NASA's $20.5M Socioeconomic Data Center contract awarded to Columbia University for R&D in physical sciences
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $20,492,994 ($20.5M)
Contractor: THE Trustees of Columbia University in the City of NEW York
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2008-08-01
End Date: 2013-07-31
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $11.2K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: THE SOCIOECONOMIC DATA AND APPLICATIONS CENTER (SEDAC) CONTRACTOR SHALL MANAGE THE INFORMATION AND DATA COLLECTION OF THE SOCIOECONOMIC DATA AND APPLICATIONS DAAC. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL CONDUCT SOFTWARE AND SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES NECESSARY TO SUPPORT THE SOCIOECONOMIC DATA AND APPLICATIONS DAAC S CAPABILITIES.
Place of Performance
Location: PALISADES, ROCKLAND County, NEW YORK, 10964
State: New York Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $20.5 million to THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK for work described as: THE SOCIOECONOMIC DATA AND APPLICATIONS CENTER (SEDAC) CONTRACTOR SHALL MANAGE THE INFORMATION AND DATA COLLECTION OF THE SOCIOECONOMIC DATA AND APPLICATIONS DAAC. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL CONDUCT SOFTWARE AND SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES NECESSARY TO SUPPORT THE SOCIOECONOMIC DATA … Key points: 1. Contract focused on managing data collection and software development for socioeconomic data applications. 2. Awarded to a single entity, raising questions about competition and potential cost efficiencies. 3. Long-term contract duration of 5 years suggests a stable, ongoing need for these services. 4. The contract falls under Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 5. Geographic location of the contractor is New York, potentially impacting local economic benefits. 6. The contract type 'COST NO FEE' indicates a focus on cost recovery rather than profit for the contractor.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The 'COST NO FEE' contract type makes traditional value-for-money assessment difficult as it prioritizes cost recovery for the contractor over profit. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts in data management and software development is challenging due to the specialized nature of socioeconomic data. The absence of a fee structure means the government is primarily covering the contractor's allowable costs, making oversight of cost efficiency crucial.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning there was no open competition. This approach is typically used when a specific entity possesses unique capabilities or when circumstances prevent a competitive process. The lack of competition means potential cost savings from competitive bidding were not realized, and the government did not benefit from a range of proposals.
Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can lead to higher costs for taxpayers as there is no market pressure to drive down prices. It also limits opportunities for other qualified organizations to secure federal funding.
Public Impact
Benefits researchers and policymakers by providing access to and tools for analyzing socioeconomic data. Delivers essential data management and software development services for NASA's socioeconomic data applications. Primarily impacts the scientific research community and potentially government agencies relying on socioeconomic insights. Workforce implications are likely concentrated within the specialized field of data science and research at Columbia University.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition may have led to suboptimal pricing.
- Sole-source award limits transparency in the selection process.
- Contract type 'COST NO FEE' requires diligent cost monitoring by NASA.
Positive Signals
- Award to a reputable academic institution (Columbia University) suggests a focus on expertise.
- Long-term contract indicates a sustained need and potential for deep institutional knowledge.
- Focus on R&D aligns with NASA's mission to advance scientific understanding.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on data management and software development for socioeconomic applications. The market for such specialized data services is often niche, involving academic institutions and research organizations. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the unique nature of socioeconomic data and its application within NASA's mission. The overall R&D spending by the federal government is substantial, but contracts like this represent a small fraction focused on specific scientific and data-driven objectives.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. Given the sole-source nature and the award to a large academic institution, there are likely no direct subcontracting opportunities for small businesses unless initiated by the prime contractor. The impact on the small business ecosystem is minimal for this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would fall under NASA's contracting and program management offices. Given the 'COST NO FEE' structure, rigorous financial oversight and auditing of expenditures would be critical to ensure costs are allowable and reasonable. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature, but NASA's internal reporting and Inspector General's office would provide accountability mechanisms.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Earth Science Data and Information Systems
- National Science Foundation Research Grants
- NOAA Socioeconomic Data Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Cost-plus contract type (implied by 'COST NO FEE')
- Lack of performance metrics in provided data
Tags
nasa, research-and-development, data-management, software-development, socioeconomic-data, sole-source, academic-institution, cost-no-fee, new-york, physical-sciences, engineering, life-sciences
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $20.5 million to THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK. THE SOCIOECONOMIC DATA AND APPLICATIONS CENTER (SEDAC) CONTRACTOR SHALL MANAGE THE INFORMATION AND DATA COLLECTION OF THE SOCIOECONOMIC DATA AND APPLICATIONS DAAC. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL CONDUCT SOFTWARE AND SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES NECESSARY TO SUPPORT THE SOCIOECONOMIC DATA AND APPLICATIONS DAAC S CAPABILITIES.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK.
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 $20.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-08-01. End: 2013-07-31.
What is the track record of The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York with NASA contracts?
The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York have a history of engaging with federal agencies, including NASA, on research and development projects. While specific details on past NASA contracts require deeper database analysis, academic institutions like Columbia are frequent recipients of federal grants and contracts for their research capabilities. Their track record typically involves scientific innovation, data analysis, and specialized research services. The 'COST NO FEE' contract type suggests a focus on covering direct costs associated with the research and development activities, rather than a profit-driven motive, which is common for academic research partnerships.
How does the value of this contract compare to similar R&D contracts for data management?
Comparing the $20.5 million value of this contract to similar R&D contracts for data management is challenging due to the specialized nature of 'socioeconomic data' and its specific application within NASA's DAAC (Data and Information Center). General R&D contracts for data management can range widely in cost depending on the scope, complexity, and duration. Contracts involving large-scale data collection, software development, and long-term system maintenance, especially within a scientific domain like NASA's, can be substantial. The five-year duration (2008-2013) suggests a significant, ongoing effort. Without more specific benchmarks for socioeconomic data DAACs, a precise value comparison is difficult, but the amount is consistent with complex, long-term research infrastructure projects.
What are the primary risks associated with this sole-source contract?
The primary risks associated with this sole-source contract include a lack of competitive pressure, which could lead to inflated costs or less innovation than might be achieved through competition. There's also a risk of vendor lock-in, where NASA becomes highly dependent on Columbia University's specific systems and expertise, making future transitions difficult or costly. Furthermore, without a competitive bidding process, there's a reduced assurance that the chosen contractor offers the absolute best value or most advanced solutions available in the market. The 'COST NO FEE' structure necessitates robust oversight to prevent cost overruns and ensure efficient use of funds.
How effective is the management of socioeconomic data and applications under this contract?
Assessing the effectiveness of the management of socioeconomic data and applications under this specific contract requires access to performance metrics, user feedback, and NASA's internal evaluations, which are not publicly detailed in the provided data. However, the contract's objective is to manage information and data collection and conduct software/system development for the Socioeconomic Data and Applications DAAC. The long duration (5 years) suggests a level of satisfaction or necessity for continuity. Effectiveness would be measured by the reliability of data, the usability of the developed software and systems, and the extent to which the DAAC supports NASA's research and application needs in socioeconomic studies.
What are the historical spending patterns for socioeconomic data management at NASA?
Historical spending patterns for socioeconomic data management at NASA are not explicitly detailed in the provided data snippet. This contract, valued at approximately $20.5 million over five years (2008-2013), represents a specific investment in managing and developing capabilities for the Socioeconomic Data and Applications DAAC. To understand broader patterns, one would need to analyze NASA's budget allocations across various data centers and research programs over extended periods. Spending in this area is likely influenced by NASA's broader Earth science and research initiatives, which often require extensive data infrastructure and analytical tools. The trend might show increasing investment in data management as data volumes grow and analytical techniques advance.
What is the significance of the NAICS code 541712 for this contract?
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541712, 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology),' signifies the primary nature of the work performed under this contract. It indicates that the contract is for activities aimed at advancing scientific knowledge and understanding within these broad fields, specifically through research and development efforts. For this contract, it means Columbia University is engaged in activities that are experimental or systematic in nature, including the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data, as well as the development of new software and systems to support these R&D objectives related to socioeconomic data.
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: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: NNG08216418R
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2960 BROADWAY 211 LOW LIBRARY, NEW YORK, NY, 90
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $20,492,994
Exercised Options: $20,492,994
Current Obligation: $20,492,994
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-08-01
Current End Date: 2013-07-31
Potential End Date: 2013-07-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2014-06-26
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