NASA's Lucy mission to Jupiter's Trojan asteroids awarded $72.4M to Southwest Research Institute for engineering services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $72,431,168 ($72.4M)
Contractor: Southwest Research Institute
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2015-11-13
End Date: 2034-02-28
Contract Duration: 6,682 days
Daily Burn Rate: $10.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: IGF::CL,CT::IGF LUCY IS A PLANNED NASA SPACE PROBE THAT WILL TOUR FIVE JUPITER TROJANS, ASTEROIDS WHICH SHARE JUPITER'S ORBIT AROUND THE SUN, ORBITING EITHER AHEAD OF OR BEHIND THE PLANET AND ONE MAIN BELT ASTEROID. ALL TARGET ENCOUNTERS WILL BE FLY-BY ENCOUNTERS.
Place of Performance
Location: SAN ANTONIO, BEXAR County, TEXAS, 78238
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $72.4 million to SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE for work described as: IGF::CL,CT::IGF LUCY IS A PLANNED NASA SPACE PROBE THAT WILL TOUR FIVE JUPITER TROJANS, ASTEROIDS WHICH SHARE JUPITER'S ORBIT AROUND THE SUN, ORBITING EITHER AHEAD OF OR BEHIND THE PLANET AND ONE MAIN BELT ASTEROID. ALL TARGET ENCOUNTERS WILL BE FLY-BY ENCOUNTERS. Key points: 1. Contract awarded for comprehensive engineering services supporting the Lucy mission, a long-term deep space exploration endeavor. 2. The contract duration extends over 19 years, indicating a significant commitment to the mission's lifecycle. 3. Southwest Research Institute, the sole awardee, brings specialized expertise to this complex scientific undertaking. 4. The contract type, Cost Plus Fixed Fee, allows for flexibility in research and development while managing costs. 5. This award represents a substantial investment in understanding planetary formation and asteroid composition. 6. The mission's success hinges on advanced engineering and technical support provided under this contract.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $72.4 million over nearly two decades for a complex deep space mission appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar large-scale NASA science missions suggests that engineering services costs are often a significant portion of the overall budget. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, while potentially leading to cost overruns if not managed carefully, is standard for R&D-intensive projects where final costs are difficult to predict upfront. The fixed fee component provides a baseline profit for the contractor.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified offerors had the opportunity to bid. While the specific number of bidders is not detailed, this competitive process is expected to drive fair pricing and encourage innovation. The selection of Southwest Research Institute suggests they offered the best value proposition to NASA for this specialized engineering support.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by ensuring that the government receives competitive pricing and the best available services, maximizing the return on investment for public funds.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the scientific community and the public, who will gain unprecedented insights into Jupiter's Trojan asteroids and the early solar system. Services delivered include critical engineering, design, analysis, and testing required for the Lucy spacecraft and its instruments. The geographic impact is global, with data collected contributing to international astronomical knowledge. Workforce implications include employment for highly skilled engineers, scientists, and technicians at Southwest Research Institute and its subcontractors.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can incentivize contractors to incur costs to maximize their fixed fee if not properly monitored.
- Long contract durations increase the risk of scope creep or unforeseen technical challenges impacting the final cost.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical engineering services could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
Positive Signals
- Award to Southwest Research Institute, a reputable organization with extensive experience in space missions.
- The extensive duration suggests a well-defined, long-term plan and commitment to mission success.
- Full and open competition indicates a robust selection process aimed at securing the best value.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Aerospace and Defense sector, specifically focusing on space exploration and engineering services. The market for such specialized services is highly concentrated, with a few key players possessing the necessary expertise and security clearances. NASA's spending in this area is crucial for maintaining U.S. leadership in space science and technology. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other deep-space mission support contracts, which often run into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. Southwest Research Institute is a large research organization. There may be opportunities for small businesses to subcontract for specialized components or services, but the primary award is not directed towards small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be provided by NASA's relevant program offices and potentially its Office of Inspector General, particularly concerning financial management and adherence to contract terms. Transparency is maintained through public mission updates and scientific publications. The contract's Cost Plus Fixed Fee nature necessitates rigorous financial oversight to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Science Mission Directorate
- Jupiter Exploration Programs
- Asteroid Missions
- Deep Space Probes
- Spacecraft Engineering Services
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration may increase risk of cost overruns.
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts require diligent oversight to manage expenses.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical services.
Tags
nasa, space-exploration, engineering-services, definitive-contract, cost-plus-fixed-fee, full-and-open-competition, southwest-research-institute, jupiter-trojans, asteroid-mission, deep-space, texas, science-and-technology
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $72.4 million to SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE. IGF::CL,CT::IGF LUCY IS A PLANNED NASA SPACE PROBE THAT WILL TOUR FIVE JUPITER TROJANS, ASTEROIDS WHICH SHARE JUPITER'S ORBIT AROUND THE SUN, ORBITING EITHER AHEAD OF OR BEHIND THE PLANET AND ONE MAIN BELT ASTEROID. ALL TARGET ENCOUNTERS WILL BE FLY-BY ENCOUNTERS.
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 $72.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2015-11-13. End: 2034-02-28.
What is the track record of Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) in supporting NASA space missions?
Southwest Research Institute has a strong and extensive track record of supporting NASA missions, including numerous planetary science endeavors. SwRI has been instrumental in developing instruments, providing engineering support, and conducting scientific research for missions like New Horizons (to Pluto), Juno (to Jupiter), and the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. Their expertise spans spacecraft design, instrument development, mission operations, and data analysis. This long history of successful collaboration with NASA suggests a high level of technical competence and reliability, making them a suitable partner for complex, long-duration projects like the Lucy mission.
How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract structure compare to other contract types for space missions?
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure is commonly used for research and development (R&D) or complex projects where the scope of work and final costs are difficult to define precisely at the outset, such as deep space missions. In a CPFF contract, the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing their profit. This differs from Fixed Price contracts, where the price is set regardless of costs, and Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) contracts, which include incentives for meeting cost, schedule, or performance targets. CPFF offers flexibility for evolving R&D but requires robust oversight to prevent cost overruns, as the contractor has less direct financial incentive to control costs compared to fixed-price or incentive-based contracts.
What are the primary risks associated with the long duration of the Lucy mission contract?
The extended duration of the Lucy mission contract, spanning nearly two decades, presents several risks. Firstly, technological obsolescence is a concern; advancements in technology could render certain systems or approaches outdated before the mission concludes. Secondly, personnel continuity is challenging; key personnel may leave the project over such a long period, leading to knowledge loss. Thirdly, the potential for scope creep increases, as mission objectives or requirements might evolve, leading to cost increases beyond initial projections. Finally, long-term funding stability for such an extended project can be subject to shifting governmental priorities and budget constraints, although NASA typically plans for mission lifecycles.
How does the $72.4 million contract value for engineering services benchmark against similar deep space missions?
The $72.4 million allocated for engineering services for the Lucy mission appears to be within a reasonable range when benchmarked against similar deep space exploration projects. Large-scale NASA missions, particularly those involving complex spacecraft development and long operational lifecycles, often allocate a significant portion of their budget to engineering, design, testing, and integration. For instance, missions like Juno or Cassini involved hundreds of millions, if not billions, in overall costs, with engineering services forming a substantial component. While direct comparisons are difficult due to varying mission scopes and complexities, the value here suggests a focused allocation for specialized technical support critical to mission success over its extensive duration.
What are the implications of this contract for the scientific community and future space exploration?
This contract is crucial for advancing our understanding of the solar system's formation and evolution. The Lucy mission's unique objective to study Jupiter's Trojan asteroids, remnants from the early solar system, promises groundbreaking scientific discoveries. The successful execution of this mission, supported by the engineering services provided under this contract, will provide invaluable data on asteroid composition, origins, and the dynamics of planetary formation. Furthermore, the technological advancements and operational experience gained from managing such a long-duration, complex mission can inform and enable future deep space exploration endeavors, potentially paving the way for more ambitious scientific objectives.
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: 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, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $170,903,125
Exercised Options: $170,903,125
Current Obligation: $72,431,168
Actual Outlays: $56,891,519
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 12
Total Subaward Amount: $2,581,091
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2015-11-13
Current End Date: 2034-02-28
Potential End Date: 2034-02-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-30
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