NASA's IBEX Mission Support Contract Awarded to Princeton University for $118M, Running Through 2026
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $11,837,647 ($11.8M)
Contractor: THE Trustees of Princeton University
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2017-03-23
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 3,478 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF THIS CONTRACT IS FOR IBEX INTERSTELLAR BOUNDARY EXPLORER (IBEX) SUPPORT. THIS CONTRACT IS A RESULT OF A PI TRANSFER FROM NNG05EC85C. 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: PRINCETON, MERCER County, NEW JERSEY, 08544
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $11.8 million to THE TRUSTEES OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF THIS CONTRACT IS FOR IBEX INTERSTELLAR BOUNDARY EXPLORER (IBEX) SUPPORT. THIS CONTRACT IS A RESULT OF A PI TRANSFER FROM NNG05EC85C. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONDUCT OF ALL PHASES AND ASPECTS OF THE IBEX MISSION INCLUDING: 1) LIFE-CYCLE PROJECT… Key points: 1. The contract covers comprehensive lifecycle project management, design, development, testing, operations, and post-operations data analysis for the IBEX mission. 2. Awarded to The Trustees of Princeton University, this contract represents a significant investment in space exploration and scientific research. 3. The contract's duration extends to September 2026, indicating a long-term commitment to the IBEX mission's objectives. 4. The sector is primarily R&D and Space Exploration, a high-cost, high-risk, but potentially high-reward area for scientific advancement.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $118.4 million over approximately 9.5 years suggests a substantial but potentially reasonable cost for a complex space mission. Benchmarking is difficult without specific comparable mission support contracts.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to compete. This process is designed to ensure fair pricing and the selection of the best value offeror.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for a critical scientific mission, with the expectation of valuable scientific return and technological advancement.
Public Impact
Supports the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) mission, crucial for understanding the interaction between the solar wind and the interstellar medium. Involves complex engineering, testing, and operational phases, pushing the boundaries of space technology and scientific discovery. The contract's success could lead to significant advancements in astrophysics and our understanding of the heliosphere.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 75 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long-term nature of the contract increases risk of cost overruns or scope creep.
- Complexity of space mission operations requires highly specialized expertise and carries inherent risks.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing.
- Clear definition of responsibilities for all mission phases.
- Potential for significant scientific return on investment.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research & Development (R&D) and Space Exploration sector, characterized by high upfront investment, long development cycles, and significant scientific or technological potential. Spending benchmarks in this niche are highly variable based on mission scope and complexity.
Small Business Impact
There is no explicit mention of small business participation in the provided data. The contract is awarded to a university, which may or may not subcontract with small businesses for specific components or services.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract specifies detailed management and reporting requirements, including cost and schedule information to NASA. Oversight is likely managed through NASA's program management structure, ensuring accountability for mission execution.
Related Government Programs
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration increases potential for cost escalation.
- Complexity of space mission operations presents inherent technical and execution risks.
- Reliance on a single entity (Princeton University) for all mission phases could be a single point of failure if not managed exceptionally well.
- Potential for scope creep in long-term R&D projects.
Tags
search-detection-navigation-guidance-aer, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, nj, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $11.8 million to THE TRUSTEES OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY. IGF::OT::IGF THIS CONTRACT IS FOR IBEX INTERSTELLAR BOUNDARY EXPLORER (IBEX) SUPPORT. THIS CONTRACT IS A RESULT OF A PI TRANSFER FROM NNG05EC85C. 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.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE TRUSTEES OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY.
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 $11.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2017-03-23. End: 2026-09-30.
What is the projected scientific return on investment for the IBEX mission, and how does it justify the $118 million expenditure?
The IBEX mission aims to map the boundaries of the heliosphere, providing crucial data on the interaction between the solar wind and the interstellar medium. This research is vital for understanding space weather, cosmic ray propagation, and the heliosphere's role in protecting Earth. The scientific return is measured in enhanced knowledge of fundamental astrophysical processes and potential implications for future space exploration and planetary science.
What are the primary technical risks associated with the IBEX mission's design, development, and operations phases, and what mitigation strategies are in place?
Key technical risks include spacecraft component failures, launch vehicle anomalies, unexpected environmental conditions in space, and challenges in data transmission and analysis. Mitigation strategies typically involve rigorous testing, redundancy in critical systems, robust quality assurance processes, and contingency planning for operational issues. The contract likely details specific risk management plans.
How effectively has Princeton University managed similar complex space mission contracts in the past, and what is their track record for cost and schedule adherence?
Princeton University, through its research institutions, has a history of involvement in significant scientific projects, including space missions. Their track record for managing complex contracts would need to be assessed based on past performance reviews and project outcomes. Adherence to cost and schedule on previous NASA contracts would be a key factor in the 'best value' determination during the full and open competition.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1 NASSAU HALL, PRINCETON, NJ, 08544
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Private), Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $12,092,394
Exercised Options: $12,092,394
Current Obligation: $11,837,647
Actual Outlays: $8,173,151
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 107
Total Subaward Amount: $105,506,020
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2017-03-23
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2026-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-10
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