NASA awards $2.1M contract for nanosatellite radar constellation to CARE WEATHER TECHNOLOGIES INC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,100,000 ($2.1M)
Contractor: Care Weather Technologies Inc
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2025-07-14
End Date: 2028-07-13
Contract Duration: 1,095 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 500
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: STTR PHASE III CONTRACT # 80NSSC25C0471 TITLED: CONSTELLATION OF NANOSATELLITE RADARS FOR NEAR-HOURLY, GLOBAL OCEAN SURFACE VECTOR WINDS
Place of Performance
Location: PROVO, UTAH County, UTAH, 84601
State: Utah Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $2.1 million to CARE WEATHER TECHNOLOGIES INC for work described as: STTR PHASE III CONTRACT # 80NSSC25C0471 TITLED: CONSTELLATION OF NANOSATELLITE RADARS FOR NEAR-HOURLY, GLOBAL OCEAN SURFACE VECTOR WINDS Key points: 1. Contract aims to provide near-hourly, global ocean surface vector wind data. 2. Focus on research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 3. Utilizes a firm-fixed-price contract type, indicating defined costs. 4. Awarded through full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 5. Performance period spans three years, from July 2025 to July 2028. 6. The contract is a definitive contract, suggesting a long-term agreement. 7. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541715.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $2.1 million for a three-year R&D project focused on a nanosatellite radar constellation appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar complex satellite development and data analysis contracts is challenging due to the specialized nature of the technology. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor has committed to delivering the specified outcomes within the allocated budget, which is a positive indicator for value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources.' While the specific reason for excluding certain sources is not detailed, the 'full and open' designation implies that a broad range of potential offerors were considered. The number of bidders is not specified, but the competitive process aims to ensure fair pricing and access to the best available technology.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is beneficial for taxpayers as it likely drove down costs and encouraged innovation, ensuring NASA receives a high-quality solution at a fair price.
Public Impact
Benefits researchers, meteorologists, and maritime industries by providing crucial ocean wind data. Enables near-hourly global coverage for improved weather forecasting and climate monitoring. Supports advancements in satellite technology and remote sensing capabilities. Potential for workforce development in the aerospace and data science sectors. Enhances understanding of ocean dynamics and their impact on global weather patterns.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for technical challenges in developing and deploying a constellation of nanosatellites.
- Reliance on advanced sensor technology may introduce risks related to performance and longevity.
- Data processing and analysis infrastructure must be robust to handle near-hourly global data streams.
Positive Signals
- Focus on a critical area of scientific research with significant practical applications.
- Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
- Utilizes innovative nanosatellite technology for potentially more cost-effective global coverage.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on advanced physical sciences and engineering related to Earth observation. The market for Earth observation satellites and related data services is growing, driven by increasing demand for environmental monitoring, climate research, and disaster management. This project aligns with broader trends in utilizing smaller, more agile satellite platforms (nanosatellites) for specialized data collection, potentially offering a more cost-effective approach compared to larger, traditional satellite missions.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract. As a definitive contract awarded through full and open competition, it is unlikely to have direct subcontracting requirements specifically targeting small businesses unless mandated by the prime contractor. Further analysis would be needed to determine if CARE WEATHER TECHNOLOGIES INC. has a history of subcontracting with small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) through its program management and contracting offices. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability by tying payment to deliverables. Transparency is generally maintained through federal contract databases, though specific performance metrics and oversight reports may not be publicly detailed. NASA's Inspector General would have jurisdiction over any potential fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Earth Science Technology Office (ESTO) Programs
- Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) / Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs
- NASA Applied Sciences Program
- Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) Program
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Satellite Programs
Risk Flags
- Technical feasibility of nanosatellite radar constellation
- Data accuracy and reliability for ocean wind vector measurements
- Long-term operational sustainability of the constellation
- Integration with existing weather and climate modeling systems
Tags
research-and-development, space-technology, earth-observation, nanosatellites, weather-forecasting, oceanography, nasa, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, definitive-contract, united-states, utah
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $2.1 million to CARE WEATHER TECHNOLOGIES INC. STTR PHASE III CONTRACT # 80NSSC25C0471 TITLED: CONSTELLATION OF NANOSATELLITE RADARS FOR NEAR-HOURLY, GLOBAL OCEAN SURFACE VECTOR WINDS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CARE WEATHER TECHNOLOGIES INC.
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 $2.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-07-14. End: 2028-07-13.
What is the track record of CARE WEATHER TECHNOLOGIES INC. in delivering similar satellite technology or complex R&D projects?
Information regarding the specific track record of CARE WEATHER TECHNOLOGIES INC. in delivering complex satellite technology or large-scale R&D projects is not readily available in the provided data. As this is a STTR Phase III contract, it implies prior success in earlier Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) phases, which are designed to transition research into commercial products. However, a comprehensive review of their past performance, including project scope, budget adherence, and on-time delivery for similar government or commercial contracts, would require accessing broader federal procurement databases and company profiles. Further investigation into their project portfolio and client testimonials would be necessary to fully assess their capabilities and reliability for this specific nanosatellite radar constellation.
How does the $2.1 million contract value compare to the cost of developing and deploying similar nanosatellite radar constellations?
Benchmarking the $2.1 million contract value for this nanosatellite radar constellation against similar projects is challenging due to the specialized and evolving nature of this technology. Nanosatellite constellations can vary significantly in cost depending on factors such as the number of satellites, sensor sophistication, launch costs, ground station infrastructure, and data processing capabilities. While $2.1 million for a three-year R&D effort might seem modest for a full constellation deployment, it could be appropriate for a Phase III STTR focused on maturing specific technologies or developing a prototype system. Larger, fully operational constellations typically involve tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. Without detailed specifications on the number of satellites and the scope of R&D, a precise comparison is difficult, but the firm-fixed-price nature suggests a well-defined scope within this budget.
What are the primary technical risks associated with developing a nanosatellite radar constellation for global ocean wind monitoring?
The primary technical risks associated with developing a nanosatellite radar constellation for global ocean wind monitoring include the miniaturization and reliability of radar components for space deployment, ensuring consistent and accurate data transmission from multiple small satellites, and the challenges of maintaining orbital positioning and communication links for a constellation. Developing sophisticated algorithms to process raw radar data into accurate wind vector measurements is also a significant technical hurdle. Furthermore, the harsh space environment poses risks to the longevity and performance of nanosatellite electronics. Ensuring seamless integration and data fusion from multiple satellites to achieve near-hourly global coverage requires robust software and communication protocols. Finally, the cost-effectiveness and scalability of launching and operating a constellation of nanosatellites present ongoing technical and logistical challenges.
What is the expected impact of this contract on NASA's Earth science research and operational capabilities?
This contract is expected to significantly enhance NASA's Earth science research and operational capabilities by providing a novel source of near-hourly, global ocean surface vector wind data. Such high-frequency, wide-area coverage is crucial for improving weather forecasting models, understanding climate variability, and monitoring oceanographic phenomena like El Niño and hurricanes. The development of a nanosatellite radar constellation could also serve as a technological advancement, demonstrating a more agile and potentially cost-effective approach to Earth observation compared to traditional large satellite missions. This could pave the way for future constellations focused on other critical environmental parameters, thereby expanding NASA's ability to observe and understand our planet.
How does this contract align with NASA's broader strategy for Earth observation and climate science?
This contract aligns directly with NASA's broader strategy for Earth observation and climate science, which emphasizes the need for continuous, global monitoring of key environmental variables. The focus on ocean surface winds is critical, as oceans play a vital role in regulating Earth's climate and weather patterns. By leveraging nanosatellite technology, NASA is exploring innovative and potentially more affordable ways to achieve comprehensive data coverage. This initiative supports NASA's goals of advancing our understanding of climate change, improving disaster preparedness, and providing data essential for policymakers and researchers worldwide. The development of such a constellation contributes to NASA's portfolio of Earth-observing missions aimed at providing a holistic view of our planet's complex systems.
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 › General Science and Technology R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 500
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 144 W 400 N, PROVO, UT, 84601
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $4,409,133
Exercised Options: $4,409,133
Current Obligation: $2,100,000
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-07-14
Current End Date: 2028-07-13
Potential End Date: 2028-07-13 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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