NASA's IXPE Phase A contract awarded to BAE Systems for $116M, focusing on X-ray polarimetry research
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $116,283,755 ($116.3M)
Contractor: BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2015-10-01
End Date: 2027-01-31
Contract Duration: 4,140 days
Daily Burn Rate: $28.1K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF IMAGING X-RAY POLARIMETRY EXPLORER (IXPE) PHASE A
Place of Performance
Location: BOULDER, BOULDER County, COLORADO, 80301
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $116.3 million to BAE SYSTEMS SPACE & MISSION SYSTEMS INC. for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF IMAGING X-RAY POLARIMETRY EXPLORER (IXPE) PHASE A Key points: 1. Contract value of $116.3M for a research and development effort in physical sciences. 2. Sole-source award suggests limited market availability or specific contractor expertise. 3. Long contract duration of 12 years (Oct 2015 - Jan 2027) indicates a phased, long-term research project. 4. Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type allows for cost reimbursement plus a fixed fee, common in R&D. 5. The contract supports the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) mission, a scientific endeavor. 6. Primary performance location in Colorado, with a significant federal agency presence. 7. No small business set-aside, indicating the prime contractor is likely a large business.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to its specific R&D nature and sole-source award. The total obligation of $116.3 million over 12 years suggests a moderate annual spend for a complex scientific instrument development and operation. Without comparable sole-source R&D contracts for similar space-based observatories, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. However, the CPFF structure implies that costs are monitored, and the fixed fee provides a degree of cost certainty for the contractor.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed. This typically occurs when only one responsible source is available or capable of providing the required services or supplies. For a specialized scientific mission like IXPE, it's plausible that BAE Systems possessed unique capabilities, intellectual property, or prior development experience essential for its success, justifying the lack of broader competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can limit opportunities for taxpayers to benefit from competitive pricing, potentially leading to higher costs than if multiple bidders had vied for the contract.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the scientific community and the public, through advancements in astrophysics and understanding of cosmic phenomena. The contract delivers the development, testing, and operation of the IXPE spacecraft and its scientific instruments. This mission will provide unique data on X-ray polarization from celestial sources, enhancing our knowledge of extreme environments in the universe. The project supports specialized scientific and engineering jobs, particularly in the aerospace and research sectors.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits price discovery and potential cost savings for taxpayers.
- Long contract duration may present risks related to cost overruns or scope creep if not managed tightly.
- CPFF contract type can incentivize higher spending if not rigorously overseen, as contractor profit is fixed regardless of efficiency.
Positive Signals
- Contract supports a high-priority scientific mission for NASA, advancing fundamental research.
- BAE Systems is a reputable contractor with significant experience in aerospace and defense.
- The fixed fee component provides some cost predictability for the government.
- The contract is for a specific, well-defined research objective (IXPE mission).
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on physical sciences and space exploration. The aerospace industry, a significant segment of the R&D sector, involves the design, development, and production of aircraft, spacecraft, and related systems. NASA's spending in this area is crucial for maintaining U.S. leadership in space science and technology. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve other large-scale, specialized scientific instrument development contracts for space missions.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the prime contractor, BAE Systems, is a large corporation. There is no indication of specific subcontracting plans for small businesses within the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal, though BAE Systems may engage small businesses as subcontractors for specific components or services.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with NASA's contracting officers and program management teams. They are responsible for monitoring performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and managing costs. Given the R&D nature and sole-source award, robust technical oversight is critical. While not explicitly stated, NASA's Inspector General likely has jurisdiction for audits and investigations related to potential fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Science Mission Directorate Programs
- Astrophysics Explorer Missions
- Space Science Instruments
- Research and Development Contracts
- Aerospace Engineering Services
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
- Long contract duration
Tags
nasa, research-and-development, space-exploration, astrophysics, sole-source, cost-plus-fixed-fee, definitive-contract, colorado, large-business, science-and-technology, aerospace
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $116.3 million to BAE SYSTEMS SPACE & MISSION SYSTEMS INC.. IGF::CL::IGF IMAGING X-RAY POLARIMETRY EXPLORER (IXPE) PHASE A
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 $116.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2015-10-01. End: 2027-01-31.
What is the track record of BAE Systems in delivering similar complex scientific instruments for NASA or other agencies?
BAE Systems has a substantial track record in the aerospace and defense industry, including significant contributions to space programs. They have been involved in developing various components and systems for satellites, space telescopes, and other complex space-based platforms. While specific details on their success rate for delivering entire scientific instruments of IXPE's complexity under sole-source contracts are not provided here, their general experience suggests a capability to handle such projects. NASA's selection of BAE Systems likely considered their past performance and technical expertise relevant to the IXPE mission's unique requirements.
How does the total contract value of $116.3 million compare to other NASA R&D contracts for similar space science missions?
The total contract value of $116.3 million for the IXPE Phase A mission, spread over approximately 12 years, represents a moderate investment for a dedicated space science mission. NASA's large-scale projects, such as the James Webb Space Telescope or Mars rovers, often involve budgets in the billions of dollars. However, smaller explorer-class missions or specific instrument development contracts can range from tens to hundreds of millions. Without a direct comparison of similar sole-source R&D contracts for X-ray polarimetry missions, it's difficult to definitively benchmark. However, the value appears consistent with the development and initial operation phases of specialized scientific payloads.
What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source, Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for a long-duration R&D project like IXPE?
The primary risks associated with this contract structure are twofold. Firstly, the sole-source nature eliminates the potential for cost savings that competition can drive, potentially leading to a higher overall price for taxpayers. Secondly, the CPFF structure, while providing cost certainty for the contractor's fee, can incentivize higher spending if not rigorously managed, as the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a fixed profit. For a long-duration R&D project, risks also include potential cost overruns due to unforeseen technical challenges, scope creep, and schedule delays, which require diligent oversight from NASA to mitigate.
What is the expected scientific impact or return on investment for the $116.3 million investment in the IXPE mission?
The IXPE mission is expected to provide unprecedented data on the polarization of X-rays from various celestial sources, including black holes, neutron stars, and active galactic nuclei. This data will help scientists understand the fundamental physics governing these extreme environments, such as the mechanisms of particle acceleration and the nature of magnetic fields. The scientific return is considered high, as it addresses fundamental questions in astrophysics and opens a new observational window (X-ray polarimetry) for studying the universe. While a direct financial ROI is not applicable, the value lies in advancing scientific knowledge and potentially leading to new discoveries.
How has NASA's spending on R&D for space science missions evolved over the past decade, and where does IXPE fit in?
NASA's overall budget for R&D in space science has fluctuated over the past decade, influenced by national priorities, economic conditions, and the lifecycle of major projects. Spending typically focuses on a mix of large flagship missions, mid-sized explorer-class missions (like IXPE), and smaller technology development initiatives. IXPE represents a mid-sized investment in astrophysics, fitting within NASA's strategy to pursue diverse scientific objectives across different scales and cost points. Its value lies in providing unique scientific capabilities that complement other ongoing and future space science endeavors.
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
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 12202 AIRPORT WAY, BROOMFIELD, CO, 80021
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: $118,319,721
Exercised Options: $118,319,721
Current Obligation: $116,283,755
Actual Outlays: $69,783,412
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 46
Total Subaward Amount: $43,086,765
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2015-10-01
Current End Date: 2027-01-31
Potential End Date: 2027-01-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-15
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