NASA's CloudSat mission, part of ESSP, awarded to Colorado State University for $16.9M
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $16,985,900 ($17.0M)
Contractor: Colorado State University
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 1999-12-15
End Date: 2011-10-31
Contract Duration: 4,338 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: CLOUDSAT MISSION AS A PART OF EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE PATHFINDER (ESSP) PROJECT.
Place of Performance
Location: FORT COLLINS, LARIMER County, COLORADO, 80523
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $17.0 million to COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY for work described as: CLOUDSAT MISSION AS A PART OF EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE PATHFINDER (ESSP) PROJECT. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single university research center, indicating specialized expertise. 2. Long contract duration (over 11 years) suggests a sustained research effort. 3. Cost-plus-no-fee contract type implies risk sharing between NASA and the contractor. 4. Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector. 5. No small business set-aside, typical for large-scale R&D projects. 6. Geographic concentration in Colorado for contract performance.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $16.9 million over approximately 12 years for a scientific research mission appears reasonable given the scope of Earth observation. Benchmarking against similar NASA Earth Science Pathfinder projects would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The cost-no-fee structure suggests that the contractor bears some financial risk, which can be a positive indicator for cost control.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple entities had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters competitive pricing and allows the government to select the most capable offeror.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining the best value and encourages innovation among potential contractors.
Public Impact
Benefits the scientific community by providing crucial data for understanding Earth's climate. Delivers data for atmospheric research and climate modeling. Geographic impact is global, focusing on atmospheric phenomena worldwide. Workforce implications include employment for researchers, scientists, and technical staff at Colorado State University.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration could lead to scope creep or evolving research needs not fully captured in initial pricing.
- Cost-no-fee structure requires careful monitoring to ensure contractor efficiency and prevent cost overruns.
- Reliance on a single academic institution for a critical mission component.
Positive Signals
- Award to a university suggests access to specialized academic research capabilities.
- Full and open competition indicates a robust selection process.
- The project's alignment with NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder goals suggests strategic importance.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder (ESSP) project aims to provide a series of relatively low-cost, smaller satellite missions to observe Earth's climate and environment. Spending in this area is critical for advancing scientific understanding and informing policy.
Small Business Impact
The contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside, which is common for large-scale, specialized research and development projects awarded to academic institutions. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses would depend on the specific needs of Colorado State University during the project execution.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). As a research and development contract, oversight would focus on scientific progress, data quality, and adherence to project milestones. Transparency is generally maintained through public release of scientific findings and data.
Related Government Programs
- Earth Observing System
- Climate Science Research
- Satellite Missions
- Atmospheric Science Research
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration may increase risk of cost overruns or scope creep.
- Cost-no-fee structure requires diligent financial oversight.
- Reliance on a single academic institution for mission execution.
Tags
nasa, research-and-development, colorado, cost-plus-no-fee, full-and-open-competition, university-contractor, earth-science, climate-research, satellite-mission, large-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $17.0 million to COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY. CLOUDSAT MISSION AS A PART OF EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE PATHFINDER (ESSP) PROJECT.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY.
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 $17.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 1999-12-15. End: 2011-10-31.
What is the track record of Colorado State University in managing large federal research grants?
Colorado State University (CSU) has a strong track record in managing federal research grants, particularly in areas related to atmospheric science, environmental science, and engineering. As a major research university, CSU has extensive experience in grant administration, financial management, and compliance with federal regulations. Its involvement in numerous NASA and NSF-funded projects, including satellite missions and climate research, demonstrates its capability to handle complex scientific endeavors. Specific to this contract, CSU's long-standing role in the CloudSat mission indicates a successful partnership and effective management of the research objectives and associated funding over an extended period.
How does the $16.9 million award compare to other NASA Earth System Science Pathfinder (ESSP) projects?
The $16.9 million award for the CloudSat mission, spread over approximately 12 years, positions it as a moderately sized project within NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder (ESSP) program. ESSP projects are designed to be relatively lower-cost compared to larger flagship missions. For instance, other ESSP missions like CALIPSO and Aqua had development and operational costs that could range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars over their lifecycles. CloudSat's value appears consistent with the ESSP initiative's goal of providing focused, cost-effective scientific investigations. A precise comparison would require detailed lifecycle cost data for all ESSP missions, but the awarded amount aligns with the program's objective of achieving significant scientific return on investment.
What are the primary risks associated with this type of R&D contract for a university?
Primary risks for a university managing an R&D contract like CloudSat include scientific uncertainty, technical challenges in developing and operating sophisticated instruments, and potential budget fluctuations. The cost-no-fee (CNF) structure, while sharing risk, means the university must manage its costs carefully to avoid absorbing unexpected expenses. Personnel retention is another risk, as specialized researchers may leave for other opportunities. Furthermore, the long duration increases the possibility of evolving scientific priorities or technological obsolescence. Ensuring data quality and timely delivery of research findings are also critical performance risks that could impact future funding and reputation.
How effective has the CloudSat mission been in achieving its scientific objectives?
The CloudSat mission has been highly effective in achieving its scientific objectives. Launched in 2006, it carried a cloud-profiling radar designed to measure the vertical structure of clouds globally. This data has been instrumental in improving climate models, understanding cloud-precipitation processes, and enhancing weather forecasting. CloudSat's unique perspective provided unprecedented insights into cloud properties, contributing significantly to our understanding of Earth's radiative balance and hydrological cycle. Its data has been widely used by the scientific community and has led to numerous peer-reviewed publications, demonstrating its substantial impact on atmospheric science research.
What are the historical spending patterns for NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder (ESSP) program?
NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder (ESSP) program has historically funded a series of relatively smaller, focused missions designed for specific Earth science investigations. Spending patterns within ESSP have generally involved competitive solicitations for mission proposals, with selected projects receiving funding for development, launch, and operations over several years. The program aims for cost-effectiveness, with individual mission costs typically ranging from tens to low hundreds of millions of dollars, significantly less than larger 'flagship' missions. Funding levels can vary year to year based on the number of active missions in development and operation, and the specific scientific priorities set by NASA's Earth Science Division.
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 › General Science and Technology R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Colorado State University System (UEI: 948905492)
Address: 6003 CAMPUS DELIVERY, FORT COLLINS, CO, 02
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $18,073,610
Exercised Options: $18,073,610
Current Obligation: $16,985,900
Timeline
Start Date: 1999-12-15
Current End Date: 2011-10-31
Potential End Date: 2011-10-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2014-05-20
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