NASA's satellite ocean color program contract awarded to Science Applications International Corporation for over $24.9 million
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $24,948,831 ($24.9M)
Contractor: Science Applications International Corporation
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2006-06-24
End Date: 2012-10-23
Contract Duration: 2,313 days
Daily Burn Rate: $10.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF THE NASA SATELLITE OCEAN COLOR PROGRAM. THE OCEAN BIOLOGY PROCESSING GROUP (OBPG) REPRESENTS AN INTEGRATION OF MISSION OPERATIONS, DATA ACQUISITION, CALIBRATION AND VALIDATION, DATA PROCESSING, DATA ARCHIVAL AND DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS, AND COMMUNITY PROCESSING SOFTWARE SUPPORT WITHIN ONE CO-LOCATED GROUP. THIS DIVERSITY OF ROLES REFLECTS NASA HEADQUARTERS STRATEGY FOR A MISSIONS TO MEASUREMENTS SCENARIO THAT FACILITATES THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONSISTENT DATA SETS ACROSS MISSIONS NEEDED FOR CLIMATE DATA RECORDS. THE OBPG IS CURRENTLY HANDLING THE OPERATIONAL PROCESSING OF SEAWIFS AND MODIS/AQUA OCEAN COLOR DATA PRODUCTS, THE REANALYSIS OF THE CZCS AND OCEAN COLOR AND TEMPERATURE SENSOR (OCTS) OCEAN COLOR DATA SETS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROTOTYPE DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM FOR THE GLORY MISSION. RECENTLY, THE OBPG HAS BEEN GIVEN THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MODIS/TERRA AND AQUA SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURE DATA PROCESSING, AND GROUND SYSTEM FOR THE AQUARIUS SALINITY MISSION WHICH IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN GSFC, THE JET PROPULSION LABORATORY (JPL), AND THE ARGENTINE SPACE AGENCY, CONAE. THIS CONTRACT PROVIDES FOR CONTRACTOR SUPPORT OF THESE ACTIVITIES.
Place of Performance
Location: GREENBELT, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20771
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $24.9 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION for work described as: SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF THE NASA SATELLITE OCEAN COLOR PROGRAM. THE OCEAN BIOLOGY PROCESSING GROUP (OBPG) REPRESENTS AN INTEGRATION OF MISSION OPERATIONS, DATA ACQUISITION, CALIBRATION AND VALIDATION, DATA PROCESSING, DATA ARCHIVAL AND DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS, AND COMMUNITY PROCESS… Key points: 1. Contract supports critical NASA satellite ocean color data processing and distribution. 2. Focus on consistent data sets across missions for climate records. 3. Science Applications International Corporation has managed this program since 2006. 4. Contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, indicating performance-based incentives. 5. The program integrates mission operations, data acquisition, and community support. 6. This contract is a significant investment in understanding oceanographic changes.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of over $24.9 million over its duration appears reasonable for the complex scientific and operational support required for NASA's satellite ocean color program. While direct comparisons are difficult without more granular data on specific deliverables and market rates for similar specialized scientific support, the sustained nature of the contract suggests satisfactory performance and value. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure allows for flexibility and incentivizes performance, which can lead to better outcomes than fixed-price contracts in research-intensive areas.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This competitive process is generally expected to yield fair pricing and good value for the government. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the full and open nature suggests a robust competition was sought.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment that drives down costs and encourages innovation.
Public Impact
Benefits climate scientists and researchers by providing essential processed satellite data. Supports the understanding of oceanographic changes, including climate impacts. Ensures the availability of long-term, consistent data sets for climate records. Facilitates the development and distribution of ocean color data products. Contributes to NASA's Earth science mission objectives.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns inherent in Cost Plus Award Fee contracts if not closely managed.
- Dependence on a single contractor for a critical, long-term scientific program.
- Risk of knowledge loss if contractor personnel turnover is high.
Positive Signals
- Long-term contract indicates stable performance and established expertise.
- Cost Plus Award Fee structure incentivizes high performance and efficiency.
- Integration of diverse functions within one group suggests streamlined operations.
- Focus on consistent data sets across missions enhances scientific utility.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on Earth sciences and remote sensing. The market for specialized scientific data processing and analysis services for government agencies is competitive, with a mix of large prime contractors and smaller specialized firms. NASA's investment in satellite ocean color programs is part of a broader global effort to monitor and understand Earth's climate system, requiring significant technical expertise and long-term data management capabilities. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within other large-scale NASA or NOAA Earth observation programs.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates that small business participation was not a primary set-aside goal for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). While large prime contractors like Science Applications International Corporation may utilize small businesses for subcontracting, the primary award was not directed towards small business set-asides. This means the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific contract is likely limited to subcontracting opportunities, rather than direct prime contract awards.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily be managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) through contract officers and technical representatives. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure necessitates close monitoring of performance against established award criteria. Transparency is generally maintained through NASA's public reporting of contract awards and program activities. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Earth Science Division Programs
- NOAA Satellite Operations
- Climate Data Record Initiatives
- Oceanographic Research Grants
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee contract type requires close government oversight to manage costs.
- Long-term reliance on a single contractor could pose a risk if performance degrades.
- Dependence on specialized scientific expertise highlights the importance of contractor personnel retention.
Tags
nasa, satellite-operations, ocean-color, data-processing, climate-research, r-and-d, science-applications-international-corporation, cost-plus-award-fee, full-and-open-competition, maryland, earth-science, research-and-development-in-the-physical-engineering-and-life-sciences
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $24.9 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION. SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF THE NASA SATELLITE OCEAN COLOR PROGRAM. THE OCEAN BIOLOGY PROCESSING GROUP (OBPG) REPRESENTS AN INTEGRATION OF MISSION OPERATIONS, DATA ACQUISITION, CALIBRATION AND VALIDATION, DATA PROCESSING, DATA ARCHIVAL AND DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS, AND COMMUNITY PROCESSING SOFTWARE SUPPORT WITHIN ONE CO-LOCATED GROUP. THIS DIVERSITY OF ROLES REFLECTS NASA HEADQUARTERS STRATEGY FOR A MISSIONS TO MEASUREMENTS SCENARIO THAT FACILITATES THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONSISTENT DATA SETS ACROSS MISSIO
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL 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 $24.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2006-06-24. End: 2012-10-23.
What is the historical spending trend for NASA's satellite ocean color program?
The provided data reflects a single contract awarded in 2006 with an end date in 2012, totaling approximately $24.9 million. This suggests a significant, multi-year investment in this specific program. To understand the broader historical spending trend, one would need to examine previous contracts for similar services, as well as other related ocean color initiatives managed by NASA or other agencies. Analyzing spending across different fiscal years for this contract would reveal the annual allocation and expenditure patterns, which could indicate fluctuations based on program needs or budget cycles. Without access to a more comprehensive dataset of all related contracts and their durations, a complete historical trend analysis is not possible from this single data point.
How does the performance of Science Applications International Corporation on this contract compare to industry benchmarks?
Assessing Science Applications International Corporation's (SAIC) performance on this specific contract against industry benchmarks requires detailed performance metrics and award fee determinations, which are not publicly available in this dataset. However, the fact that the contract was awarded under full and open competition and sustained over its duration (2006-2012) suggests a level of satisfactory performance. SAIC is a large, established government contractor with a broad range of capabilities. To provide a robust comparison, one would need to analyze SAIC's performance on similar scientific support contracts across different agencies, looking at factors like on-time delivery, budget adherence, and technical quality. Industry benchmarks for scientific data processing and operational support often focus on data accuracy, processing efficiency, and the ability to meet evolving scientific requirements.
What are the key risks associated with this contract and how are they mitigated?
Key risks associated with this contract include potential cost overruns, given the Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure, and the risk of knowledge loss or disruption if key personnel depart. Mitigation strategies for CPAF contracts typically involve rigorous oversight by the government to ensure that costs are reasonable and that award fees are justified based on performance. NASA's contract officers and technical representatives would be responsible for monitoring SAIC's progress and expenditures closely. To mitigate knowledge loss, contracts often include requirements for documentation, knowledge transfer plans, and personnel retention incentives. Furthermore, the long duration of the contract suggests that NASA has confidence in SAIC's ability to maintain continuity and manage these risks effectively over time.
What is the overall effectiveness of the Ocean Biology Processing Group (OBPG) in achieving NASA's objectives?
The effectiveness of the OBPG, as supported by this contract, is measured by its ability to provide consistent, high-quality ocean color data essential for climate research. The program's integration of mission operations, data acquisition, calibration, validation, processing, and distribution functions within a single group aims to enhance data consistency across different satellite missions. This integrated approach is crucial for developing reliable climate data records. NASA's continued investment and the long-term nature of the contract suggest that the OBPG is effectively fulfilling its role in supporting NASA's Earth science objectives, particularly in understanding oceanographic changes and their impact on the global climate system.
How does this contract contribute to NASA's broader climate change research portfolio?
This contract is a vital component of NASA's broader climate change research portfolio by ensuring the operational processing and distribution of satellite-derived ocean color data. Ocean color is a critical indicator of marine ecosystem health, phytoplankton abundance, and carbon cycling – all key elements in understanding global climate dynamics. The OBPG's work, supported by this contract, enables scientists to track changes in ocean productivity, monitor the impact of climate change on marine life, and improve climate models. By facilitating the development of consistent data sets across missions, it provides the long-term, reliable data necessary for robust climate change assessments and the creation of essential climate data records.
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: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1710 SAIC DR, MCLEAN, VA, 22102
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $30,000,000
Exercised Options: $30,000,000
Current Obligation: $24,948,831
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2006-06-24
Current End Date: 2012-10-23
Potential End Date: 2012-10-23 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-08-28
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