NASA awards $184M contract to Southwest Research Institute for Juno New Frontiers Mission development
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $184,270,441 ($184.3M)
Contractor: Southwest Research Institute
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2006-02-23
End Date: 2026-08-31
Contract Duration: 7,494 days
Daily Burn Rate: $24.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION HAS SELECTED JUNO NEW FRONTIERS MISSION UNDER THE DIRECTION OF PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (PI) DR. SCOTT BOLTON TO CONTINUE DEVELOPMENT WITH THE EXPECTATION THAT THE JUNO MISSION WILL ENTER PHASE B IN EARLY FISCAL YEAR 2006. THE JUNO MISSION WILL BE MANAGED BY THE MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER, NEW FRONTIERS PROGRAM OFFICE. KEY JUNO TEAM MEMBERS INCLUDE DR. BOLTON'S HOME INSTITUTION, THE SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE (SWRI), THE JUNO IMPLEMENTATION TEAM LEADER JET PROPULSION LABORATORY (JPL) AND THE SPACECRAFT BUS PROVIDER THE LOCKHEED MARTIN SPACE SYSTEMS DIVISION (LM/SS). THE PI'S TEAM AT SWRI NEEDS TO BEGIN WORK ON A SUBSET OF PHASE B ACTIVITIES AS EARLY IN FY06 AS POSSIBLE. THIS SOW PROVIDES A LIST OF ACTIVITIES THAT ARE NECESSARY TO BEGIN WORK IN FY06 AND THEIR ASSOCIATED DELIVERABLES. THE JUNO MISSION IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE (SWRI), JPL, LOCKHEED MARTIN (LM), AND A COMPLEMENTARY TEAM OF UNIVERSITIES AND FIELD CENTERS. THE PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR, DR. SCOTT BOLTON, IS AT SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE (SWRI) AND IS RESPONSIBLE TO NASA FOR ALL ASPECTS OF THE MISSION INCLUDING ACHIEVING ALL SCIENTIFIC OBJECTIVES AND MISSION GOALS. JPL PROVIDES THE PROJECT MANAGER WHO OVERSEES THE DAY-TO-DAY MANAGEMENT OF THE PROJECT AND WILL REPORT TO THE PI. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (PI) DR. SCOTT BOLTON IS RESPONSIBLE TO NASA FOR MEETING THE SCIENTIFIC OBJECTIVES OF THE JUNO MISSION WITHIN COST AND SCHEDULE. AS PI, DR. BOLTON HAS DIRECT ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE NASA NEW FRONTIERS PROGRAM OFFICE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF JUNO. ALL JUNO SCIENCE CO-IS, THE DEPUTY PI AND PROJECT SCIENTIST, THE SCIENCE INVESTIGATION OFFICE MANAGER, THE E/PO EFFORT, THE JUNO ADVISORY BOARD AND THE PM REPORT DIRECTLY TO DR. BOLTON. THE PI DELEGATES THE DAY-TO-DAY MANAGEMENT OF THE PROJECT TO THE PROJECT MANAGER (PM), RICK GRAMMIER. THE PROJECT SYSTEM ENGINEER, PAYLOAD MANAGER, FLIGHT SYSTEM MANAGER, MISSION MANAGER, SCIENCE OPS CENTER, BUSINESS MANAGER, LM CONTRACT CTM, AND MISSION ASSURANCE MANAGER ALL REPORT DIRECTLY TO THE PM.
Place of Performance
Location: SAN ANTONIO, BEXAR County, TEXAS, 78238
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $184.3 million to SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE for work described as: THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION HAS SELECTED JUNO NEW FRONTIERS MISSION UNDER THE DIRECTION OF PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (PI) DR. SCOTT BOLTON TO CONTINUE DEVELOPMENT WITH THE EXPECTATION THAT THE JUNO MISSION WILL ENTER PHASE B IN EARLY FISCAL YEAR 2006. THE JUNO… Key points: 1. Contract supports the development phase of a significant scientific mission. 2. The award involves a multi-year effort spanning over a decade. 3. Key partners include JPL and Lockheed Martin, indicating a robust technical team. 4. The contract type suggests a focus on research and development with cost controls. 5. The mission's objective is scientific exploration, aligning with NASA's core mandate. 6. Geographic location of the primary contractor is Texas.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The total award of $184.3 million for a mission spanning over 20 years (from initial development to expected end date) appears reasonable for a complex scientific endeavor like the Juno New Frontiers Mission. Benchmarking against similar large-scale NASA science missions, the cost per year of development and operation is within expected ranges. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type is common for R&D projects where scope may evolve, but it requires careful oversight to manage costs effectively. Without specific phase-by-phase cost breakdowns or comparisons to alternative mission proposals, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the overall investment aligns with the ambitious scientific goals.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple entities had the opportunity to bid. This process is designed to foster a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and innovative solutions. While the specific number of bidders is not detailed, the 'full and open' designation implies a broad solicitation. The selection of Southwest Research Institute indicates they presented the most advantageous proposal based on technical merit, cost, and other evaluation factors.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down costs and encouraging efficiency through market forces. It ensures that public funds are used to secure the best possible value from a wide range of potential providers.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiary is the scientific community, enabling groundbreaking research into Jupiter. The mission will deliver critical scientific data and insights about planetary formation and the solar system. The geographic impact is primarily centered around the contractor's location in Texas, but the scientific data will have global reach. The project supports a highly skilled workforce in aerospace engineering, scientific research, and project management.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost overruns are a perennial risk in long-term, complex R&D projects like space missions.
- Technical challenges in spacecraft development and operation could lead to delays or increased costs.
- The long duration of the contract increases the risk of scope creep or changes in scientific objectives.
- Reliance on specific key personnel or institutions could pose a risk if they become unavailable.
Positive Signals
- The selection of a reputable institution like Southwest Research Institute suggests a strong foundation for success.
- The involvement of experienced organizations like JPL and Lockheed Martin mitigates technical and execution risks.
- The phased approach to development allows for iterative progress and risk management.
- The clear scientific objectives provide a focused direction for the project.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on physical sciences and engineering. The aerospace industry, a significant part of this sector, involves substantial government investment in exploration and technological advancement. NASA's New Frontiers program represents a category of large-scale, high-priority scientific missions. Comparable spending benchmarks would include other major NASA flagship missions or large-scale scientific research grants awarded by agencies like the National Science Foundation, though direct comparisons are difficult due to unique mission scopes.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements for this contract. As a large, complex R&D award to a research institute, the primary focus is likely on specialized technical capabilities rather than broad subcontracting opportunities for small businesses, unless specific components or services are outsourced. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved in the supply chain.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract is managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), likely through its Marshall Space Flight Center New Frontiers Program Office. NASA employs various oversight mechanisms, including regular progress reviews, milestone tracking, and financial audits, to ensure accountability and adherence to contract terms. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates close monitoring of expenditures against the fixed fee to ensure cost control. Transparency is generally maintained through public mission updates and scientific publications.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Science Mission Directorate
- New Frontiers Program
- Mars Exploration Program
- James Webb Space Telescope Program
- Outer Planets Program
Risk Flags
- Long project duration increases risk of obsolescence and funding instability.
- Complexity of space missions carries inherent technical and execution risks.
- Reliance on specific institutions and personnel could pose continuity challenges.
Tags
nasa, space-exploration, juno-mission, new-frontiers-program, southwest-research-institute, cost-plus-fixed-fee, research-and-development, full-and-open-competition, texas, science, aerospace
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $184.3 million to SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE. THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION HAS SELECTED JUNO NEW FRONTIERS MISSION UNDER THE DIRECTION OF PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (PI) DR. SCOTT BOLTON TO CONTINUE DEVELOPMENT WITH THE EXPECTATION THAT THE JUNO MISSION WILL ENTER PHASE B IN EARLY FISCAL YEAR 2006. THE JUNO MISSION WILL BE MANAGED BY THE MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER, NEW FRONTIERS PROGRAM OFFICE. KEY JUNO TEAM MEMBERS INCLUDE DR. BOLTON'S HOME INSTITUTION, THE SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE (SWRI), THE JUNO IMPLEMENTATION T
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE.
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 $184.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2006-02-23. End: 2026-08-31.
What is the historical spending trend for the Juno mission or similar New Frontiers missions?
The provided data indicates an initial award of $184,270,441 for the Juno New Frontiers Mission, with an expected completion date in August 2026. This figure represents a significant investment for a single scientific mission. Historical spending for the New Frontiers program, which aims to conduct a series of medium-class missions to explore the solar system, has also involved substantial funding. For instance, the first New Frontiers mission, New Horizons (to Pluto), had a total cost in the range of $700 million. Subsequent missions within the program, like OSIRIS-REx (to an asteroid), also represent investments in the hundreds of millions of dollars. The Juno mission's cost is thus consistent with the program's objective of undertaking ambitious, complex scientific investigations that require significant, long-term financial commitment.
How does the cost per year of this contract compare to other NASA science missions?
The Juno mission contract, valued at approximately $184.3 million, spans from February 2006 to August 2026, a period of over 20 years. This translates to an average annual cost of roughly $9.2 million per year. Comparing this to other NASA science missions requires careful consideration of mission phase (development vs. operations), complexity, and scientific scope. For example, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), a much larger and more complex observatory, had development costs in the billions of dollars, leading to a significantly higher annual average during its lengthy development. Missions like Mars rovers (e.g., Curiosity, Perseverance) also involve substantial costs, often exceeding $100 million per year during their development and initial operational phases. The Juno mission's annual cost appears moderate relative to other flagship-class missions, reflecting its specific scientific objectives and technological requirements.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for the Juno New Frontiers Mission contract?
While specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are not detailed in the provided contract abstract, typical KPIs for NASA science missions like Juno would focus on achieving key scientific objectives, meeting mission milestones on schedule, maintaining spacecraft health and functionality, and managing costs within allocated budgets. For Juno, specific scientific KPIs would relate to its primary goals: understanding Jupiter's composition, gravity field, magnetic field, and polar magnetosphere. Performance would be measured by the quality and quantity of scientific data returned, the successful execution of orbital maneuvers, and the longevity of the spacecraft's operational life. Contractual KPIs would also include adherence to safety standards, successful completion of technical reviews (e.g., Preliminary Design Review, Critical Design Review), and timely delivery of mission phases.
What is the track record of Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) as a contractor for NASA?
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has a long and distinguished track record as a contractor for NASA and other government agencies. SwRI is a non-profit applied research and development organization that has been involved in numerous space missions, often serving as a principal investigator institution or providing critical hardware and expertise. For the Juno mission itself, SwRI is the home institution of the Principal Investigator, Dr. Scott Bolton, and is responsible for a subset of Phase B activities. SwRI has also been instrumental in other significant NASA missions, including the New Horizons mission to Pluto (where it also served as the PI institution), the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) mission, and various instrument developments for missions like the Hubble Space Telescope and Mars rovers. Their extensive experience in space science and engineering positions them as a highly capable and reliable partner for complex projects like Juno.
What are the potential risks associated with the long duration of this contract (20+ years)?
The extended duration of the Juno mission contract, spanning over two decades from initial development to expected end of mission, presents several potential risks. Technological obsolescence is a concern; components or systems developed early on may become outdated or difficult to maintain over such a long period. Similarly, scientific understanding and priorities can evolve, potentially leading to scope creep or the need to adapt mission objectives, which can impact costs and timelines. Personnel continuity is another risk; key scientists, engineers, and project managers may retire, move to other projects, or become unavailable over a 20-year span, potentially leading to knowledge loss. Furthermore, long-term funding stability can be a challenge, as future budget allocations are subject to changing political and economic climates. Finally, the extended operational phase increases the probability of encountering unforeseen environmental hazards in space or experiencing component failures.
How does the 'Cost Plus Fixed Fee' contract type influence cost control and contractor incentives?
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type, used for the Juno mission, aims to balance risk between the government and the contractor, particularly for research and development efforts where the final costs are uncertain. Under CPFF, the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing their profit. This structure incentivizes the contractor to control costs, as any savings below the estimated total cost do not increase their fee, while cost overruns are reimbursed but do not increase the fee. However, the fixed fee can sometimes reduce the incentive for aggressive cost reduction compared to fixed-price contracts. NASA's oversight is crucial in a CPFF arrangement to ensure that costs are reasonable, allocable, and allowable, and that the contractor is diligently managing the project to stay within projected expenditures to maximize their overall return on the fixed fee.
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 › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 6220 CULEBRA RD, SAN ANTONIO, TX, 78238
Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $184,270,441
Exercised Options: $184,270,441
Current Obligation: $184,270,441
Actual Outlays: $53,545,395
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2006-02-23
Current End Date: 2026-08-31
Potential End Date: 2026-08-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-08
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