NASA Awards $3M to UMich for SWFC Cup Prototype Design and Demonstration
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,995,373 ($3.0M)
Contractor: Regents of the University of Michigan
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2021-09-01
End Date: 2024-12-31
Contract Duration: 1,217 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: UMICH SHALL DESIGN, BUILD, AND DOCUMENT A PROTOTYPE DESIGN OF THE SWFC CUP SUCH WITH THE UNIQUE NEW INSTRUMENT DESIGN COMBINATION OF A TRADITIONAL FARADAY CUP AND THE RPA. THIS DESIGN SHALL THEN BE DEMONSTRATED VIA FUNCTIONAL PERFORMANCE TESTING.
Place of Performance
Location: ANN ARBOR, WASHTENAW County, MICHIGAN, 48109
State: Michigan Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $3.0 million to REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN for work described as: UMICH SHALL DESIGN, BUILD, AND DOCUMENT A PROTOTYPE DESIGN OF THE SWFC CUP SUCH WITH THE UNIQUE NEW INSTRUMENT DESIGN COMBINATION OF A TRADITIONAL FARADAY CUP AND THE RPA. THIS DESIGN SHALL THEN BE DEMONSTRATED VIA FUNCTIONAL PERFORMANCE TESTING. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on R&D for a novel instrument combining Faraday Cup and RPA. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Potential risk lies in the novelty of the instrument design and demonstration success. 4. Sector is Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $2,995,373 for a prototype design and demonstration appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the research and development involved. Benchmarking is difficult without specific details on similar instrument development contracts.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value proposal.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for advanced scientific instrument development, which could lead to future technological advancements and potential long-term benefits.
Public Impact
Advancement of space exploration technology through innovative instrument design. Potential for new scientific discoveries enabled by the SWFC Cup. Investment in university research infrastructure and expertise.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Novelty of the instrument design may present unforeseen technical challenges.
- Demonstration success is critical for validating the prototype.
- Contract duration is substantial, requiring ongoing monitoring.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition suggests a fair market approach.
- Award to a reputable university research institution.
- Clear objective for prototype design and demonstration.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically for physical and engineering sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for innovation but can be subject to higher risk due to the inherent uncertainties of research.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to the Regents of the University of Michigan, a large research institution. There is no indication that small businesses were involved as prime contractors or subcontractors in this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
NASA's oversight will be critical to ensure the successful design, development, and demonstration of the SWFC Cup prototype within the allocated budget and timeline. Regular progress reviews and performance testing are expected.
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
- Technical risk associated with novel instrument design.
- Performance risk related to successful demonstration.
- Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen technical issues arise.
- Dependency on specific university research capabilities.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, mi, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $3.0 million to REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN. UMICH SHALL DESIGN, BUILD, AND DOCUMENT A PROTOTYPE DESIGN OF THE SWFC CUP SUCH WITH THE UNIQUE NEW INSTRUMENT DESIGN COMBINATION OF A TRADITIONAL FARADAY CUP AND THE RPA. THIS DESIGN SHALL THEN BE DEMONSTRATED VIA FUNCTIONAL PERFORMANCE TESTING.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN.
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 $3.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-09-01. End: 2024-12-31.
What is the specific scientific or operational advantage offered by the combined Faraday Cup and RPA design compared to existing technologies?
The unique combination of a traditional Faraday Cup and a Retarding Potential Analyzer (RPA) in the SWFC Cup aims to provide enhanced capabilities for measuring charged particle properties in space plasma environments. This integration could offer a more comprehensive dataset, potentially improving the accuracy and resolution of measurements compared to instruments using only one of these technologies.
What are the key performance metrics for the functional demonstration, and what are the consequences if these metrics are not met?
Key performance metrics for the functional demonstration would likely include the accuracy, sensitivity, and range of particle measurements achievable by the prototype SWFC Cup. If these metrics are not met, it could indicate fundamental design flaws, requiring significant redesign efforts, potentially impacting project timelines and budget, and necessitating a re-evaluation of the technology's viability.
How does this R&D investment align with NASA's broader strategic goals for space exploration or scientific discovery?
This R&D investment aligns with NASA's strategic goals by developing advanced instrumentation critical for understanding space plasma and its effects, which is fundamental to many space science missions. Improved measurement capabilities can enhance data quality for ongoing research, support the design of future missions, and contribute to NASA's objective of advancing scientific knowledge about the universe.
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: AEROSPACE CRAFT COMPONENTS AND ACCESSORIES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 503 THOMPSON ST, ANN ARBOR, MI, 48109
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: $3,000,000
Exercised Options: $3,000,000
Current Obligation: $2,995,373
Actual Outlays: $2,995,373
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $76,274
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-09-01
Current End Date: 2024-12-31
Potential End Date: 2024-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-14
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