NASA's New Horizon Pluto Mission Phase B contract awarded to Southwest Research Institute for $1.67 billion
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $166,879,260 ($166.9M)
Contractor: Southwest Research Institute
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2002-03-15
End Date: 2029-09-30
Contract Duration: 10,061 days
Daily Burn Rate: $16.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 999
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: NEW HORIZON -- PLUTO MISSION PHASE B
Place of Performance
Location: SAN ANTONIO, BEXAR County, TEXAS, 78238
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $166.9 million to SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE for work described as: NEW HORIZON -- PLUTO MISSION PHASE B Key points: 1. The contract represents a significant investment in deep space exploration, focusing on the New Horizons mission to Pluto. 2. Competition dynamics for this large-scale R&D contract are crucial for ensuring cost-effectiveness and innovation. 3. Performance risks are inherent in long-duration, complex scientific missions, requiring robust oversight. 4. The contract's duration spans over a decade, indicating a long-term commitment to the mission's objectives. 5. This contract positions NASA as a leader in planetary science and exploration. 6. The value-for-money assessment will depend on the scientific return relative to the substantial investment.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
This contract, valued at $1.67 billion, is a substantial investment in a high-risk, high-reward scientific endeavor. Benchmarking its value is challenging due to the unique nature of deep space missions. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type suggests that the government aims to control costs while incentivizing the contractor to achieve specific objectives. The long duration and complexity imply that ongoing performance reviews will be critical to ensure value.
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 likely had the opportunity to submit proposals. This competitive process is generally expected to yield better pricing and innovative solutions. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust selection process.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition for a contract of this magnitude is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of securing the best possible price and technical approach for a complex scientific mission.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the scientific community and the public, who gain invaluable data and insights into the outer solar system. The services delivered include mission design, development, launch, and operations for the New Horizons Pluto mission. The geographic impact is global, as the mission's findings contribute to humanity's understanding of the cosmos. Workforce implications include employment for scientists, engineers, technicians, and support staff involved in the mission.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration increases the risk of cost overruns or scope creep.
- Complexity of deep space missions presents inherent technical and operational risks.
- Reliance on a single contractor for a mission of this scale requires careful performance monitoring.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive selection process.
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type provides some cost control incentives.
- Long-term commitment allows for sustained focus on mission objectives.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on space exploration and planetary science. The aerospace industry is characterized by high R&D investment, long development cycles, and significant government funding. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the unique nature of deep space missions, but NASA's overall budget for science missions provides a broader context.
Small Business Impact
Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans for this specific contract is not detailed in the provided data. Given the scale and specialized nature of deep space missions, large, established research institutions are typically the primary awardees. Further investigation would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved in subcontracting roles.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for NASA contracts typically involves program management offices, contract officers, and potentially Inspector General reviews. The long duration of this contract necessitates continuous monitoring of performance, cost, and schedule to ensure accountability and transparency. NASA's established procurement and oversight processes are designed to manage such complex, long-term projects.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Science Mission Directorate
- Planetary Science Division
- New Horizons Mission
- Deep Space Exploration Programs
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration
- Complex technical requirements
- High R&D investment
Tags
nasa, space-exploration, r-and-d, definitive-contract, full-and-open-competition, cost-plus-fixed-fee, southwest-research-institute, texas, planetary-science, new-horizons-mission
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $166.9 million to SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE. NEW HORIZON -- PLUTO MISSION PHASE B
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE.
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 $166.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2002-03-15. End: 2029-09-30.
What is the historical spending trend for NASA's New Horizons program?
The provided data focuses on a single definitive contract for Phase B of the New Horizons mission, valued at $1.67 billion, with an end date in 2029. To understand historical spending trends, one would need to examine previous contract awards for earlier phases of the New Horizons mission (e.g., Phase A, development, launch) and any subsequent modifications or operational contracts. Analyzing these historical data points would reveal the total lifecycle cost of the mission and how spending has evolved over time, potentially identifying periods of higher or lower expenditure related to specific mission milestones or challenges.
How does the cost of this contract compare to other major NASA deep space missions?
Direct cost comparisons are complex due to varying mission objectives, scientific instruments, and technological requirements. However, the $1.67 billion awarded to Southwest Research Institute for Phase B of the New Horizons mission is a significant investment, typical for major deep space exploration endeavors. For context, other flagship missions like the James Webb Space Telescope had development costs exceeding $10 billion, while missions like the Mars Science Laboratory (Curiosity rover) had total mission costs in the billions. The New Horizons mission's cost is substantial but aligns with the investment required for ambitious scientific exploration of the outer solar system.
What are the primary risks associated with the New Horizons Pluto Mission Phase B contract?
The primary risks associated with this contract are multifaceted. Technically, the extreme distance to Pluto and the harsh environment of space present significant engineering challenges for spacecraft operation and data transmission. Programmatically, the long duration (contract end date of 2029) increases the risk of cost overruns due to inflation, unforeseen technical issues, or changes in program priorities. Scientifically, the risk lies in achieving the mission's objectives and delivering valuable scientific data, which can be impacted by instrument performance or unexpected planetary conditions. Contractor performance risk is also present, requiring robust oversight to ensure Southwest Research Institute meets its contractual obligations.
What is the track record of Southwest Research Institute in managing large-scale NASA contracts?
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has a well-established track record of successfully managing and executing complex scientific and engineering projects for NASA and other government agencies. SwRI is a non-profit applied research and development organization known for its expertise in various fields, including space science, planetary exploration, and aerospace engineering. They have been involved in numerous NASA missions, often serving as principal investigators or key contractors for instrument development and spacecraft operations. Their long-standing involvement in space exploration suggests a strong capability to handle large-scale, technically demanding contracts like the New Horizons mission.
How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type influence contractor behavior and cost control for this mission?
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type aims to balance risk between the government and the contractor. The government agrees to pay the contractor's actual allowable costs, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. This structure incentivizes the contractor to control costs, as any savings below the estimated cost do not reduce the government's payment of actual costs, but the fixed fee remains constant. However, it also means the government bears the risk of cost overruns if actual costs exceed estimates. For a complex R&D mission like New Horizons, CPFF provides flexibility to adapt to unforeseen technical challenges while maintaining a defined profit margin for the contractor, encouraging efficient performance.
What are the potential long-term scientific returns expected from the New Horizons mission, and how are they measured against the contract value?
The New Horizons mission's primary scientific objective is to study Pluto and its moons, and subsequently, the Kuiper Belt. Expected returns include detailed imagery and data on Pluto's surface composition, geology, atmosphere, and its interaction with the solar wind, as well as insights into the formation and evolution of the outer solar system. Measuring these returns against the $1.67 billion contract value involves assessing the scientific significance of the discoveries made, their impact on planetary science, and their contribution to our understanding of the universe. While a direct ROI is difficult, the scientific knowledge gained from exploring a previously unvisited part of the solar system is considered invaluable by the scientific community and the public.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH
Offers Received: 999
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Contractor Details
Address: 6220 CULEBRA RD, SAN ANTONIO, TX, 78238
Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $178,574,306
Exercised Options: $178,574,306
Current Obligation: $166,879,260
Actual Outlays: $24,993,487
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2002-03-15
Current End Date: 2029-09-30
Potential End Date: 2029-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-24
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