NASA's Cassini Mission Operations & Data Analysis Support Contract Exceeds $24.5M Over 9 Years
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $24,498,779 ($24.5M)
Contractor: THE Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2010-09-24
End Date: 2020-02-15
Contract Duration: 3,431 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.1K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: CASSINI MAGNETOSPHERIC IMAGING INSTRUMENT (MIMI) MISSION OPERATIONS&DATA ANALAYSIS (MO&DA) SUPPORT THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PERFORM THE WORK THAT IS DESIGNATED IN TASK ORDERS ISSUED BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER. THE OVERALL SCOPE OF WORK TO BE PERFORMED WILL SUPPORT ALL OF NASA S MISSION DIRECTORATES. THESE EFFORTS CAN BE CHARACTERIZED AS AEROSPACE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT (ARDES). THE GENERAL NATURE OF THE TASKS TO BE DEVELOPED WILL BE TO CONDUCT SUPPORTING RESEARCH AND ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT DESIGNED TO MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS TO SPACE SCIENCE AND SPACE EXPLORATION AND ASSIST NASA IN THE FORMULATION AND EXECUTION OF ITS PROGRAMS BY PROVIDING NASA WITH TECHNICAL ADVICE, STUDIES, AND REPORTS OF INVESTIGATIONS. EFFORTS UNDERTAKEN BY THE CONTRACTOR, IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE ASSIGNED TASKS, WHICH INCLUDE TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER, PARTNERING AND COMMERCIALIZATION ACTIVITIES, SHALL SEEK TO ENHANCE THE VALUE AND CONTRIBUTION OF TECHNOLOGY TO THE NATION S TECHNOLOGICAL COMPETITIVENESS, PROSPERITY, QUALITY OF LIFE, AND OTHER NATIONAL PRIORITIES. INDIVIDUAL TASK ORDERS WILL FALL WITHIN ONE OF TWO BROAD CATEGORIES: 1) ESSENTIAL RESEARCH CAPABILITY OF SPACE SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, AND RELATED WORK IN THE SUPPORTING ESSENTIAL RESEARCH CAPABILITIES OF SYSTEMS TEST AND EVALUATION, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, AND SIMULATION, MODELING AND OPERATIONS ANALYSIS . TASK ORDERS WITHIN THE CATEGORY OF ESSENTIAL RESEARCH CAPABILITIES ARE INTENDED TO PRESERVE THE NATION S CAPABILITIES TO PERFORM ROBOTIC SPACE MISSIONS OVER THE FULL MISSION LIFE CYCLE FROM CONCEPT FORMULATION THROUGH MISSION OPERATIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS. NASA IS CONTRACTING FOR SUPPORT IN SEVERAL KEY RESEARCH, ENGINEERING AND DEVELOPMENT COMPETENCIES THAT ARE FUNDAMENTAL TO THE PERFORMANCE OF THESE MISSIONS. 2) OTHER AEROSPACE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT. TASK ORDERS WITHIN THE CATEGORY OF OTHER AEROSPACE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT ARE INTENDED TO INCLUDE A BROAD BASE OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES RELEVANT TO NASA PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITIES AND ASSIGNMENTS REGARDLESS OF CATEGORY, TASK ORDERS MAY BE ISSUED RELATED TO AUTONOMOUS DEEP-SPACE AND EARTH-ORBITING SPACECRAFT OR MAJOR SUBSYSTEMS, EXPERIMENTS, INSTRUMENTS OR OTHER DEVICES THAT MAY BE CARRIED AS PAYLOADS ON THE SPACE SHUTTLE OR ON OTHER SPACECRAFT. TASK ASSIGNMENTS WILL EXPLICITLY DESCRIBE A BROAD RANGE OF HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS, AND MANAGEMENT EFFORTS INCLUDING PROGRAM AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION.
Place of Performance
Location: LAUREL, HOWARD County, MARYLAND, 20723
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $24.5 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC for work described as: CASSINI MAGNETOSPHERIC IMAGING INSTRUMENT (MIMI) MISSION OPERATIONS&DATA ANALAYSIS (MO&DA) SUPPORT THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PERFORM THE WORK THAT IS DESIGNATED IN TASK ORDERS ISSUED BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER. THE OVERALL SCOPE OF WORK TO BE PERFORMED WILL SUPPORT ALL OF NASA S MI… Key points: 1. Contract supports NASA's broad mission directorates with aerospace research, development, and engineering. 2. Focus on space science and exploration through advanced technology development and technical advice. 3. Significant duration of over 9 years suggests long-term, critical support needs. 4. The sector is heavily reliant on specialized R&D services, with high barriers to entry.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $24.5M over 9 years averages approximately $2.7M annually. This appears reasonable for specialized aerospace R&D support for a major scientific mission.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
Awarded as a sole-source contract, indicating a lack of competition. This may limit price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs than a competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are allocated to a single provider without competitive pressure, potentially impacting overall value for money.
Public Impact
Supports critical scientific research and exploration missions for NASA. Ensures continuity of operations and data analysis for the Cassini mission. Contributes to advancements in space science and technology. Provides valuable technical advice and reports to inform NASA's strategic direction.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 100 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
- Long contract duration without clear competitive milestones.
- Cost-plus fixed fee contract type can incentivize cost overruns.
Positive Signals
- Supports a high-profile and scientifically significant NASA mission.
- Long-term engagement suggests critical and specialized expertise.
- Contract aligns with national interests in space exploration and science.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector (NAICS 541710). Spending in this sector is often characterized by long-term projects, specialized expertise, and significant government investment.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC, a large research institution. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by NASA, with task orders issued by the Contracting Officer. Oversight would focus on performance against task orders and adherence to the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure.
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
- Lack of competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
- Cost-plus contract type carries inherent risk of cost escalation.
- Long duration without clear competitive milestones.
- Reliance on a single entity for critical mission support.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, md, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $24.5 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC. CASSINI MAGNETOSPHERIC IMAGING INSTRUMENT (MIMI) MISSION OPERATIONS&DATA ANALAYSIS (MO&DA) SUPPORT THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PERFORM THE WORK THAT IS DESIGNATED IN TASK ORDERS ISSUED BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER. THE OVERALL SCOPE OF WORK TO BE PERFORMED WILL SUPPORT ALL OF NASA S MISSION DIRECTORATES. THESE EFFORTS CAN BE CHARACTERIZED AS AEROSPACE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT (ARDES). THE GENERAL NATURE OF THE TASKS TO BE DEVELOPED WILL BE TO CONDUCT SUPPORTING RESEARCH AND ADVAN
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC.
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 $24.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2010-09-24. End: 2020-02-15.
What was the justification for the sole-source award, and were any alternatives considered?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, specialized knowledge, or the absence of other responsible sources. For a mission-critical support contract like this, NASA likely determined that The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory possessed unique expertise essential for the Cassini mission's continuity and success, making competition impractical or detrimental to mission objectives.
How was the fixed fee determined, and what mechanisms are in place to control costs under this contract type?
The fixed fee in a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract is negotiated at the outset and represents the contractor's profit. Cost controls are typically managed through detailed review of incurred costs, adherence to the Statement of Work, and performance metrics. NASA's oversight would be crucial in ensuring that costs remain reasonable and directly related to the contract's objectives.
What is the long-term strategic value of this type of R&D support to NASA's broader space science and exploration goals?
This contract provides essential operational and analytical support for a major scientific mission, directly contributing to NASA's space science objectives. The expertise developed and maintained through such long-term contracts can be leveraged for future missions, fostering institutional knowledge and advancing the nation's capabilities in space exploration and scientific discovery.
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: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: THE Johns Hopkins University
Address: JOHNS HOPKINS RD 11100, LAUREL, MD, 20723
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $25,292,817
Exercised Options: $25,292,817
Current Obligation: $24,498,779
Actual Outlays: $68,487
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NNN06AA01C
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2010-09-24
Current End Date: 2020-02-15
Potential End Date: 2020-02-15 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-07-24
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