NASA's Solar X-Ray Imager Instrument Contract Awarded to Lockheed Martin for $98.5M
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $98,459,911 ($98.5M)
Contractor: Lockheed Martin Corporation
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 1997-09-15
End Date: 2021-12-31
Contract Duration: 8,873 days
Daily Burn Rate: $11.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: SOLAR X-RAY IMAGER INSTRUMENT
Place of Performance
Location: PALO ALTO, SANTA CLARA County, CALIFORNIA, 94304
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $98.5 million to LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION for work described as: SOLAR X-RAY IMAGER INSTRUMENT Key points: 1. The contract for the Solar X-Ray Imager Instrument was awarded to Lockheed Martin Corporation. 2. The total award value reached $98.5 million over its duration. 3. The contract was awarded under a full and open competition. 4. This expenditure falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector. 5. The contract type was Cost Plus Award Fee, indicating performance-based incentives.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The $98.5 million award for the Solar X-Ray Imager Instrument appears to be a significant investment. Benchmarking against similar complex scientific instrument development contracts would be necessary for a precise value assessment, but the duration and nature of the project suggest a substantial cost.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust process for selecting the best offer. This method generally promotes competitive pricing, though the Cost Plus Award Fee structure allows for flexibility and potential cost increases based on performance.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds were utilized for this research and development contract. The competitive award process aims to ensure value for money, but the cost-plus nature requires careful monitoring to control overall expenditure.
Public Impact
Advancement in solar physics research through the development of a specialized imaging instrument. Potential for improved understanding of solar phenomena and space weather. Supports scientific innovation and technological development within the aerospace sector. Long-term project duration (1997-2021) indicates sustained investment in scientific goals.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost-plus award fee contracts can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.
- Long contract duration may indicate evolving requirements or technical challenges.
- Lack of small business participation noted.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process.
- Instrument development supports critical scientific research objectives.
- Contractor has a strong track record in aerospace and defense.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical sciences and engineering. Spending in this area is crucial for technological advancement and scientific discovery, often involving complex, long-term projects with high upfront costs.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small businesses were not directly involved as prime contractors in this award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses participated as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
NASA's procurement processes and oversight mechanisms are designed to ensure accountability for large contracts. Regular reviews and audits are typically in place to monitor cost, schedule, and performance, especially for cost-plus contracts.
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 (CPAF) structure requires diligent oversight to manage costs.
- Long contract duration (1997-2021) may indicate potential for scope creep or extended development cycles.
- No explicit mention of small business participation as prime contractors.
- High contract value necessitates robust performance monitoring.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, ca, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $98.5 million to LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION. SOLAR X-RAY IMAGER INSTRUMENT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION.
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 $98.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 1997-09-15. End: 2021-12-31.
What was the primary scientific objective of the Solar X-Ray Imager Instrument, and how did its development contribute to NASA's broader mission goals?
The Solar X-Ray Imager Instrument was likely developed to enhance our understanding of solar activity, such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections, by providing high-resolution X-ray imagery. This contributes to NASA's mission by advancing fundamental solar physics research, improving space weather forecasting, and protecting astronauts and technological assets in space from the effects of solar events.
Given the Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract type, what were the key performance metrics that determined the award fees, and how were they measured?
For a CPAF contract, award fees are typically tied to exceeding specific performance targets related to technical achievement, schedule adherence, and cost control. Key metrics might include image resolution quality, data acquisition rates, instrument reliability, meeting or beating cost milestones, and timely delivery of project phases. NASA would have established a detailed evaluation plan to objectively measure Lockheed Martin's performance against these pre-defined criteria.
How does the $98.5 million expenditure for this instrument compare to the typical cost of similar advanced scientific instruments developed for space missions?
The $98.5 million cost for the Solar X-Ray Imager Instrument is substantial, reflecting the complexity and advanced technology involved in developing specialized space-based scientific instruments. While direct comparisons are difficult without knowing the exact specifications and capabilities, costs for instruments like advanced telescopes, spectrometers, or imagers can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on their sophistication, mission requirements, and development duration.
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: 4
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Contractor Details
Address: 3251 HANOVER STREET, PALO ALTO, CA, 94304
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $51,379,031
Exercised Options: $51,379,031
Current Obligation: $98,459,911
Actual Outlays: $1,142,015
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 1997-09-15
Current End Date: 2021-12-31
Potential End Date: 2021-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-05
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