NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission awarded $132.5M for asteroid sample return concept study and development
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $132,454,352 ($132.5M)
Contractor: University of Arizona
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2010-03-16
End Date: 2027-03-31
Contract Duration: 6,224 days
Daily Burn Rate: $21.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 999
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: OSIRIS - REX ASTEROID SAMPLE RETURN MISSION. 1.1 OSIRIS - REX DEPUTY PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR, HEATHER ENOS, OSIRIS - REX BUSINESS MANAGER, DR. DRAKE AND DR. LAURETTA WILL HAVE THE OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY OF THE OSIRIS - REX PHASE A CONCEPT STUDY REPORT. THE CONCEPT STUDY REPORT MUST MEET THE REQUIREMENTS DELINEATED IN PART II OF THE STATEMENT OF WORK. 1.2 THE CONCEPT STUDY REPORT (CSR) WILL INCLUDE, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROPOSED LEVEL 1 SCIENCE REQUIREMENTS, CRITERIA FOR FULL MISSION SUCCESS SATISFYING THE BASELINE SCIENCE MISSION AND CRITERIA FOR MINIMUM MISSION SUCCESS SATISFYING THE THRESHOLD SCIENCE MISSION. 1.3 THE UA MANAGEMENT TEAM WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH THE GSFC AND LM MANAGEMENT TEAMS TO REFINE THE PROPOSED OSIRIS - REX MISSION COSTS. THE UA MANAGEMENT TEAM WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH GSFC PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND LM TO ASSESS THE ROBUSTNESS AND FEASIBILITY OF THE COST AND SCHEDULES. THE UA MANAGEMENT TEAM WILL HAVE THE LEAD FOR THE COST SECTION OF THE REPORT. 1.4 THE UA MANAGEMENT TEAM WILL PROVIDE SUPPORT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF REQUIRED INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS SUCH AS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AGREEMENTS AND ITAR LICENSES. 1.5 THE UA MANAGEMENT TEAM WILL OVERSEE THE PHASE A CONTRACT WITH INSTRUMENT LEAD, DR. PHIL CHRISTENSEN, ASU. 1.6 THE UA MANAGEMENT TEAM WILL PROVIDE INPUTS AND VALIDATION SUPPORT TO THE GSFC INTEGRATED MASTER SCHEDULER. 1.7 DEPUTY PI, DR. LAURETTA, WILL LEAD THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE E/PO AND STUDENT COLLABORATION PLANS. 1.8 THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA (UA) WILL SUPPORT THE OSIRIS-REX SITE VISIT AT LOCKHEED MARTIN, LITTLETON, CO.
Place of Performance
Location: TUCSON, PIMA County, ARIZONA, 85719
State: Arizona Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $132.5 million to UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA for work described as: OSIRIS - REX ASTEROID SAMPLE RETURN MISSION. 1.1 OSIRIS - REX DEPUTY PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR, HEATHER ENOS, OSIRIS - REX BUSINESS MANAGER, DR. DRAKE AND DR. LAURETTA WILL HAVE THE OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY OF THE OSIRIS - REX PHASE A CONCEPT STUDY REP… Key points: 1. Contract focuses on the critical Phase A concept study and development for the OSIRIS-REx mission. 2. Key personnel from the University of Arizona, GSFC, and Lockheed Martin will collaborate on mission costs and requirements. 3. Success criteria will be defined for both baseline and threshold science missions. 4. The contract is a definitive contract type, indicating a long-term agreement for services. 5. The contract duration is substantial, spanning over 17 years from award to expected completion. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541712 points to R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The total award of $132.5 million for a multi-year, complex space mission concept study and development appears reasonable given the scope. While direct comparisons are difficult due to the unique nature of space exploration contracts, the funding aligns with the significant R&D investment required for such ambitious projects. The 'Cost No Fee' (Cost Reimbursement) contract type suggests that the government will reimburse allowable costs incurred by the contractor, with no fee or profit. This is common for R&D efforts where the final cost is uncertain.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit proposals. This competitive process is designed to ensure the government receives the best value by fostering a range of innovative solutions and competitive pricing. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down costs through market forces and encouraging a wider pool of contractors to vie for the work, leading to potentially more efficient use of public funds.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the scientific community and the public, who will gain invaluable knowledge about asteroid composition and origins. The mission aims to deliver a sample from the asteroid Bennu back to Earth for detailed analysis. The geographic impact is global, contributing to humanity's understanding of the solar system. This contract supports highly skilled jobs in aerospace engineering, planetary science, and research.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration (over 17 years) increases the risk of cost overruns and scope creep.
- Complexity of asteroid sample return missions presents inherent technical and operational risks.
- Reliance on specific key personnel could pose a risk if they become unavailable.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process to secure best value.
- Involvement of multiple reputable organizations (University of Arizona, GSFC, Lockheed Martin) indicates strong technical capabilities.
- Clear definition of success criteria for both baseline and threshold missions provides measurable objectives.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically NAICS code 541712, focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The aerospace industry, a significant part of this sector, involves substantial government investment in exploration and technology development. Comparable spending benchmarks in space exploration R&D are typically in the tens to hundreds of millions of dollars for major missions, making the $132.5 million award for OSIRIS-REx's concept and development phase consistent with industry norms.
Small Business Impact
Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans is not explicitly detailed in the provided data. However, given the nature and scale of the OSIRIS-REx mission, it is likely that large aerospace contractors and research institutions would be the primary awardees. Subcontracting opportunities for specialized services or components may exist, potentially benefiting small businesses within the aerospace supply chain, but specific set-aside goals are not apparent from this data.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract is primarily managed by NASA, likely through its procurement and program management offices. The 'Cost No Fee' contract type necessitates close monitoring of expenditures to ensure costs are allowable and reasonable. NASA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract. Transparency is generally maintained through contract awards databases and public reporting of mission progress.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Exploration Mission Programs
- Planetary Science Division Initiatives
- Asteroid and Comet Exploration
- Space Science Research Contracts
- Aerospace Engineering Services
Risk Flags
- Long-term project duration increases risk of cost escalation.
- Technical complexity of asteroid sample return.
- Potential for unforeseen challenges during asteroid surface operations.
Tags
research-and-development, nasa, university-of-arizona, aerospace, space-exploration, asteroid-sample-return, definitive-contract, full-and-open-competition, cost-no-fee, arizona, science, planetary-science
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $132.5 million to UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA. OSIRIS - REX ASTEROID SAMPLE RETURN MISSION. 1.1 OSIRIS - REX DEPUTY PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR, HEATHER ENOS, OSIRIS - REX BUSINESS MANAGER, DR. DRAKE AND DR. LAURETTA WILL HAVE THE OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY OF THE OSIRIS - REX PHASE A CONCEPT STUDY REPORT. THE CONCEPT STUDY REPORT MUST MEET THE REQUIREMENTS DELINEATED IN PART II OF THE STATEMENT OF WORK. 1.2 THE CONCEPT STUDY REPORT (CSR) WILL INCLUDE, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROPOSED LEVEL 1 SCIENCE REQUIREMENTS, CRITERI
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA.
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 $132.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2010-03-16. End: 2027-03-31.
What is the historical spending trend for the OSIRIS-REx mission and similar asteroid sample return missions?
The provided data reflects an initial award of $132.5 million for the OSIRIS-REx Phase A concept study and development, awarded in March 2010 with an expected completion in March 2027. This represents a significant investment for the early stages of a complex space mission. While specific historical spending for OSIRIS-REx beyond this initial award is not detailed here, major NASA missions often involve budgets in the hundreds of millions to billions of dollars over their lifecycle. For instance, NASA's Stardust mission, which preceded OSIRIS-REx, had a total cost of approximately $530 million. The OSIRIS-REx mission's total cost has been reported to be around $1 billion, encompassing development, launch, operations, and sample return. Comparing this to other asteroid sample return missions is challenging as OSIRIS-REx is one of the pioneering efforts in this specific domain, making direct historical spending comparisons limited.
How does the University of Arizona's track record in managing large-scale NASA contracts compare to industry standards?
The University of Arizona (UA) has a well-established track record in managing significant scientific research and space exploration projects for NASA. As the lead institution for the OSIRIS-REx mission, UA's involvement signifies NASA's confidence in its capabilities. UA has a history of managing complex research grants and contracts, often involving interdisciplinary teams and large budgets. While specific performance metrics for all past contracts are not publicly detailed, their selection as the principal investigator institution for a flagship mission like OSIRIS-REx suggests a strong performance history. Industry standards for managing such contracts emphasize adherence to cost, schedule, and technical performance. UA's continued engagement with NASA on high-profile projects indicates a generally positive performance record in meeting these demanding requirements.
What are the primary risks associated with the OSIRIS-REx mission's technical objectives, and how are they being mitigated?
The OSIRIS-REx mission faces several significant technical risks inherent in its ambitious objectives. These include the challenges of navigating to and orbiting a small, irregularly shaped asteroid like Bennu, accurately identifying a suitable sample collection site, and successfully executing the Touch-And-Go (TAG) maneuver to collect regolith. The asteroid's surface properties, including the presence of large boulders or unstable terrain, pose a risk to the sampling mechanism. Furthermore, the safe return of the sample to Earth, involving atmospheric re-entry and landing, presents its own set of engineering challenges. Mitigation strategies involve extensive modeling and simulation, rigorous testing of spacecraft components, development of advanced navigation and hazard avoidance systems, and detailed reconnaissance of the asteroid surface using onboard instruments to select the safest and most scientifically valuable sampling location. Redundancy in critical systems is also incorporated to enhance mission resilience.
Can the value for money for this contract be assessed given its R&D focus and long duration?
Assessing the 'value for money' for a complex R&D contract like OSIRIS-REx's initial phase is challenging using traditional metrics. The primary value lies not in immediate cost savings but in the long-term scientific return and technological advancement. The $132.5 million award for concept study and development is an investment in acquiring fundamental knowledge about asteroid composition, the early solar system, and potentially resources for future space exploration. The 'Cost No Fee' structure means the government reimburses actual costs, making direct price comparisons difficult. However, the 'full and open competition' award mechanism suggests that the chosen approach and contractor were deemed the most advantageous after a competitive evaluation. The value is ultimately measured by the scientific discoveries made, the technological innovations developed, and the potential long-term benefits to science and industry, rather than a simple cost-benefit ratio at the contract award stage.
What are the implications of the 'Cost No Fee' contract type for taxpayer risk and contractor incentive?
The 'Cost No Fee' (CNF) contract type, also known as Cost Reimbursement (CR) without profit, has specific implications for taxpayers and contractor incentives. For taxpayers, CNF contracts mean the government bears the financial risk of cost overruns, as it agrees to reimburse all allowable, allocable, and reasonable costs incurred by the contractor. However, since there is no fee or profit included, the government avoids paying a premium for contractor performance. This structure is typically used for research and development or when cost uncertainties are high, as is common in pioneering space missions. For the contractor, the incentive is not profit maximization but rather the successful completion of the contract's objectives and the reimbursement of incurred costs. This can sometimes lead to less pressure to control costs aggressively compared to fixed-price contracts, although NASA's oversight mechanisms aim to mitigate this by scrutinizing allowable costs.
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: 999
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 888 N EUCLID AVE, TUCSON, AZ, 85719
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), U.S. Regional/State Government
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $140,549,191
Exercised Options: $140,549,191
Current Obligation: $132,454,352
Actual Outlays: $56,173,345
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 4
Total Subaward Amount: $1,674,223
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2010-03-16
Current End Date: 2027-03-31
Potential End Date: 2027-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-23
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