NASA Awards L3Harris Technologies $240.7M for Geostationary Environmental Satellite Instruments
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $240,731,493 ($240.7M)
Contractor: L3harris Technologies, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 1996-09-15
End Date: 2020-09-30
Contract Duration: 8,781 days
Daily Burn Rate: $27.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE THE PERSONNEL. MATERIALS, AND FACILITIES NECESSARY TO DESIGN. DEVELOP, INTEGRATE, TEST AND SUPPORT GOES IMAGER AND SOUNDER INSTRUMENTS; SUPPORT INSTRUMENT INTEGRATION INTO THE SPACECRAFT; TO CONDUCT SPACECRAFT-LEVEL INSTRUMENT TESTING; AND TO SUPPORT LAUNCH AND ON-ORBIT OPERATIONS FOR THE NOAA GEOSTATIONARY ENVIRONMENTAL SATELLITE PROGRAM. THE IMAGER SHALL BE A FIVE SPECTRAL CHANNEL TWO-AXIS SCANNING RADIOMETER, AND SHALL BE CAPABLE OF PROVIDING IMAGERY AND RADIOMETRIC INFORMATION OF THE EARTH S SURFACE AND CLOUD COVER. CAPABILITY FOR STAR SENSING SHALL ALSO BE PROVIDED. THE INSTRUMENT SHALL BE CAPABLE OF MEASURING EMITTED AND SOLAR REFLECTED RADIANCE SIMULTANEOUSLY FROM THE FIVE SPECTRAL CHANNELS. RADIOMETRIC QUALITY, SIMULTANEOUS DATA COLLECTION WITH THE SOUNDER, AND SCAN FLEXIBILITY ARE PRIME REQUIREMENTS OF THE SYSTEM. THE SOUNDER SHALL BE A 19 SPECTRAL CHANNEL DISCRETE FILTER WHEEL RADIOMETER USING A TWO-AXIS SCANNING MIRROR CAPABLE OF PROVIDING VARIABLE AREA SOUNDING OF THE EARTH S ATMOSPHERE. RADIOMETRIC QUALITY, SIMULTANEOUS DATA COLLECTION WITH THE IMAGER, AND SCAN FLEXIBILITY ARE PRIME REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SOUNDER.
Place of Performance
Location: FORT WAYNE, ALLEN County, INDIANA, 46818
State: Indiana Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $240.7 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. for work described as: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE THE PERSONNEL. MATERIALS, AND FACILITIES NECESSARY TO DESIGN. DEVELOP, INTEGRATE, TEST AND SUPPORT GOES IMAGER AND SOUNDER INSTRUMENTS; SUPPORT INSTRUMENT INTEGRATION INTO THE SPACECRAFT; TO CONDUCT SPACECRAFT-LEVEL INSTRUMENT TESTING; AND TO SUPPORT … Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical GOES Imager and Sounder instruments for NOAA's satellite program. 2. L3Harris Technologies, a major aerospace contractor, secured this significant award. 3. The contract involves design, development, integration, testing, and ongoing support. 4. This expenditure supports vital weather monitoring and environmental data collection capabilities.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $240.7 million for complex satellite instruments appears reasonable given the scope of work, which includes design, development, integration, testing, and long-term support. Benchmarking against similar large-scale aerospace instrument development contracts would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process that likely led to a fair price discovery. This method allows multiple qualified contractors to propose solutions, fostering innovation and cost-effectiveness.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the competitive process ensuring value for money in acquiring essential environmental monitoring technology.
Public Impact
Enhances NOAA's ability to provide critical weather forecasts and environmental data. Supports national security and public safety through improved climate and weather monitoring. Drives technological advancement in satellite imaging and sensor technology. Contributes to scientific research on climate change and Earth's systems. Ensures continuity of vital environmental data collection for long-term analysis.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration (8781 days) may introduce risks related to technological obsolescence or cost overruns.
- Cost Plus Award Fee (CPA) structure can incentivize performance but requires robust oversight to manage costs effectively.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive market.
- Contractor has extensive experience in aerospace and instrument development.
- Supports a critical national program for environmental monitoring.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the aerospace and defense sector, specifically focusing on advanced instrumentation for environmental satellites. Spending in this area is typically high due to the complexity, R&D intensity, and long lifecycles of space-based systems.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and the prime contractor, L3Harris Technologies, is a large corporation. There is no information provided on subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this award.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's Cost Plus Award Fee structure necessitates strong oversight from NASA to ensure performance objectives are met and costs are managed efficiently. Regular reviews and performance evaluations are crucial for accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to the complexity and long duration of the contract.
- Risk of technological obsolescence given the extended period from award to completion.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical instrument development and support.
- Effectiveness of award fee structure in controlling costs requires diligent oversight.
Tags
administrative-management-and-general-ma, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, in, definitive-contract, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $240.7 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE THE PERSONNEL. MATERIALS, AND FACILITIES NECESSARY TO DESIGN. DEVELOP, INTEGRATE, TEST AND SUPPORT GOES IMAGER AND SOUNDER INSTRUMENTS; SUPPORT INSTRUMENT INTEGRATION INTO THE SPACECRAFT; TO CONDUCT SPACECRAFT-LEVEL INSTRUMENT TESTING; AND TO SUPPORT LAUNCH AND ON-ORBIT OPERATIONS FOR THE NOAA GEOSTATIONARY ENVIRONMENTAL SATELLITE PROGRAM. THE IMAGER SHALL BE A FIVE SPECTRAL CHANNEL TWO-AXIS SCANNING RADIOMETER, AND SHALL BE CAPABLE OF PROVIDING IMAGERY AND RADIOMETR
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is L3HARRIS 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 $240.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 1996-09-15. End: 2020-09-30.
What is the projected return on investment for the GOES Imager and Sounder instruments in terms of improved weather forecasting accuracy and disaster mitigation?
The return on investment for the GOES Imager and Sounder instruments is primarily measured by their contribution to enhanced weather forecasting accuracy, leading to better preparedness for severe weather events, and improved disaster mitigation strategies. While a precise monetary ROI is difficult to quantify, the societal and economic benefits derived from timely and accurate weather information, including reduced loss of life and property damage, are substantial.
What are the key performance metrics used to evaluate L3Harris Technologies' success under this Cost Plus Award Fee contract?
Key performance metrics likely include the successful design, development, integration, and testing of the GOES Imager and Sounder instruments according to specified technical requirements and quality standards. Meeting schedule milestones, ensuring instrument reliability and performance during on-orbit operations, and demonstrating effective support throughout the contract lifecycle are also critical evaluation criteria for determining award fees.
How does the technological advancement in these instruments compare to international counterparts, and what is the long-term strategic advantage for the US?
The GOES Imager and Sounder instruments represent cutting-edge technology in geostationary environmental monitoring. Continuous advancement in spectral channels, scanning capabilities, and data resolution ensures the US maintains a strategic advantage in weather prediction and climate monitoring. This technological leadership supports national security, economic stability through improved agricultural and energy sector planning, and global scientific collaboration.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Contractor Details
Address: 1919 W COOK RD, FORT WAYNE, IN, 46801
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $246,990,720
Exercised Options: $246,990,720
Current Obligation: $240,731,493
Actual Outlays: $329,208
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 1996-09-15
Current End Date: 2020-09-30
Potential End Date: 2020-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-17
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