NASA Awards $1.35B Follow-On Contract for CXO Operations and Science Support to Smithsonian Institution
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $1,346,978,052 ($1.3B)
Contractor: Smithsonian Institution
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2003-08-31
End Date: 2027-09-30
Contract Duration: 8,796 days
Daily Burn Rate: $153.1K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: FOLLOW ON CONTRACT TO PROVIDE OPERATIONS AND SCIENCE SUPPORT TO THE CXO
Place of Performance
Location: CAMBRIDGE, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02138
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $1.35 billion to SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION for work described as: FOLLOW ON CONTRACT TO PROVIDE OPERATIONS AND SCIENCE SUPPORT TO THE CXO Key points: 1. The contract is a follow-on to existing work, suggesting a continued need for these specific services. 2. The sole-source nature raises questions about potential cost efficiencies and innovation that competition might bring. 3. Long contract duration (over 20 years) could lead to cost overruns if not managed effectively. 4. The primary sector is R&D, which often involves complex and evolving requirements.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can incentivize contractors to increase costs to maximize profit. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if the $1.35B price tag represents fair value compared to similar R&D support services.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially reduces the government's ability to secure the best possible price through market forces.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in taxpayers paying a premium for these services compared to what could be achieved through a competitive process.
Public Impact
Continued support for critical CXO operations ensures ongoing scientific research and data collection. The long-term nature of the contract provides stability for the performing organization and its employees. Potential for cost inefficiencies due to sole-source award could impact the overall return on investment for taxpayer funds.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
- Cost-plus contract type can incentivize cost growth.
- Very long contract duration increases risk of cost overruns and obsolescence.
Positive Signals
- Ensures continuity of critical operations and science support.
- Long-term award provides stability for a key research institution.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector. Spending in this area is crucial for scientific advancement, but often requires careful oversight due to the inherent uncertainties and long timelines involved.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific provisions or set-asides for small businesses in this sole-source contract. The primary contractor is a large institution, suggesting limited direct opportunities for small businesses unless they are subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this contract warrants close oversight by NASA to ensure the Smithsonian Institution is delivering services efficiently and at a reasonable cost, especially given the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure and long duration.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Cost-plus contract type can lead to cost overruns.
- Long contract duration increases risk.
- Lack of small business participation.
- Potential for contractor inefficiency without competitive pressure.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, ma, definitive-contract, billion-dollar
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $1.35 billion to SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. FOLLOW ON CONTRACT TO PROVIDE OPERATIONS AND SCIENCE SUPPORT TO THE CXO
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.
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 $1.35 billion.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2003-08-31. End: 2027-09-30.
What specific justifications were provided for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and do they align with federal procurement regulations for such exceptions?
Federal regulations allow for sole-source awards under specific circumstances, such as when only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services. A thorough review of NASA's justification documentation is necessary to determine if the rationale for awarding this contract to the Smithsonian Institution without competition was valid and met the stringent criteria for sole-source procurement.
How will NASA ensure cost control and prevent potential overruns within this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, given its sole-source nature and extended duration?
NASA must implement robust cost monitoring and control mechanisms, including regular audits and performance reviews. Establishing clear performance metrics and milestones, along with stringent change order management, will be crucial. Regular communication and negotiation with the contractor to manage scope and cost are essential to mitigate risks associated with the contract type and long-term commitment.
What mechanisms are in place to assess the ongoing effectiveness and scientific value of the operations and science support provided by the Smithsonian Institution under this contract?
NASA should establish clear, measurable performance standards and key performance indicators (KPIs) tied to scientific outcomes and operational efficiency. Regular technical reviews, peer assessments of scientific contributions, and user feedback mechanisms are vital. Periodic evaluations of the contract's alignment with NASA's strategic research goals will ensure continued relevance and value.
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: NOT COMPETED
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 60 GARDEN ST, CAMBRIDGE, MA, 02138
Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $1,611,469,193
Exercised Options: $1,406,417,924
Current Obligation: $1,346,978,052
Actual Outlays: $371,593,822
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2003-08-31
Current End Date: 2027-09-30
Potential End Date: 2027-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-13
More Contracts from Smithsonian Institution
- Solar B X RAY Telescope Phase E — $46.8M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- "igf::ot::igf" Other Functions - Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution (tempo) - the Tempo Investigation WAS Selected Under the Nasa Second Stand Alone Missions of Opportunity Notice (salmon-2) Announcement of Opportunity (AO) Program Element Appendix J, Nnh12zda006o-Evi1 for the Earth Venture Instrument-1 (EVI-1) Element of the Earth System Science Pathfinder (essp) Program Office's Earth Venture Line. Tempo Measures Pollution of North America, From Mexico City to the Canadian Tar/Oil Sands, and From the Atlantic to the Pacific, Hourly and AT High Spatial Resolution. Tempo Spectroscopic Measurements in the Ultraviolet and Visible and Provides a Tropospheric Measurement Suite That Includes the KEY Elements of Tropospheric AIR Pollution Chemistry. Measurements ARE From Geostationary Orbit, to Capture the Inherent High Variability in the Diurnal Cycle of Emissions and Chemistry. a Small Product Spatial Footprint Resolves Pollution Sources AT Sub-Urban Scale. Together, This Temporal and Spatial Resolution Improves Emission Inventories, Monitors Population Exposure, and Enables Effective Emission-Control Strategies. Tempo Takes Advantage of a Geostationary (GEO) Host Spacecraft to Provide a Modest Cost Mission That Measures the Spectra Required to Retrieve O3, NO2, SO2, H2CO, C2H2O2, H2O, Aerosols, Cloud Parameters, and UVB Radiation. Tempo Thus Measures the Major Elements, Directly or by Proxy, in the Tropospheric O3 Chemistry Cycle. Multi-Spectral Observations Provide Sensitivity to O3 in the Lowermost Troposphere, Reducing Uncertainty in AIR Quality Predictions by 50%. Tempo Quantifies and Tracks the Evolution of Aerosol Loading. IT Provides Near-Real-Time AIR Quality Products That Will BE Made Widely, Publicly Available. Tempo Makes the First Tropospheric Trace GAS Measurements From GEO, by Building on the Heritage of Five Spectrometers Flown in Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO). These LEO Instruments Measure the Needed Spectra, Although AT Coarse Spatial and Temporal Resolutions, to the Precisions Required for Tempo and USE Retrieval Algorithms Developed for Them by Tempo Science Team Members and Currently Running in Operational Environments. This Makes Tempo an Innovative USE of a Well Proven Technique, Able to Produce a Revolutionary Dataset. Tempo Provides Much of the Atmospheric Measurement Capability Recommended for Geo-Cape in the 2007 National Research Council Decadal Survey, Earth Science and Applications From Space: National Imperatives for the Next Decade and Beyond. Geo-Cape IS NOT Planned for Implementation This Decade, However, Europe (sentinel 4) and Asia (gems) Will Form Parts of a Global GEO Constellation for Pollution Monitoring, With a Major Focus on Intercontinental Pollution Transport. Tempo Will Launch AT a Prime Time to BE a Component of This Constellation — $31.2M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- Phase C/D of the Solar B X-Ray Telescope Roll-Up Thru MOD 30 — $25.1M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- THE Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution (tempo) Contract, Will Conduct the Necessary Research, Develop Algorithms, and Provide Near Real-Time Products for National Aeronautics and Space Administration (nasa's) Hinod Mission — $3.7M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
Other National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracts
- International Space Station — $22.4B (THE Boeing Company)
- TAS::80 0124::TAS Design, Development, Test&evaluation of Project Orion — $15.5B (Lockheed Martin Corp)
- Provide Developmental Hardware and Test Articles, and Manufacture and Assemble Ares I Upper Stages. the Upper Stage (US) Element IS an Integral Part of the Ares I Launch Vehicle and Provides the Second Stage of Flight. the US Element IS Responsible for the Roll Control During the First Stage Burn and Separation; and Will Provide the Guidance and Navigation, Command and Data Handling, and Other Avionics Functions for the Ares I During ALL Phases of the Ascent Flight. the US Element IS a NEW Design That Emphasizes Safety, Operability, and Minimum Life Cycle Cost. the Overall Design, Development, Test and Evaluation (ddt&e), Production, and Sustaining Engineering Efforts Include Activities Performed by Three Organizations; the Nasa Design Team (NDT), the Upper Stage Production Contractor (uspc) and the Instrument Unit Production Contractor (iupc). for Clarity, the Uspc Will BE Referred to AS the Contractor Throughout This Document. Nasa IS Responsible for the Integration of the Primary Elements of the Ares I Launch Vehicle Including: the First Stage, US Including Instrument Unit (IU), and US Engine; and Will Also Integrate the Ares I Launch Vehicle AT the Launch Site. Nasa IS Responsible for the Ddt&e, Including Technical and Programmatic Integration of the US Subsystems and Government-Furnished Property. Nasa Will Lead the Effort to Develop the Requirements and Specifications of the US Element, the Development Plan and Testing Requirements, and ALL Design Documentation, Initial Manufacturing and Assembly Process Planning, Logistics Planning, and Operations Support Planning. Development, Qualification, and Acceptance Testing Will BE Conducted by Nasa and the Contractor to Satisfy Requirements and for Risk Mitigation. Nasa IS Responsible for the Overall Upper Stage Verification and Validation Process and Will Require Support From the Contractor. the Contractor IS Responsible for the Manufacture and Assembly of the Upper Stage Test Flight and Operational Upper Stage Units Including the Installation of Upper Stage Instrument Unit, the Government-Furnished US Engine, Booster Separation Motors, and Other Government-Furnished Property. a Description of the Nasa Managed and Performed Efforts IS Contained in the US Work Packages and Will BE Made Available to the Contractor to Ensure Their Understanding of the Roles and Responsibilities of the NDT, Iupc, and Contractor During the Design, Development, and Operation of the US Element. the US Conceptual Design Described in the Uso-Clv-Se-25704 US Design Definition Document (DDD) IS the Baseline Design for This Contract. the Contractors Early Role Will BE to Provide Producibility Engineering Support to Nasa VIA the Established US Office Structure and to Provide Inputs Into the Final Design Configuration, Specifications, and Standards. Nasa Will Transition the Manufacturing and Assembly, Logistics Support Infrastructure, Configuration Management, and the Sustaining Engineering Functions to the Contractor AT the KEY Points During the Development and Implementation of the Program Currently Planned to Occur NO Later Than 90 Days After the Completion of the Following Major Milestones: Manufacturing and Assembly US Preliminary Design Review (PDR) Logistics Support Infrastructure US PDR Configuration Management US Critical Design Review CDR) Sustaining Engineering US Design Certification Review (DCR) After the Completion of an Orderly Transition of Roles and Responsibilities to the Contractor, Nasa Will Assume an Insight Role Into the Contractors Production, Sustaining Engineering, and Operations Support of the Ares I US Test Program and Flight Hardware. After DCR, the Contractor Will BE Responsible for Sustaining Engineering PER SOW Section 4.7, AS Necessary to Maintain and Support the US Configuration and for Production and Operations Support — $10.5B (THE Boeing Company)
- Space Program Operations Contract (spoc) — $8.5B (United Space Alliance, LLC)
- Joint Us/Russian Human Space Flight Activities — $4.7B (Russia Space Agency)
View all National Aeronautics and Space Administration contracts →