NASA's GEDI Lidar Project: $13.5M for Ecosystem Dynamics Research
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $13,530,171 ($13.5M)
Contractor: University of Maryland, College Park
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2015-02-25
End Date: 2027-09-30
Contract Duration: 4,600 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 20
Pricing Type: COST SHARING
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF "GLOBAL ECOSYSTEM DYNAMICS INVESTIGATION LIDAR (GEDI)" PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (PI)SUPPORT FOR THE GLOBAL ECOSYSTEM DYNAMICS INVESTIGATION (GEDI) LIDAR INVESTIGATION. THE GEDI LIDAR INVESTIGATION WILL REQUIRE A LASER-BASED SYSTEM DEVELOPED AT NASA GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER (GSFC) TO OBSERVE THE STRUCTURE OF FOREST CANOPY. THE PROJECT WILL USE A LASER-BASED SYSTEM TO STUDY A RANGE OF CLIMATES, INCLUDING THE OBSERVATION OF THE FOREST CANOPY STRUCTURE OVER THE TROPICS, AND THE TUNDRA IN HIGH NORTHERN LATITUDES. THIS DATA WILL HELP SCIENTISTS BETTER UNDERSTAND THE CHANGES IN NATURAL CARBON STORAGE WITHIN THE CARBON CYCLE FROM BOTH HUMAN-INFLUENCED ACTIVITIES AND NATURAL CLIMATE VARIATIONS.
Place of Performance
Location: COLLEGE PARK, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20742
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $13.5 million to UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF "GLOBAL ECOSYSTEM DYNAMICS INVESTIGATION LIDAR (GEDI)" PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (PI)SUPPORT FOR THE GLOBAL ECOSYSTEM DYNAMICS INVESTIGATION (GEDI) LIDAR INVESTIGATION. THE GEDI LIDAR INVESTIGATION WILL REQUIRE A LASER-BASED SYSTEM DEVELOPED AT NASA GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT… Key points: 1. Focuses on understanding carbon cycle changes through forest canopy observation. 2. Utilizes a laser-based system developed at NASA GSFC. 3. Covers diverse climates from tropics to high northern latitudes. 4. Aims to improve understanding of natural carbon storage. 5. Contract awarded via full and open competition.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $13.5M over its duration appears reasonable for a specialized research instrument and associated support. Benchmarking against similar NASA R&D contracts for advanced sensor development would provide further context.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. This method is generally expected to yield fair pricing and identify the most capable offeror.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for critical climate research, potentially leading to better environmental policies and understanding of natural processes.
Public Impact
Enhances understanding of global carbon storage and climate change impacts. Supports scientific research in diverse ecological zones. Leverages advanced laser-based technology for Earth observation. Provides data for climate modeling and policy development.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns in long-term R&D projects.
- Dependence on specific technology developed at GSFC.
- Scope creep in research objectives.
Positive Signals
- Clear scientific objective with significant environmental implications.
- Awarded through competitive process.
- Long-term contract duration allows for comprehensive data collection.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is crucial for technological advancement and scientific discovery, with benchmarks varying widely based on project scope and complexity.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific involvement or set-asides for small businesses in this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had an opportunity to participate.
Oversight & Accountability
NASA's Inspector General office provides oversight for such contracts to ensure efficient use of funds and adherence to project goals. The contract's long duration necessitates ongoing monitoring.
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
- Potential for cost escalation over the contract's long duration.
- Reliance on a single, specialized technology.
- Complexity of integrating data from diverse climate zones.
- Uncertainty in long-term scientific impact realization.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, md, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $13.5 million to UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK. IGF::OT::IGF "GLOBAL ECOSYSTEM DYNAMICS INVESTIGATION LIDAR (GEDI)" PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (PI)SUPPORT FOR THE GLOBAL ECOSYSTEM DYNAMICS INVESTIGATION (GEDI) LIDAR INVESTIGATION. THE GEDI LIDAR INVESTIGATION WILL REQUIRE A LASER-BASED SYSTEM DEVELOPED AT NASA GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER (GSFC) TO OBSERVE THE STRUCTURE OF FOREST CANOPY. THE PROJECT WILL USE A LASER-BASED SYSTEM TO STUDY A RANGE OF CLIMATES, INCLUDING THE OBSERVATION OF THE FOREST CANOPY STRUCTURE OVER THE TROPICS, AND THE TUNDRA
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK.
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 $13.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2015-02-25. End: 2027-09-30.
What is the projected scientific return on investment for the $13.5M expenditure on the GEDI project?
The scientific return is expected to be significant, providing crucial data on forest canopy structure and its role in the global carbon cycle. This information will enhance climate models, inform conservation efforts, and contribute to a better understanding of natural carbon sequestration processes, ultimately aiding in policy decisions related to climate change mitigation.
What are the primary technical risks associated with the GEDI lidar system and its deployment?
Key technical risks include the reliability and longevity of the laser-based system in diverse environmental conditions, potential calibration drift affecting data accuracy, and the successful integration of the system with NASA's infrastructure. Ensuring the system's ability to withstand extreme temperatures and atmospheric conditions is also critical for data quality.
How effectively will the data collected by GEDI contribute to actionable climate change mitigation strategies?
The GEDI data will provide unprecedented detail on forest biomass and carbon storage, which are vital components of the global carbon cycle. This granular data can help identify areas for targeted conservation, monitor deforestation rates, and improve the accuracy of carbon emission calculations, thereby informing more effective and data-driven climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
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: BASIC RESEARCH
Offers Received: 20
Pricing Type: COST SHARING (T)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3112 LEE BLDG 7809 REGENTS DR, COLLEGE PARK, MD, 20742
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: $17,330,437
Exercised Options: $17,330,437
Current Obligation: $13,530,171
Actual Outlays: $7,105,645
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $336,524
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2015-02-25
Current End Date: 2027-09-30
Potential End Date: 2027-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-13
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