NASA's $28M STEREO Phase A study for particle measurements awarded to UC Regents, spanning over 15 years
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $28,121,759 ($28.1M)
Contractor: Regents of the University of California, the
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2000-02-22
End Date: 2015-06-30
Contract Duration: 5,607 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 99
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: STEREO PHASE A CONCEPT STUDY FOR INSITU_POP5-22-00 MEASUREMENTS OF PARTICLES&CME TRANSIENTS(IMPACT)
Place of Performance
Location: BERKELEY, ALAMEDA County, CALIFORNIA, 94704
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $28.1 million to REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, THE for work described as: STEREO PHASE A CONCEPT STUDY FOR INSITU_POP5-22-00 MEASUREMENTS OF PARTICLES&CME TRANSIENTS(IMPACT) Key points: 1. The contract's long duration suggests a phased approach to complex research, potentially indicating a need for sustained effort. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, this contract likely benefited from a broad range of technical expertise. 3. The 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' NAICS code points to a high-tech, specialized service. 4. The cost-no-fee contract type implies the contractor bears the financial risk, often seen in research-intensive projects. 5. The significant duration and cost indicate a substantial investment in understanding space weather phenomena.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this specific research and development contract is challenging due to its unique scientific objectives and long duration. The cost-no-fee structure shifts risk to the contractor, which can be a positive indicator of contractor confidence. However, without comparable studies or clear performance metrics tied to dollar amounts, a definitive value assessment is difficult. The total award amount of approximately $28 million over 15 years suggests a moderate annual expenditure for a complex scientific endeavor.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that NASA sought proposals from all responsible sources. This approach generally fosters competitive pricing and allows for the selection of the most technically capable offeror. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition suggests a robust process aimed at achieving the best value for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining services at competitive prices and encourages innovation among potential offerors.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA and the scientific community, gaining crucial data on particle and CME transients. The research aims to improve understanding of space weather, which has implications for satellite operations and astronaut safety. The project contributes to the broader field of heliophysics and space science research. The workforce involved likely includes highly specialized scientists, engineers, and technicians.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- The extended contract duration (over 15 years) could present risks related to evolving scientific requirements and technological obsolescence.
- The cost-no-fee structure, while shifting risk, might also limit the contractor's incentive for cost efficiency if not managed carefully.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition suggests a thorough vetting process and potential for high-quality technical solutions.
- The specific focus on STEREO mission data indicates alignment with established scientific goals and potential for significant research output.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the aerospace and defense sector, specifically focusing on scientific research and development related to space exploration. The market for such specialized scientific studies is typically dominated by research institutions and highly specialized R&D firms. NASA's spending in this area is critical for advancing fundamental knowledge and supporting its ambitious space missions. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the unique nature of space science research contracts.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by the 'ss' and 'sb' fields being false. The focus on advanced scientific research and development often involves large, complex projects that may not be suitable for small business set-asides. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not explicitly detailed but could exist if specialized expertise is required.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under NASA's program management and contracting officers. Given the research and development nature, performance monitoring likely focuses on scientific milestones and adherence to research plans rather than traditional deliverable-based oversight. Transparency is generally maintained through public scientific publications and NASA's reporting mechanisms. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Heliophysics Research Programs
- Space Weather Research
- STEREO Mission Support
- NASA Science Mission Directorate Contracts
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration may increase risk of scope creep or obsolescence.
- Cost-No-Fee structure requires careful monitoring of allowable costs.
Tags
nasa, research-and-development, space-science, heliophysics, full-and-open-competition, definitive-contract, cost-no-fee, university-research, california, particle-physics, space-weather
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $28.1 million to REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, THE. STEREO PHASE A CONCEPT STUDY FOR INSITU_POP5-22-00 MEASUREMENTS OF PARTICLES&CME TRANSIENTS(IMPACT)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, THE.
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 $28.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2000-02-22. End: 2015-06-30.
What was the specific scientific objective of the STEREO Phase A concept study?
The STEREO (Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory) Phase A concept study, specifically for 'INSITU_POP5-22-00 MEASUREMENTS OF PARTICLES&CME TRANSIENTS(IMPACT)', aimed to define and assess the feasibility of a mission concept. The primary objective was to develop a plan for in-situ measurements of particles and Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) in the solar wind. This involved understanding the characteristics, propagation, and impact of these phenomena on the near-Earth space environment. Phase A studies are crucial for initial mission design, scientific justification, and preliminary technical and cost assessments before a mission is approved for further development.
How does the 'Cost No Fee' contract type impact the contractor's risk and NASA's oversight?
A 'Cost No Fee' (CNF) contract type means that the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred during the performance of the contract, but receives no fee or profit. This structure places the entire financial risk on the contractor. If costs exceed estimates or the project encounters unforeseen difficulties, the contractor absorbs those losses. For NASA, this can be advantageous as it incentivizes the contractor to manage costs diligently to avoid personal loss. However, it also means NASA's oversight must be robust in ensuring that costs are allowable, reasonable, and allocable, as the government is still obligated to pay for the work performed, even without a profit incentive for the contractor.
What are the implications of the contract's long duration (over 15 years) for scientific research and budget planning?
The extensive duration of over 15 years for this research contract suggests a long-term commitment to a complex scientific investigation, likely involving multiple phases of study, data analysis, and potentially instrument development or refinement. For scientific research, this extended timeline allows for in-depth exploration of phenomena, collection of extensive datasets, and adaptation to evolving scientific understanding. From a budget planning perspective, such long-term commitments require consistent allocation of funds within NASA's budget, posing a challenge for fiscal predictability and potentially competing with other research priorities. It also implies a high degree of confidence in the scientific merit and potential return on investment of the research.
Can the $28.1 million award be considered a benchmark for similar space physics research contracts?
The $28.1 million award for the STEREO Phase A concept study is difficult to use as a direct benchmark for similar space physics research contracts due to several factors. Firstly, 'Phase A' studies are typically conceptual and feasibility-focused, differing significantly in scope and deliverables from later mission phases (B, C, D, etc.) which involve detailed design, construction, and launch. Secondly, the duration of over 15 years is exceptionally long for a single contract, suggesting a unique, sustained research effort rather than a typical project cycle. Finally, the specific scientific objectives related to in-situ measurements of particles and CMEs are highly specialized. Benchmarking would require comparing it to other Phase A studies, similar duration R&D efforts in heliophysics, or contracts with comparable scientific complexity and risk profiles.
What is the significance of the NAICS code 541710 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences)?
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541710 signifies that the primary business activity of the contractor, in this case, the Regents of the University of California, for this contract, is conducting research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences. This code encompasses establishments that conduct research and development, whether or not they sell their products or services. It indicates a focus on scientific inquiry, experimentation, and the creation of new knowledge or the application of existing knowledge to develop new or improved products, processes, or services. For NASA, awarding contracts under this code ensures they are engaging entities with the core competencies required for advanced scientific and technical exploration.
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: 99
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: State of California Controllers Office (UEI: 071549000)
Address: 336 SPROUL HALL, BERKELEY, CA, 94720
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Higher Education (Minority Serving), Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $28,147,614
Exercised Options: $28,147,614
Current Obligation: $28,121,759
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2000-02-22
Current End Date: 2015-06-30
Potential End Date: 2015-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-09-17
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