NASA's GOES Satellite Program: $584M Contract for Earth Monitoring, Awarded to Boeing
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $584,311,888 ($584.3M)
Contractor: THE Boeing Company
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2000-03-15
End Date: 2020-04-02
Contract Duration: 7,323 days
Daily Burn Rate: $79.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: NASA IS PARTICIPATING WITH THE DOC/NOAA IN A MULTI-SATELLITE PROGRAM TO PROVIDE CONTINUOUS MONITORING OF EARTH AND SPACE ENVIRONMENT PARAMETERS. THE MONITORED PARAMETERS WILL PROVIDE DATA FOR WEATHER PREDICTION MODELS AND PROVIDE SEVERE WEATHER WARNING DATA. THE PROGRAM IS TERMED GEOSTATIONARY OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SATELLITE (GOES) AND IS ACCOMPLISHED USING TWO NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA) GEOSTATIONARY SATELLITES STATIONED AT TWO LONGITUDES OVER THE EQUATOR. THE GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER (GSFC) GOES PROJECT OFFICE HAS BEEN GIVEN RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROCURING THE NECESSARY HARDWARE AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO MEET THE MISSION REQUIREMENTS AS SPECIFIED HEREIN. THE SPACECRAFT CONTRACTOR SHALL FURNISH THE NECESSARY PERSONNEL, FACILITIES, SERVICES, AND MATERIALS TO DESIGN, FABRICATE, INTEGRATE, TEST, DELIVER ON-ORBIT TO NASA, AND SUPPORT ON-ORBIT OPERATIONS FOR ALL OF THE GOES N-Q SPACECRAFT DEVELOPED UNDER THIS CONTRACT. THIS WORK SHALL BE PERFORMED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS DOCUMENT AND ALL ATTACHMENTS TO THE CONTRACT. IN ACCOMPLISHING THE DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY OF THE GOES N-Q SPACECRAFT, THE SPACECRAFT CONTRACTOR SHALL PERFORM THE FOLLOWING: 1. PROVIDE THE SPACECRAFT BUS AND THE SPACE ENVIRONMENT MONITOR (SEM) INSTRUMENTS FOR EACH OF THE GOES SPACECRAFT. 2. RECEIVE THE GFE INSTRUMENTS AND RELATED GROUND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT (GSE), THEN INTEGRATE THEM WITH THE SPACECRAFT BUS AND PERFORM SPACECRAFT LEVEL TESTING. 3. PROVIDE ALL REQUIRED SPACECRAFT MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL GSE. 4. PROVIDE A SPACECRAFT EMULATOR AND INR PERFORMANCE EVALUATION SYSTEM 5. DELIVER AND SUPPORT INTEGRATION, VERIFICATION, AND MAINTENANCE OF GROUND SYSTEM HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE. 6. DESIGN AND SUPPORT INTEGRATION AND VERIFICATION OF ANY MODIFICATIONS OR REPLACEMENTS TO NOAA GROUND SYSTEM HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE. 7. SUPPORT COMBINED SPACECRAFT AND GROUND SYSTEM TESTING, AND GOES END-TO-END TESTING BEFORE LAUNCH. 8. PROVIDE ALL SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH THE LAUNCH VEHICLE PROCUREMENT, LAUNCH BASE PROCESSING FACILITY, LAUNCH BASE COORDINATION AND SAFETY, SPACECRAFT/LAUNCH VEHICLE INTEGRATION AND CHECKOUT, AND LAUNCH. 9. PROVIDE ALL SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH FLIGHT OPERATIONS FROM THE LAUNCH VEHICLE/SPACECRAFT SEPARATION THROUGH SPACECRAFT POSITIONING IN GEOSTATIONARY CHECKOUT ORBIT. 10. SUPPORT ALL SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH THE ON-ORBIT SPACECRAFT CHECKOUT AND SUPPORT ASSOCIATED WITH INSTRUMENT AND INR CHECKOUT. 11. PROVIDE SPACECRAFT OPERATOR AND ENGINEERING TRAINING FOR ON-ORBIT OPERATION. 12. PROVIDE ON-ORBIT ENGINEERING SUPPORT FOR THE SPACECRAFT SUPPORT GROUND SYSTEM (SSGS) AND EACH SPACECRAFT. THE SPACECRAFT CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO DELIVER THE GOES N-Q SPACECRAFT FULLY COMPATIBLE AND OPERATIONAL WITH NOAA GROUND SYSTEMS: THE SATELLITE OPERATIONS CONTROL CENTER (SOCC), SUITLAND, MD; THE WALLOPS COMMAND AND DATA ACQUISITION STATION (WCDAS), WALLOPS, VA; A BACKUP CDAS; AND THE SPACE ENVIRONMENT CENTER (SEC), BOULDER, CO. CHANGES TO THE EXISTING GROUND SYSTEMS TO ACCOMMODATE UPGRADED OR ADDITIONAL CAPABILITIES ARE PERMITTED AS DEFINED IN SECTION 3.5. THE CONTRACTOR S DELIVERED SPACECRAFT AND ASSOCIATED EFFORTS SHALL MEET ALL REQUIREMENTS OF THE GOES N-Q PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION.
Place of Performance
Location: EL SEGUNDO, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 90245
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $584.3 million to THE BOEING COMPANY for work described as: NASA IS PARTICIPATING WITH THE DOC/NOAA IN A MULTI-SATELLITE PROGRAM TO PROVIDE CONTINUOUS MONITORING OF EARTH AND SPACE ENVIRONMENT PARAMETERS. THE MONITORED PARAMETERS WILL PROVIDE DATA FOR WEATHER PREDICTION MODELS AND PROVIDE SEVERE WEATHER WARNING DATA. THE PROGRAM IS TERMED… Key points: 1. The GOES program is a critical multi-agency effort for weather prediction and severe weather warnings. 2. Boeing secured the contract, indicating significant industry involvement in advanced satellite technology. 3. The long duration of the contract (over 20 years) suggests a substantial, long-term investment. 4. This program falls under R&D, highlighting innovation in Earth and space environment monitoring.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $584M over 20 years is substantial for a complex satellite program. Benchmarking is difficult without specific unit costs for satellite components, but the overall value appears aligned with the scope of such a mission.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method typically leads to more competitive pricing for complex government procurements.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are supporting a vital national security and public safety initiative through a competitive procurement process.
Public Impact
Enhanced weather forecasting accuracy, leading to better preparedness for severe weather events. Continuous monitoring of Earth's environment provides crucial data for climate research and understanding. Supports national security by providing critical environmental data for military and civilian operations. Advancement in satellite technology and space exploration capabilities.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration could lead to cost overruns if not managed effectively.
- Reliance on a single contractor (Boeing) for such a critical program presents a potential risk.
- Technological obsolescence of satellites over the 20-year lifespan.
Positive Signals
- Multi-agency collaboration (NASA, NOAA, DOC) enhances program effectiveness and data utilization.
- Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for technological advancement and national capabilities, with satellite programs representing a significant portion of R&D budgets.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates the prime contractor is The Boeing Company, a large aerospace firm. There is no specific information provided regarding small business participation in this particular contract, which is common for large, complex aerospace procurements.
Oversight & Accountability
The Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) GOES Project Office is responsible for procurement and oversight. The long-term nature of the contract necessitates ongoing monitoring to ensure performance, cost control, and adherence to mission requirements.
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
- Long contract duration (over 20 years) increases risk of cost escalation and technological obsolescence.
- Sole reliance on Boeing for this critical program could limit flexibility and competitive pressure.
- Complexity of multi-satellite programs inherently carries technical and integration risks.
- Potential for scope creep or changes in mission requirements over the extended contract period.
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 $584.3 million to THE BOEING COMPANY. NASA IS PARTICIPATING WITH THE DOC/NOAA IN A MULTI-SATELLITE PROGRAM TO PROVIDE CONTINUOUS MONITORING OF EARTH AND SPACE ENVIRONMENT PARAMETERS. THE MONITORED PARAMETERS WILL PROVIDE DATA FOR WEATHER PREDICTION MODELS AND PROVIDE SEVERE WEATHER WARNING DATA. THE PROGRAM IS TERMED GEOSTATIONARY OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SATELLITE (GOES) AND IS ACCOMPLISHED USING TWO NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA) GEOSTATIONARY SATELLITES STATIONED AT TWO LONGITUDES OVER THE EQUATOR. THE GO
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE BOEING COMPANY.
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 $584.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2000-03-15. End: 2020-04-02.
What is the specific breakdown of costs for the hardware, software, and services procured under this contract?
The provided data does not detail the cost breakdown for hardware, software, and services. A comprehensive analysis would require access to the contract's detailed financial exhibits and performance reports. Understanding these components is crucial for assessing value and identifying potential areas for cost savings or efficiency improvements in future procurements.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of the GOES program and the contractor's performance?
Key performance indicators for the GOES program would likely include satellite uptime, data transmission reliability, accuracy of weather predictions derived from the data, and timely delivery of mission-critical components. NASA's oversight would involve regular reviews against these KPIs to ensure the contractor, Boeing, is meeting contractual obligations and mission objectives effectively.
How does the data collected by the GOES satellites contribute to improving severe weather warning systems and reducing economic impact from natural disasters?
The GOES satellites provide continuous, high-resolution imagery and atmospheric data essential for tracking storm development, intensity, and movement. This real-time information allows meteorologists to issue more accurate and timely severe weather warnings, enabling earlier evacuations and preparedness measures, thereby mitigating economic losses and saving lives.
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: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Contractor Details
Address: 900 N SEPULVEDA BLVD, EL SEGUNDO, CA, 90245
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $782,559,702
Exercised Options: $782,559,702
Current Obligation: $584,311,888
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2000-03-15
Current End Date: 2020-04-02
Potential End Date: 2020-04-02 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2023-09-07
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