NASA's Kepler Operations Contract Awarded to BAE Systems for $35.4M in R&D
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $35,355,275 ($35.4M)
Contractor: BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2009-05-12
End Date: 2019-09-30
Contract Duration: 3,793 days
Daily Burn Rate: $9.3K/day
Competition Type: FOLLOW ON TO COMPETED ACTION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: KEPLER OPERATIONS ON-ORBIT (PHASE E)
Place of Performance
Location: BOULDER, BOULDER County, COLORADO, 80306
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $35.4 million to BAE SYSTEMS SPACE & MISSION SYSTEMS INC. for work described as: KEPLER OPERATIONS ON-ORBIT (PHASE E) Key points: 1. Contract awarded to BAE Systems for $35.4M for Kepler operations. 2. Competition type is 'FOLLOW ON TO COMPETED ACTION', suggesting prior competition. 3. Risk is moderate due to the long duration (3793 days) and cost-plus contract type. 4. Sector is Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $35.4M over nearly 10 years suggests a significant investment. Benchmarking against similar long-term R&D contracts is difficult without more specific cost breakdowns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The 'FOLLOW ON TO COMPETED ACTION' indicates some level of prior competition, but the current award is not explicitly stated as competed. This could limit price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are supporting a long-term scientific mission, with the ultimate value dependent on research outcomes.
Public Impact
Supports ongoing scientific research and data collection from the Kepler space telescope. Contributes to advancements in astrophysics and understanding of exoplanets. Long-term commitment of resources for a specific scientific endeavor.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost-plus contract type can lead to cost overruns.
- Long contract duration increases risk of scope creep and changing requirements.
- Lack of explicit current competition raises concerns about optimal pricing.
Positive Signals
- Supports a valuable scientific mission with potential for significant discoveries.
- BAE Systems is a known entity in the aerospace sector.
- Follow-on nature suggests established performance and understanding.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for scientific advancement but often involves long timelines and inherent uncertainties.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to BAE Systems, a large business. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), a civilian agency with established oversight mechanisms for its research and development programs.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost-plus contract type
- Long contract duration
- Potential for limited price discovery
- Lack of explicit current competition details
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, co, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $35.4 million to BAE SYSTEMS SPACE & MISSION SYSTEMS INC.. KEPLER OPERATIONS ON-ORBIT (PHASE E)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BAE SYSTEMS SPACE & MISSION SYSTEMS INC..
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 $35.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2009-05-12. End: 2019-09-30.
What was the original competition for this contract, and how does the current award reflect that?
The data indicates this is a 'FOLLOW ON TO COMPETED ACTION'. This suggests that the initial contract award was subject to competition. However, the specifics of that original competition and how this follow-on action relates to it are not detailed. Further analysis would be needed to understand if this follow-on award was also competed or if it represents an extension or modification of the original award.
What are the cost control mechanisms in place for this Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract?
A Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract provides for a company to be reimbursed for its allowable costs plus a fixed amount of profit. While the fee is fixed, the contractor is incentivized to control costs to maximize their profit margin. NASA's oversight would typically involve regular audits of costs and performance reviews to ensure adherence to the contract terms and prevent excessive spending.
How does the $35.4M value compare to similar long-term space R&D operations contracts?
Benchmarking this $35.4M value against similar long-term space R&D operations contracts is challenging without more granular data on contract scope, duration, and specific objectives. The Kepler mission's unique scientific goals and the decade-long operational phase contribute to its cost. A comprehensive comparison would require analyzing contracts for other major space science missions with comparable lifespans and technological complexity.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FOLLOW ON TO COMPETED ACTION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: AO-00-OSS-02-DISCOVERY
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Ball Corp
Address: 1600 COMMERCE ST, BOULDER, CO, 80301
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $37,539,399
Exercised Options: $37,539,399
Current Obligation: $35,355,275
Actual Outlays: $89,784
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2009-05-12
Current End Date: 2019-09-30
Potential End Date: 2019-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2024-10-03
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