NASA Awards $27.6M for Snow and Ice Archive Support to University of Colorado
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $27,623,959 ($27.6M)
Contractor: THE Regents of the University of Colorado
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2003-07-15
End Date: 2008-05-31
Contract Duration: 1,782 days
Daily Burn Rate: $15.5K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF THE SNOW AND ICE DISTRIBUTE ACTIVE ARCHIVE CENTER FOR EARTH OBSERVING
Place of Performance
Location: BOULDER, BOULDER County, COLORADO, 80302
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $27.6 million to THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO for work described as: SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF THE SNOW AND ICE DISTRIBUTE ACTIVE ARCHIVE CENTER FOR EARTH OBSERVING Key points: 1. Significant contract value for specialized data archive services. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and potential cost savings. 3. Long contract duration (nearly 5 years) warrants close monitoring. 4. Focus on Earth observing data highlights critical scientific research support.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $27.6 million over nearly 5 years suggests a substantial investment. Without comparable contracts, it's difficult to definitively assess pricing, but the 'cost no fee' structure implies the government is covering actual costs plus potentially a fee, which can sometimes lead to higher overall expenditures if not managed tightly.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning competition was not sought. This limits price discovery and may result in higher costs than if multiple vendors had competed. The justification for sole-source is not provided but is crucial for understanding the necessity of this approach.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for a nearly $28 million contract raises concerns about potential overspending of taxpayer funds. A competitive process could have yielded better value.
Public Impact
Supports critical Earth science research by maintaining vital data archives. Ensures long-term accessibility of snow and ice data for climate studies. Potential for higher costs due to sole-source award impacts taxpayer investment. University of Colorado benefits from significant federal research funding.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition
- Potential for cost overruns without competitive pressure
- Long contract duration requires ongoing oversight
Positive Signals
- Supports critical scientific research
- Ensures availability of vital climate data
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. The value is significant for this sector, particularly for specialized data archive and support services. Benchmarks for similar long-term data management contracts are scarce, making direct comparison difficult.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded to a university, The Regents of the University of Colorado, and does not indicate any subcontracting to small businesses. Therefore, there is no direct small business impact or benefit observed in this award.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award necessitates robust oversight from NASA to ensure the contractor is performing effectively and that costs are reasonable. Regular performance reviews and cost audits would be essential to maintain accountability.
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
- Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
- Potential for higher costs due to lack of competitive bidding.
- Long contract duration requires sustained oversight.
- Lack of transparency regarding justification for sole-source award.
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 $27.6 million to THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO. SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF THE SNOW AND ICE DISTRIBUTE ACTIVE ARCHIVE CENTER FOR EARTH OBSERVING
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 $27.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2003-07-15. End: 2008-05-31.
What was the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and were alternative competitive strategies considered?
The justification for a sole-source award is critical for understanding why competition was bypassed. Agencies typically require detailed documentation outlining the unique capabilities of the sole provider or urgent needs that preclude a competitive process. Without this justification, it's impossible to assess if taxpayer funds were used efficiently or if a more competitive approach could have secured better value for the government.
How does the University of Colorado's proposed cost structure compare to industry benchmarks for similar data archive and support services, especially considering the 'cost no fee' arrangement?
The 'cost no fee' (Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee or similar) contract type means the government reimburses the contractor's allowable costs plus a negotiated fixed fee. Assessing the value requires comparing the total estimated cost against benchmarks for managing large scientific data archives. Without access to the detailed cost proposal and comparable market data, it's challenging to determine if the pricing is competitive or if efficiencies could have been achieved through a different contract type or vendor.
What mechanisms are in place to ensure the long-term effectiveness and data integrity of the Snow and Ice Distribute Active Archive Center, given the nearly five-year duration of this support contract
Ensuring the long-term effectiveness and data integrity of a critical archive like the Snow and Ice DAAC requires robust performance metrics, regular technical reviews, and clear data management protocols. NASA's oversight should focus on adherence to these standards, disaster recovery plans, data accessibility, and the contractor's ability to adapt to evolving technological requirements and scientific needs throughout the contract period.
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: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Contractor Details
Address: 914 BROADWAY ST, BOULDER, CO, 02
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $27,623,959
Exercised Options: $27,623,959
Current Obligation: $27,623,959
Timeline
Start Date: 2003-07-15
Current End Date: 2008-05-31
Potential End Date: 2008-05-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2010-09-16
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