NASA's EOSDIS Snow and Ice DAAC contract awarded for $49.9M to University of Colorado for R&D support
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $49,982,274 ($50.0M)
Contractor: THE Regents of the University of Colorado
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2018-08-01
End Date: 2023-05-31
Contract Duration: 1,764 days
Daily Burn Rate: $28.3K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: SUPPORT FOR THE SNOW AND ICE DISTRIBUTED ACTIVE ARCHIVE CENTER (DAAC) FOR THE EARTH OBSERVING SYSTEM DATA AND INFORMATION SYSTEM (EOSDIS) NASA HAS ESTABLISHED, UNDER ITS EARTH SCIENCE PROGRAM, THE EARTH OBSERVING SYSTEM DATA AND INFORMATION SYSTEM (EOSDIS), WHICH IS A COMPREHENSIVE DATA SYSTEM MANAGING THE DATA FROM EARTH SCIENCE RESEARCH SATELLITES AND FIELD MEASUREMENT PROGRAMS. THE SI DAAC IS ONE ELEMENT OF EOSDIS. THE SI DAAC FOCUSES ON THE RECEIVING, ARCHIVING, TRANSFORMING, VALIDATING, AND DISTRIBUTING DIGITAL AND ANALOG SNOW AND ICE DATA PRODUCTS GENERATED FROM NUMEROUS EARTH OBSERVATION SATELLITE INSTRUMENTS, AIRBORNE INSTRUMENTS, AS WELL AS IN SITU DATA SETS. THE SI DAAC ALSO MAINTAINS INFORMATION ABOUT SNOW COVER, AVALANCHES, GLACIERS, ICE SHEETS, FRESHWATER ICE, SEA ICE, GROUND ICE, PERMAFROST, ATMOSPHERIC ICE, PALEO GLACIOLOGY, AND ICE CORES. THE TASKS ASSIGNED TO THE SI DAAC UNDER THE SUBJECT CONTRACT INCLUDE SCIENCE DATA PLANNING AND PRODUCT GENERATION, SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT, OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE, AND USER SUPPORT. THESE TASKS INCLUDE IDENTIFYING AND MAKING AVAILABLE SOURCES OF SNOW AND ICE DATA, SUPPORTING DEVELOPMENT AND GENERATION OF NEW INFORMATION PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ORIENTED TO RESEARCHERS WHO UTILIZE THESE DATA, AND PROVIDING THESE INFORMATION PRODUCTS AND SERVICES TO A SPECTRUM OF USERS INCLUDING FUNDAMENTAL AND APPLIED RESEARCHERS, OPERATIONAL USERS, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THE CONTRACT WILL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: - IMPLEMENT IMPROVED GEOPHYSICAL ALGORITHMS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE USER COMMUNITY FOR CRYOSPHERIC AND POLAR PROCESSES INCLUDING ICE CONCENTRATION AND TYPES, ICE SURFACE TEMPERATURE, SURFACE ALBEDO, SNOW EXTENT, AND SNOW WATER EQUIVALENT - DEVELOP AND IMPROVE METHODS FOR ACQUIRING AND ASSIMILATING DATA STREAMS AND PRODUCING RESEARCH QUALITY DATA PRODUCTS TO MEET SCIENCE OBJECTIVES FOR THE CRYOSPHERE AND POLAR REGIONS - IMPROVE THE ABILITY TO FORECAST AND ASSESS RISKS BY PROVIDING SNOW COVER (AND WATER EQUIVALENT) AND SNOWMELT FORECASTING - WORK WITH NASA TO DEVELOP SYSTEMS THAT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF COMMERCIAL CLOUD-BASED SYSTEMS TO INGEST, ARCHIVE, AND DISTRIBUTE SNOW AND ICE DATA INCLUDING SPECIALIZED SCIENCE DATA SERVICES - TRANSITION CURRENT ON-PREMISE SYSTEMS, OPERATIONS, PROCESSES, PROCEDURES AND POLICIES TO THE EOSDIS CUMULUS CLOUD FRAMEWORK - DEVELOP GREATER SUPPORT BY SCIENTISTS FOR BROAD SCIENCE COMMUNICATION AND EDUCATION EFFORTS - COORDINATE ACTIVITIES AS NECESSARY WITH EOSDIS, OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, AGENCIES, DAACS, NASA CENTERS, INSTITUTIONS AND USER WORKING GROUPS IN ORDER TO ACCOMPLISH THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THIS CONTRACT. THIS INCLUDES DEVELOPING AND MAINTAINING INTERFACES WITH OTHER EOSDIS ORGANIZATIONAL ELEMENTS, OTHER NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES WITH WHICH EOSDIS MUST COOPERATE
Place of Performance
Location: BOULDER, BOULDER County, COLORADO, 80303
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $50.0 million to THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO for work described as: SUPPORT FOR THE SNOW AND ICE DISTRIBUTED ACTIVE ARCHIVE CENTER (DAAC) FOR THE EARTH OBSERVING SYSTEM DATA AND INFORMATION SYSTEM (EOSDIS) NASA HAS ESTABLISHED, UNDER ITS EARTH SCIENCE PROGRAM, THE EARTH OBSERVING SYSTEM DATA AND INFORMATION SYSTEM (EOSDIS), WHICH IS A COMPREHENSI… Key points: 1. Contract supports critical Earth science data archiving and distribution for snow and ice research. 2. Competition was not utilized, raising potential concerns about price discovery and value. 3. Risk associated with sole-source procurement and the long contract duration. 4. Sector is Research and Development, specifically physical and engineering sciences.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract's pricing is difficult to assess without competitive benchmarks. Given the lack of competition, it's unclear if the $49.9M represents a fair market price for the services provided over five years.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and may result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for this significant contract may lead to suboptimal resource allocation and potentially higher costs for taxpayers.
Public Impact
Ensures continued access to vital snow and ice data for climate change research. Supports scientific understanding of cryosphere dynamics and their global impact. Facilitates data sharing and collaboration among researchers worldwide. Contributes to NASA's Earth Science Program objectives.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Long contract duration
- Potential for cost overruns without oversight
Positive Signals
- Supports critical scientific research
- Ensures data continuity
- Established provider
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical and engineering sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for advancing scientific knowledge and technological innovation, but requires careful oversight to ensure value.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, as it was awarded sole-source to a university. Opportunities for small business participation were likely missed.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this contract warrants close oversight to ensure that NASA is receiving fair value and that the contractor is meeting all performance requirements. Regular performance reviews and cost audits would be advisable.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competitive bidding
- Potential for inflated costs due to sole-source award
- Long contract duration may reduce efficiency incentives
- Limited transparency on justification for sole-source
- No explicit small business participation
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, co, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $50.0 million to THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO. SUPPORT FOR THE SNOW AND ICE DISTRIBUTED ACTIVE ARCHIVE CENTER (DAAC) FOR THE EARTH OBSERVING SYSTEM DATA AND INFORMATION SYSTEM (EOSDIS) NASA HAS ESTABLISHED, UNDER ITS EARTH SCIENCE PROGRAM, THE EARTH OBSERVING SYSTEM DATA AND INFORMATION SYSTEM (EOSDIS), WHICH IS A COMPREHENSIVE DATA SYSTEM MANAGING THE DATA FROM EARTH SCIENCE RESEARCH SATELLITES AND FIELD MEASUREMENT PROGRAMS. THE SI DAAC IS ONE ELEMENT OF EOSDIS. THE SI DAAC FOCUSES ON THE RECEIVING, ARCHIVING, TRANSFORMING, VALIDATING, AN
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO.
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 $50.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2018-08-01. End: 2023-05-31.
What is the justification for awarding this contract sole-source, and what steps were taken to ensure fair pricing?
The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED'. A sole-source award typically requires a strong justification, such as a unique capability or lack of alternative sources. Without this justification, it is difficult to assess the necessity of foregoing competition and whether adequate measures were in place to ensure fair pricing, potentially leading to taxpayer risk.
What are the specific risks associated with the long duration of this contract and the lack of competition?
The long duration (over 4.5 years) combined with a sole-source award increases the risk of contractor complacency, potential cost creep, and reduced incentive for innovation. Without competitive pressure, the University of Colorado may have less motivation to optimize costs or improve service delivery over time, impacting the overall value for taxpayer funds.
How effectively does this contract support NASA's broader Earth Science Program goals, and are there alternative ways to achieve these goals?
This contract directly supports the EOSDIS by archiving and distributing crucial snow and ice data, aligning with NASA's Earth Science Program. However, the lack of competition raises questions about whether alternative, potentially more cost-effective, solutions or partnerships could achieve similar or better outcomes, especially considering the significant investment.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › General Science and Technology R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: 80GSFC18R0015
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3100 MARINE ST STE 481 572 UCB, BOULDER, CO, 80309
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: $49,982,274
Exercised Options: $49,982,274
Current Obligation: $49,982,274
Actual Outlays: $39,448,410
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2018-08-01
Current End Date: 2023-05-31
Potential End Date: 2023-05-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2023-03-31
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