NASA's $133M SEISS Instruments Contract Awarded to Assurance Technology Corp for Weather Satellites
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $133,051,390 ($133.1M)
Contractor: Assurance Technology Corp
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2006-08-24
End Date: 2039-06-25
Contract Duration: 11,993 days
Daily Burn Rate: $11.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: IT
Official Description: TAS::80 0122::TAS SPACE ENVIRONMENT IN-SITU (SEISS) INSTRUMENTS FOR WEATHER SATELLITES
Place of Performance
Location: CARLISLE, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01741
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $133.1 million to ASSURANCE TECHNOLOGY CORP for work described as: TAS::80 0122::TAS SPACE ENVIRONMENT IN-SITU (SEISS) INSTRUMENTS FOR WEATHER SATELLITES Key points: 1. Significant long-term contract value of $133 million. 2. Competition method was 'Full and Open', suggesting broad market engagement. 3. Risk is moderate due to the long contract duration and cost-plus award fee structure. 4. Sector is primarily IT/Engineering Services supporting critical space infrastructure.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF), which can lead to higher costs if not managed tightly. Benchmarking against similar long-term instrument development contracts is difficult without more specific cost breakdowns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which is generally positive for price discovery. However, the long duration and CPAF structure may allow for cost growth over time.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are committed over a long period, with potential for cost overruns inherent in CPAF contracts for complex, long-term projects.
Public Impact
Ensures continued development and maintenance of critical weather satellite instruments. Supports NASA's climate monitoring and space weather research capabilities. Long-term commitment may impact budget flexibility for future projects.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration (over 30 years)
- Cost Plus Award Fee structure can incentivize cost growth
- Potential for scope creep over the extended period
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition utilized
- Supports critical national infrastructure (weather satellites)
- Long-term planning and stability for a key program
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting advanced technology for space applications. Spending benchmarks for long-term, specialized instrument development contracts are highly variable and project-specific.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates the prime contractor is Assurance Technology Corp. There is no explicit information on small business subcontracting participation in this data snippet.
Oversight & Accountability
The long duration and CPAF structure necessitate robust oversight from NASA to ensure cost control and performance standards are met throughout the contract lifecycle.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Long-term contract risk
- Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) cost escalation potential
- Technological obsolescence over contract duration
- Dependency on a single contractor for critical components
Tags
engineering-services, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, ma, definitive-contract, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $133.1 million to ASSURANCE TECHNOLOGY CORP. TAS::80 0122::TAS SPACE ENVIRONMENT IN-SITU (SEISS) INSTRUMENTS FOR WEATHER SATELLITES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ASSURANCE TECHNOLOGY CORP.
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 $133.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2006-08-24. End: 2039-06-25.
What is the projected cost per instrument or major deliverable under this contract?
The provided data does not detail the cost per instrument. The contract is a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) type, with a total value of $133 million over its entire duration. Specific unit costs would depend on the number and complexity of instruments developed and delivered, which are not itemized here.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and award fee criteria for Assurance Technology Corp?
The data does not specify the key performance indicators or award fee criteria. For a CPAF contract of this nature, KPIs would likely relate to instrument performance, reliability, on-time delivery, and adherence to technical specifications. Award fees would be tied to exceeding these baseline requirements.
How does the long contract duration impact the technological relevance of the instruments?
The contract spans from 2006 to 2039, a significant period. This long duration poses a risk that the instruments developed may become technologically outdated before the contract ends. NASA's oversight and potential contract modifications would be crucial to ensure the instruments remain relevant and effective for weather monitoring.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: NNG05126277R
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 84 S ST, CARLISLE, MA, 01741
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $149,735,953
Exercised Options: $149,735,953
Current Obligation: $133,051,390
Actual Outlays: $15,998,363
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2006-08-24
Current End Date: 2039-06-25
Potential End Date: 2039-06-25 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-09
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