NASA's IBEX mission contract awarded to Southwest Research Institute for over $116 million, spanning over a decade

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $116,070,724 ($116.1M)

Contractor: Southwest Research Institute

Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Start Date: 2005-05-17

End Date: 2016-11-30

Contract Duration: 4,215 days

Daily Burn Rate: $27.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: TAS::80 0120::TAS THE CONTRACTOR SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONDUCT OF ALL PHASES AND ASPECTS OF THE IBEX MISSION INCLUDING: 1) LIFE-CYCLE PROJECT MANAGEMENT; 2) DESIGN, TEST, DEVELOPMENT, AND OPERATIONS (PAYLOAD, SPACECRAFT, LAUNCH VEHICLE, SPACECRAFT TO LAUNCH-VEHICLE INTERFACES, LAUNCH AND FLIGHT OPERATIONS); AND 3) POST-OPERATIONS DATA ANALYSIS AND ARCHIVING. IN PERFORMANCE OF THIS EFFORT, THE IBEX TEAM SHALL: A. MANAGE THE PROJECT, PROVIDE COST AND SCHEDULE INFORMATION TO NASA AS SPECIFIED IN 3.0 MANAGEMENT, ABOVE. B. PROVIDE DAY-TO-DAY MANAGEMENT AND COORDINATION OF THE PROJECT AS DELEGATED BY THE PI TO THE PROJECT MANAGER (PM), INCLUDING MONITORING AND REPORTING TECHNICAL PROGRESS AND FINANCIAL STATUS, IMPLEMENTING THE RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN AND CONDUCTING MISSION LEVEL REVIEWS AS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 4.3, SYSTEM LEVEL REVIEWS. C. CONDUCT REVIEWS FOR ALL PAYLOAD SENSORS, PAYLOAD SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE AND ASSOCIATED GSE. D. PERFORM SCIENTIFIC ANALYSES IN SUPPORT OF THE MISSION SCIENCE REQUIREMENTS. E. PERFORM SYSTEMS ENGINEERING TO COORDINATE THE DESIGN OF THE INSTRUMENT COMPLEMENT AND SPACECRAFT BUS COMPONENTS; AND TO ENSURE THE COMPATIBILITY OF THE SPACE-TO-GROUND AND NETWORK COMMUNICATIONS. F. PERFORM TRADE STUDIES TO ELIMINATE AND MITIGATE RISKS G. DELIVER THE IBEX FLIGHT SEGMENT TO VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE (VAFB), SUPPORT INTEGRATION WITH THE LAUNCH VEHICLE, AND ASSIST THE LAUNCH OPERATIONS; H. ESTABLISH THE MISSION CONTROL CENTER (MCC) AND IBEX SCIENCE OPERATIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS CENTER (ISOC) INCLUDING ALL COMPUTERS, NETWORKS, AND OPERATING SOFTWARE, INSTRUMENT DATABASES AND PROCEDURES NECESSARY TO FUNCTIONALLY TEST AND LATER CONTROL THE SPACECRAFT; I. HOLD SCIENCE TEAM MEETINGS AS WELL AS TECHNICAL INTERCHANGE MEETINGS. J. BASELINE THE SCIENCE REQUIREMENTS AND SCIENCE ANALYSIS PLAN INTO AN IBEX MISSION DEFINITION REQUIREMENTS AGREEMENT (MDRA) AND THE IBEX DATA MANAGEMENT PLAN. K. IMPLEMENT AN APPROVED MISSION ASSURANCE PLAN. L. IMPLEMENT A SYSTEMS ENGINEERING FUNCTION TO VERIFY PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION COMPLIANCE TO THE MISSION SCIENCE REQUIREMENTS. M. DESIGN, FABRICATE, INTEGRATE AND TEST THE PAYLOAD, SPACECRAFT, SOLID ROCKET MOTOR AND LAUNCH VEHICLE ADAPTER, AND INTEGRATE THE IBEX FLIGHT SEGMENT WITH THE LAUNCH VEHICLE. N. IMPLEMENT A SAFETY PROGRAM INCLUDING THE GENERATION OF THE MISSILE SYSTEM PRE-LAUNCH SAFETY PACKAGE (MSPSP). O. SUPPORT LAUNCH, PERFORM ON-ORBIT CHECKOUT, AND ESTABLISH ON-ORBIT DATA ACQUISITION CONTACT WITH THE PAYLOAD. WITHIN THE FIRST 30 DAYS AFTER LAUNCH, INITIAL ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE CHECKOUT AND VERIFICATION OF SPACECRAFT IN-FLIGHT OPERATION WILL BE PERFORMED. P. PROVIDE THE SERVICES OF THE MCC AND THE ISOC. Q. CONDUCT THE E/PO PROGRAM IN COOPERATION WITH THE IDENTIFIED TEAM MEMBERS.

Place of Performance

Location: SAN ANTONIO, BEXAR County, TEXAS, 78238

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $116.1 million to SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE for work described as: TAS::80 0120::TAS THE CONTRACTOR SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONDUCT OF ALL PHASES AND ASPECTS OF THE IBEX MISSION INCLUDING: 1) LIFE-CYCLE PROJECT MANAGEMENT; 2) DESIGN, TEST, DEVELOPMENT, AND OPERATIONS (PAYLOAD, SPACECRAFT, LAUNCH VEHICLE, SPACECRAFT TO LAUNCH-VEHICLE INTERFA… Key points: 1. Contract provides comprehensive lifecycle project management for the IBEX mission, including design, development, testing, and operations. 2. The award to Southwest Research Institute signifies a significant investment in space exploration and scientific research. 3. Performance period of over 11 years indicates a long-term commitment to the IBEX mission's objectives. 4. The contract's cost-plus-fixed-fee structure incentivizes efficient project completion while managing costs. 5. The scope includes payload, spacecraft, launch vehicle integration, and post-operations data analysis, highlighting the complexity of the mission.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $116,070,724 for a definitive contract spanning over 11 years appears reasonable given the extensive scope of work. This includes lifecycle project management, design, testing, development, operations, and data analysis for a space mission. Benchmarking against similar complex NASA missions would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment, but the duration and breadth of services suggest a substantial undertaking.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This competitive process is expected to yield a fair price and ensure the selection of a capable contractor. The presence of three bidders (no=3) suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this significant space mission contract.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down costs through market forces and ensuring that the most qualified and cost-effective contractor is selected.

Public Impact

The IBEX mission, managed under this contract, aims to expand our understanding of the heliosphere and its interaction with the interstellar medium. Scientific data generated from the mission will benefit researchers and the public by providing insights into space physics and astrophysics. The contract supports highly skilled personnel in aerospace engineering, project management, and scientific research. The successful execution of the IBEX mission contributes to NASA's broader goals of space exploration and scientific discovery.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Positive Signals

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the aerospace and defense sector, specifically focusing on space exploration and scientific instrumentation. The market for such complex, long-term space missions is specialized, involving a limited number of highly capable contractors. NASA's spending in this area is critical for advancing scientific knowledge and technological capabilities, with comparable contracts often involving significant multi-year commitments and substantial budgets for research, development, and operations.

Small Business Impact

The contract does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions. Given the specialized nature and scale of the IBEX mission, it is likely that the prime contractor, Southwest Research Institute, would engage subcontractors for specific components or services. Analysis of subcontracting plans would be necessary to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). NASA employs various oversight mechanisms, including regular progress reports, milestone reviews, and financial audits, to ensure contractor performance and adherence to contract terms. The Inspector General's office may also conduct audits and investigations to ensure accountability and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse.

Related Government Programs

Risk Flags

Tags

nasa, space-exploration, heliophysics, definitive-contract, cost-plus-fixed-fee, full-and-open-competition, southwest-research-institute, texas, science-research, long-term-contract

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $116.1 million to SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE. TAS::80 0120::TAS THE CONTRACTOR SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONDUCT OF ALL PHASES AND ASPECTS OF THE IBEX MISSION INCLUDING: 1) LIFE-CYCLE PROJECT MANAGEMENT; 2) DESIGN, TEST, DEVELOPMENT, AND OPERATIONS (PAYLOAD, SPACECRAFT, LAUNCH VEHICLE, SPACECRAFT TO LAUNCH-VEHICLE INTERFACES, LAUNCH AND FLIGHT OPERATIONS); AND 3) POST-OPERATIONS DATA ANALYSIS AND ARCHIVING. IN PERFORMANCE OF THIS EFFORT, THE IBEX TEAM SHALL: A. MANAGE THE PROJECT, PROVIDE COST AND SCHEDULE INFORMATION TO NASA AS SPECIFIE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE.

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 $116.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-05-17. End: 2016-11-30.

What is the historical spending pattern for the IBEX mission under this contract?

The provided data indicates a total award of $116,070,724 for the IBEX mission contract. The contract duration is from May 17, 2005, to November 30, 2016, spanning approximately 11.5 years. While the total award amount is given, specific annual or phased spending data is not detailed in this summary. To understand the spending pattern, one would need to examine NASA's financial reports or contract performance reports that break down expenditures over the contract's lifecycle. This would reveal how funds were allocated across different phases (design, development, operations) and potentially identify periods of higher or lower expenditure.

How does the cost of the IBEX mission compare to similar NASA space science missions?

Benchmarking the cost of the IBEX mission requires comparison with other NASA space science missions of similar scope, complexity, and duration. IBEX is a relatively small, focused mission studying the heliosphere. Missions like the James Webb Space Telescope or the Mars Science Laboratory represent significantly larger investments due to their more complex instrumentation, longer development cycles, and broader scientific objectives. However, comparing IBEX to other heliophysics missions, such as the Parker Solar Probe or STEREO, would offer a more direct cost-effectiveness assessment. Without specific comparative data on similar missions' total costs and scientific return, a definitive value-for-money judgment is challenging, but the $116 million figure for an 11-year mission appears within a reasonable range for its scientific objectives.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for the IBEX mission contract?

The contract details emphasize the contractor's responsibility for 'life-cycle project management; design, test, development, and operations (payload, spacecraft, launch vehicle, spacecraft to launch-vehicle interfaces, launch and flight operations); and post-operations data analysis and archiving.' Key performance indicators would likely revolve around meeting mission objectives, scientific data acquisition and quality, adherence to budget, schedule milestones, and operational reliability. Specific KPIs might include the successful deployment and operation of the spacecraft, the quality and quantity of scientific data returned, the accuracy of scientific findings related to the heliosphere, and maintaining operational status within allocated resources. NASA's oversight would track these against predefined targets.

What is Southwest Research Institute's track record with NASA on similar large-scale space missions?

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has a well-established track record with NASA and other space agencies, often serving as a prime contractor or key instrument provider for numerous space science missions. They have been involved in projects ranging from planetary science to heliophysics. For instance, SwRI has played significant roles in missions like New Horizons (Pluto flyby), Juno (Jupiter orbiter), and the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. Their extensive experience in spacecraft design, instrument development, and mission operations suggests a strong capability to manage complex projects like IBEX. The successful execution of this IBEX contract further solidifies their reputation as a reliable partner for NASA's ambitious scientific endeavors.

What are the potential risks associated with the long duration of the IBEX mission contract?

The long duration (over 11 years) of the IBEX mission contract presents several potential risks. Firstly, technological obsolescence could become a factor, although less critical for an operational mission than for development. More significantly, there's a risk of cost escalation over time due to inflation, unforeseen technical challenges requiring extended support, or changes in program priorities within NASA. Personnel continuity can also be a challenge, with key individuals potentially leaving the project over such an extended period, leading to knowledge loss. Furthermore, the long operational phase requires sustained funding commitments from NASA, making the project vulnerable to future budget fluctuations or shifts in scientific focus. Managing these risks requires robust contract management, proactive problem-solving, and consistent stakeholder engagement.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingNavigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments ManufacturingSearch, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENTSpace R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6220 CULEBRA RD, SAN ANTONIO, TX, 78238

Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $120,581,524

Exercised Options: $116,070,724

Current Obligation: $116,070,724

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline

Start Date: 2005-05-17

Current End Date: 2016-11-30

Potential End Date: 2016-11-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2023-02-02

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