NASA awards $38M contract for Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer spectrograph development to Southwest Research Institute
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $37,955,490 ($38.0M)
Contractor: Southwest Research Institute
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2013-06-28
End Date: 2036-09-30
Contract Duration: 8,495 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: PHASE A/B DEVELOPMENT OF THE JUICE ULTRAVIOLET SPECTROGRAPH IGF::CT,CL::IGF THE EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY SELECTED THE JUPITER ICY MOONS EXPLORER (JUICE) MISSION AS THE FIRST MISSION IN ITS LARGE-CLASS MISSION PORTFOLIO UNDER THE COSMIC VISION PROGRAM. THE JUICE MISSION WILL INVESTIGATE JUPITER AND ITS ICY MOONS, COMPLETING ITS MISSION BY ORBITING GANYMEDE. THE MISSION IS PLANNED FOR LAUNCH IN 2022. THE NASA SCIENCE MISSION DIRECTORATE (SMD) HAS OFFERED TO COLLABORATE IN THIS MISSION. IN 2012, NASA ISSUED PROGRAM ELEMENT APPENDIX (PEA) K AS AN APPENDIX OF THE SECOND STAND ALONE MISSIONS OF OPPORTUNITY NOTICE (SALMON-2)(NNH12ZDA006O-JUICE) ANNOUNCEMENT OF OPPORTUNITY (AO)(NNH12ZDA006O) FOR THE PURPOSE OF SOLICITING PROPOSALS FOR JUICE MISSION OF OPPORTUNITY (MO) INVESTIGATIONS TO BE MANAGED UNDER THE NASA NEW FRONTIERS PROGRAM. THE JUICE ULTRAVIOLET IMAGING SPECTROGRAPH (JUICE-UVS) IS A COMPLETE, STAND-ALONE INSTRUMENT PROPOSED AND SELECTED UNDER THE SALMON-2 AO, TO BE INCLUDED IN THE ESA JUICE PAYLOAD AS PART OF NASAS U.S. CONTRIBUTION, AND DEVELOPED BY THE SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE (SWRI) IN SAN ANTONIO, TX. THE LEADER OF THE JUICE-UVS TEAM IS THE PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (PI), DR. RANDY GLADSTONE OF SWRI. THE GOALS OF THE JUICE-UVS INVESTIGATION ARE TO: 1) EXPLORE THE ATMOSPHERES, PLASMA INTERACTIONS, AND SURFACES OF THE GALILEAN SATELLITES; 2) DETERMINE THE DYNAMICS, CHEMISTRY, AND VERTICAL STRUCTURE OF JUPITERS UPPER ATMOSPHERE, FROM EQUATOR TO POLE, AS A TEMPLATE FOR GIANT PLANETS EVERYWHERE; AND 3) INVESTIGATE THE JUPITER-IO CONNECTION BY QUANTIFYING ENERGY AND MASS FLOW IN THE IO ATMOSPHERE, NEUTRAL CLOUDS, AND TORUS. THESE GOALS ARE CLOSELY ALIGNED TO THOSE DESCRIBED IN THE JUICE ASSESSMENT STUDY REPORT, AND ARE CONSISTENT WITH NASA GOALS IN THE MOST RECENT PLANETARY DECADAL SURVEY, THE EJSM STUDY REPORT, AND SMDS FORMAL GOALS DOCUMENTS.
Place of Performance
Location: SAN ANTONIO, BEXAR County, TEXAS, 78238
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $38.0 million to SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE for work described as: PHASE A/B DEVELOPMENT OF THE JUICE ULTRAVIOLET SPECTROGRAPH IGF::CT,CL::IGF THE EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY SELECTED THE JUPITER ICY MOONS EXPLORER (JUICE) MISSION AS THE FIRST MISSION IN ITS LARGE-CLASS MISSION PORTFOLIO UNDER THE COSMIC VISION PROGRAM. THE JUICE MISSION WILL INVESTIG… Key points: 1. Contract supports critical scientific instrument for the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) mission. 2. Long-term contract duration (over 20 years) suggests significant ongoing development and support needs. 3. Competition was full and open, indicating a broad search for qualified contractors. 4. The contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) is common for complex R&D but carries potential for cost overruns. 5. Southwest Research Institute has a history of supporting NASA missions. 6. The project aligns with NASA's strategic goals in planetary science and exploration.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The total award amount of $37.96 million for the development of a spectrograph for the JUICE mission appears reasonable given the complexity and long-term nature of the project. Benchmarking against similar space-based instrument development contracts is challenging due to the unique nature of each mission. However, the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure, while allowing for flexibility in R&D, necessitates close oversight to manage costs effectively. The extended period of performance (over 20 years) suggests a phased approach to development and potential for future modifications or support, which is typical for major space exploration endeavors.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, as indicated by the solicitation method. This suggests that NASA sought proposals from all responsible sources capable of performing the required work. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but a full and open competition generally fosters a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and innovation. The use of an Announcement of Opportunity (AO) for related investigations implies a broad solicitation for scientific contributions.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive proposals and achieving best value.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the scientific community and the public, who will gain new insights into Jupiter's icy moons. The contract delivers a crucial component (spectrograph) for the JUICE mission's scientific payload. The mission's geographic impact is interplanetary, focusing on the Jovian system. Workforce implications include highly skilled engineers, scientists, and technicians involved in advanced instrument development.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
- The long contract duration increases the risk of scope creep or changes in mission requirements.
- Reliance on a single contractor for a critical instrument component requires robust performance monitoring.
Positive Signals
- Award to a reputable research institute with demonstrated capabilities in space instrumentation.
- Full and open competition suggests a thorough vetting process and potential for competitive pricing.
- The contract supports a high-profile, scientifically significant international mission.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Aerospace and Defense sector, specifically focusing on the development of scientific instruments for space exploration. The market for such specialized components is relatively niche, dominated by a few key research institutions and aerospace companies. NASA's spending in this area is crucial for advancing scientific knowledge and maintaining its leadership in space exploration. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the unique nature of each mission and instrument, but the scale of this award is consistent with the development of major scientific payloads for flagship missions.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions or subcontracting requirements for this particular contract. Given the specialized nature of developing a scientific instrument for a complex space mission, it is possible that the prime contractor may engage subcontractors with specific expertise, which could include small businesses. However, without further information on subcontracting plans, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem remains unclear.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily be managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), likely through its relevant mission directorates and contracting officers. NASA employs various oversight mechanisms, including regular progress reviews, technical evaluations, and financial audits, to ensure contract compliance and performance. The Inspector General's office at NASA would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.
Related Government Programs
- Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) Mission
- Cosmic Vision Program
- NASA Science Mission Directorate
- Planetary Science Division
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration increases risk of cost escalation and technological obsolescence.
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type requires diligent oversight to manage potential cost overruns.
- Dependence on a single contractor for a critical component necessitates robust performance monitoring.
Tags
research-and-development, space-exploration, scientific-instrument, nasa, southwest-research-institute, jupiter-icy-moons-explorer, full-and-open-competition, cost-plus-fixed-fee, definitive-contract, texas, large-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $38.0 million to SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE. PHASE A/B DEVELOPMENT OF THE JUICE ULTRAVIOLET SPECTROGRAPH IGF::CT,CL::IGF THE EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY SELECTED THE JUPITER ICY MOONS EXPLORER (JUICE) MISSION AS THE FIRST MISSION IN ITS LARGE-CLASS MISSION PORTFOLIO UNDER THE COSMIC VISION PROGRAM. THE JUICE MISSION WILL INVESTIGATE JUPITER AND ITS ICY MOONS, COMPLETING ITS MISSION BY ORBITING GANYMEDE. THE MISSION IS PLANNED FOR LAUNCH IN 2022. THE NASA SCIENCE MISSION DIRECTORATE (SMD) HAS OFFERED TO COLLABORATE IN THIS MISSION. IN 2012, NASA
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 $38.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2013-06-28. End: 2036-09-30.
What is the track record of Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) in developing scientific instruments for space missions?
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has a long and distinguished track record of developing scientific instruments for numerous space missions, including those for NASA, ESA, and other international space agencies. They have been involved in the development of instruments for missions such as New Horizons (which flew by Pluto), Juno (orbiting Jupiter), and the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. Their expertise spans a wide range of instrument types, including spectrometers, imagers, and particle detectors. SwRI's involvement in the JUICE mission, specifically for the spectrograph, builds upon this extensive experience in designing, building, and testing complex hardware for the harsh environment of space. Their consistent delivery of high-quality instruments for scientifically critical missions underscores their capability and reliability as a contractor for advanced space science projects.
How does the $37.96 million award compare to the total estimated cost of the JUICE mission?
The total estimated cost for the entire JUICE mission, including launch, spacecraft, instrument development, and operations, is significantly higher than the $37.96 million awarded to Southwest Research Institute for the spectrograph. While the exact total mission cost can fluctuate and is often spread across multiple agencies and years, preliminary estimates and reports place the overall mission cost in the hundreds of millions, potentially exceeding a billion dollars when considering all contributions and phases. The spectrograph represents a critical, but specific, component of the mission's scientific payload. Therefore, this award constitutes a substantial portion of the instrument development budget but a smaller fraction of the total mission expenditure. It highlights the significant investment required for individual scientific instruments on large-class space missions.
What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for a long-duration R&D project?
Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts, while suitable for research and development where the scope may evolve, carry inherent risks. For a long-duration project like the JUICE spectrograph, the primary risk is cost overrun. The 'cost-plus' aspect means the government reimburses the contractor for allowable costs, and the 'fixed fee' is the profit. If costs escalate beyond initial projections due to unforeseen technical challenges, material price increases, or scope creep, the total expenditure can exceed the government's budget. The fixed fee, however, remains constant, which can disincentivize the contractor from aggressively controlling costs if they anticipate higher expenses. Effective oversight, stringent cost controls, and clear definition of work are crucial to mitigate these risks. The long duration also increases the risk of the contractor becoming less motivated to innovate or control costs as the project progresses.
What is the significance of the JUICE mission for planetary science and NASA's exploration goals?
The Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) mission is highly significant for planetary science as it represents a major step in understanding the potential habitability of ocean worlds beyond Earth. By focusing on Jupiter's icy moons—Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto—JUICE aims to investigate whether these moons could harbor conditions suitable for life. Ganymede, in particular, is a key target as it possesses its own magnetic field, a unique feature among moons in our solar system. For NASA, collaboration on missions like JUICE, even when led by partners like the European Space Agency (ESA), is crucial for sharing costs, leveraging expertise, and advancing the collective scientific understanding of the solar system. It aligns with NASA's broader goals of exploring for life, understanding planetary formation, and pushing the boundaries of space exploration.
How does the 'full and open competition' process typically ensure value for taxpayers in such specialized procurements?
A 'full and open competition' process is designed to maximize value for taxpayers by ensuring that a wide range of qualified contractors have the opportunity to bid on a contract. This broad solicitation increases the likelihood of receiving multiple proposals, which fosters a competitive environment. Competition typically drives down prices as contractors vie for the award. Furthermore, it allows the procuring agency, in this case NASA, to evaluate a diverse set of technical approaches and capabilities, potentially leading to the selection of the most innovative and cost-effective solution. By opening the field to all responsible sources, the government can better ascertain fair market value and avoid potentially higher costs associated with sole-source or limited competition procurements, thereby optimizing the use of taxpayer funds.
What are the potential implications of the extended contract performance period (ending in 2036) for the spectrograph's technology?
The extended contract performance period, ending in September 2036, has several implications for the spectrograph's technology. Firstly, it allows for a phased development approach, accommodating the long lead times often required for space-qualified hardware and the iterative nature of scientific instrument design. Secondly, it provides a framework for potential upgrades or modifications to the instrument as mission requirements evolve or as new technological advancements become available during the development and operational phases. However, it also presents a risk: the technology developed early in the contract might become somewhat dated by the time the mission is fully operational or by the end of its extended life. NASA and SwRI will need to manage this by incorporating design margins, planning for obsolescence, and potentially integrating newer technologies where feasible and cost-effective, ensuring the instrument remains functional and scientifically valuable throughout its intended lifespan.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
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: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 6220 CULEBRA RD, SAN ANTONIO, TX, 78238
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $60,389,347
Exercised Options: $58,365,371
Current Obligation: $37,955,490
Actual Outlays: $8,730,005
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 2
Total Subaward Amount: $137,594
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2013-06-28
Current End Date: 2036-09-30
Potential End Date: 2036-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-16
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