NASA awards $48.8M contract to University of Arizona for Near Earth Object Surveillance Mission
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $48,766,109 ($48.8M)
Contractor: University of Arizona
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2020-07-01
End Date: 2025-10-31
Contract Duration: 1,948 days
Daily Burn Rate: $25.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 27
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: NEAR EARTH OBJECT SURVEILLANCE MISSION
Place of Performance
Location: TUCSON, PIMA County, ARIZONA, 85719
State: Arizona Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $48.8 million to UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA for work described as: NEAR EARTH OBJECT SURVEILLANCE MISSION Key points: 1. Contract awarded for research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. The contract duration spans over 1900 days, indicating a long-term project. 3. The award is a definitive contract, suggesting a commitment to a specific scope of work. 4. The primary contractor, University of Arizona, is a research institution, aligning with the R&D nature of the contract. 5. The contract is for a significant amount, requiring careful monitoring of performance and value. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541715 points to a focus on R&D services.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $48.8 million for a nearly 5-year R&D project appears reasonable given the specialized nature of Near Earth Object surveillance. Benchmarking against similar large-scale scientific research contracts would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The 'COST NO FEE' contract type suggests that the government will reimburse allowable costs up to the contract ceiling, which can be efficient for R&D where final costs are uncertain, but requires robust oversight to manage expenditures.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit proposals. This competitive process is generally expected to yield fair pricing and innovative solutions. With 27 proposals received, the level of competition was robust, suggesting that the University of Arizona's proposal was highly competitive on technical merit and cost.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition for this contract is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining the best value and encourages a wider pool of talent to bid, potentially driving down costs through market forces.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiary is NASA, which will receive critical data and research for its planetary defense initiatives. The services delivered will contribute to the scientific understanding and monitoring of potentially hazardous objects in Earth's vicinity. The geographic impact is primarily national, supporting U.S. space exploration and safety goals, though the research itself has global implications. The contract supports scientific and research personnel at the University of Arizona, contributing to the academic and research workforce.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns if research proves more complex than anticipated under a cost-reimbursement contract.
- Ensuring continued alignment with NASA's evolving scientific objectives throughout the contract's multi-year duration.
- Verifying the effective utilization of funds for direct research activities versus administrative overhead.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a strong proposal and competitive pricing.
- The contractor is a reputable research institution with a track record in scientific endeavors.
- The contract duration allows for in-depth research and development, potentially leading to significant scientific advancements.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The market for space-based research and surveillance is highly specialized, with a limited number of academic institutions and private companies possessing the requisite expertise and facilities. NASA's spending in this area is critical for advancing scientific knowledge and ensuring planetary safety. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found in other large-scale, multi-year scientific research grants and contracts awarded by agencies like NSF or DoD.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'sb': false. The primary awardee is a large research institution. There is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. The focus on specialized research may limit opportunities for broad small business participation, unless specific technical components can be subcontracted to niche small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will be primarily managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). As a definitive contract with a significant value, it is subject to standard federal procurement regulations and oversight mechanisms. NASA's contracting officers and program managers will monitor performance, costs, and adherence to the statement of work. While not explicitly stated, Inspector General oversight would typically apply to ensure accountability and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Planetary Defense Coordination Office
- Near-Earth Object Observations Program
- NASA Research and Development Contracts
- University Research Grants
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to the nature of R&D.
- Ensuring continued scientific relevance and alignment with NASA's evolving objectives.
- Dependency on specialized academic expertise and facilities.
Tags
nasa, university-of-arizona, research-and-development, near-earth-object-surveillance, definitive-contract, full-and-open-competition, cost-plus-fixed-fee, astronomy, planetary-defense, arizona, science, space-exploration
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $48.8 million to UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA. NEAR EARTH OBJECT SURVEILLANCE MISSION
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA.
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 $48.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-07-01. End: 2025-10-31.
What is the University of Arizona's track record with NASA on similar research contracts?
The University of Arizona has a significant history of collaborating with NASA on various scientific and research projects, particularly in astronomy, planetary science, and space exploration. While specific details on past 'Near Earth Object Surveillance Mission' contracts are not provided in this data snippet, the institution's established expertise in these fields suggests a strong foundation for undertaking such a mission. A deeper dive into NASA's contract database and the university's research portfolio would reveal the extent and success of their prior collaborations, including performance metrics, funding levels, and the types of scientific outcomes achieved. This historical performance is a key indicator of their capability to successfully execute the current contract.
How does the $48.8 million contract value compare to similar R&D efforts in planetary defense?
The $48.8 million contract value for a nearly five-year R&D project focused on Near Earth Object (NEO) surveillance is substantial but likely within the expected range for such specialized scientific endeavors. Large-scale astronomical research, development of advanced sensor technologies, and data analysis required for NEO detection and tracking are inherently costly. To benchmark effectively, one would need to compare this contract to other NASA or international space agency contracts for similar missions, such as asteroid detection surveys, comet research programs, or the development of related observational technologies. Factors like the scope of work, technological complexity, duration, and the specific scientific objectives would influence these comparisons. Without direct comparative data, it's challenging to definitively state if this represents exceptional value, but it aligns with the significant investment typically required for cutting-edge space science R&D.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?
The primary risks associated with this contract are likely technical and programmatic. Technically, the development of advanced surveillance capabilities for NEOs may encounter unforeseen scientific or engineering challenges, potentially impacting timelines and costs. Programmatically, ensuring the research remains aligned with NASA's evolving scientific priorities and operational needs over the multi-year duration is crucial. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust project management, phased research approaches with clear milestones, regular technical reviews, and flexible contract mechanisms that allow for adjustments. The 'COST NO FEE' contract type, while allowing for cost reimbursement, necessitates strong financial oversight to prevent cost overruns. NASA's program managers will play a key role in monitoring progress and addressing emerging risks proactively.
How effective is the 'COST NO FEE' contract type for this type of R&D work?
The 'COST NO FEE' (Cost-Reimbursement) contract type is often employed for research and development efforts where the final scope of work or the exact costs are difficult to predict at the outset. This structure allows the contractor (University of Arizona) to incur and be reimbursed for allowable costs up to the contract ceiling, plus a fixed fee (in this case, zero fee). This is beneficial for R&D because it enables flexibility to explore different approaches and adapt to new findings without being constrained by a fixed price that might not account for unforeseen complexities. However, it places a significant burden on the government (NASA) to meticulously track and audit costs to ensure they are reasonable, allocable, and allowable, preventing potential waste or fraud. For a mission like NEO surveillance, where scientific discovery is paramount, this contract type can facilitate innovation but requires diligent oversight.
What is the historical spending pattern for Near Earth Object surveillance by NASA?
Historical spending patterns for NASA's Near Earth Object (NEO) surveillance efforts would reveal a trend of consistent, albeit varying, investment in this critical area. NASA has dedicated significant resources over the years to detecting, tracking, and characterizing potentially hazardous asteroids and comets. This includes funding for ground-based observatories, space-based telescopes, and research grants to institutions like the University of Arizona. Spending levels can fluctuate based on specific program initiatives, technological advancements, and the perceived urgency of threats. While the $48.8 million for this specific contract is a substantial figure, it should be viewed within the broader context of NASA's ongoing commitment to planetary defense, which involves multiple projects and research avenues. Analyzing past budget allocations for NEO programs would provide a clearer picture of the long-term financial commitment and priorities.
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: TWO STEP
Solicitation ID: NNH14ZDA014O
Offers Received: 27
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 888 N EUCLID AVE RM 510, TUCSON, AZ, 85719
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, Higher Education (Minority Serving), U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), U.S. Regional/State Government
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $49,314,980
Exercised Options: $49,314,980
Current Obligation: $48,766,109
Actual Outlays: $48,766,109
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 62
Total Subaward Amount: $35,743,208
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-07-01
Current End Date: 2025-10-31
Potential End Date: 2025-10-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-08-13
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