NASA's $46.8M Solar B X-Ray Telescope Phase E contract awarded to Smithsonian Institution
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $46,809,836 ($46.8M)
Contractor: Smithsonian Institution
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2006-12-01
End Date: 2026-06-30
Contract Duration: 7,151 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 999
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: SOLAR B X RAY TELESCOPE PHASE E
Place of Performance
Location: CAMBRIDGE, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02138
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $46.8 million to SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION for work described as: SOLAR B X RAY TELESCOPE PHASE E Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Smithsonian Institution for a large-scale scientific instrument. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract spans over 19 years, indicating a long-term research and development effort. 4. The primary sector is R&D, focusing on physical sciences and space exploration.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $46.8M over nearly 20 years is difficult to benchmark without specific details on the telescope's complexity and components. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically fosters competitive pricing. However, the long duration and specialized nature of the project might limit the number of truly competitive bids.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are supporting advanced scientific research and technological development in space exploration, with the potential for significant scientific return.
Public Impact
Supports cutting-edge solar physics research, enhancing our understanding of the sun. Contributes to advancements in space-based telescope technology and data analysis. The project involves international collaboration, fostering global scientific partnerships. Results could lead to improved space weather forecasting and its impact on Earth.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 65 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration increases risk of scope creep and cost escalation.
- CPFF contract type can incentivize higher spending if not closely monitored.
- Potential for technological obsolescence over the project's extensive timeline.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a fair process.
- Supports critical scientific research with potential for significant discoveries.
- Long-term commitment allows for sustained development and data collection.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical sciences and engineering for space applications. Spending benchmarks for similar large-scale, long-duration scientific instrument development contracts are highly variable and depend on the specific technological requirements and international collaborations involved.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses, as the prime contractor is the Smithsonian Institution. There is no information provided on subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this award.
Oversight & Accountability
The Smithsonian Institution, as the prime contractor, is responsible for the execution of this research and development project. NASA's oversight would focus on ensuring scientific objectives are met, milestones are achieved, and funds are managed effectively under the CPFF contract.
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
- Long contract duration (19+ years) increases risk of cost escalation and scope creep.
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can incentivize higher spending if not closely managed.
- Potential for technological obsolescence over the extended project timeline.
- Reliance on a single prime contractor for such a long-duration project.
- Limited visibility into small business participation.
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 $46.8 million to SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. SOLAR B X RAY TELESCOPE PHASE E
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 $46.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2006-12-01. End: 2026-06-30.
What specific scientific advancements are expected from the Solar B X-Ray Telescope Phase E, and how do they justify the significant long-term investment?
Phase E likely involves the operational phase of the telescope, including data collection, analysis, and dissemination. Expected advancements include detailed observations of solar flares, coronal mass ejections, and the sun's magnetic field, leading to a better understanding of space weather and its impact on Earth's infrastructure. The investment is justified by the potential for groundbreaking discoveries in solar physics and astrophysics, contributing to fundamental scientific knowledge and potentially improving space weather prediction models.
Given the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure and the nearly 20-year duration, what mechanisms are in place to mitigate cost overruns and ensure efficient use of taxpayer funds?
NASA's contracting officers will likely implement stringent oversight, regular performance reviews, and detailed financial reporting requirements. Fixed-fee components within the CPFF structure provide some incentive for cost control. Milestones tied to payments and clear performance metrics are crucial. Regular audits and a robust change control process are essential to manage scope and prevent uncontrolled cost escalation over the extended project lifecycle.
How does the full and open competition process for this specialized R&D contract ensure that the most capable and cost-effective solution was selected?
Full and open competition allows any interested and qualified contractor to submit a bid, maximizing the pool of potential offerors. For specialized R&D, this means attracting institutions with unique expertise and technological capabilities. Evaluation criteria would likely focus not only on price but also on technical merit, past performance, and the proposed approach to achieving the scientific objectives. This comprehensive evaluation aims to identify the best value, balancing cost with the likelihood of successful scientific outcomes.
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: 999
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: $49,270,766
Exercised Options: $48,168,931
Current Obligation: $46,809,836
Actual Outlays: $11,725,001
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2006-12-01
Current End Date: 2026-06-30
Potential End Date: 2027-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-03
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