NASA Awards $42M for Quicksounder Satellite Development and Mission Operations
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $42,056,990 ($42.1M)
Contractor: Southwest Research Institute
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2023-10-25
End Date: 2029-08-29
Contract Duration: 2,135 days
Daily Burn Rate: $19.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: DEVELOPMENT OF THE QUICKSOUNDER SC AND THE QUICKSOUNDER SATELLITE, INTEGRATION OF THE ATMS EDU, SHIPMENT TO THE LAUNCH SITE SUPPORT OF LAUNCH OPS & SATELLITE ACTIVATION, 3 YRS OF MISSION OPS & PERFORM DECOMMISSIONING OPERATION
Place of Performance
Location: SAN ANTONIO, BEXAR County, TEXAS, 78238
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $42.1 million to SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE for work described as: DEVELOPMENT OF THE QUICKSOUNDER SC AND THE QUICKSOUNDER SATELLITE, INTEGRATION OF THE ATMS EDU, SHIPMENT TO THE LAUNCH SITE SUPPORT OF LAUNCH OPS & SATELLITE ACTIVATION, 3 YRS OF MISSION OPS & PERFORM DECOMMISSIONING OPERATION Key points: 1. Contract covers satellite development, integration, launch support, and 3 years of mission operations. 2. Southwest Research Institute is the contractor for this significant space exploration project. 3. The contract is a Firm Fixed Price type, indicating clear cost expectations. 4. This award falls under Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing, a specialized sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The $42M award for a satellite development and multi-year mission operations contract appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar complex satellite development and long-term mission support contracts would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method typically leads to more competitive pricing as multiple vendors have the opportunity to bid.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages competitive bidding, potentially leading to lower overall costs for government programs.
Public Impact
Enhances space exploration capabilities with the Quicksounder satellite. Supports critical launch operations and satellite activation. Ensures long-term mission success through 3 years of operations and decommissioning. Contributes to advancements in space technology and scientific research.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long duration mission operations may introduce unforeseen cost escalations.
- Decommissioning operations can be complex and costly if not adequately planned.
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
- Full and open competition likely secured a competitive price.
- Experienced contractor (Southwest Research Institute) suggests technical capability.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing sector, which is characterized by high R&D investment and specialized technical expertise. Spending in this sector is often project-driven and subject to long development cycles.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates that small businesses were not directly involved as the prime contractor. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are participating as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
NASA's procurement processes are generally robust, but oversight of long-term mission operations and potential cost overruns during the 3-year operational phase will be crucial. Regular performance reviews and milestone tracking are key.
Related Government Programs
- Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Long-term mission operations introduce schedule and cost uncertainty.
- Potential for scope creep in mission objectives over the 3-year operational period.
- Complexity of decommissioning operations may lead to unforeseen costs.
- Reliance on a single contractor for development and operations could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
Tags
guided-missile-and-space-vehicle-manufac, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, tx, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $42.1 million to SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE. DEVELOPMENT OF THE QUICKSOUNDER SC AND THE QUICKSOUNDER SATELLITE, INTEGRATION OF THE ATMS EDU, SHIPMENT TO THE LAUNCH SITE SUPPORT OF LAUNCH OPS & SATELLITE ACTIVATION, 3 YRS OF MISSION OPS & PERFORM DECOMMISSIONING OPERATION
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE.
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 $42.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-10-25. End: 2029-08-29.
What is the estimated cost breakdown for satellite development versus the 3 years of mission operations?
The provided data does not detail the cost breakdown between satellite development and the subsequent three years of mission operations. A more granular financial breakdown would be necessary to assess the value proposition of each phase and identify potential areas for cost optimization or risk mitigation during the operational period.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for the mission operations phase, and how will success be measured?
The contract details do not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) for the mission operations phase. Understanding these metrics is crucial for assessing the effectiveness of the satellite and the contractor's performance. NASA should ensure clear, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) KPIs are established and monitored throughout the mission's lifecycle.
Are there any contingency plans or cost reserves allocated for unexpected technical challenges during satellite development or mission operations?
The contract is a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) award, which typically places the cost risk on the contractor. However, FFP contracts can sometimes include provisions for change orders or unforeseen circumstances. It is important to ascertain if specific contingency plans or cost reserves are built into the contract or managed separately by NASA to address potential technical challenges.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing › Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: AEROSPACE CRAFT AND STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: 80GSF23FA001
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 6220 CULEBRA RD, SAN ANTONIO, TX, 78238
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: $52,344,856
Exercised Options: $52,344,856
Current Obligation: $42,056,990
Actual Outlays: $29,207,000
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 40
Total Subaward Amount: $8,352,770
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80GSFC20D0021
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-10-25
Current End Date: 2029-08-29
Potential End Date: 2029-08-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-04
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