentive fee for BAE Systems?
The contract details would specify the performance metrics tied to the incentive fee. These typically relate to achieving specific scientific objectives, operational efficiency, or adherence to budget and schedule. Without the full contract, the exact metrics remain unknown, but they are designed to align the contractor's profit with NASA's mission success for the Hubble Space Telescope.
What is the risk of technological obsolescence for Hubble's instruments given the contract's duration?
The contract duration (1999-2010) predates current technological advancements. While the contract focused on servicing existing hardware, the risk of technological obsolescence for the Hubble itself is a broader concern managed by NASA's long-term space science strategy, not solely by this specific servicing contract.
How effectively did this contract contribute to the overall scientific return of the Hubble Space Telescope?
The contract's objective was to maximize long-term science return, suggesting a direct link to Hubble's scientific output. Post-contract analysis of Hubble's scientific discoveries and operational uptime during the contract period would be necessary to quantify its effectiveness.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE FEE (V)
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Ball Corp (UEI: 006419147)
Address: 1600 COMMERCE ST, BOULDER, CO, 80301
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $13,992,904
Exercised Options: $28,092,904
Current Obligation: $34,225,685
Timeline
Start Date: 1999-10-01
Current End Date: 2010-01-31
Potential End Date: 2010-01-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2015-09-28
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