NASA's $30.8M Spectrograph Focal Plane Array Contract Awarded to Teledyne Scientific
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $30,799,176 ($30.8M)
Contractor: Teledyne Scientific & Imaging, LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2004-02-25
End Date: 2009-06-30
Contract Duration: 1,952 days
Daily Burn Rate: $15.8K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: SPECTROGRAPH FOCAL PLANE ARRAY
Place of Performance
Location: THOUSAND OAKS, VENTURA County, CALIFORNIA, 91360
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $30.8 million to TELEDYNE SCIENTIFIC & IMAGING, LLC for work described as: SPECTROGRAPH FOCAL PLANE ARRAY Key points: 1. High cost for a single award, raising questions about value. 2. Sole-source award limits competition and potentially inflates price. 3. Long contract duration (1952 days) suggests significant project scope. 4. Focus on R&D in physical sciences indicates specialized, potentially high-risk technology.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $30.8 million for a Spectrograph Focal Plane Array is difficult to benchmark without specific technical details. However, given the sole-source nature and long duration, the pricing warrants scrutiny against potential alternatives or historical data for similar advanced sensor technologies.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This significantly limits price discovery and competitive pressure, potentially leading to higher costs for the government compared to a fully competed procurement.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in taxpayers paying a premium for this specialized equipment.
Public Impact
Advanced scientific instrumentation for space exploration or research. Potential for groundbreaking discoveries enabled by this technology. Long-term investment in critical national scientific capabilities.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- High contract value
- Long contract duration
Positive Signals
- Supports critical R&D
- Advanced technology development
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (NAICS 541710). Spending in this sector is often characterized by high innovation, long development cycles, and significant upfront investment, with outcomes that can be uncertain but potentially transformative.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Teledyne Scientific & Imaging, LLC, a large business. There is no indication of small business participation in this sole-source award, which is common for highly specialized R&D procurements.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award suggests limited opportunities for competitive oversight. NASA's internal review processes would be crucial to ensure the necessity and fair pricing of this contract.
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
- Lack of competition may lead to overpayment.
- High contract value for a single vendor.
- Long contract duration increases risk of cost overruns or scope creep.
- Potential for technology obsolescence during the long development period.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, ca, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $30.8 million to TELEDYNE SCIENTIFIC & IMAGING, LLC. SPECTROGRAPH FOCAL PLANE ARRAY
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TELEDYNE SCIENTIFIC & IMAGING, LLC.
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 $30.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2004-02-25. End: 2009-06-30.
What was the justification for the sole-source award, and were alternative solutions or vendors considered?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent needs that only one vendor can meet. NASA would need to provide documentation detailing why Teledyne Scientific & Imaging, LLC was the only viable option and the steps taken to ensure fair and reasonable pricing in the absence of competition.
How does the cost of this spectrograph focal plane array compare to similar technologies developed for other government agencies or commercial applications?
Benchmarking this cost requires access to detailed specifications and pricing data for comparable systems. Without this, it's challenging to assess value. NASA should have conducted a price analysis based on historical data, commercial price lists, or other government contracts for similar advanced sensor arrays to ensure reasonableness.
What are the specific scientific or technological advancements expected from this focal plane array, and how will their success be measured?
The expected advancements should align with NASA's mission objectives in areas like astronomy or Earth science. Success metrics would likely involve performance specifications such as sensitivity, resolution, spectral range, and operational reliability. Clear, measurable objectives are crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of this R&D investment.
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
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE (V)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (UEI: 112358432)
Address: 1049 CAMINO DOS RIOS, THOUSAND OAKS, CA, 26
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $30,799,176
Exercised Options: $30,799,176
Current Obligation: $30,799,176
Timeline
Start Date: 2004-02-25
Current End Date: 2009-06-30
Potential End Date: 2009-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2013-11-06
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