NASA Awards $1.99M Contract to The Aerospace Corporation for Geospace Dynamics Constellation Support
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $1,986,108 ($2.0M)
Contractor: THE Aerospace Corporation
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2022-07-11
End Date: 2025-12-19
Contract Duration: 1,257 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 10
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: GEOSPACE DYNAMICS CONSTELLATION (GDC) INTERDISCIPLINARY SCIENTIST SUPPORT (GDC IDS) NASA RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT (NRA) SOLICITATION NNH21ZDA001N-GDCIDS, B.15, GEOSPACE DYNAMICS CONSTELLATION INTERDISCIPLINARY SCIENTISTS (GDC IDS).
Place of Performance
Location: EL SEGUNDO, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 90245
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $2.0 million to THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION for work described as: GEOSPACE DYNAMICS CONSTELLATION (GDC) INTERDISCIPLINARY SCIENTIST SUPPORT (GDC IDS) NASA RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT (NRA) SOLICITATION NNH21ZDA001N-GDCIDS, B.15, GEOSPACE DYNAMICS CONSTELLATION INTERDISCIPLINARY SCIENTISTS (GDC IDS). Key points: 1. The contract supports the Geospace Dynamics Constellation (GDC) Interdisciplinary Scientist (IDS) program. 2. The Aerospace Corporation, a non-profit, secured the award. 3. This award falls under the Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing sector. 4. The contract was awarded via full and open competition.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $1.99 million appears reasonable for specialized scientific support services. Benchmarking against similar NASA research support contracts would provide a more definitive assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. The use of a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type allows for flexibility while maintaining cost control.
Taxpayer Impact: The relatively small contract value suggests a minimal direct taxpayer impact, primarily funding critical scientific research for NASA's GDC program.
Public Impact
Supports NASA's GDC mission, contributing to space weather research and understanding. The Aerospace Corporation's involvement suggests a focus on high-level scientific expertise. The contract duration extends into late 2025, indicating ongoing research needs.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data.
- Potential for cost overruns inherent in CPFF contracts if not closely managed.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Supports a critical scientific research initiative for NASA.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the aerospace and defense sector, specifically supporting space science research. Spending in this area is driven by national priorities in space exploration and scientific discovery.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was sought or achieved through subcontracting.
Oversight & Accountability
NASA's procurement processes are generally robust, but oversight of CPFF contracts requires diligent monitoring of costs and performance to ensure value for taxpayer money.
Related Government Programs
- Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Contract type (CPFF) carries inherent cost overrun risk.
- Limited insight into specific performance metrics and deliverables.
- No indication of small business participation.
- Reliance on a single contractor for specialized support.
Tags
guided-missile-and-space-vehicle-manufac, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, ca, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $2.0 million to THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION. GEOSPACE DYNAMICS CONSTELLATION (GDC) INTERDISCIPLINARY SCIENTIST SUPPORT (GDC IDS) NASA RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT (NRA) SOLICITATION NNH21ZDA001N-GDCIDS, B.15, GEOSPACE DYNAMICS CONSTELLATION INTERDISCIPLINARY SCIENTISTS (GDC IDS).
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION.
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 $2.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-07-11. End: 2025-12-19.
What specific scientific advancements are expected from the GDC IDS program funded by this contract?
The GDC IDS program aims to enhance the understanding of geospace dynamics, which is crucial for predicting space weather events. These events can impact satellite operations, communication systems, and power grids. The interdisciplinary scientists will likely analyze data from the GDC constellation to develop new models and theories related to solar wind interactions with Earth's magnetosphere.
What are the primary risks associated with this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract?
The primary risks with CPFF contracts include potential cost overruns if the contractor's estimated costs are inaccurate or if unforeseen technical challenges arise. There's also a risk that the fixed fee may not adequately incentivize efficiency if not structured carefully. NASA's oversight is critical to mitigate these risks by monitoring expenditures and contractor performance closely.
How effectively does this contract leverage competition to ensure optimal value for NASA?
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, which is a strong indicator of effective competition. This process allows multiple qualified entities to bid, driving down prices and encouraging innovation. The subsequent award to The Aerospace Corporation suggests they offered the best value proposition based on technical merit and cost.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing › Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: NNH21ZDA001N-GDCIDS
Offers Received: 10
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2310 E EL SEGUNDO BLVD, EL SEGUNDO, CA, 90245
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $1,986,108
Exercised Options: $1,986,108
Current Obligation: $1,986,108
Actual Outlays: $1,968,931
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-07-11
Current End Date: 2025-12-19
Potential End Date: 2025-12-19 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-09
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