NASA awards $21.1M contract to University of Colorado for Hubble Space Telescope science management
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $21,097,486 ($21.1M)
Contractor: THE Regents of the University of Colorado
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 1999-12-15
End Date: 2009-11-30
Contract Duration: 3,638 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 51
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: SCIENCE MANAGEMENT FOR COS. THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO PROVIDES MANAGEMENT OF THE SCIENCE DATA RECEIVED FROM THE COSMIC ORIGINS SPECTROGRAPH (COS) INSTRUMENT OF THE HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE (HST).
Place of Performance
Location: BOULDER, BOULDER County, COLORADO, 80302, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $21.1 million to THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO for work described as: SCIENCE MANAGEMENT FOR COS. THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO PROVIDES MANAGEMENT OF THE SCIENCE DATA RECEIVED FROM THE COSMIC ORIGINS SPECTROGRAPH (COS) INSTRUMENT OF THE HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE (HST). Key points: 1. Contract awarded to the University of Colorado for managing science data from the Hubble Space Telescope's COS instrument. 2. The contract spans nearly 10 years, from December 1999 to November 2009. 3. Full and open competition was utilized for this award. 4. The primary agency is NASA, with the University of Colorado as the contractor. 5. The NAICS code 541710 indicates Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value is $21,097,486.41 over approximately 10 years. Without specific benchmarks for similar science data management contracts, it's difficult to definitively assess if this pricing is excellent or concerning. However, the duration suggests a potentially reasonable annual cost.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust process for price discovery and ensuring fair market value. This method typically leads to more competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is generally beneficial for taxpayers, as it aims to secure the best value for government funds by encouraging multiple bids and potentially lower prices.
Public Impact
Ensures continued operation and scientific return from the Hubble Space Telescope's Cosmic Origins Spectrograph. Supports critical scientific research and data analysis for NASA. Provides valuable scientific insights into the universe through the management of complex data. The University of Colorado's expertise is leveraged for a significant national scientific endeavor.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Contract duration is long, potentially leading to scope creep or outdated technology if not managed well.
- Lack of specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdown makes value assessment challenging.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive process.
- Contract supports a high-profile and scientifically valuable national asset (Hubble Space Telescope).
- The contractor is a reputable academic institution with relevant expertise.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector. Spending in this area is crucial for scientific advancement and technological innovation. Benchmarks for science data management contracts can vary widely based on the complexity and scope of the data.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to small businesses (sb: false). The primary contractor is the University of Colorado, a large academic institution. There is no information provided on subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by NASA, a federal agency with established oversight mechanisms. However, the provided data does not detail specific oversight activities or accountability measures for this particular contract. Regular reporting and performance reviews would be expected.
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 may lead to technological obsolescence.
- Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data.
- No indication of small business participation.
- Potential for cost overruns if not closely monitored.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, co, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $21.1 million to THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO. SCIENCE MANAGEMENT FOR COS. THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO PROVIDES MANAGEMENT OF THE SCIENCE DATA RECEIVED FROM THE COSMIC ORIGINS SPECTROGRAPH (COS) INSTRUMENT OF THE HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE (HST).
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 $21.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 1999-12-15. End: 2009-11-30.
What was the annual cost of this contract, and how does it compare to similar science data management contracts for other space instruments?
The total contract value was $21,097,486.41 over approximately 3638 days (about 9.96 years). This averages to roughly $5.79 million per year. Comparing this to similar contracts is difficult without access to a broader database of space instrument science data management agreements. Factors like data volume, complexity, and required analysis would significantly influence pricing.
What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) for the University of Colorado under this contract, and how was their performance measured?
The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or the methods used by NASA to measure the University of Colorado's performance. Typically, such contracts would include metrics related to data accuracy, timeliness of delivery, system uptime, and successful data processing. Without these details, a thorough assessment of effectiveness and risk mitigation is limited.
Given the long duration of the contract, what measures were in place to ensure the technology and methodologies used remained current and effective?
The data does not explicitly state the measures taken to ensure technological currency over the contract's nearly 10-year duration. However, contracts of this nature often include provisions for periodic reviews, technology refresh cycles, or performance-based adjustments. NASA's program management would be responsible for overseeing these aspects to ensure the continued effectiveness of the science data management.
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: 51
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Contractor Details
Address: 914 BROADWAY ST, BOULDER, CO, 80302
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $26,260,486
Exercised Options: $26,260,486
Current Obligation: $21,097,486
Timeline
Start Date: 1999-12-15
Current End Date: 2009-11-30
Potential End Date: 2009-11-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2015-09-28
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