NASA's GEOCARB Mission Selected for $173.7M to Monitor Greenhouse Gases from Space
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $173,714,303 ($173.7M)
Contractor: University of Oklahoma
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2017-07-01
End Date: 2024-09-30
Contract Duration: 2,648 days
Daily Burn Rate: $65.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF GEOSTATIONARY CARBON CYCLE OBSERVATORY (GEOCARB) MISSION NASA HAS SELECTED A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND EARTH SCIENCE MISSION THAT WILL EXTEND OUR NATION'S LEAD IN MEASURING KEY GREENHOUSE GASES AND VEGETATION HEALTH FROM SPACE TO ADVANCE OUR UNDERSTANDING OF EARTH'S NATURAL EXCHANGES OF CARBON BETWEEN THE LAND, ATMOSPHERE AND OCEAN. THE PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (PI)-LED MISSION WILL LAUNCH ON A COMMERCIAL COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE TO MAKE OBSERVATIONS OVER THE AMERICAS FROM AN ORBIT OF APPROXIMATELY 22,000 MILES (35,400 KILOMETERS) ABOVE THE EQUATOR. THE MISSION WAS COMPETITIVELY SELECTED FROM 15 PROPOSALS SUBMITTED TO THE AGENCY'S SECOND EARTH VENTURE - MISSION ANNOUNCEMENT OF OPPORTUNITY FOR SMALL ORBITAL INVESTIGATIONS OF THE EARTH SYSTEM. THE PRIMARY GOALS OF THE GEOCARB MISSION ARE TO MONITOR PLANT HEALTH AND VEGETATION STRESS THROUGHOUT THE AMERICAS, TO PROBE, IN UNPRECEDENTED DETAIL, THE NATURAL SOURCES, SINKS AND EXCHANGE PROCESSES THAT CONTROL CARBON DIOXIDE, CARBON MONOXIDE AND METHANE IN THE ATMOSPHERE, AND TO PROVIDE OBSERVATIONS AND DEMONSTRATE METHODS TO REALIZE A TRANSFORMATIONAL ADVANCE IN THE SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE GLOBAL CARBON CYCLE. THE GEOCARB MISSION, A CATEGORY 3 MISSION (PER NPR 7120.5E, NASA SPACE FLIGHT PROGRAM AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS) WITH A CLASS D PAYLOAD (PER NPR 8705.4, RISK CLASSIFICATION FOR NASA PAYLOADS), IS A SCIENCE INVESTIGATION WITH THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVING KNOWLEDGE OF TERRESTRIAL FLUXES OF CO2 AND CH4 AT SCIENCE- AND POLICY-RELEVANT SCALES. THE GEOCARB MISSION UTILIZES A MULTI-CHANNEL SLIT-SCAN SPECTROMETER BASED INSTRUMENT THAT WILL MEASURE ABSORPTION SPECTRA IN SUNLIGHT REFLECTED FROM THE GROUND TO INFER THE ATMOSPHERE-COLUMN CONCENTRATIONS OF CO2, CH4, AND CARBON MONOXIDE (CO). THE INSTRUMENT WILL ALSO MEASURE SOLAR-INDUCED FLUORESCENCE (SIF), WHICH PROVIDES DIRECT INFORMATION ABOUT PHOTOSYNTHESIS. THE CONTRACTOR AND ITS TEAM MEMBERS WILL PERFORM THE FULL NASA LIFE CYCLE FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION PHASES A THROUGH F. THE GEOCARB PROPOSAL WAS SELECTED UNDER THE NASA ANNOUNCEMENT OF OPPORTUNITY NNH15ZDA011O FOR THE EARTH VENTURE MISSION - 2 ELEMENT OF THE EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE PATHFINDER PROGRAM OFFICES EARTH VENTURE LINE.
Place of Performance
Location: NORMAN, CLEVELAND County, OKLAHOMA, 73019
State: Oklahoma Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $173.7 million to UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF GEOSTATIONARY CARBON CYCLE OBSERVATORY (GEOCARB) MISSION NASA HAS SELECTED A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND EARTH SCIENCE MISSION THAT WILL EXTEND OUR NATION'S LEAD IN MEASURING KEY GREENHOUSE GASES AND VEGETATION HEALTH FROM SPACE TO ADVANCE OUR UNDERSTANDING OF EARTH'S NATURAL… Key points: 1. This is a novel Earth science mission focused on carbon cycle observation. 2. Competitively selected from 15 proposals, indicating strong initial interest. 3. Potential risks include reliance on commercial satellite launch and long-term data integrity. 4. The mission falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically Earth system science.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $173.7M for a multi-year R&D mission appears reasonable given the advanced technology and scientific goals. Benchmarking is difficult due to the unique nature of this specific mission.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The mission was competitively selected from 15 proposals, demonstrating a robust process for identifying promising research. This open competition likely drove innovation and ensured a fair selection.
Taxpayer Impact: The investment aims to improve understanding of climate change drivers, potentially leading to more effective mitigation strategies and long-term economic benefits.
Public Impact
Enhances national leadership in Earth observation and climate science. Provides critical data on greenhouse gases and vegetation health. Advances understanding of Earth's carbon cycle for better climate modeling. Utilizes a unique geostationary orbit for continuous observation over the Americas. Leverages commercial satellite technology for cost-effective deployment.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long-term data continuity and calibration.
- Dependence on commercial launch vehicle reliability.
- Potential for unforeseen technical challenges in space-based observation.
Positive Signals
- Pioneering approach to carbon cycle monitoring.
- Strong scientific foundation and PI-led team.
- Competitive selection process ensures high-quality research.
Sector Analysis
This mission operates within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on Earth system science. Spending in this area is crucial for advancing scientific understanding and developing technologies to address global challenges like climate change.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate specific involvement of small businesses in this contract. NASA's broader R&D efforts often involve a mix of large and small entities, but direct subcontracting details are not present here.
Oversight & Accountability
NASA's selection process and the PI-led mission structure suggest a degree of oversight. However, ongoing monitoring of technical progress, budget adherence, and data quality will be critical for accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Reliance on commercial launch provider.
- Long-term instrument calibration and data stability.
- Complexity of space-based Earth observation systems.
- Potential for unforeseen environmental factors impacting observations.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, ok, definitive-contract, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $173.7 million to UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA. IGF::OT::IGF GEOSTATIONARY CARBON CYCLE OBSERVATORY (GEOCARB) MISSION NASA HAS SELECTED A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND EARTH SCIENCE MISSION THAT WILL EXTEND OUR NATION'S LEAD IN MEASURING KEY GREENHOUSE GASES AND VEGETATION HEALTH FROM SPACE TO ADVANCE OUR UNDERSTANDING OF EARTH'S NATURAL EXCHANGES OF CARBON BETWEEN THE LAND, ATMOSPHERE AND OCEAN. THE PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (PI)-LED MISSION WILL LAUNCH ON A COMMERCIAL COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE TO MAKE OBSERVATIONS OVER THE AMERICAS FROM AN ORBIT OF APPROX
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA.
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 $173.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2017-07-01. End: 2024-09-30.
What is the expected return on investment for the GEOCARB mission in terms of actionable climate policy insights?
The GEOCARB mission's primary return on investment lies in significantly improving our understanding of the Earth's carbon cycle. This enhanced data will refine climate models, leading to more accurate predictions and informing the development of more effective climate policies. While direct economic returns are hard to quantify, the long-term benefits of better climate preparedness and mitigation strategies are substantial.
What are the primary technical risks associated with deploying and operating a geostationary carbon monitoring satellite?
Key technical risks include ensuring the long-term calibration and stability of the instruments for accurate greenhouse gas measurements, the reliability of the commercial launch vehicle, and the spacecraft's ability to maintain its precise geostationary orbit over its operational lifespan. Data transmission and processing also present challenges, requiring robust ground systems.
How will the data collected by GEOCARB be made accessible to the scientific community and policymakers to ensure its effectiveness?
NASA typically ensures that data from its Earth science missions is archived and made publicly accessible through designated data centers, such as the Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC). This accessibility allows researchers worldwide to analyze the data, contributing to a broader scientific consensus and providing policymakers with the evidence needed for informed decision-making.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except 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: NNH15ZDA011O
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1000 ASP AVE RM 105, NORMAN, OK, 73019
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), U.S. Regional/State Government
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $174,227,522
Exercised Options: $174,227,522
Current Obligation: $173,714,303
Actual Outlays: $134,098,065
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 15
Total Subaward Amount: $69,755,498
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2017-07-01
Current End Date: 2024-09-30
Potential End Date: 2024-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-03
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