NASA's TEMPO Mission: $31.2M Contract for High-Resolution Tropospheric Pollution Monitoring
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $31,194,970 ($31.2M)
Contractor: Smithsonian Institution
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2013-03-29
End Date: 2028-03-31
Contract Duration: 5,481 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 14
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: "IGF::OT::IGF" OTHER FUNCTIONS - TROPOSPHERIC EMISSIONS: MONITORING OF POLLUTION (TEMPO) - THE TEMPO INVESTIGATION WAS SELECTED UNDER THE NASA SECOND STAND ALONE MISSIONS OF OPPORTUNITY NOTICE (SALMON-2) ANNOUNCEMENT OF OPPORTUNITY (AO) PROGRAM ELEMENT APPENDIX J, NNH12ZDA006O-EVI1 FOR THE EARTH VENTURE INSTRUMENT-1 (EVI-1) ELEMENT OF THE EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE PATHFINDER (ESSP) PROGRAM OFFICE'S EARTH VENTURE LINE. TEMPO MEASURES POLLUTION OF NORTH AMERICA, FROM MEXICO CITY TO THE CANADIAN TAR/OIL SANDS, AND FROM THE ATLANTIC TO THE PACIFIC, HOURLY AND AT HIGH SPATIAL RESOLUTION. TEMPO SPECTROSCOPIC MEASUREMENTS IN THE ULTRAVIOLET AND VISIBLE AND PROVIDES A TROPOSPHERIC MEASUREMENT SUITE THAT INCLUDES THE KEY ELEMENTS OF TROPOSPHERIC AIR POLLUTION CHEMISTRY. MEASUREMENTS ARE FROM GEOSTATIONARY ORBIT, TO CAPTURE THE INHERENT HIGH VARIABILITY IN THE DIURNAL CYCLE OF EMISSIONS AND CHEMISTRY. A SMALL PRODUCT SPATIAL FOOTPRINT RESOLVES POLLUTION SOURCES AT SUB-URBAN SCALE. TOGETHER, THIS TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL RESOLUTION IMPROVES EMISSION INVENTORIES, MONITORS POPULATION EXPOSURE, AND ENABLES EFFECTIVE EMISSION-CONTROL STRATEGIES. TEMPO TAKES ADVANTAGE OF A GEOSTATIONARY (GEO) HOST SPACECRAFT TO PROVIDE A MODEST COST MISSION THAT MEASURES THE SPECTRA REQUIRED TO RETRIEVE O3, NO2, SO2, H2CO, C2H2O2, H2O, AEROSOLS, CLOUD PARAMETERS, AND UVB RADIATION. TEMPO THUS MEASURES THE MAJOR ELEMENTS, DIRECTLY OR BY PROXY, IN THE TROPOSPHERIC O3 CHEMISTRY CYCLE. MULTI-SPECTRAL OBSERVATIONS PROVIDE SENSITIVITY TO O3 IN THE LOWERMOST TROPOSPHERE, REDUCING UNCERTAINTY IN AIR QUALITY PREDICTIONS BY 50%. TEMPO QUANTIFIES AND TRACKS THE EVOLUTION OF AEROSOL LOADING. IT PROVIDES NEAR-REAL-TIME AIR QUALITY PRODUCTS THAT WILL BE MADE WIDELY, PUBLICLY AVAILABLE. TEMPO MAKES THE FIRST TROPOSPHERIC TRACE GAS MEASUREMENTS FROM GEO, BY BUILDING ON THE HERITAGE OF FIVE SPECTROMETERS FLOWN IN LOW-EARTH-ORBIT (LEO). THESE LEO INSTRUMENTS MEASURE THE NEEDED SPECTRA, ALTHOUGH AT COARSE SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL RESOLUTIONS, TO THE PRECISIONS REQUIRED FOR TEMPO AND USE RETRIEVAL ALGORITHMS DEVELOPED FOR THEM BY TEMPO SCIENCE TEAM MEMBERS AND CURRENTLY RUNNING IN OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENTS. THIS MAKES TEMPO AN INNOVATIVE USE OF A WELL PROVEN TECHNIQUE, ABLE TO PRODUCE A REVOLUTIONARY DATASET. TEMPO PROVIDES MUCH OF THE ATMOSPHERIC MEASUREMENT CAPABILITY RECOMMENDED FOR GEO-CAPE IN THE 2007 NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL DECADAL SURVEY, EARTH SCIENCE AND APPLICATIONS FROM SPACE: NATIONAL IMPERATIVES FOR THE NEXT DECADE AND BEYOND. GEO-CAPE IS NOT PLANNED FOR IMPLEMENTATION THIS DECADE, HOWEVER, EUROPE (SENTINEL 4) AND ASIA (GEMS) WILL FORM PARTS OF A GLOBAL GEO CONSTELLATION FOR POLLUTION MONITORING, WITH A MAJOR FOCUS ON INTERCONTINENTAL POLLUTION TRANSPORT. TEMPO WILL LAUNCH AT A PRIME TIME TO BE A COMPONENT OF THIS CONSTELLATION.
Place of Performance
Location: CAMBRIDGE, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02138
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $31.2 million to SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION for work described as: "IGF::OT::IGF" OTHER FUNCTIONS - TROPOSPHERIC EMISSIONS: MONITORING OF POLLUTION (TEMPO) - THE TEMPO INVESTIGATION WAS SELECTED UNDER THE NASA SECOND STAND ALONE MISSIONS OF OPPORTUNITY NOTICE (SALMON-2) ANNOUNCEMENT OF OPPORTUNITY (AO) PROGRAM ELEMENT APPENDIX J, NNH12ZDA006O-EV… Key points: 1. The TEMPO mission, funded at $31.2 million, aims to provide hourly, high-resolution measurements of air pollution across North America. 2. This project leverages NASA's SALMON-2 AO program, indicating a competitive selection process for Earth science instruments. 3. The contract is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) type, which carries some cost overrun risk for the government. 4. The sector is Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences, a critical area for environmental understanding.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $31.2 million for a complex Earth observation instrument appears reasonable given the scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar NASA instrument development contracts would provide further validation.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under a full and open competition via NASA's SALMON-2 AO, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method is designed to ensure competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The investment supports advanced environmental monitoring, potentially leading to better policy decisions and public health outcomes, thus providing long-term taxpayer value.
Public Impact
Provides crucial hourly data on air quality across North America, benefiting public health and environmental agencies. Enhances understanding of atmospheric chemistry and pollution transport, aiding in climate change research. The high-resolution data can inform local and regional environmental policy and emergency response efforts. Supports scientific advancement in Earth observation technology and atmospheric science.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can incentivize contractor cost overruns.
- Long project duration (2013-2028) increases exposure to potential scope creep or technological obsolescence.
- Reliance on a single instrument for critical data introduces single-point-of-failure risk.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing.
- Addresses a critical need for high-resolution air pollution data.
- Leverages established NASA research programs for instrument development.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the R&D sector for physical and engineering sciences, specifically focusing on Earth observation and atmospheric monitoring. Spending in this area is crucial for understanding environmental changes and developing mitigation strategies.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate specific participation or set-asides for small businesses in this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement.
Oversight & Accountability
NASA's established procurement processes and oversight mechanisms are expected to be applied to this contract. Regular reporting and milestone reviews are standard for such research and development projects.
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
- Cost overrun potential in CPFF contract.
- Long-term operational reliability risk.
- Data processing and calibration challenges.
- Dependence on a single instrument.
- Potential for technological obsolescence over the mission's lifespan.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, ma, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $31.2 million to SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. "IGF::OT::IGF" OTHER FUNCTIONS - TROPOSPHERIC EMISSIONS: MONITORING OF POLLUTION (TEMPO) - THE TEMPO INVESTIGATION WAS SELECTED UNDER THE NASA SECOND STAND ALONE MISSIONS OF OPPORTUNITY NOTICE (SALMON-2) ANNOUNCEMENT OF OPPORTUNITY (AO) PROGRAM ELEMENT APPENDIX J, NNH12ZDA006O-EVI1 FOR THE EARTH VENTURE INSTRUMENT-1 (EVI-1) ELEMENT OF THE EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE PATHFINDER (ESSP) PROGRAM OFFICE'S EARTH VENTURE LINE. TEMPO MEASURES POLLUTION OF NORTH AMERICA, FROM MEXICO CITY TO THE CANADIAN TAR/OI
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.
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 $31.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2013-03-29. End: 2028-03-31.
What is the projected long-term scientific return on investment for the TEMPO mission given its $31.2M cost?
The TEMPO mission is expected to yield significant scientific returns by providing unprecedented hourly, high-resolution data on air pollution across North America. This data will enhance our understanding of atmospheric chemistry, pollution transport, and their impacts on public health and climate. The value lies in improved environmental modeling, policy-making, and potentially reduced healthcare costs associated with air pollution.
What are the primary technical risks associated with developing and operating the TEMPO instrument, and how are they being mitigated?
Primary technical risks include instrument calibration accuracy, data processing complexity, and ensuring long-term operational reliability in a geostationary orbit. Mitigation strategies likely involve rigorous ground testing, redundant systems where feasible, robust data validation protocols, and experienced mission operations teams at NASA and the Smithsonian Institution.
How effectively will the TEMPO data be disseminated and utilized by the scientific community and relevant government agencies to drive policy and further research?
NASA and the Smithsonian Institution have established data archives and distribution channels for Earth science missions. The TEMPO team is expected to actively engage with the scientific community through workshops and publications. Effective dissemination to agencies like the EPA will be crucial for translating data into actionable environmental policy and regulatory frameworks.
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
Offers Received: 14
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 60 GARDEN ST, CAMBRIDGE, MA, 02138
Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $35,224,638
Exercised Options: $35,224,638
Current Obligation: $31,194,970
Actual Outlays: $15,132,150
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 9
Total Subaward Amount: $1,753,828
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2013-03-29
Current End Date: 2028-03-31
Potential End Date: 2028-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-17
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