NASA awards $37.2M contract to University of Colorado for TSIS2 payload engineering and operations
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $37,239,061 ($37.2M)
Contractor: THE Regents of the University of Colorado
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2019-08-06
End Date: 2026-12-12
Contract Duration: 2,685 days
Daily Burn Rate: $13.9K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: PROVIDE ENGINEERING ANALYSES, HARDWARE & SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT, FABRICATION, INTEGRATION, TEST, EVALUATION, INTEGRATION WITH SPACECRAFT, LAUNCH, INSTRUMENT ACTIVATION, CALIBRATION, VALIDATION, & OPERATIONS THROUGH 60-DAY CHECKOUT FOR TSIS2 PAYLOAD.
Place of Performance
Location: BOULDER, BOULDER County, COLORADO, 80309
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $37.2 million to THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO for work described as: PROVIDE ENGINEERING ANALYSES, HARDWARE & SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT, FABRICATION, INTEGRATION, TEST, EVALUATION, INTEGRATION WITH SPACECRAFT, LAUNCH, INSTRUMENT ACTIVATION, CALIBRATION, VALIDATION, & OPERATIONS THROUGH 60-DAY CHECKOUT FOR TSIS2 PAYLOAD. Key points: 1. Contract covers extensive engineering, development, testing, and operations for the TSIS2 payload. 2. The award is a sole-source contract, raising questions about competition and potential cost savings. 3. Significant risk associated with complex spacecraft integration and long-term operational phases. 4. Spending falls under the 'Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts' manufacturing sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract's cost-plus-fixed-fee structure, while common for R&D, can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. Benchmarking is difficult due to the unique nature of space payload development.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and may result in higher costs compared to a competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition means taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price for these specialized engineering and operational services.
Public Impact
Ensures the successful operation of the TSIS2 payload, crucial for scientific research. Supports advanced space technology development and scientific exploration. Funds specialized engineering and technical expertise within the University of Colorado. Long contract duration implies sustained investment in space science missions.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competitive pricing.
- Complex integration and long operational phase increase risk.
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee can lead to cost escalation.
Positive Signals
- Award to a reputable university for critical space science.
- Comprehensive scope covers the full lifecycle of the payload.
- Clear alignment with NASA's scientific objectives.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the 'Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing' sector. Spending in this niche area is highly specialized and driven by government space exploration initiatives, making direct comparisons to broader manufacturing benchmarks challenging.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to The Regents of the University of Colorado, a large research institution, not a small business. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by NASA, which has established oversight mechanisms for its research and development contracts. However, the sole-source nature necessitates diligent monitoring to ensure cost control and performance.
Related Government Programs
- Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition may lead to inflated costs.
- Complexity of integration and testing poses technical risks.
- Long duration increases exposure to changing requirements or budget constraints.
- Reliance on a single entity for critical payload operations.
Tags
other-guided-missile-and-space-vehicle-p, 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 $37.2 million to THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO. PROVIDE ENGINEERING ANALYSES, HARDWARE & SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT, FABRICATION, INTEGRATION, TEST, EVALUATION, INTEGRATION WITH SPACECRAFT, LAUNCH, INSTRUMENT ACTIVATION, CALIBRATION, VALIDATION, & OPERATIONS THROUGH 60-DAY CHECKOUT FOR TSIS2 PAYLOAD.
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 $37.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2019-08-06. End: 2026-12-12.
What is the justification for the sole-source award, and what steps were taken to ensure fair pricing?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities or a lack of viable alternatives. NASA would need to document why only the University of Colorado could perform this work. Without competition, price discovery is limited, making robust cost analysis and negotiation critical to ensure fair value for taxpayers.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for the 60-day checkout and subsequent operations phase?
Key performance indicators would likely focus on the successful activation, calibration, and validation of the TSIS2 payload's scientific instruments within the specified 60-day checkout period. Post-checkout, KPIs would track instrument uptime, data quality, and adherence to mission operational timelines, ensuring the payload meets its scientific objectives.
How will cost overruns be managed under the Cost No Fee (CNF) contract structure?
While the data indicates 'COST NO FEE' (which is unusual and likely a typo for Cost Plus Fixed Fee or similar), if it were truly CNF, the contractor bears all cost risk. Assuming it's a cost-reimbursement type, NASA's oversight would involve regular audits, performance reviews, and strict adherence to the negotiated fee structure to prevent uncontrolled cost escalation.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing › Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: 80GSFC19R0041
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: $37,239,061
Exercised Options: $37,239,061
Current Obligation: $37,239,061
Actual Outlays: $32,326,893
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2019-08-06
Current End Date: 2026-12-12
Potential End Date: 2026-12-12 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-07
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