NASA awards $37.7M contract to University of Alaska Fairbanks for SAR data archive development
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $37,741,551 ($37.7M)
Contractor: University of Alaska Fairbanks
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2023-07-01
End Date: 2026-06-30
Contract Duration: 1,095 days
Daily Burn Rate: $34.5K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: ACQUIRE SERVICES FOR THE CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION OF THE SYNTHETIC APERTURE RADAR DISTRIBUTED ACTIVE ARCHIVE CENTER FOR NASAS EARTH OBSERVING SYSTEM DATA AND INFORMATION SYSTEM.
Place of Performance
Location: FAIRBANKS, FAIRBANKS NORTH STAR County, ALASKA, 99775
State: Alaska Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $37.7 million to UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS for work described as: ACQUIRE SERVICES FOR THE CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION OF THE SYNTHETIC APERTURE RADAR DISTRIBUTED ACTIVE ARCHIVE CENTER FOR NASAS EARTH OBSERVING SYSTEM DATA AND INFORMATION SYSTEM. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical Earth observation data for NASA's EOSDIS. 2. University of Alaska Fairbanks is the sole awardee. 3. Potential for long-term reliance on a single entity for vital data. 4. Spending falls under R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $37.7M over three years appears reasonable for specialized R&D services. However, without specific benchmarks for similar data archive operations, a precise value assessment is difficult.
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 potentially leads to higher costs compared to a competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for a critical scientific data archive. The lack of competition may result in a less cost-effective use of these funds.
Public Impact
Ensures continued access to vital Earth science data for researchers and policymakers. Supports NASA's mission to understand Earth's climate and environment. Potential impact on the long-term availability and cost of crucial climate data.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
- Lack of transparency in the procurement process.
- Potential for cost overruns due to lack of competitive pressure.
Positive Signals
- Supports critical scientific research and data preservation.
- Awardee has specialized expertise in SAR data.
- Contract duration provides stability for ongoing operations.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on data management for Earth observation. Spending benchmarks for similar specialized data archive operations are not readily available, making direct comparison challenging.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded directly to the University of Alaska Fairbanks and does not appear to involve small business participation. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
NASA's internal oversight mechanisms should ensure the effective use of funds and the successful delivery of services. However, the sole-source nature of the award warrants closer scrutiny to prevent potential inefficiencies.
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
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competitive bidding
- Potential for price escalation
- Dependency on a single provider
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, ak, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $37.7 million to UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS. ACQUIRE SERVICES FOR THE CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION OF THE SYNTHETIC APERTURE RADAR DISTRIBUTED ACTIVE ARCHIVE CENTER FOR NASAS EARTH OBSERVING SYSTEM DATA AND INFORMATION SYSTEM.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS.
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 $37.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-07-01. End: 2026-06-30.
What is the justification for the sole-source award, and what steps were taken to ensure fair pricing without competition?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities or circumstances. NASA would need to document why only the University of Alaska Fairbanks could fulfill this requirement. Without a competitive process, ensuring fair pricing relies heavily on internal cost analysis, historical data, and potentially independent cost estimates, which may not be as robust as market-driven pricing.
What are the long-term risks associated with relying on a single entity for such a critical data archive?
Long-term risks include vendor lock-in, potential price increases upon contract renewal, and a lack of incentive for innovation if the incumbent faces no competitive threat. If the University of Alaska Fairbanks were to face operational challenges or decide to discontinue services, NASA could face significant disruption in accessing vital Earth observation data, potentially requiring a costly and time-consuming transition to a new provider.
How will the effectiveness of the SAR data archive development and operation be measured and ensured?
Effectiveness will likely be measured through performance metrics outlined in the contract, such as data availability, data quality, processing speed, and user satisfaction. NASA's program office will be responsible for monitoring these metrics and ensuring the contractor meets its obligations. Regular reviews and reporting will be crucial to track progress and address any issues that arise during the contract period.
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: 80GSFC22R0040
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: University of Alaska Systems
Address: 903 KOYUKUK DR, FAIRBANKS, AK, 99775
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public)
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $69,850,720
Exercised Options: $41,331,415
Current Obligation: $37,741,551
Actual Outlays: $33,203,593
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-07-01
Current End Date: 2026-06-30
Potential End Date: 2028-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-17
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