NASA's GUSTO Mission: $25.6M for Stratospheric Terahertz Observatory Development by University of Arizona and JHU APL
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $25,599,121 ($25.6M)
Contractor: University of Arizona
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2016-03-03
End Date: 2025-06-30
Contract Duration: 3,406 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 8
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF THE GAL-XGAL U-LDB SPECTROSCOPIC-STRATOSPHERIC TERAHERTZ OBSERVATORY (GUSTO) IS PROPOSED JOINTLY BY THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA (UA) AND THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY (APL) IN RESPONSE TO NASA'S SECOND STAND ALONE MISSIONS OF OPPORTUNITY NOTICE (SALMON 2) PROGRAM ELEMENT APPENDIX (PEA) N (NNH12ZDA006O-APEXMO2) AS AN ASTROPHYSICS EXPLORER MISSION OF OPPORTUNITY. THE NASA EXPLORERS PROGRAM OFFICE IS THE PROJECTS LEAD ORGANIZATION. THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA WILL DESIGN AND DEVELOP THE SCIENTIFIC PAYLOAD. THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY (APL) WILL DESIGN AND DEVELOP THE BALLOON-BORNE GONDOLA AND WILL PERFORM DAY-TO-DAY PROJECT MANAGEMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LEADERSHIP OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA PI. THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA SHALL PROVIDE THE NECESSARY PERSONNEL, MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT, AND FACILITIES TO PRODUCE THE GUSTO PHASE A CONCEPT STUDY REPORT (CSR) THAT ENCOMPASSES: 1. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR PROGRAM OFFICE. 2. INSTRUMENT SYSTEM ENGINEERING, INCLUDING INSTRUMENT MISSION ASSURANCE. 3. DESIGN OF A FLIGHT QUALIFIED GUSTO INSTRUMENT MEETING MISSION AND SCIENCE REQUIREMENTS. 4. DEVELOP PLANS IN SUPPORT OF INTEGRATION AND TEST OF THE GONDOLA-INSTRUMENT FLIGHT SYSTEM. 5. DEVELOP PLANS IN SUPPORT OF ESSENTIAL FIELD OPERATIONS 6. DEVELOP PLANS IN SUPPORT OF LAUNCH OPERATIONS, FLIGHT OPERATIONS AND POSSIBLE RECOVERY. 7. DEVELOP PLANS FOR AND LEAD THE GUSTO SCIENCE INVESTIGATION, AS WELL AS THE GENERATION OF RESULTING DATA PRODUCTS. THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA SHALL BRIEF THE GUSTO SCIENCE AND SCIENCE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AT THE PHASE A SITE VISIT. THE UA SHALL SUPPORT PLANNING MEETINGS, WORKING GROUPS, REVIEWS AND OTHER MEETINGS AT NASA, UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA AND OTHER LOCATIONS AS REQUIRED. THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA SHALL PROVIDE AN ORGANIZATION CHART DEFINING UA ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, REPORTING PROCEDURES, AND LINES OF AUTHORITY. PARTICIPATE IN DEFINING THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE UA AND APL GUSTO PROJECT OFFICE AND THE PI PROGRAM OFFICE AT UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, THE NASA BALLOON PROGRAM OFFICE AND NASA EXPLORER PROGRAM OFFICE.
Place of Performance
Location: TUCSON, PIMA County, ARIZONA, 85719
State: Arizona Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $25.6 million to UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF THE GAL-XGAL U-LDB SPECTROSCOPIC-STRATOSPHERIC TERAHERTZ OBSERVATORY (GUSTO) IS PROPOSED JOINTLY BY THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA (UA) AND THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY (APL) IN RESPONSE TO NASA'S SECOND STAND ALONE MISSIONS OF OPPORTUNITY NOTIC… Key points: 1. The GUSTO mission, a joint effort by the University of Arizona and JHU APL, aims to develop a spectroscopic stratospheric observatory. 2. NASA's Explorers Program Office leads the project, with UA handling the scientific payload and JHU APL managing the gondola and day-to-day project management. 3. The contract was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 4. The project falls under NAICS code 541712, 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences', suggesting a focus on scientific advancement.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $25.6 million for a multi-year R&D project is difficult to benchmark without specific cost breakdowns. However, for a complex scientific instrument development, it appears within a reasonable range for similar NASA Explorer missions.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This process generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives fair value.
Taxpayer Impact: The investment supports scientific research and technological development, with potential long-term benefits for understanding the universe, justifying the taxpayer expenditure.
Public Impact
Advancement of astronomical research through a novel stratospheric observatory. Development of cutting-edge spectroscopic technology for space observation. Potential for new discoveries about star formation and galactic evolution. Collaboration between leading academic and research institutions.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 75 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns in complex R&D projects.
- Schedule delays are common in scientific instrument development.
- Reliance on specific institutional expertise may limit future competition.
Positive Signals
- Joint development leverages expertise from multiple institutions.
- Full and open competition suggests potential for cost efficiencies.
- Focus on a specific scientific opportunity (SALMON 2).
Sector Analysis
This project falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical and engineering sciences. Spending in this area is critical for scientific discovery and technological innovation, often characterized by long development cycles and high upfront costs.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific involvement or set-asides for small businesses in this contract. The primary awardees are large research institutions, suggesting that small business participation may be limited to subcontracting roles.
Oversight & Accountability
The NASA Explorers Program Office is leading the project, implying established oversight mechanisms. However, the complexity of R&D projects necessitates continuous monitoring of progress, budget adherence, and technical milestones to ensure accountability.
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
- Complexity of scientific instrument development.
- Potential for schedule slippage in R&D.
- Reliance on specialized institutional expertise.
- Long duration of the project (2016-2025).
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, az, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $25.6 million to UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA. IGF::OT::IGF THE GAL-XGAL U-LDB SPECTROSCOPIC-STRATOSPHERIC TERAHERTZ OBSERVATORY (GUSTO) IS PROPOSED JOINTLY BY THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA (UA) AND THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY (APL) IN RESPONSE TO NASA'S SECOND STAND ALONE MISSIONS OF OPPORTUNITY NOTICE (SALMON 2) PROGRAM ELEMENT APPENDIX (PEA) N (NNH12ZDA006O-APEXMO2) AS AN ASTROPHYSICS EXPLORER MISSION OF OPPORTUNITY. THE NASA EXPLORERS PROGRAM OFFICE IS THE PROJECTS LEAD ORGANIZATION. THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA W
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA.
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 $25.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2016-03-03. End: 2025-06-30.
What is the specific scientific return expected from the GUSTO mission relative to its cost?
The GUSTO mission aims to provide unprecedented data on the interstellar medium, crucial for understanding star formation and galactic evolution. While the $25.6 million cost is significant, the unique observational capabilities of the stratospheric observatory are expected to yield scientific returns that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with ground-based or lower-orbiting telescopes, justifying the investment in terms of scientific advancement.
What are the primary technical risks associated with developing the GUSTO observatory, and how are they being mitigated?
Key technical risks include the development of sensitive terahertz detectors, the stability of the stratospheric platform, and the integration of complex scientific instruments. Mitigation strategies likely involve rigorous testing, phased development, leveraging existing technologies where possible, and the combined expertise of UA and JHU APL in payload and gondola design, respectively.
How does the GUSTO mission's effectiveness compare to alternative approaches for studying the interstellar medium?
GUSTO's effectiveness lies in its ability to conduct high-resolution spectroscopic observations in the terahertz range from the stratosphere, above most atmospheric interference. This offers a unique advantage over ground-based observatories and potentially complements data from space-based telescopes operating in different wavelengths, providing a more comprehensive understanding of star-forming regions.
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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: NH12ZDA006O
Offers Received: 8
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 888 N EUCLID AVE, TUCSON, AZ, 85719
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
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $25,701,794
Exercised Options: $25,701,794
Current Obligation: $25,599,121
Actual Outlays: $16,533,426
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 46
Total Subaward Amount: $7,482,067
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2016-03-03
Current End Date: 2025-06-30
Potential End Date: 2025-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-05-02
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