NASA's Snow and Ice DAAC contract for Earth observation data management awarded to University of Colorado for over $41 million
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $41,346,900 ($41.3M)
Contractor: THE Regents of the University of Colorado
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2013-08-01
End Date: 2018-05-31
Contract Duration: 1,764 days
Daily Burn Rate: $23.4K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF THIS EFFORT IS FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION OF THE SNOW AND ICE (SI) DISTRIBUTED ACTIVE ARCHIVE CENTER (DAAC) FOR NASA S EARTH OBSERVING SYSTEM DATA AND INFORMATION SYSTEM (EOSDIS). THE SI DAAC WILL CONTINUE TO BE OPERATED AS PART OF THE NATIONAL SNOW AND ICE DATA CENTER (NSIDC) AND WILL CONTINUE TO PERFORM USER SERVICES, PRODUCT GENERATION, DATA AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT, ARCHIVAL AND DISTRIBUTION, AND RELATED SCIENCE SUPPORT ACTIVITIES. THIS PROCUREMENT IS A FOLLOW-ON CONTRACT TO NNG08HZ07C WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, BOULDER (UCB).
Place of Performance
Location: BOULDER, BOULDER County, COLORADO, 80309
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $41.3 million to THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF THIS EFFORT IS FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION OF THE SNOW AND ICE (SI) DISTRIBUTED ACTIVE ARCHIVE CENTER (DAAC) FOR NASA S EARTH OBSERVING SYSTEM DATA AND INFORMATION SYSTEM (EOSDIS). THE SI DAAC WILL CONTINUE TO BE OPERATED AS PART OF THE NATIONAL SNOW AND … Key points: 1. The contract focuses on the continued operation and development of a critical data archive for NASA's Earth Observing System. 2. It supports user services, product generation, data management, archival, and distribution for snow and ice data. 3. This is a follow-on effort, indicating a continuation of services previously provided by the same contractor. 4. The contract type is 'Cost No Fee', suggesting that the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs but does not receive a profit. 5. The duration of the contract is substantial, spanning over 1700 days, highlighting the long-term nature of data management services. 6. The primary sector is Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences, underscoring the scientific importance of the data.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's 'Cost No Fee' structure means profit is not a factor in its valuation, making direct value-for-money comparisons complex. The total award of over $41 million over nearly five years for operating a specialized data archive suggests a significant investment in maintaining critical Earth science data. Benchmarking this against similar data archive operations is challenging due to the specialized nature of snow and ice data and the specific services provided by the NSIDC.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This procurement was not competed, indicating it was awarded directly to the incumbent contractor, the University of Colorado, Boulder. As a follow-on contract, the rationale likely stems from continuity of operations, specialized knowledge, and existing infrastructure. The lack of competition means there was no opportunity for price discovery through a bidding process, and potential cost savings from competitive pressures were not realized.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the benefit of competitive pricing, as the contract was not open to other potential providers. The absence of competition could potentially lead to higher costs than if multiple vendors had vied for the contract.
Public Impact
Scientists and researchers studying climate change, cryosphere dynamics, and Earth's systems benefit from access to curated snow and ice data. The contract ensures the continued availability of essential data products for climate modeling and environmental monitoring. Geographic impact is global, as snow and ice data are crucial for understanding worldwide climate patterns and their effects. The services provided support the scientific workforce by ensuring reliable access to data and analytical tools.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition limits potential cost savings for taxpayers.
- The 'Cost No Fee' structure, while avoiding profit, may not incentivize maximum efficiency if cost overruns are fully reimbursed without penalty.
Positive Signals
- Continuity of essential data services for critical Earth science research.
- Follow-on nature suggests a proven track record and established operational efficiency with the incumbent.
- Focus on specialized data (snow and ice) indicates a deep expertise is being leveraged.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical sciences and Earth observation. The market for specialized scientific data archives is relatively niche, often dominated by academic institutions or dedicated research centers with specific expertise. NASA's EOSDIS program represents a significant investment in understanding Earth's climate, and contracts like this are crucial for maintaining the integrity and accessibility of vital scientific data. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the unique nature of the data and services provided.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as it was awarded to a university. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data. The focus on specialized scientific data management may limit opportunities for broad small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is provided by NASA's Earth Science Division. As a Cost No Fee contract, financial oversight would focus on ensuring allowable costs are within the agreed-upon scope. Transparency is facilitated through NASA's public data archives and reporting mechanisms. Specific Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to ensure the proper use of federal funds.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS)
- National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC)
- Climate Science Research Programs
- Earth Science Data Archives
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award may limit cost-effectiveness.
- Potential for vendor lock-in due to specialized nature of services.
- Reliance on incumbent's continued technical expertise and operational stability.
Tags
nasa, earth-science, data-archive, snow-and-ice, research-and-development, cost-plus-fixed-fee, sole-source, university-contractor, long-term-contract, colorado, eosdis, nsidc
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $41.3 million to THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO. IGF::OT::IGF THIS EFFORT IS FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION OF THE SNOW AND ICE (SI) DISTRIBUTED ACTIVE ARCHIVE CENTER (DAAC) FOR NASA S EARTH OBSERVING SYSTEM DATA AND INFORMATION SYSTEM (EOSDIS). THE SI DAAC WILL CONTINUE TO BE OPERATED AS PART OF THE NATIONAL SNOW AND ICE DATA CENTER (NSIDC) AND WILL CONTINUE TO PERFORM USER SERVICES, PRODUCT GENERATION, DATA AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT, ARCHIVAL AND DISTRIBUTION, AND RELATED SCIENCE SUPPORT ACTIVITIES. THIS PROCUREMENT IS A FOLLOW-ON
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 $41.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2013-08-01. End: 2018-05-31.
What is the historical spending trend for the Snow and Ice DAAC operations prior to this contract?
The provided data indicates this contract (NNG08HZ07C) is a follow-on to a previous contract with the University of Colorado, Boulder. While the specific dollar amounts for prior contracts are not detailed here, the total award for this current effort is over $41 million. To understand historical spending trends, one would need to access procurement records for the preceding contract(s) to analyze year-over-year expenditures, identify any significant increases or decreases, and assess the overall budget trajectory for this critical data service.
How does the cost per year for operating the SI DAAC compare to similar data archive contracts?
The total award for this contract is approximately $41.3 million over a period of 1764 days (roughly 4.83 years). This averages to about $8.55 million per year. Direct cost comparisons to similar data archive contracts are challenging due to the specialized nature of snow and ice data and the specific services offered by the NSIDC (user services, product generation, data management, archival, distribution). Contracts for general data storage or less specialized scientific data archives might have lower annual costs, but would not encompass the full suite of scientific support functions provided here. A true benchmark would require detailed analysis of comparable NASA or other agency data centers with similar scientific scope and operational complexity.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of the SI DAAC operations under this contract?
The provided data does not explicitly list the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. However, based on the described services (user services, product generation, data and information management, archival, and distribution), typical KPIs would likely include metrics such as data availability uptime, data access request fulfillment rates, data product accuracy and timeliness, user satisfaction ratings, the number of data products generated and updated, and the volume of data archived and distributed. NASA's oversight would involve monitoring these operational metrics to ensure the continued effectiveness and reliability of the SI DAAC.
What is the University of Colorado's track record in managing large-scale scientific data archives for federal agencies?
The University of Colorado, Boulder (UCB), through its National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC), has a long-standing history of managing scientific data archives, particularly related to cryospheric and polar research. This contract is a follow-on to a previous award, indicating a level of satisfaction and proven capability. UCB's NSIDC is a recognized leader in its field, responsible for managing and distributing a vast array of data products crucial for climate and Earth system science. Their extensive experience suggests a strong track record in handling the complexities of scientific data management, curation, and dissemination for federal agencies like NASA.
Are there any identified risks associated with the continuity of operations for the SI DAAC given this is a sole-source award?
The primary risk associated with a sole-source award for critical infrastructure like the SI DAAC is the potential lack of competitive pressure to drive down costs or spur innovation. If the incumbent contractor faces unforeseen operational challenges, such as staffing issues, technological obsolescence, or budget constraints, the government has limited immediate alternatives without a lengthy re-procurement process. Furthermore, without competition, there's a reduced incentive for the contractor to proactively seek cost efficiencies or adopt cutting-edge technologies unless explicitly mandated by NASA. The long-term nature of the contract also means that potential risks related to the contractor's long-term viability or strategic direction are concentrated.
What is the potential impact of this contract on the broader field of Earth science research and data accessibility?
This contract is vital for the continuity and advancement of Earth science research, particularly concerning snow and ice processes, which are critical indicators of climate change. By ensuring the reliable operation, maintenance, and development of the SI DAAC, NASA facilitates ongoing access to essential data for researchers worldwide. This supports a wide range of studies, from understanding sea-level rise and glacier melt to predicting weather patterns and monitoring environmental changes. The contract's focus on user services and product generation also implies that the data will be processed, curated, and made accessible in formats that are usable for scientific analysis, thereby directly impacting the pace and quality of research in the field.
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: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: NNG13443117R
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3100 MARINE ST RM 479, 572 UCB, BOULDER, CO, 80303
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), U.S. Regional/State Government, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $41,610,763
Exercised Options: $41,610,763
Current Obligation: $41,346,900
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2013-08-01
Current End Date: 2018-05-31
Potential End Date: 2018-05-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2019-10-04
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