NASA's $307.6M UARC Contract with UC Santa Cruz: 13 Years of R&D Spending
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $307,577,559 ($307.6M)
Contractor: University of California Santa Cruz
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2003-10-01
End Date: 2016-07-31
Contract Duration: 4,687 days
Daily Burn Rate: $65.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: UNIVERSITY AFFILIATED RESEARCH CONTRACT (UARC)
Place of Performance
Location: MOFFETT FIELD, SANTA CLARA County, CALIFORNIA, 94035
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $307.6 million to UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA CRUZ for work described as: UNIVERSITY AFFILIATED RESEARCH CONTRACT (UARC) Key points: 1. The contract represents significant, long-term investment in research and development. 2. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, suggesting a deliberate process. 3. The cost-plus award fee structure incentivizes performance but requires careful oversight. 4. This spending falls within the R&D sector, crucial for technological advancement.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type (Cost Plus Award Fee) allows for cost reimbursement plus an incentive fee based on performance. Without specific benchmarks for similar UARCs, assessing value is challenging, but the duration and scale suggest substantial work.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' indicates a competitive process was initiated, but specific sources were excluded. This method aims for competition while potentially focusing on specialized capabilities, impacting price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are supporting advanced research. The effectiveness of the award fee structure in controlling costs and driving innovation will determine the ultimate taxpayer impact.
Public Impact
Supports advanced scientific research with potential for technological breakthroughs. Long-term funding provides stability for research teams and projects. Contract duration of nearly 13 years indicates sustained focus on specific R&D areas.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns in Cost Plus Award Fee contracts.
- Need for robust oversight to ensure performance objectives are met.
- Exclusion of sources may limit competitive pricing opportunities.
Positive Signals
- Long-term commitment to R&D.
- Structured competition process.
- Potential for significant scientific advancement.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS code 541710. Spending benchmarks for UARCs vary widely based on agency and research focus, but this contract's value is substantial for a single entity over its lifespan.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was awarded to a university, not a small business. There is no indication of small business subcontracting in the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
The Cost Plus Award Fee structure necessitates strong oversight from NASA to ensure the contractor meets performance targets and manages costs effectively. Regular reviews and audits are critical for accountability.
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
- Cost Plus Award Fee structure can lead to higher costs if not managed.
- Exclusion of sources may limit competitive pricing.
- Long contract duration requires sustained oversight.
- Lack of small business participation.
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 $307.6 million to UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA CRUZ. UNIVERSITY AFFILIATED RESEARCH CONTRACT (UARC)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA CRUZ.
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 $307.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2003-10-01. End: 2016-07-31.
How effectively did the award fee structure incentivize performance and cost control over the contract's 13-year duration?
Assessing the effectiveness of the award fee requires detailed performance reports and cost data. Without this, it's difficult to determine if the incentives led to optimal outcomes or simply higher costs. NASA's oversight would have been crucial in managing this.
What were the specific reasons for excluding certain sources during the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' phase?
The exclusion of sources typically occurs when specific technical expertise, unique facilities, or prior work is deemed essential for the contract's objectives. Understanding these reasons is key to evaluating whether the competition was truly optimized for the best value or if it inadvertently limited options.
What tangible research outcomes or technological advancements resulted from this $307.6 million investment?
The ultimate value of this contract hinges on its research outcomes. NASA would have metrics to evaluate the scientific and technological contributions. Quantifying breakthroughs in physical, engineering, or life sciences is essential to justify the significant taxpayer investment.
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 › OTHER RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: State of California Controllers Office (UEI: 071549000)
Address: 1156 HIGH STREET, SANTA CRUZ, CA, 95064
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, Not Designated a Small Business, U.S. Regional/State Government
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $326,554,677
Exercised Options: $326,554,677
Current Obligation: $307,577,559
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2003-10-01
Current End Date: 2016-07-31
Potential End Date: 2016-07-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2017-08-03
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