GRAIL Mission: NASA awards $361.6M contract to MIT for lunar exploration research and development
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $11,476,807 ($11.5M)
Contractor: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2008-01-22
End Date: 2016-09-30
Contract Duration: 3,174 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: GRAVITY RECOVERY AND INTERIOR LABORATORY (GRAIL) MISSION THE GRAIL PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (PI) IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUCCESS AND SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY OF THE GRAIL MISSION. AS SUCH, THE PI SHALL LEAD THE PROJECT, MANAGE PROJECT RESOURCES, AND DIRECT ALL ACTIVITIES OF THE SCIENCE TEAM CARRIED OUT IN SUPPORT OF GRAIL MISSION. THE PI IS ASSISTED BY A DEPUTY PI AT NASA GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT RESEARCH CENTER (GSFC). THE JET PROPULSION LABORATORY (JPL) SHALL SUPPORT THE PI WITH A PROJECT TEAM EXPERIENCED IN MANAGEMENT, SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, MISSION DESIGN, PAYLOAD DEVELOPMENT, SAFETY AND MISSION ASSURANCE, NAVIGATION, AND MISSION OPERATIONS. SALLY RIDE SCIENCE SHALL SUPPORT THE PI WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GRAIL EDUCATION AND PUBLIC OUTREACH PROGRAM. IN ADDITION TO THE PI, THE MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (MIT) PERSONNEL INCLUDE STUDENT AND POST DOC PARTICIPANTS AND ADMINISTRATIVE AND BUSINESS SUPPORT STAFF. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROJECT PERFORMANCE OVERSIGHT, INCLUDING: 1. SERVE AS THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE GRAIL MISSION TO NASA AND EXTERNAL ORGANIZATIONS. 2. PROVIDE SCIENCE TEAM LEADERSHIP AND ESTABLISH AND MANAGE NON-GOVERNMENT (I.E., OTHER THAN JPL OR GSFC) SCIENCE TEAM CONTRACTS AND GRANTS. 3. DEVELOP SCIENCE REQUIREMENTS, SUBORDINATE SCIENCE REQUIREMENTS, AND THE SCIENCE DATA MANAGEMENT PLAN. 4. PARTICIPATE IN ALL PROJECT-LEVEL REVIEWS AS DESCRIBED IN THE GRAIL MASTER SCHEDULE, AND SHALL ATTEND OTHER PROJECT TECHNICAL, SCIENCE, MANAGEMENT, AND E/PO REVIEWS AND MEETINGS AS NEEDED. 5. REVIEW AND CONCUR WITH THE JPL PM ON PROJECT AND ENGINEERING DECISIONS THAT AFFECT MISSION SUCCESS AND SCIENCE INTEGRITY. 6. IMPLEMENT AN EDUCATION AND PUBLIC OUTREACH PROGRAM CONSISTENT WITH NASA GOALS AND POLICIES, INCLUDING THE ESTABLISHMENT AND OVERSIGHT OF THE E/PO CONTRACT TO SALLY RIDE SCIENCE. 7. COLLABORATE WITH THE LUNAR GRAVITY RANGING SYSTEM INSTRUMENT TEAM TO COMPLETE OR REFINE PLANS AND DESIGNS FOR THE TWO INSTRUMENTS. 8. PROVIDE INPUTS FOR THE MISSION OPERATIONS SYSTEM AND GROUND DATA SYSTEM (MOS/GDS) AND INSTRUMENT DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE JPL PMSR AND NASA PDR. 9. ESTABLISH AGREEMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE PARTICIPATION IN COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATIONS. 10. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PREPARE AND SUBMIT A FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT REPORT (533M) IN ACCORDANCE WITH DRD 1238MA-001 FOR THE MIT CONTRACT AND ALL SUBCONTRACTORS TO NASA. 11. PERFORM OVERSIGHT OF INTEGRATED FINANCIAL REPORTING FOR THE JPL ACTIVITIES. 12. ESTABLISH THE INDEPENDENT GRAIL STANDING REVIEW BOARD (SRB) MEMBERSHIP FOR NASA LIFE CYCLE REVIEWS, BEGINNING WITH THE PDR, AND DEVELOP EVALUATION PLANS FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF MISSION REVIEWS.
Place of Performance
Location: CAMBRIDGE, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02139
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $11.5 million to MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: GRAVITY RECOVERY AND INTERIOR LABORATORY (GRAIL) MISSION THE GRAIL PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (PI) IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUCCESS AND SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY OF THE GRAIL MISSION. AS SUCH, THE PI SHALL LEAD THE PROJECT, MANAGE PROJECT RESOURCES, AND DIRECT ALL ACTIVITIES OF THE SCIENCE… Key points: 1. The GRAIL mission, led by MIT, focuses on lunar exploration and scientific integrity. 2. NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and JPL provide critical support for mission operations and development. 3. The contract value is $361.6 million over a period of 3174 days. 4. This R&D contract falls under the 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $361.6 million for a complex R&D mission over nearly 9 years appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar large-scale NASA science missions would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process that likely led to a fair price discovery. The definitive contract type indicates a clear scope of work.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for a significant scientific endeavor with potential for groundbreaking discoveries in lunar science.
Public Impact
Advances understanding of the Moon's composition and internal structure. Provides valuable data for future lunar missions and space exploration. Engages the public through an education and outreach program. Supports scientific research and technological development in space science.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns in long-term R&D projects.
- Reliance on key personnel (PI) could pose a risk if continuity is disrupted.
Positive Signals
- Clear leadership structure with defined support roles.
- Focus on scientific integrity and mission success.
- Inclusion of public outreach component.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the R&D sector, specifically focusing on physical and engineering sciences related to space exploration. NASA's R&D spending is crucial for advancing scientific knowledge and technological capabilities.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small businesses were not directly involved as prime contractors in this specific award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract structure with defined roles for the PI, Deputy PI, JPL, and Sally Ride Science suggests a framework for oversight. NASA's internal review processes and reporting requirements would be key to accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Long-term R&D project with inherent uncertainties.
- Reliance on key personnel for mission success.
- Potential for scope creep or unforeseen technical challenges.
- Complexity of managing multiple supporting organizations (JPL, GSFC).
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, ma, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $11.5 million to MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. GRAVITY RECOVERY AND INTERIOR LABORATORY (GRAIL) MISSION THE GRAIL PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (PI) IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUCCESS AND SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY OF THE GRAIL MISSION. AS SUCH, THE PI SHALL LEAD THE PROJECT, MANAGE PROJECT RESOURCES, AND DIRECT ALL ACTIVITIES OF THE SCIENCE TEAM CARRIED OUT IN SUPPORT OF GRAIL MISSION. THE PI IS ASSISTED BY A DEPUTY PI AT NASA GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT RESEARCH CENTER (GSFC). THE JET PROPULSION LABORATORY (JPL) SHALL SUPPORT THE PI WITH A PROJECT TEAM EXPERIE
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 $11.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-01-22. End: 2016-09-30.
What are the key scientific objectives of the GRAIL mission and how will they be measured?
The GRAIL mission aims to map the Moon's gravitational field with unprecedented accuracy to understand its internal structure and evolution. This will be achieved using two spacecraft, 'Ebb' and 'Flow', which will fly in formation, measuring minute variations in gravity. The data collected will help scientists determine the Moon's internal density, composition, and thermal state, providing insights into planetary formation.
What are the primary risks associated with the GRAIL mission's long duration and complex R&D nature?
The primary risks include potential technological failures of the spacecraft or instruments over the mission's extended duration, unforeseen scientific challenges requiring adaptive solutions, and the possibility of budget overruns due to the inherent uncertainties in R&D. Personnel continuity, especially concerning the Principal Investigator, also presents a risk if key individuals are unavailable for extended periods.
How effective is the current contract structure in ensuring the scientific integrity and successful completion of the GRAIL mission?
The contract structure appears robust, with a clear designation of the Principal Investigator responsible for scientific integrity and leadership. The involvement of NASA Goddard and JPL for technical and operational support, along with a dedicated project team, enhances the likelihood of successful mission completion. The defined roles and responsibilities aim to maintain focus on scientific objectives.
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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 77 MASSACHUSETTS AVE, CAMBRIDGE, MA, 02139
Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $15,228,860
Exercised Options: $15,228,860
Current Obligation: $11,476,807
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-01-22
Current End Date: 2016-09-30
Potential End Date: 2016-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2019-02-11
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