NASA's $2M CMEX contract to UCAR for atmospheric research shows strong competition and potential for scientific advancement
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $1,999,992 ($2.0M)
Contractor: University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2023-11-02
End Date: 2026-06-01
Contract Duration: 942 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 11
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: THE CHROMOSPHERIC MAGNETISM EXPLORER (CMEX)
Place of Performance
Location: BOULDER, BOULDER County, COLORADO, 80301
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $2.0 million to UNIVERSITY CORPORATION FOR ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH for work described as: THE CHROMOSPHERIC MAGNETISM EXPLORER (CMEX) Key points: 1. This contract represents a significant investment in fundamental scientific research, aiming to advance understanding of chromospheric magnetism. 2. The use of a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type suggests a research-oriented project where final costs may fluctuate. 3. The definitive contract award indicates a clear scope and established terms between NASA and UCAR. 4. The duration of the contract (942 days) allows for comprehensive research and development activities. 5. The geographic location of the contractor in Colorado may have implications for regional scientific workforce development.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of approximately $2 million for a multi-year research project appears reasonable for its scope. Benchmarking against similar NASA research grants and contracts in astrophysics and atmospheric science would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The CPFF structure, while common for R&D, necessitates careful oversight to manage costs effectively. Without specific comparable contract data, it's difficult to definitively state if the pricing is optimal, but it falls within expected ranges for specialized scientific endeavors.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This competitive process is expected to drive innovation and ensure that NASA selects the most capable offeror at a fair price. The presence of 11 proposals suggests a robust interest in this research area, further supporting the effectiveness of the competitive process in achieving optimal outcomes for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to better pricing and higher quality research outcomes. It ensures that public funds are allocated to the most meritorious proposals, maximizing the return on investment for scientific advancement.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the scientific community and the public, through enhanced understanding of solar physics and its impact. The contract will deliver critical research data and analysis related to the Sun's chromosphere. The research has the potential to inform space weather forecasting and protect technological infrastructure. This project supports specialized scientific jobs within the atmospheric and space physics sectors.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost overruns are a potential risk with Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts, requiring diligent financial oversight.
- The specialized nature of the research may limit the pool of potential future contractors for follow-on work.
Positive Signals
- The contract is awarded to a reputable research institution (UCAR), suggesting a high likelihood of successful project execution.
- Full and open competition with 11 proposals indicates strong market interest and a healthy competitive landscape.
- The project addresses a fundamental area of scientific inquiry with potential for significant discoveries.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical sciences and atmospheric research. The market for such specialized scientific research is typically characterized by a limited number of highly qualified academic institutions and research organizations. NASA's spending in this area is crucial for advancing fundamental knowledge and technological capabilities. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other NASA grants and contracts for space physics, solar research, and atmospheric science projects, which often involve significant investments in specialized equipment and expert personnel.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that this contract involved small business set-asides. The nature of highly specialized scientific research often favors larger, established research institutions with extensive infrastructure and expertise. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not explicitly detailed but could arise if specific components or services are required that fall outside UCAR's core capabilities.
Oversight & Accountability
NASA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) provides oversight for all NASA contracts, including this one, to ensure compliance and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse. The agency's internal procurement and financial management systems are designed to monitor contract performance and expenditures. Transparency is maintained through public contract databases and reporting requirements, allowing for scrutiny of contract awards and execution.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Heliophysics Research Programs
- National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Grants
- NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center
Risk Flags
- Cost Control Risk (CPFF Contract Type)
- Technical Feasibility Risk (R&D Nature)
- Scientific Uncertainty Risk
Tags
research-and-development, nasa, national-aeronautics-and-space-administration, definitive-contract, full-and-open-competition, cost-plus-fixed-fee, physical-sciences, atmospheric-research, colorado, university-corporation-for-atmospheric-research, heliophysics, space-weather
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $2.0 million to UNIVERSITY CORPORATION FOR ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH. THE CHROMOSPHERIC MAGNETISM EXPLORER (CMEX)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY CORPORATION FOR ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH.
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: 2023-11-02. End: 2026-06-01.
What is the track record of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) in managing similar NASA research contracts?
The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) has a long-standing and generally strong track record in managing large-scale scientific research projects, including those funded by NASA. As a consortium of universities focused on atmospheric and Earth system science, UCAR has extensive experience in project management, scientific research, and data dissemination. While specific details on all past NASA contracts are not provided here, UCAR's institutional mission aligns directly with the objectives of the CMEX contract. Past performance reviews and project outcomes for UCAR's previous NASA endeavors would be the best indicators of their capability. Generally, institutions of UCAR's caliber are selected for their proven ability to handle complex research, manage budgets, and deliver scientific results, making them reliable partners for agencies like NASA.
How does the pricing structure (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) compare to other NASA R&D contracts of similar scope?
Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts are common for research and development (R&D) efforts where the scope of work may evolve or the final costs are difficult to predict precisely at the outset. For NASA R&D contracts, CPFF is often preferred when the agency desires a specific outcome but the technical approach or exact resource needs are not fully defined. Compared to fixed-price contracts, CPFF allows for greater flexibility but requires robust oversight to control costs. Benchmarking against similar NASA R&D efforts in heliophysics or astrophysics would reveal if the fixed fee component and the estimated cost ceiling are competitive. Generally, the fixed fee is a percentage of the estimated cost, and this percentage is scrutinized to ensure it is reasonable and does not incentivize excessive spending.
What are the primary risks associated with the 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' category for this contract?
The primary risks associated with R&D contracts in the physical sciences, such as the CMEX project, often revolve around technical feasibility and scientific uncertainty. There's a risk that the research objectives may prove unattainable within the given timeframe or budget due to unforeseen scientific challenges. Cost overruns are also a significant risk, especially with CPFF contracts, as research can uncover unexpected complexities requiring additional resources. Furthermore, the relevance and impact of the research findings can be uncertain until the project is completed and analyzed. Ensuring adequate project management, regular technical reviews, and clear communication channels are crucial to mitigate these inherent R&D risks.
What is the expected impact of the CMEX research on space weather forecasting and related technologies?
The Chromospheric Magnetism Explorer (CMEX) contract aims to enhance our understanding of the Sun's chromosphere, a critical layer where much of the Sun's magnetic activity originates and drives phenomena like solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Improved knowledge of chromospheric magnetic fields and their dynamics is expected to lead to more accurate and timely space weather forecasts. By better predicting the timing, intensity, and trajectory of solar events, agencies can provide earlier warnings to protect critical infrastructure, such as satellites, power grids, and communication systems, from the damaging effects of space weather. This research directly contributes to the foundational science needed for advanced space weather modeling and mitigation strategies.
How does the $2 million contract value compare to NASA's overall spending on heliophysics research?
The $2 million contract value for the CMEX project represents a modest but important investment within NASA's broader heliophysics research portfolio. NASA's total annual budget for heliophysics research, which encompasses studies of the Sun and its influence on the solar system, typically runs into hundreds of millions of dollars. This includes funding for large-scale missions, numerous smaller research grants, and theoretical studies. Therefore, while $2 million is a substantial amount for a single contract, it is a component of a much larger strategic investment aimed at understanding the Sun-Earth connection. This specific contract likely supports a focused research effort that complements larger observational missions or theoretical modeling efforts within the heliophysics division.
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 › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 80GSFC24CA012
Offers Received: 11
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3090 CENTER GREEN DR, BOULDER, CO, 80301
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $10,541,249
Exercised Options: $1,999,992
Current Obligation: $1,999,992
Actual Outlays: $1,998,369
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 2
Total Subaward Amount: $1,850,000
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-11-02
Current End Date: 2026-06-01
Potential End Date: 2026-06-01 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-20
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