NASA Awards $14.3M for Cryogenic Lab Experiment Development to University of Alabama at Birmingham
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $14,349,174 ($14.3M)
Contractor: University of Alabama AT Birmingham
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2005-03-25
End Date: 2010-03-25
Contract Duration: 1,826 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.9K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: PHASE II DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATIONS OF THE GENERAL LAB ACTIVE CRYOGENIC ISS EXPERIMENT
Place of Performance
Location: BIRMINGHAM, JEFFERSON County, ALABAMA, 35233
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $14.3 million to UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM for work described as: PHASE II DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATIONS OF THE GENERAL LAB ACTIVE CRYOGENIC ISS EXPERIMENT Key points: 1. The contract focuses on research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. Operations for the General Lab Active Cryogenic ISS Experiment are included. 3. The award was a definitive contract with no fee. 4. The University of Alabama at Birmingham is the sole awardee. 5. The contract duration was 1826 days.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract type is 'COST NO FEE', which can make assessing value difficult as there is no direct profit incentive for the contractor. The total award amount is $14.3 million over five years.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers as competitive pressures are absent.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for this sole-source award may result in a higher cost to taxpayers than if it had been competitively bid.
Public Impact
Advancement of cryogenic research for the International Space Station. Potential for new scientific discoveries and technological innovations. Supports research and development capabilities at a university. Long-term operational support for a critical ISS experiment.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
- Cost-plus contract type with no fee can obscure true cost efficiency.
- Long contract duration without clear performance metrics.
Positive Signals
- Supports critical ISS research.
- Leverages university research expertise.
- Long-term commitment to a specific scientific endeavor.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for technological advancement but requires careful oversight to ensure value for money.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded directly to a university, and there is no indication of subcontracting to small businesses. The focus on specialized research may limit opportunities for small business involvement.
Oversight & Accountability
As a sole-source award, oversight is critical to ensure the contractor is performing effectively and efficiently. NASA's contracting officers must monitor progress and costs closely to mitigate risks associated with non-competitive awards.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for unverified cost efficiency due to 'Cost No Fee' structure
- Limited transparency on performance metrics and outcomes
- No small business participation identified
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, al, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $14.3 million to UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM. PHASE II DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATIONS OF THE GENERAL LAB ACTIVE CRYOGENIC ISS EXPERIMENT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM.
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 $14.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2005-03-25. End: 2010-03-25.
What specific scientific advancements or operational efficiencies were achieved through this $14.3 million investment in the cryogenic ISS experiment?
The provided data does not detail the specific scientific advancements or operational efficiencies achieved. Further analysis would require reviewing project reports, publications, and NASA's internal assessments of the experiment's success and impact on ISS operations. Understanding the tangible outcomes is crucial for evaluating the return on investment for this sole-source contract.
Given the sole-source nature of this award, what mechanisms were in place to ensure fair and reasonable pricing and prevent cost overruns?
While the contract type is 'COST NO FEE', which implies cost reimbursement without profit, the absence of competition raises concerns about price reasonableness. NASA should have employed robust cost analysis techniques, including reviewing contractor's cost proposals and potentially independent government cost estimates, to establish a fair and reasonable price. The effectiveness of these mechanisms is not detailed in the provided data.
How does the long-term operational support for this cryogenic experiment align with NASA's broader research priorities and contribute to the overall mission objectives of the ISS?
The long-term operational support for the cryogenic experiment suggests its continued importance for scientific research aboard the ISS. Aligning this with broader NASA priorities would involve assessing how the data and findings from this experiment contribute to fields like materials science, fundamental physics, or astrobiology, and whether it supports long-duration spaceflight goals. The specific contribution to mission objectives requires a deeper dive into NASA's strategic research plans.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › General Science and Technology R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: THE University of Alabama System (UEI: 808245794)
Address: 701 20TH ST SOUTH AB 990, BIRMINGHAM, AL, 35294
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: $14,349,174
Exercised Options: $14,349,174
Current Obligation: $14,349,174
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2005-03-25
Current End Date: 2010-03-25
Potential End Date: 2010-03-25 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2020-02-27
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