NASA's $5M ALICAT Receiver Telescope Acquisition for Atmosphere Observing System-Inclined (AOS-I)
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $4,999,999 ($5.0M)
Contractor: General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2023-03-14
End Date: 2026-05-14
Contract Duration: 1,157 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.3K/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: ACQUISITION OF THE ATMOSPHERE OBSERVING SYSTEM-INCLINED (AOS-I) ATMOSPHERIC LIDAR INSTRUMENT FOR CLOUDS AND AEROSOL TRANSPORT (ALICAT) RECEIVER TELESCOPE
Place of Performance
Location: CULLMAN, CULLMAN County, ALABAMA, 35057
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $5.0 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS MISSION SYSTEMS, INC. for work described as: ACQUISITION OF THE ATMOSPHERE OBSERVING SYSTEM-INCLINED (AOS-I) ATMOSPHERIC LIDAR INSTRUMENT FOR CLOUDS AND AEROSOL TRANSPORT (ALICAT) RECEIVER TELESCOPE Key points: 1. This acquisition focuses on a specialized atmospheric lidar instrument, indicating a niche R&D need. 2. General Dynamics Mission Systems is the sole awardee, raising questions about competition. 3. The contract is for Research and Development in Physical Sciences, a high-risk, high-reward sector. 4. The firm fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for this complex R&D project.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The $4,999,999 price for the ALICAT Receiver Telescope appears reasonable for a specialized R&D instrument. Benchmarking is difficult without more detailed specifications and comparison to similar custom-built lidar components.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting an expectation of lower value or limited competition. The award to General Dynamics Mission Systems implies either a limited number of capable vendors or a specific justification for this choice.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for advanced scientific research, with the potential for significant long-term benefits in atmospheric understanding, but the immediate return on investment is uncertain.
Public Impact
Enhances NASA's capabilities in atmospheric research and climate monitoring. Supports the development of advanced technologies for Earth observation. Potential for spin-off technologies and broader scientific advancements. Contributes to understanding complex atmospheric phenomena like cloud and aerosol transport.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition under SAP
- Sole awardee to General Dynamics Mission Systems
- R&D spending carries inherent uncertainty
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed-price contract
- Supports critical scientific research
- Long-term project duration allows for development
Sector Analysis
This acquisition falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for technological advancement and scientific discovery, but often involves higher risk and longer timelines compared to procurement of established goods or services.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and does not specify any small business participation. Given the specialized nature of the technology, it is likely that large, experienced contractors were prioritized.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be managed by NASA, likely through program managers and contracting officers. The firm fixed-price contract provides some cost control, but ongoing monitoring of technical progress and adherence to specifications is essential for accountability.
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
- Potential for cost overruns despite fixed price
- Risk of technical obsolescence in R&D
- Dependency on a single supplier
- Uncertainty of achieving desired scientific outcomes
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, al, purchase-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $5.0 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS MISSION SYSTEMS, INC.. ACQUISITION OF THE ATMOSPHERE OBSERVING SYSTEM-INCLINED (AOS-I) ATMOSPHERIC LIDAR INSTRUMENT FOR CLOUDS AND AEROSOL TRANSPORT (ALICAT) RECEIVER TELESCOPE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GENERAL DYNAMICS MISSION SYSTEMS, INC..
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 $5.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-03-14. End: 2026-05-14.
What is the specific technological advantage or scientific breakthrough expected from this ALICAT Receiver Telescope that justifies the investment?
The ALICAT Receiver Telescope is integral to the AOS-I instrument, designed to provide unprecedented data on cloud and aerosol transport. This advanced capability is expected to significantly improve climate models, weather forecasting accuracy, and our understanding of atmospheric processes critical for environmental research and policy.
How will NASA ensure that the limited competition process did not lead to an inflated price for this specialized R&D component?
NASA likely relied on market research and cost realism analyses to establish a fair and reasonable price, even with limited competition. The firm fixed-price structure also incentivizes the contractor to manage costs effectively. Post-award audits and performance reviews will further ensure value for money.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) NASA will use to measure the effectiveness and success of this R&D acquisition over its multi-year duration?
Effectiveness will be measured by the successful integration and calibration of the ALICAT Receiver Telescope into the AOS-I instrument, meeting all technical specifications. Key performance indicators will include the quality and quantity of atmospheric data collected, the instrument's operational uptime, and its contribution to validated scientific research outcomes.
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: FIRE CONTROL EQPT.
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 80GSFC23Q0001
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Wico Limited
Address: 6717 AL HIGHWAY 157, CULLMAN, AL, 35057
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $4,999,999
Exercised Options: $4,999,999
Current Obligation: $4,999,999
Actual Outlays: $3,525,000
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-03-14
Current End Date: 2026-05-14
Potential End Date: 2026-05-14 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-03
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