NASA's EOS SOLSTICE contract nears $144M for solar irradiance research, extending vital Earth atmosphere studies
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $143,995,172 ($144.0M)
Contractor: THE Regents of the University of Colorado
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 1999-10-15
End Date: 2022-10-31
Contract Duration: 8,417 days
Daily Burn Rate: $17.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 51
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: THIS EFFORT IS THE EXTENSION OF THE DEFINITION PHASE (PHASE B) FOR THE EARTH OBSERVING SYSTEM (EOS) SOLAR STELLAR IRRADIANCE COMPARISON EXPERIMENT (SOLSTICE). THE OUTPUT OF THE PHASE B EXTENSION WILL BE A CONCEPTUAL DESIGN COST REVIEW (CDCR). THE STATEMENT OF WORK IS BROKEN DOWN INTO THREE SECTIONS: INSTRUMENT, SCIENCE, AND SCIENCE COMPUTING FACILITY. THIS IS A PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (PI) EXPERIMENT TO MAKE LONG-TERM SOLAR OBSERVATIONS WITH THE EOS SOLSTICE INSTRUMENT. THE MEASUREMENTS WILL CONTRIBUTE TO AN IMPROVED UNDERSTANDING OF THE VARIABLE ENERGY INPUT TO THE EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON THE SUN'S INFLUENCE ON THE TEMPERATURE, STRUCTURE, DYNAMICS AND CHEMISTRY OF THE ATMOSPHERIC SYSTEM. A FUNDAMENTAL AND SPECIFIC USE OF EOS, REPRESENTING A SUBSTANTIAL CHANGE FROM PAST PRACTICE, IS THE PRODUCTION AND ARCHIVING OF DATA SETS FOR GENERAL SCIENTIFIC USE. THESE DATA SETS WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF INTERDISCIPLINARY SCIENCE PRODUCTS. THIS EFFORT WILL INCLUDE MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPLETE PROGRAM AND ITS COORDINATION. IN PHASE C/D/E, THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO (UC) SHALL PROVIDE THE FACILITIES, MATERIALS, SERVICES, AND PERSONNEL NECESSARY TO CONTINUE THE SORCE MISSION. UC SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MISSION OPERATIONS AND SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFETY OF THE INSTRUMENTS AND THE SPACECRAFT BUS THROUGH A SUBCONTRACT ARRANGEMENT WITH THE SPACECRAFT PROVIDER (ORBITAL SCIENCES CORPORATION). UC SHALL DEVELOP/MAINTAIN ALGORITHMS FOR PRODUCING THE SCIENCE DATA PRODUCTS AS PROPOSED AND APPROVED BY NASA HQ. AFTER THE SCIENCE PRODUCTS HAVE BEEN VALIDATED, THESE PRODUCTS WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE GSFC DATA ACHIEVE FOR ACHIEVE AND DISTRIBUTION. THE GROUND SYSTEM USED IN THE SORCE MISSION SHALL MEET ALL NASA SECURITY REQUIREMENTS.
Place of Performance
Location: BOULDER, BOULDER County, COLORADO, 80309
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $144.0 million to THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO for work described as: THIS EFFORT IS THE EXTENSION OF THE DEFINITION PHASE (PHASE B) FOR THE EARTH OBSERVING SYSTEM (EOS) SOLAR STELLAR IRRADIANCE COMPARISON EXPERIMENT (SOLSTICE). THE OUTPUT OF THE PHASE B EXTENSION WILL BE A CONCEPTUAL DESIGN COST REVIEW (CDCR). THE STATEMENT OF WORK IS BROKEN DO… Key points: 1. Focuses on long-term solar observations crucial for understanding Earth's atmospheric system. 2. Supports a Principal Investigator-led experiment, indicating specialized scientific expertise. 3. Contract duration of over 20 years suggests a long-term commitment to scientific inquiry. 4. The extension builds upon a prior definition phase, indicating project progression. 5. Research aims to improve understanding of solar influence on atmospheric temperature, structure, dynamics, and chemistry. 6. The project is managed by NASA, a leading agency in space and Earth science research.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The total contract value of approximately $144 million over more than 20 years represents a significant investment in long-term solar observation research. While specific cost breakdowns for this extension are not detailed, the overall value appears consistent with large-scale, multi-year scientific research initiatives managed by NASA. Benchmarking against similar complex R&D projects in Earth science would provide further context, but the sustained funding suggests a perceived value in the ongoing scientific contributions.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple bidders had the opportunity to propose their qualifications and pricing. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the competitive nature of the award process is a positive indicator for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive proposals for complex research and development efforts.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more cost-effective solutions and a wider range of innovative approaches.
Public Impact
Benefits the scientific community by providing critical data for climate and atmospheric research. Delivers long-term solar observation data essential for understanding Earth's energy balance. The research has global implications for understanding climate change and solar variability. Supports highly specialized scientific and technical workforce involved in space-based research and data analysis.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns in long-term R&D projects if scope or technical challenges increase.
- Reliance on a single Principal Investigator's approach could pose a risk if unforeseen scientific challenges arise.
- Long project timelines increase the risk of technological obsolescence impacting data utility.
Positive Signals
- Strong track record of NASA in managing complex, long-term scientific missions.
- The extension of a previous phase indicates successful progress and continued scientific merit.
- Focus on fundamental science with broad implications for understanding Earth's climate system.
- The project contributes to a vital long-term dataset for climate modeling and research.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector, specifically focusing on Earth observation and solar physics. The market for such specialized scientific research is typically dominated by academic institutions and specialized research organizations. NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS) program represents a significant portion of federal spending in this area, aiming to provide comprehensive data on Earth's climate and environment. The value of this contract is substantial for a single R&D project within this niche.
Small Business Impact
Given the highly specialized nature of this scientific research and development contract, it is unlikely to have been specifically set aside for small businesses. The primary contractor, the Regents of the University of Colorado, is an academic institution. While subcontracting opportunities may exist for specialized technical services or equipment, the core research is likely performed by the prime or within its direct research ecosystem, with limited direct impact on the broader small business contracting landscape.
Oversight & Accountability
NASA's robust oversight mechanisms for its research programs are expected to apply to this contract. This includes regular progress reviews, technical evaluations, and financial reporting requirements. The agency's Inspector General would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse. Transparency is generally maintained through public dissemination of research findings and program updates.
Related Government Programs
- Earth Observing System (EOS)
- Solar Physics Research
- Atmospheric Science Research
- Climate Change Research
- Space-based Scientific Instruments
Risk Flags
- Long project duration increases risk of technological obsolescence.
- Potential for scope creep in R&D projects.
- Reliance on specific scientific expertise could be a single point of failure.
- Funding stability over 20+ years is not guaranteed.
Tags
nasa, research-and-development, earth-observation, solar-physics, definitive-contract, full-and-open-competition, cost-plus-fixed-fee, university-contractor, long-term-project, scientific-research, colorado, atmospheric-science
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $144.0 million to THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO. THIS EFFORT IS THE EXTENSION OF THE DEFINITION PHASE (PHASE B) FOR THE EARTH OBSERVING SYSTEM (EOS) SOLAR STELLAR IRRADIANCE COMPARISON EXPERIMENT (SOLSTICE). THE OUTPUT OF THE PHASE B EXTENSION WILL BE A CONCEPTUAL DESIGN COST REVIEW (CDCR). THE STATEMENT OF WORK IS BROKEN DOWN INTO THREE SECTIONS: INSTRUMENT, SCIENCE, AND SCIENCE COMPUTING FACILITY. THIS IS A PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (PI) EXPERIMENT TO MAKE LONG-TERM SOLAR OBSERVATIONS WITH THE EOS SOLSTICE INSTRUMENT. THE MEASUREMENTS WILL
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO.
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 $144.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 1999-10-15. End: 2022-10-31.
What is the specific scientific objective of the EOS SOLSTICE instrument and how does it contribute to understanding Earth's atmosphere?
The EOS SOLSTICE instrument is designed to make long-term solar observations, specifically measuring solar stellar irradiance. The primary scientific objective is to contribute to an improved understanding of the variable energy input from the sun into Earth's atmosphere. This data is crucial for understanding how solar variations influence the temperature, structure, dynamics, and chemistry of the atmospheric system. By providing a consistent and long-term record of solar output, SOLSTICE data helps scientists differentiate between natural climate variability driven by solar cycles and anthropogenic climate change, thereby enhancing the accuracy of climate models and predictions.
How does the $144 million contract value compare to other NASA R&D contracts for similar Earth observation projects?
The total contract value of approximately $144 million over a period exceeding 20 years positions this as a significant, long-term investment in a specific scientific research area. While direct comparisons are challenging due to the unique nature of each project, NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS) program itself is a multi-billion dollar initiative encompassing numerous complex instruments and research efforts. Contracts for individual EOS instruments or related research can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on complexity, duration, and technological requirements. This SOLSTICE contract appears to be within the expected range for a dedicated, long-duration instrument and associated research within such a flagship program, reflecting the substantial resources required for sustained space-based scientific endeavors.
What are the key risks associated with a research contract spanning over two decades?
Research contracts spanning over two decades face several inherent risks. Technological obsolescence is a significant concern; the scientific instruments or data processing techniques developed early in the project might become outdated by the end. Scientific understanding can also evolve, potentially shifting research priorities or rendering certain data less critical than initially anticipated. Furthermore, long-term funding stability can be a challenge, as budget allocations for federal research programs can be subject to political and economic shifts. Personnel continuity is another risk, as key scientists or engineers may retire, move to other projects, or face unforeseen circumstances, potentially disrupting institutional knowledge and project momentum. Finally, unforeseen technical challenges or environmental factors during operation could impact data quality or extend timelines.
What is the significance of this contract being a 'Principal Investigator (PI) experiment'?
Designating this as a 'Principal Investigator (PI) experiment' signifies that the scientific direction and overall management of the research are led by a specific, highly qualified scientist (the PI) and their research team, rather than being solely directed by the funding agency. This model empowers the PI to define the scientific goals, design the experiment, and interpret the results, fostering innovation and leveraging specialized expertise. For NASA, it allows them to fund cutting-edge research proposed by leading experts in their fields. The success of a PI-led experiment relies heavily on the PI's vision, leadership, and the capabilities of their chosen institution or team, such as the University of Colorado in this case.
How does the 'Cost No Fee' contract type (PT: COST NO FEE) impact the contractor's incentives and the government's risk?
A 'Cost No Fee' (CNF) contract type means the contractor (The Regents of the University of Colorado) is reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred in performing the contract, but receives no additional profit or fee. This type of contract is typically used for research and development efforts, especially when the scope of work is not well-defined or when the government wants to encourage exploration without the contractor having a profit motive driving potentially unnecessary costs. For the contractor, the incentive is to perform the research effectively and within budget to meet the scientific objectives, as their primary compensation is the recovery of costs. For the government, the risk is that the contractor might not be as motivated to control costs as they would be in a contract with a fee, potentially leading to higher overall expenditures if not closely monitored. However, it aligns the contractor's focus with the scientific mission rather than profit maximization.
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
Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH
Offers Received: 51
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Contractor Details
Address: 914 BROADWAY ST, BOULDER, CO, 80309
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $56,749,331
Exercised Options: $56,749,331
Current Obligation: $143,995,172
Actual Outlays: $5,895,486
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 1999-10-15
Current End Date: 2022-10-31
Potential End Date: 2022-10-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2024-04-08
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