NASA Awards $303M Contract for Space Weather Coronagraph Development to Southwest Research Institute
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $30,300,000 ($30.3M)
Contractor: Southwest Research Institute
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2024-12-23
End Date: 2034-01-31
Contract Duration: 3,326 days
Daily Burn Rate: $9.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: SPACE WEATHER CORONAGRAPH - EFFORTS INCLUDE INTEGRATE, TEST, CALIBRATE, EVALUATE, AND SUPPORT LAUNCH AND ON-ORBIT CHECK-OUT OF THE CORONAGRAPH INSTRUMENTS.
Place of Performance
Location: SAN ANTONIO, BEXAR County, TEXAS, 78238
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $30.3 million to SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE for work described as: SPACE WEATHER CORONAGRAPH - EFFORTS INCLUDE INTEGRATE, TEST, CALIBRATE, EVALUATE, AND SUPPORT LAUNCH AND ON-ORBIT CHECK-OUT OF THE CORONAGRAPH INSTRUMENTS. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on integrating, testing, calibrating, and supporting coronagraph instruments for space weather monitoring. 2. Southwest Research Institute is the sole awardee, indicating specialized capabilities. 3. The contract duration is over 10 years, suggesting a long-term need for this technology. 4. Potential risks include technical challenges in instrument development and on-orbit performance.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $303 million over 10 years appears reasonable for complex space instrumentation. Benchmarking against similar NASA instrument development contracts would provide further context.
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. The selection of Southwest Research Institute indicates they offered the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being invested in advanced space science technology, potentially leading to improved space weather forecasting and protection of assets.
Public Impact
Enhances understanding of solar phenomena and space weather impacts. Supports NASA's mission to explore space and protect Earth. Could lead to advancements in satellite protection and communication systems. Long-term investment in critical scientific infrastructure.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 91 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration may introduce cost escalation risks.
- Reliance on a single entity for critical instrument development.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Focus on critical space weather monitoring technology.
- Significant investment in scientific advancement.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing sector, specifically focusing on advanced instrumentation for space science. Spending in this sector is driven by national security and scientific exploration priorities.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and no small business participation is explicitly mentioned. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
NASA's robust oversight mechanisms are expected to ensure proper execution of this long-term contract. Regular reviews and milestone assessments will be crucial for accountability.
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 contract duration increases exposure to economic fluctuations.
- Potential for cost overruns in complex technological development.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical capabilities.
- Technical challenges in achieving desired instrument performance.
Tags
guided-missile-and-space-vehicle-manufac, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, tx, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $30.3 million to SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE. SPACE WEATHER CORONAGRAPH - EFFORTS INCLUDE INTEGRATE, TEST, CALIBRATE, EVALUATE, AND SUPPORT LAUNCH AND ON-ORBIT CHECK-OUT OF THE CORONAGRAPH INSTRUMENTS.
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 $30.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-12-23. End: 2034-01-31.
What specific technological advancements does this coronagraph aim to achieve compared to existing capabilities?
The coronagraph aims to provide enhanced resolution and spectral capabilities for observing the Sun's corona, enabling more detailed studies of solar flares and coronal mass ejections. This improved data is crucial for understanding space weather events and their potential impact on Earth's technological infrastructure, including satellites and power grids.
What are the primary technical risks associated with developing and deploying this coronagraph instrument?
Key technical risks include achieving the required instrument sensitivity and resolution in the harsh space environment, ensuring long-term operational reliability, and successfully integrating the instrument with the launch vehicle and subsequent on-orbit checkout. Calibration accuracy is also critical for meaningful scientific data collection.
How will the data generated by this coronagraph contribute to improving space weather forecasting models?
The coronagraph will provide unprecedented data on solar wind and coronal mass ejections, which are primary drivers of space weather. This data will be assimilated into advanced numerical models, improving their accuracy and lead time for predicting geomagnetic storms and other hazardous space weather phenomena, thereby enhancing preparedness.
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: 80GSFC24R0009
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
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: $60,285,745
Exercised Options: $60,285,745
Current Obligation: $30,300,000
Actual Outlays: $13,944,803
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-12-23
Current End Date: 2034-01-31
Potential End Date: 2034-01-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-09
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