NASA's $52.6M R&D contract with Lockheed Martin for solar research shows long-term investment
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $52,612,660 ($52.6M)
Contractor: Lockheed Martin Corporation
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2001-02-09
End Date: 2010-08-22
Contract Duration: 3,481 days
Daily Burn Rate: $15.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: PHASE C/D OF THE SOLAR -B FOCAL PACKAGE 4200075119 ROLL-UP THRU MOD 34 FY04
Place of Performance
Location: PALO ALTO, SANTA CLARA County, CALIFORNIA, 94304
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $52.6 million to LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION for work described as: PHASE C/D OF THE SOLAR -B FOCAL PACKAGE 4200075119 ROLL-UP THRU MOD 34 FY04 Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process. 2. The contract duration of over 9 years indicates a significant, long-term research and development effort. 3. Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences is a critical area for technological advancement. 4. The contract's cost-plus-fixed-fee structure incentivizes cost control while allowing for flexibility in R&D. 5. Awarded to a major defense contractor, indicating the complexity and scale of the research involved. 6. The contract's completion in 2010 suggests the research outcomes may have already influenced subsequent projects or technologies.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
Benchmarking this contract's value is challenging without specific deliverables or comparable R&D projects. However, a $52.6 million investment over nearly a decade for advanced research in solar technology by NASA suggests a significant commitment. The cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) pricing structure is common for R&D where scope can evolve, but it requires careful oversight to ensure value for money. Compared to other large-scale R&D efforts, the per-year cost appears reasonable for cutting-edge scientific exploration.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This approach typically fosters a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and innovative solutions. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition suggests NASA sought the best possible offer for this complex R&D project.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by promoting a level playing field for contractors, which can drive down costs and improve the quality of services or research delivered.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA and the scientific community, gaining insights into solar physics and technology. Services delivered include advanced research and development in solar energy and related physical sciences. The geographic impact is national, contributing to the U.S.'s technological leadership in space and energy research. Workforce implications include employment for highly skilled scientists, engineers, and technicians at Lockheed Martin and potentially subcontractors.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
- Long-duration R&D contracts carry inherent risks related to technological obsolescence or shifting research priorities.
- Reliance on a single large contractor for complex R&D may limit broader industry engagement.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a thorough vetting of potential contractors.
- The significant investment suggests a high level of confidence in the contractor's capabilities for this specialized R&D.
- The long contract duration points to a sustained focus on critical research objectives.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical sciences and engineering related to solar energy. The market for space exploration and advanced energy R&D is characterized by high barriers to entry, significant government investment, and a few large, specialized contractors. NASA's spending in this area is crucial for maintaining U.S. leadership in space technology and developing future energy solutions. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other large-scale R&D initiatives in aerospace or advanced materials.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a specific small business set-aside. Given the nature of advanced R&D in aerospace and physics, the prime contractor, Lockheed Martin, is a large corporation. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist, but they are not explicitly detailed in the provided data. The overall impact on the small business ecosystem is likely indirect, potentially through specialized component supply or niche research support if subcontracted.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would have been managed by NASA's contracting officers and program managers. As a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract, rigorous financial and performance monitoring would be expected to ensure adherence to the fixed fee and control costs. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Research and Development Programs
- Solar Energy Research Initiatives
- Aerospace Technology Development
- Advanced Physics Research Contracts
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration increases risk of scope creep or changing technological relevance.
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts require diligent oversight to ensure cost efficiency.
Tags
research-and-development, nasa, lockheed-martin-corporation, california, full-and-open-competition, cost-plus-fixed-fee, space-science, solar-energy, long-term-contract, aerospace
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $52.6 million to LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION. PHASE C/D OF THE SOLAR -B FOCAL PACKAGE 4200075119 ROLL-UP THRU MOD 34 FY04
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION.
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 $52.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2001-02-09. End: 2010-08-22.
What were the specific research objectives and expected outcomes of the 'SOLAR -B FOCAL PACKAGE' contract?
The 'SOLAR -B FOCAL PACKAGE' contract, awarded to Lockheed Martin Corporation by NASA, was part of the broader Solar-B mission, a joint project between NASA, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) of the UK. The primary objective was to develop and provide key components and scientific instruments for the Solar-B spacecraft, which aimed to study the Sun's magnetic field and plasma processes in unprecedented detail. Specifically, the 'FOCAL PACKAGE' likely encompassed the development of focal plane assemblies or related optical/detector systems crucial for capturing high-resolution solar imagery and data. The expected outcomes included enhanced understanding of solar flares, coronal mass ejections, and the Sun's internal magnetic dynamo, contributing significantly to space weather prediction and fundamental astrophysics.
How did the cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) structure influence the management and cost control of this R&D contract?
The Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) structure for this NASA contract meant that Lockheed Martin was reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred during the research and development phase, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing their profit. This structure is often used for R&D projects where the scope of work can be uncertain or evolve significantly. While it incentivizes the contractor to complete the work, the fixed fee provides NASA with a predictable profit margin. However, CPFF contracts require robust oversight from NASA to ensure that costs are reasonable, allocable, and allowable. Effective management involves detailed cost tracking, regular performance reviews, and proactive identification of potential cost drivers to prevent overruns beyond the anticipated scope, ensuring the overall value delivered aligns with the $52.6 million investment.
What is Lockheed Martin's track record in supporting NASA's solar research and space science missions?
Lockheed Martin Corporation has a long and extensive track record of supporting NASA and other space agencies in various scientific and technological endeavors, including solar research. As a major aerospace and defense contractor, they possess significant expertise in designing, building, and integrating complex spacecraft systems and scientific instruments. Their involvement in missions like Solar-B, as indicated by this contract, demonstrates their capability in advanced R&D for space science. Lockheed Martin has been instrumental in numerous other NASA missions, contributing to areas such as Earth observation, planetary exploration, and astrophysics, often developing cutting-edge technologies and payloads that push the boundaries of scientific understanding. Their consistent performance in high-stakes projects underscores their reliability as a partner for ambitious scientific missions.
How does this contract compare in scale and duration to other NASA R&D investments in solar physics?
This $52.6 million contract, spanning over nine years (February 2001 to August 2010), represents a substantial, long-term investment by NASA in solar physics research. Its duration is indicative of the complex, multi-year development cycles typical for advanced scientific instruments and spacecraft missions. In comparison to other major NASA R&D efforts in solar physics, such as the development of the Parker Solar Probe or the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), this contract's scale appears moderate but significant, particularly for a specific package or instrument suite within a larger mission like Solar-B. Many large-scale solar missions involve multi-hundred-million-dollar budgets and similar multi-year timelines, making this contract a notable, albeit not the largest, component of NASA's sustained commitment to understanding the Sun.
What were the potential risks associated with the technological development required for the SOLAR -B FOCAL PACKAGE?
The technological development for the SOLAR-B FOCAL PACKAGE likely involved several inherent risks typical of advanced space-based scientific instruments. These could include challenges in achieving the required sensitivity and resolution for detectors, ensuring the long-term stability and reliability of optical components in the harsh space environment, and integrating complex systems that must function flawlessly for extended periods. Miniaturization and power efficiency are also common R&D hurdles for space instruments. Furthermore, the development of novel data processing algorithms or software to interpret the complex solar phenomena observed by the instruments presented potential risks. NASA's oversight and Lockheed Martin's engineering expertise would have been critical in mitigating these risks through rigorous testing, prototyping, and iterative design processes.
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: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Lockheed Martin Corp (UEI: 834951691)
Address: 3251 HANOVER STREET, PALO ALTO, CA, 90
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $52,653,315
Exercised Options: $52,653,315
Current Obligation: $52,612,660
Timeline
Start Date: 2001-02-09
Current End Date: 2010-08-22
Potential End Date: 2010-08-22 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2013-08-29
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