NASA's Messenger Discovery Project awarded $46.2M for Mercury exploration, a sole-source R&D contract
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $46,218,856 ($46.2M)
Contractor: Carnegie Institution of Washington
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2000-01-04
End Date: 2017-09-30
Contract Duration: 6,479 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.1K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 999
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: MESSENGER DISCOVERY PROJECT ( PIS TO MANAGE PROJECT TO ORBIT AND EXPLORE PLANET MERCURY)
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20015
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $46.2 million to CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON for work described as: MESSENGER DISCOVERY PROJECT ( PIS TO MANAGE PROJECT TO ORBIT AND EXPLORE PLANET MERCURY) Key points: 1. The contract's value of $46.2 million over its duration represents a significant investment in planetary science. 2. As a sole-source award, the absence of competition may have implications for price optimization. 3. The contract's long duration (over 17 years) suggests a complex, multi-phase research and development effort. 4. The 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' NAICS code indicates a focus on scientific advancement. 5. The 'Cost No Fee' contract type suggests that the government reimburses allowable costs but does not pay a fixed fee, shifting some risk to the contractor. 6. The contractor, Carnegie Institution of Washington, is a well-established research institution, potentially indicating specialized expertise.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this specific R&D contract is challenging due to its unique scientific objectives and the 'Cost No Fee' structure. However, the total award of $46.2 million over nearly 18 years averages to approximately $2.57 million per year. This figure needs to be considered within the context of highly specialized scientific missions, which often involve substantial upfront investment in research, development, and specialized personnel. Without comparable sole-source R&D contracts for planetary exploration missions, a direct value-for-money assessment is difficult, but the long-term commitment suggests a perceived necessity for this specific research.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning that NASA did not conduct a competitive bidding process. This typically occurs when a specific entity possesses unique capabilities, intellectual property, or is the only responsible source capable of fulfilling the requirement. The lack of competition means that price discovery through market forces was absent, and the government relied on negotiation and cost-reimbursement mechanisms to manage the contract's financial aspects.
Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, a sole-source award means that the potential for cost savings through competitive bidding was foregone. While justified by unique capabilities, it necessitates rigorous oversight to ensure fair pricing and efficient use of funds.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the scientific community and the public, through advancements in our understanding of Mercury and planetary science. The contract directly funded the Messenger mission, which orbited and explored the planet Mercury. The geographic impact is global, contributing to humanity's collective knowledge of the solar system. The workforce implications include employment for scientists, engineers, technicians, and support staff involved in the mission's research and development.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition limits price scrutiny.
- Long contract duration may obscure cost efficiencies over time.
- Cost-reimbursement structure can incentivize spending if not tightly managed.
Positive Signals
- Contract awarded to a reputable research institution (Carnegie Institution of Washington).
- Focus on a unique scientific objective (Mercury exploration) likely required specialized expertise.
- Long-term commitment suggests strategic alignment with NASA's scientific goals.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical sciences and space exploration. The market for such specialized R&D is often characterized by a limited number of highly qualified institutions and companies. NASA's investment in planetary science missions like Messenger is a key component of its scientific endeavors, contributing to a broader landscape of space exploration funding that includes both government agencies and private sector involvement in related technologies.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have involved small business set-asides. As a sole-source award to a large research institution, the direct impact on small businesses is likely minimal, unless they were involved as subcontractors. The focus on specialized scientific research often necessitates partnerships with established entities with proven track records and extensive resources.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would have been managed by NASA's contracting officers and program managers. Given the 'Cost No Fee' structure, rigorous monitoring of incurred costs and adherence to the research scope would be critical. Transparency is generally maintained through contract reporting requirements and public dissemination of scientific findings. The Inspector General's office would have jurisdiction for audits and investigations if any irregularities were suspected.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Planetary Science Division Programs
- NASA Discovery Program
- Space Exploration Research and Development
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award lacks competitive price validation.
- Long contract duration requires sustained oversight for cost control.
- Cost-reimbursement structure necessitates careful monitoring of expenditures.
Tags
nasa, research-and-development, space-exploration, planetary-science, sole-source, cost-reimbursement, definitive-contract, carnegie-institution-of-washington, district-of-columbia, science, r-and-d
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $46.2 million to CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON. MESSENGER DISCOVERY PROJECT ( PIS TO MANAGE PROJECT TO ORBIT AND EXPLORE PLANET MERCURY)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON.
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 $46.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2000-01-04. End: 2017-09-30.
What was the primary objective of the Messenger Discovery Project?
The primary objective of the Messenger Discovery Project was to orbit and explore the planet Mercury. This involved designing, building, and operating a spacecraft equipped with scientific instruments to gather data about Mercury's composition, geology, magnetic field, and atmosphere. The mission aimed to significantly advance our understanding of the innermost planet in our solar system, which had been historically less explored than other planets due to the challenges of reaching and orbiting it.
How does the 'Cost No Fee' contract type affect risk and incentive for the contractor?
Under a 'Cost No Fee' (CNF) contract, the government agrees to reimburse the contractor for all allowable costs incurred in performing the contract, but does not pay any fixed fee. This structure places a significant portion of the financial risk on the contractor, as they will not receive any profit beyond cost recovery. The incentive for the contractor is primarily to successfully complete the project within the defined scope and to manage costs effectively to avoid exceeding the allocated budget, as any overruns would directly impact their bottom line. It is often used for research and development efforts where the final costs are difficult to predict.
What is the significance of the Carnegie Institution of Washington as the contractor?
The Carnegie Institution of Washington is a renowned private, nonprofit research institution founded in 1902. It has a long history of conducting fundamental research across various scientific disciplines, including astronomy, earth and planetary sciences, and biology. Awarding the contract to such an institution suggests that NASA sought highly specialized expertise and a proven track record in scientific research and mission development. Their involvement indicates a focus on scientific rigor and innovation rather than purely on engineering or manufacturing capabilities.
What are the potential challenges of managing a sole-source contract over a long duration?
Managing a sole-source contract over a long duration, like the Messenger Discovery Project (nearly 18 years), presents several challenges. Firstly, ensuring continued value for money requires robust oversight and periodic reviews to confirm that the pricing remains fair and that the scope is still aligned with evolving scientific understanding or technological advancements. Secondly, maintaining contractor performance and motivation over an extended period can be difficult without the competitive pressure inherent in other contract types. Thirdly, changes in government priorities or budget constraints could necessitate contract modifications or termination, which can be complex with long-term sole-source agreements. Finally, ensuring accountability and preventing scope creep requires diligent program management.
How does the NAICS code 541710 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences) inform our understanding of this contract?
The NAICS code 541710 signifies that this contract is fundamentally about conducting research and development activities within the physical sciences (like physics and astronomy), engineering, and life sciences. For the Messenger Discovery Project, this code specifically points to the scientific investigation and technological innovation required for a complex space mission. It implies that the contract's primary purpose was not the procurement of a standard product or service, but rather the pursuit of new knowledge and the development of novel solutions related to space exploration and planetary science, involving significant scientific inquiry and experimentation.
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: NOT COMPETED
Offers Received: 999
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Contractor Details
Address: 1530 P ST NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20005
Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $47,614,250
Exercised Options: $47,614,250
Current Obligation: $46,218,856
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2000-01-04
Current End Date: 2017-09-30
Potential End Date: 2017-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2022-04-08
Other National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracts
- International Space Station — $22.4B (THE Boeing Company)
- TAS::80 0124::TAS Design, Development, Test&evaluation of Project Orion — $15.5B (Lockheed Martin Corp)
- Provide Developmental Hardware and Test Articles, and Manufacture and Assemble Ares I Upper Stages. the Upper Stage (US) Element IS an Integral Part of the Ares I Launch Vehicle and Provides the Second Stage of Flight. the US Element IS Responsible for the Roll Control During the First Stage Burn and Separation; and Will Provide the Guidance and Navigation, Command and Data Handling, and Other Avionics Functions for the Ares I During ALL Phases of the Ascent Flight. the US Element IS a NEW Design That Emphasizes Safety, Operability, and Minimum Life Cycle Cost. the Overall Design, Development, Test and Evaluation (ddt&e), Production, and Sustaining Engineering Efforts Include Activities Performed by Three Organizations; the Nasa Design Team (NDT), the Upper Stage Production Contractor (uspc) and the Instrument Unit Production Contractor (iupc). for Clarity, the Uspc Will BE Referred to AS the Contractor Throughout This Document. Nasa IS Responsible for the Integration of the Primary Elements of the Ares I Launch Vehicle Including: the First Stage, US Including Instrument Unit (IU), and US Engine; and Will Also Integrate the Ares I Launch Vehicle AT the Launch Site. Nasa IS Responsible for the Ddt&e, Including Technical and Programmatic Integration of the US Subsystems and Government-Furnished Property. Nasa Will Lead the Effort to Develop the Requirements and Specifications of the US Element, the Development Plan and Testing Requirements, and ALL Design Documentation, Initial Manufacturing and Assembly Process Planning, Logistics Planning, and Operations Support Planning. Development, Qualification, and Acceptance Testing Will BE Conducted by Nasa and the Contractor to Satisfy Requirements and for Risk Mitigation. Nasa IS Responsible for the Overall Upper Stage Verification and Validation Process and Will Require Support From the Contractor. the Contractor IS Responsible for the Manufacture and Assembly of the Upper Stage Test Flight and Operational Upper Stage Units Including the Installation of Upper Stage Instrument Unit, the Government-Furnished US Engine, Booster Separation Motors, and Other Government-Furnished Property. a Description of the Nasa Managed and Performed Efforts IS Contained in the US Work Packages and Will BE Made Available to the Contractor to Ensure Their Understanding of the Roles and Responsibilities of the NDT, Iupc, and Contractor During the Design, Development, and Operation of the US Element. the US Conceptual Design Described in the Uso-Clv-Se-25704 US Design Definition Document (DDD) IS the Baseline Design for This Contract. the Contractors Early Role Will BE to Provide Producibility Engineering Support to Nasa VIA the Established US Office Structure and to Provide Inputs Into the Final Design Configuration, Specifications, and Standards. Nasa Will Transition the Manufacturing and Assembly, Logistics Support Infrastructure, Configuration Management, and the Sustaining Engineering Functions to the Contractor AT the KEY Points During the Development and Implementation of the Program Currently Planned to Occur NO Later Than 90 Days After the Completion of the Following Major Milestones: Manufacturing and Assembly US Preliminary Design Review (PDR) Logistics Support Infrastructure US PDR Configuration Management US Critical Design Review CDR) Sustaining Engineering US Design Certification Review (DCR) After the Completion of an Orderly Transition of Roles and Responsibilities to the Contractor, Nasa Will Assume an Insight Role Into the Contractors Production, Sustaining Engineering, and Operations Support of the Ares I US Test Program and Flight Hardware. After DCR, the Contractor Will BE Responsible for Sustaining Engineering PER SOW Section 4.7, AS Necessary to Maintain and Support the US Configuration and for Production and Operations Support — $10.5B (THE Boeing Company)
- Space Program Operations Contract (spoc) — $8.5B (United Space Alliance, LLC)
- Joint Us/Russian Human Space Flight Activities — $4.7B (Russia Space Agency)
View all National Aeronautics and Space Administration contracts →