NASA's $23.3M contract for Landsat 9's TIRS-2 cryocooler awarded to BAE Systems, highlighting R&D in space sensor technology
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $23,256,504 ($23.3M)
Contractor: BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2016-02-04
End Date: 2019-10-31
Contract Duration: 1,365 days
Daily Burn Rate: $17.0K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF DESIGN, FABRICATION, ASSEMBLY, TESTING, AND DELIVERY OF A FLIGHT MODEL LANDSAT 9 THERMAL INFRARED SENSOR (TIRS-2)CRYOCOOLER.
Place of Performance
Location: BOULDER, BOULDER County, COLORADO, 80301
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $23.3 million to BAE SYSTEMS SPACE & MISSION SYSTEMS INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF DESIGN, FABRICATION, ASSEMBLY, TESTING, AND DELIVERY OF A FLIGHT MODEL LANDSAT 9 THERMAL INFRARED SENSOR (TIRS-2)CRYOCOOLER. Key points: 1. The contract value of $23.3 million represents a significant investment in advanced sensor technology for Earth observation. 2. BAE Systems, a major defense and aerospace contractor, secured this award, indicating their specialized capabilities in space systems. 3. The contract's focus on research and development suggests a high degree of technical complexity and innovation. 4. The definitive contract type and cost-plus-fixed-fee structure are common for complex R&D projects where final costs may be uncertain. 5. The duration of 1365 days (approximately 3.75 years) points to a substantial and long-term development effort. 6. The absence of small business involvement suggests the specialized nature of the work may not align with typical small business set-aside opportunities.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $23.3 million for a flight model cryocooler for a Landsat satellite appears reasonable given the specialized nature of space-grade sensor components. Benchmarking against similar highly specialized R&D contracts for space instruments is challenging due to limited public data. However, the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure suggests that while a target cost was established, there is flexibility for cost adjustments during development, which is typical for cutting-edge technology.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, indicated by 'NOT COMPETED'. This suggests that BAE Systems was likely the only or most qualified vendor capable of producing the highly specialized TIRS-2 cryocooler. Sole-source awards can occur when there is a lack of competition due to proprietary technology, unique capabilities, or urgent needs where only one source can fulfill the requirement. The lack of competition means price discovery through market forces was not utilized.
Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, a sole-source award means there was no opportunity to benefit from competitive bidding, which typically drives down prices. While the specialized nature of the technology may justify the sole-source award, it necessitates careful oversight to ensure fair pricing and value for money.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA and the scientific community, who will gain access to enhanced Earth observation data from the Landsat 9 mission. The services delivered include the design, fabrication, assembly, testing, and delivery of a critical component for a flagship Earth science satellite. The geographic impact is global, as Landsat data is used worldwide for environmental monitoring, resource management, and climate change research. Workforce implications include employment for highly skilled engineers, scientists, and technicians involved in advanced aerospace manufacturing and R&D.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competitive pricing, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers.
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts can incentivize cost overruns if not managed diligently.
- The specialized nature of the technology might create vendor lock-in for future similar procurements.
Positive Signals
- Award to a reputable contractor (BAE Systems) with demonstrated expertise in space systems.
- Focus on critical R&D for a vital Earth observation program (Landsat 9).
- Contract duration suggests a commitment to developing robust and reliable technology.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on advanced physical and engineering sciences for aerospace applications. The market for space-grade sensor components and cryocoolers is highly specialized, dominated by a few key players with extensive experience and certifications. NASA's spending in this area is crucial for maintaining its leadership in Earth observation and space exploration. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the unique nature of flight-qualified components.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have significant subcontracting requirements for them based on the available data. The highly specialized and technical nature of developing a flight model cryocooler for a space mission typically requires advanced manufacturing capabilities and certifications that are often held by larger, established aerospace firms. This limits opportunities for small businesses to participate directly in this specific contract.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under NASA's contracting officers and program management. Given it's a sole-source award for R&D, rigorous technical reviews, milestone tracking, and financial audits would be expected. The Inspector General's office at NASA would have jurisdiction for investigating any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract's execution. Transparency is generally maintained through program reviews and public reporting on the Landsat mission's progress.
Related Government Programs
- Landsat Program
- Earth Observing System
- Space Technology Mission Directorate
- NASA Research and Development Contracts
- Satellite Sensor Development
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type
- High-technology R&D project
Tags
research-and-development, nasa, colorado, definitive-contract, large-contract, sole-source, space-technology, earth-observation, sensor-development, cryocooler, aerospace, federal-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $23.3 million to BAE SYSTEMS SPACE & MISSION SYSTEMS INC.. IGF::OT::IGF DESIGN, FABRICATION, ASSEMBLY, TESTING, AND DELIVERY OF A FLIGHT MODEL LANDSAT 9 THERMAL INFRARED SENSOR (TIRS-2)CRYOCOOLER.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BAE SYSTEMS SPACE & MISSION SYSTEMS INC..
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 $23.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2016-02-04. End: 2019-10-31.
What is the track record of BAE Systems in delivering similar space-grade sensor components to NASA or other agencies?
BAE Systems has a long and established history of providing complex systems and components for space missions. They are a major contractor for NASA, the Department of Defense, and other space-faring organizations. Their experience includes developing sensors, spacecraft components, and integrated systems for various platforms, including satellites and deep space probes. While specific details on cryocooler delivery for prior Landsat missions are not readily available in this summary, their broad expertise in aerospace manufacturing and technology development suggests a strong capability to undertake this project. NASA's decision to award this contract sole-source likely stems from BAE Systems' proven performance and specialized knowledge in this niche area.
How does the $23.3 million contract value compare to the overall cost of the Landsat 9 mission?
The Landsat 9 mission, like its predecessors, is a significant undertaking with a total cost that includes the satellite itself, launch services, ground systems, and data processing. While the exact total cost of Landsat 9 is not provided here, previous Landsat missions have cost hundreds of millions of dollars. For instance, Landsat 8 had an estimated cost of around $850 million. Therefore, the $23.3 million allocated for the TIRS-2 cryocooler represents a substantial but likely proportionate investment in a critical instrument. This figure is a significant portion of the instrument development budget, reflecting the complexity and high-technology requirements of such a component.
What are the primary risks associated with developing a flight model cryocooler for a space mission?
Developing a flight model cryocooler for a space mission involves several significant risks. Technical risks include achieving the required cooling temperatures reliably in the harsh environment of space, ensuring long-term operational stability, and meeting stringent performance specifications. Schedule risks are common in R&D projects, where unforeseen technical challenges can lead to delays. Cost risks are also present, particularly with cost-plus contracts, where development complexities can drive up expenses beyond initial estimates. Furthermore, integration risks with the rest of the satellite system and the potential for component failure during testing or in orbit are critical concerns that require meticulous design, rigorous testing, and robust quality control.
What is the expected impact of the TIRS-2 sensor on Landsat 9's scientific capabilities?
The Thermal Infrared Sensor 2 (TIRS-2) is a crucial instrument for the Landsat 9 mission, designed to capture thermal imagery of the Earth's surface. This capability is vital for monitoring land surface temperature, which has wide-ranging applications in agriculture (e.g., crop water stress), urban heat island effects, water resource management (e.g., reservoir monitoring), and understanding climate change impacts. TIRS-2 is expected to provide higher data quality and potentially improved spatial resolution compared to its predecessor on Landsat 8, enhancing the continuity and scientific value of the Landsat program's long-term thermal data record. This will enable more precise analysis of environmental changes and resource dynamics globally.
What is the historical spending trend for Landsat program instruments or similar R&D contracts?
Historical spending on Landsat program instruments has consistently represented a significant portion of the overall mission costs. For example, the development and fabrication of sophisticated sensors like the Operational Land Imager (OLI) and Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) for Landsat 8 involved substantial R&D investments, running into tens of millions of dollars each. Contracts for such specialized components are typically awarded to established aerospace firms with proven expertise. Spending trends show a continuous need for advanced, reliable, and long-lasting instruments to maintain the unparalleled 50-year data record of the Landsat program. The $23.3 million for the TIRS-2 cryocooler aligns with these historical patterns for critical instrument development.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: NNG15554953
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Ball Corp
Address: 1600 COMMERCE ST, BOULDER, CO, 80301
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $23,526,976
Exercised Options: $23,526,976
Current Obligation: $23,256,504
Actual Outlays: $97,191
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $141,640
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2016-02-04
Current End Date: 2019-10-31
Potential End Date: 2019-10-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-16
More Contracts from BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems Inc.
- Weather System Follow-On - Microwave - System Design of Satellite With Microwave Radiometer and Sensor — $528.5M (Department of Defense)
- Engineering Services and Development Leading to the Delivery of the Omps Protoflight Model and Support — $479.0M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- Jpss-1 Mission Spacecraft Rapid III Delivery Order #3. Rapid III Provides Core Spacecraft Systems in Support of the Scientific and Technology Development Goals of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Goddard Space Flight Center, and Other Federal Agencies. the Scope of Work Includes Design, Build and Test, Payload Integration and Test, Launch Vehicle Integration and Support and On-Orbit Checkout and Acceptance — $365.7M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- THE Woma Requirement WAS Issued AS a Full and Open Competitive Procurement to Design, Analyze, Develop, Fabricate, Integrate, Test, and Evaluate the Wide Field Instrument (WFI) Opto-Mechanical Assembly (woma) for the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (wfirst) Mission. in Addition, IT Defines the Tasks Necessary to Support the Subsequent Integration, Test, Evaluation, and Validation of the WFI. IT Defines the Post-Delivery Support to Payload and Observatory Integration and Test, and to Pre-Launch, Launch and Commissioning Activities AT the Mission Operations Center (MOC) and to Supply and Maintain the Instrument Ground Support Equipment (GSE) — $307.9M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- National Aeronautical&space Administration (nasa) and the Goddard Space Flight Center (gsfc) HAS a Requirement for the Continuation of the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Microwave Imager (GMI) Instrument. the GMI Instrument IS a 13 Channel Radiometer Whose Core Science Measures the Earth S Atmospheric Moisture Within 10.65 GHZ Through 183 GHZ of the Microwave Spectrum — $233.7M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
View all BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems Inc. federal contracts →
Other National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracts
- International Space Station — $22.4B (THE Boeing Company)
- TAS::80 0124::TAS Design, Development, Test&evaluation of Project Orion — $15.5B (Lockheed Martin Corp)
- Provide Developmental Hardware and Test Articles, and Manufacture and Assemble Ares I Upper Stages. the Upper Stage (US) Element IS an Integral Part of the Ares I Launch Vehicle and Provides the Second Stage of Flight. the US Element IS Responsible for the Roll Control During the First Stage Burn and Separation; and Will Provide the Guidance and Navigation, Command and Data Handling, and Other Avionics Functions for the Ares I During ALL Phases of the Ascent Flight. the US Element IS a NEW Design That Emphasizes Safety, Operability, and Minimum Life Cycle Cost. the Overall Design, Development, Test and Evaluation (ddt&e), Production, and Sustaining Engineering Efforts Include Activities Performed by Three Organizations; the Nasa Design Team (NDT), the Upper Stage Production Contractor (uspc) and the Instrument Unit Production Contractor (iupc). for Clarity, the Uspc Will BE Referred to AS the Contractor Throughout This Document. Nasa IS Responsible for the Integration of the Primary Elements of the Ares I Launch Vehicle Including: the First Stage, US Including Instrument Unit (IU), and US Engine; and Will Also Integrate the Ares I Launch Vehicle AT the Launch Site. Nasa IS Responsible for the Ddt&e, Including Technical and Programmatic Integration of the US Subsystems and Government-Furnished Property. Nasa Will Lead the Effort to Develop the Requirements and Specifications of the US Element, the Development Plan and Testing Requirements, and ALL Design Documentation, Initial Manufacturing and Assembly Process Planning, Logistics Planning, and Operations Support Planning. Development, Qualification, and Acceptance Testing Will BE Conducted by Nasa and the Contractor to Satisfy Requirements and for Risk Mitigation. Nasa IS Responsible for the Overall Upper Stage Verification and Validation Process and Will Require Support From the Contractor. the Contractor IS Responsible for the Manufacture and Assembly of the Upper Stage Test Flight and Operational Upper Stage Units Including the Installation of Upper Stage Instrument Unit, the Government-Furnished US Engine, Booster Separation Motors, and Other Government-Furnished Property. a Description of the Nasa Managed and Performed Efforts IS Contained in the US Work Packages and Will BE Made Available to the Contractor to Ensure Their Understanding of the Roles and Responsibilities of the NDT, Iupc, and Contractor During the Design, Development, and Operation of the US Element. the US Conceptual Design Described in the Uso-Clv-Se-25704 US Design Definition Document (DDD) IS the Baseline Design for This Contract. the Contractors Early Role Will BE to Provide Producibility Engineering Support to Nasa VIA the Established US Office Structure and to Provide Inputs Into the Final Design Configuration, Specifications, and Standards. Nasa Will Transition the Manufacturing and Assembly, Logistics Support Infrastructure, Configuration Management, and the Sustaining Engineering Functions to the Contractor AT the KEY Points During the Development and Implementation of the Program Currently Planned to Occur NO Later Than 90 Days After the Completion of the Following Major Milestones: Manufacturing and Assembly US Preliminary Design Review (PDR) Logistics Support Infrastructure US PDR Configuration Management US Critical Design Review CDR) Sustaining Engineering US Design Certification Review (DCR) After the Completion of an Orderly Transition of Roles and Responsibilities to the Contractor, Nasa Will Assume an Insight Role Into the Contractors Production, Sustaining Engineering, and Operations Support of the Ares I US Test Program and Flight Hardware. After DCR, the Contractor Will BE Responsible for Sustaining Engineering PER SOW Section 4.7, AS Necessary to Maintain and Support the US Configuration and for Production and Operations Support — $10.5B (THE Boeing Company)
- Space Program Operations Contract (spoc) — $8.5B (United Space Alliance, LLC)
- Joint Us/Russian Human Space Flight Activities — $4.7B (Russia Space Agency)
View all National Aeronautics and Space Administration contracts →