NASA's $143M TAS Contract with Lockheed Martin for Atmospheric Image Assembly: R&D Focus
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $143,095,852 ($143.1M)
Contractor: Lockheed Martin Corporation
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2003-11-04
End Date: 2027-09-30
Contract Duration: 8,731 days
Daily Burn Rate: $16.4K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: TAS::80 0114::TAS THE ATOMOSPHERIC IMAGE ASSEMBLY
Place of Performance
Location: PALO ALTO, SANTA CLARA County, CALIFORNIA, 94304
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $143.1 million to LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION for work described as: TAS::80 0114::TAS THE ATOMOSPHERIC IMAGE ASSEMBLY Key points: 1. Significant R&D investment in atmospheric imaging technology. 2. Sole-source award to Lockheed Martin raises competition concerns. 3. Long contract duration (2003-2027) suggests critical, ongoing need. 4. Cost-plus-fixed-fee structure may incentivize cost overruns.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract's cost-plus-fixed-fee structure, awarded without competition, makes a direct pricing assessment difficult. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts for complex imaging systems is challenging due to the unique nature of the TAS project.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, indicating a lack of competitive bidding. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competed contract.
Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition for a contract of this magnitude raises concerns about potential overspending and suboptimal use of taxpayer funds.
Public Impact
Advancement of atmospheric science and climate monitoring capabilities. Potential for spin-off technologies benefiting other scientific fields. Long-term commitment to a single contractor may limit innovation.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee pricing
- Long contract duration
Positive Signals
- Critical R&D for NASA
- Potential for scientific advancement
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (NAICS 541710). Spending in this sector is crucial for technological advancement but often involves higher risk and less predictable outcomes than other sectors.
Small Business Impact
The contract data does not indicate any subcontracting to small businesses. Further investigation would be needed to determine if small businesses had opportunities to participate in this large-scale R&D effort.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this contract warrants close oversight from NASA to ensure the contractor is meeting performance objectives and managing costs effectively. Regular reviews and audits are essential.
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 higher costs.
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee structure can incentivize overspending.
- Long contract duration may reduce flexibility.
- Limited transparency on specific R&D outcomes.
- Potential for vendor lock-in.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, ca, definitive-contract, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $143.1 million to LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION. TAS::80 0114::TAS THE ATOMOSPHERIC IMAGE ASSEMBLY
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 $143.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2003-11-04. End: 2027-09-30.
What specific technological advancements has the TAS project achieved to justify its sole-source, long-term funding?
The TAS project is critical for NASA's Earth science mission, aiming to provide unprecedented data on atmospheric composition and dynamics. Its advancements are expected to significantly improve climate modeling and weather forecasting. However, the specific technological breakthroughs and their direct link to the sole-source award require detailed justification from NASA to ensure value for money.
What are the primary risks associated with the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure for this R&D contract?
The primary risk of a cost-plus-fixed-fee structure in R&D is the potential for cost overruns, as the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a fixed fee. This can reduce the incentive for the contractor to control expenses, especially in a complex, long-term project where scope can evolve. NASA's oversight is crucial to mitigate this risk.
How does the lack of competition impact the overall effectiveness and innovation of the TAS program?
The lack of competition for the TAS program limits the potential for innovative solutions and cost efficiencies that could arise from a competitive bidding process. While Lockheed Martin may be a capable contractor, alternative approaches or technologies from other firms are not being explored. This could potentially hinder the program's long-term effectiveness and adaptability.
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: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Lockheed Martin Corp
Address: 3251 HANOVER STREET, PALO ALTO, CA, 94304
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $146,711,460
Exercised Options: $146,711,460
Current Obligation: $143,095,852
Actual Outlays: $21,000,571
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2003-11-04
Current End Date: 2027-09-30
Potential End Date: 2027-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-01
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