NASA's TESS Mission Phase B Bridge: $108.7M Contract Awarded to MIT for Exoplanet Research Support
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $108,699,389 ($108.7M)
Contractor: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2013-05-22
End Date: 2026-12-01
Contract Duration: 4,941 days
Daily Burn Rate: $22.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 22
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: TRANSITING EXOPLANET SURVEY SATELLITE (TESS) PROJECT. THIS CONTRACT IS FOR PERFORMANCE OF THE PHASE B BRIDGE PHASE OF THE TESS MISSION. EFFORTS INCLUDED, BUT LIMITED TO, ARE AS FOLLOWS: DEVELOP DOCUMENTATION, PLANS, AND SCHEDULES DEVELOP REQUIREMENTS IN PREPARATION FOR THE SYSTEMS REQUIREMENT REVIEW PERFORM THE TECHNICAL TRADE STUDIES OUTLINED IN THE CONCEPT STUDY REPORT, AND ANY OTHER TRADES IDENTIFIED DURING PHASE B BRIDGE PHASE PROVIDE OVERALL MANAGEMENT FOR THE PAYLOAD DEVELOPMENT PROVIDE TESS SYSTEMS ENGINEERING SUPPORT TO THE PROJECT IN COORDINATION WITH THE GSFC PROJECT SYSTEMS ENGINEER (PSE) MANAGE THE CONTRACTS OF VENDORS AND SUBCONTRACTORS AS NECESSARY DURING THE PHASE B BRIDGE PHASE ESTABLISH THE ELECTRONIC DATABASE OF TESS TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIFICATIONS AS EACH DOCUMENT IS BASELINED. MAINTAIN COMPLETE TRACEABILITY AND CONFIGURATION CONTROL OF ALL TESS PROJECT REQUIREMENT DOCUMENTS. DELIVER DOCUMENTATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS.
Place of Performance
Location: CAMBRIDGE, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02139
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $108.7 million to MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: TRANSITING EXOPLANET SURVEY SATELLITE (TESS) PROJECT. THIS CONTRACT IS FOR PERFORMANCE OF THE PHASE B BRIDGE PHASE OF THE TESS MISSION. EFFORTS INCLUDED, BUT LIMITED TO, ARE AS FOLLOWS: DEVELOP DOCUMENTATION, PLANS, AND SCHEDULES DEVELOP REQUIREMENTS IN PREPARATION FOR THE S… Key points: 1. Contract supports critical Phase B bridge activities for the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission. 2. Efforts include documentation, requirements development, technical trade studies, and payload management. 3. MIT will provide systems engineering support and manage vendor/subcontractor contracts. 4. The contract duration extends through December 2026, indicating a long-term commitment to the mission. 5. This award represents a significant investment in space-based exoplanet detection capabilities. 6. The contract type 'Cost No Fee' suggests that the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs without an additional fee, potentially indicating a focus on mission success over profit.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of approximately $108.7 million for a multi-year effort (2013-2026) appears reasonable for a complex space mission's development and support phase. Benchmarking against similar large-scale NASA science missions suggests that costs are within expected ranges for systems engineering, management, and technical support. The 'Cost No Fee' contract type implies that the primary incentive is mission accomplishment rather than profit, which can be advantageous for taxpayer value in high-risk, high-reward scientific endeavors.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified entities had the opportunity to bid. This process is designed to foster a competitive environment, theoretically leading to better pricing and innovative solutions. The number of bidders is not specified, but the full and open nature suggests a robust competition was sought.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down costs through market forces and encouraging a wider pool of talent and technology, ultimately leading to more efficient use of public funds.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the scientific community and the public, through advancements in understanding exoplanets and the potential for discovering Earth-like worlds. The services delivered include crucial engineering, management, and technical support essential for the TESS mission's success. The geographic impact is global, as TESS data contributes to international astronomical research and discovery. Workforce implications include employment for highly skilled engineers, scientists, and project managers at MIT and its subcontractors.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration (over 13 years) could lead to scope creep or cost overruns if not managed tightly.
- Reliance on a single academic institution for critical mission support may limit access to broader industry innovation.
- The 'Cost No Fee' structure, while potentially good for mission focus, might reduce contractor incentive for aggressive cost control if not paired with strong oversight.
Positive Signals
- Award to a reputable institution like MIT suggests strong technical capability and a track record in space science.
- Full and open competition indicates a commitment to finding the best value and technical solution.
- The contract supports a high-profile scientific mission with significant public interest and potential for groundbreaking discoveries.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the aerospace and defense sector, specifically focusing on space exploration and scientific research. The market for such specialized services is dominated by a few large aerospace companies and leading research institutions. NASA's spending in this area is crucial for maintaining its leadership in space science and technology, with comparable contracts often involving significant multi-year commitments for mission development and operations.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that this contract involved small business set-asides. Given the specialized nature of the work and the prime contractor being a major research institution, the focus is likely on direct performance by the awardee. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist but are not explicitly detailed in the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is likely managed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, which oversees the TESS mission. Accountability measures would include regular progress reports, milestone reviews, and adherence to technical requirements. Transparency is generally maintained through NASA's public outreach and reporting on mission status, though detailed contract-level financial transparency might be limited.
Related Government Programs
- Kepler Space Telescope Mission
- James Webb Space Telescope Program
- Hubble Space Telescope Operations
- Astrophysics Division Research Grants
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration requires sustained oversight.
- Complexity of space mission development presents inherent technical risks.
- Reliance on academic institution for critical support.
Tags
space-exploration, exoplanet-research, nasa, massachusetts-institute-of-technology, definitive-contract, cost-no-fee, full-and-open-competition, systems-engineering, payload-development, science-mission, astrophysics, research-and-development
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $108.7 million to MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. TRANSITING EXOPLANET SURVEY SATELLITE (TESS) PROJECT. THIS CONTRACT IS FOR PERFORMANCE OF THE PHASE B BRIDGE PHASE OF THE TESS MISSION. EFFORTS INCLUDED, BUT LIMITED TO, ARE AS FOLLOWS: DEVELOP DOCUMENTATION, PLANS, AND SCHEDULES DEVELOP REQUIREMENTS IN PREPARATION FOR THE SYSTEMS REQUIREMENT REVIEW PERFORM THE TECHNICAL TRADE STUDIES OUTLINED IN THE CONCEPT STUDY REPORT, AND ANY OTHER TRADES IDENTIFIED DURING PHASE B BRIDGE PHASE PROVIDE OVERALL MANAGEMENT FOR THE PAYLOAD DEVELOPMENT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY.
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 $108.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2013-05-22. End: 2026-12-01.
What is the historical spending pattern for the TESS mission prior to this award?
The provided data focuses on a single contract award for the Phase B bridge phase. To assess historical spending patterns for the TESS mission, one would need to examine prior contract awards for earlier phases (e.g., Phase A concept study, Phase B initial development) and subsequent phases (Phase C/D construction, Phase E/F operations). This would involve analyzing NASA's contract databases for all TESS-related procurements, looking at total obligated amounts, contract types, and awardees over the mission's lifecycle. Without this broader dataset, a comprehensive historical spending analysis is not possible based solely on this single award.
How does the cost per year for this contract compare to similar NASA science missions?
This contract, valued at approximately $108.7 million and spanning from May 2013 to December 2026 (over 13 years), averages roughly $8.36 million per year. Comparing this to similar NASA science missions requires careful consideration of mission scope, complexity, and phase. For instance, the development phases of major observatories like JWST or Chandra involved significantly higher annual expenditures during peak construction. However, support and bridge phases, like this one for TESS, are typically less costly than full development. Benchmarking against missions in similar development or extended support phases would be necessary for a precise comparison, but the annual cost appears moderate for a complex space science instrument and mission support.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract?
The provided data outlines the scope of work, including developing documentation, plans, and schedules; defining requirements; performing technical trade studies; managing payload development; and providing systems engineering support. Key performance indicators (KPIs) would likely be tied to the successful completion of these tasks within defined timelines and to specified technical standards. Examples of KPIs could include timely delivery of critical design documents, successful completion of system requirement reviews, adherence to budget allocations for specific tasks, and positive evaluations of systems engineering support effectiveness by the NASA project team. Specific quantitative KPIs are not detailed in the award abstract.
What is MIT's track record with NASA on similar large-scale science projects?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has a long and distinguished history of collaboration with NASA on major scientific and engineering projects. As a leading research institution, MIT's Lincoln Laboratory and various departments have been involved in numerous space missions, instrument development, and scientific research programs. Their involvement often spans decades and includes critical contributions to areas like astrophysics, planetary science, and satellite technology. The award of this significant contract for the TESS mission's Phase B bridge phase suggests NASA's confidence in MIT's established expertise and proven performance on complex, long-term space science endeavors.
What are the potential risks associated with the 'Cost No Fee' contract type for this mission?
The 'Cost No Fee' (CNF) contract type means the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred but receives no additional profit. While this can align the contractor's focus with mission success rather than profit maximization, it carries specific risks. A primary risk is reduced contractor incentive for stringent cost control, as the financial risk of cost overruns is borne by the government. Without a profit motive, the contractor might be less motivated to find cost-saving efficiencies. Effective oversight and clearly defined performance standards are crucial to mitigate this risk and ensure the government receives good value. NASA's project management and contracting officers must diligently monitor expenditures and performance.
How does the TESS mission contribute to NASA's broader strategic goals in astrophysics?
The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission directly supports NASA's strategic goals in astrophysics by systematically surveying the brightest and nearest stars for transiting exoplanets. This contributes to understanding the diversity of planets beyond our solar system, identifying potentially habitable worlds, and providing targets for follow-up observations by other powerful telescopes like James Webb Space Telescope. TESS's focus on nearby stars makes it particularly valuable for characterizing exoplanet atmospheres and searching for Earth-sized planets in the habitable zones of their stars, aligning with NASA's long-term objective of searching for life beyond Earth and understanding our place in the universe.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Educational Services › Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools › Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
Product/Service Code: SPACE VEHICLES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: NNH11ZDA002O
Offers Received: 22
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 77 MASSACHUSETTS AVE, CAMBRIDGE, MA, 02139
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Private), Higher Education (Public), Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $108,699,389
Exercised Options: $108,699,389
Current Obligation: $108,699,389
Actual Outlays: $42,004,505
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 106
Total Subaward Amount: $64,620,941
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2013-05-22
Current End Date: 2026-12-01
Potential End Date: 2026-12-01 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-02
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