NASA's SOFIA Airborne Observatory Contract Reaches $216M, Fulfilling 20-Year Mission
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $215,917,671 ($215.9M)
Contractor: Universities Space Research Association
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 1996-12-15
End Date: 2017-09-30
Contract Duration: 7,594 days
Daily Burn Rate: $28.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO DEVELOP AND OPERATE OF THE STRATOSPHERIC OBSERVATORY FOR INFRARED ASTRONOMY (SOFIA). SOFIA IS THE LARGEST AIRBORNE OBSERVATORY IN THE WORLD, STUDYING THE UNIVERSE AT INFRARED WAVELENGTHS, CAPABLE OF MAKING OBSERVATIONS THAT ARE IMPOSSIBLE FOR EVEN THE LARGEST AND HIGHEST GROUND-BASED TELESCOPES. DURING ITS PLANNED 20 YEAR LIFETIME, SOFIA ALSO WILL INSPIRE THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTATION AND FOSTER THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS.
Place of Performance
Location: MOFFETT FIELD, SANTA CLARA County, CALIFORNIA, 94035
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $215.9 million to UNIVERSITIES SPACE RESEARCH ASSOCIATION for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO DEVELOP AND OPERATE OF THE STRATOSPHERIC OBSERVATORY FOR INFRARED ASTRONOMY (SOFIA). SOFIA IS THE LARGEST AIRBORNE OBSERVATORY IN THE WORLD, STUDYING THE UNIVERSE AT INFRARED WAVELENGTHS, CAPABLE OF MAKING OBSERVATIONS THAT ARE IMPOSSIBLE FOR EV… Key points: 1. The contract supports the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), a significant scientific instrument. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a robust market for such specialized services. 3. The contract's long duration (7594 days) and cost indicate a substantial, long-term investment in scientific research. 4. The sector is R&D, focusing on physical sciences and astronomy, with potential for technological advancement and education.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The total award of $215.9 million over approximately 20 years suggests a significant investment. Benchmarking is difficult without specific contract line item details, but the cost reflects the complexity and unique nature of operating a large airborne observatory.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are supporting cutting-edge astronomical research and technological development, with potential long-term benefits in scientific understanding and education.
Public Impact
Advances understanding of the universe through infrared astronomy. Inspires development of new scientific instrumentation. Fosters education of young scientists and engineers. Operates the world's largest airborne observatory. Conducts observations impossible for ground-based telescopes.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns on long-term, complex projects.
- Reliance on a single, highly specialized observatory.
Positive Signals
- Significant scientific return on investment.
- Contribution to STEM education and workforce development.
- Technological innovation driven by research needs.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical sciences and astronomy. Spending in this area is crucial for scientific advancement and technological innovation, often characterized by long project timelines and high upfront costs.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates the prime contractor is UNIVERSITIES SPACE RESEARCH ASSOCIATION, which is likely not a small business. There is no explicit information on small business subcontracting within this data snippet.
Oversight & Accountability
NASA's oversight is critical for managing such a long-term and complex scientific endeavor. The Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) contract type suggests performance incentives, which NASA would monitor to ensure cost-effectiveness and mission success.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- High cost of specialized equipment and operations.
- Long project duration increases risk of scope creep or obsolescence.
- Dependence on a single, unique scientific platform.
- Potential for weather-related mission delays.
- Complexity of managing scientific and operational aspects.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, ca, definitive-contract, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $215.9 million to UNIVERSITIES SPACE RESEARCH ASSOCIATION. THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO DEVELOP AND OPERATE OF THE STRATOSPHERIC OBSERVATORY FOR INFRARED ASTRONOMY (SOFIA). SOFIA IS THE LARGEST AIRBORNE OBSERVATORY IN THE WORLD, STUDYING THE UNIVERSE AT INFRARED WAVELENGTHS, CAPABLE OF MAKING OBSERVATIONS THAT ARE IMPOSSIBLE FOR EVEN THE LARGEST AND HIGHEST GROUND-BASED TELESCOPES. DURING ITS PLANNED 20 YEAR LIFETIME, SOFIA ALSO WILL INSPIRE THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTATION AND FOSTER THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEER
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITIES SPACE RESEARCH ASSOCIATION.
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 $215.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 1996-12-15. End: 2017-09-30.
What is the primary scientific value derived from the SOFIA observatory's observations?
The SOFIA observatory provides unique infrared observational capabilities from the stratosphere, allowing scientists to study celestial objects and phenomena that are obscured by Earth's atmosphere at visible and infrared wavelengths. This enables groundbreaking research into star formation, galaxy evolution, the composition of interstellar matter, and the properties of planets and other bodies within our solar system, contributing significantly to our understanding of the universe.
What are the key risks associated with operating a large, specialized airborne observatory like SOFIA?
Key risks include the high operational and maintenance costs associated with a complex aircraft and scientific payload, potential for technical failures or equipment malfunctions during missions, weather-related disruptions affecting flight schedules, and the inherent challenges of managing a long-term research project with evolving scientific objectives and potential funding fluctuations over its lifespan.
How effective has SOFIA been in inspiring the development of new scientific instrumentation and educating young scientists?
SOFIA's mission explicitly includes inspiring new instrumentation and fostering education. Its operational requirements often push the boundaries of detector technology and data processing, leading to advancements. Furthermore, its role as a platform for hands-on research for graduate students and early-career scientists provides invaluable training and experience, contributing to the development of the next generation of researchers.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE FEE (V)
Contractor Details
Address: 10211 WINCOPIN CIRCLE, STE 500, COLUMBIA, MD, 21044
Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $-158,163,444
Exercised Options: $16,791,772
Current Obligation: $215,917,671
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 1996-12-15
Current End Date: 2017-09-30
Potential End Date: 2017-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2023-07-13
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