Executive Summary
This digest covers one civilian NASA contract totaling $181,839,613 in obligations, with zero defense-related awards. The Leland Stanford Junior University received the award from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center for the Solar Dynamics Observatory Project Heliospheric and Magnetic Imager (HMI) investigation, a 25-year definitive cost-no-fee R&D effort in space science/applications (PSC AR22).
The neutral signal (strength 4/10, materiality 6/10) highlights a stable long-term commitment but with only $25,928,889 outlayed to date against a base + all options value of $186,336,824. Highest-conviction signal is the low pricing risk and ~$7.3 million annual revenue estimate for Stanford's space R&D. Key watch item: outlay progress and performance toward the 2027-09-30 end date, amid full and open competition history.
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Tracking the trend? Catch up on the prior New Federal Contractors digest from April 03, 2026.
Investment Signals (2)
- The Leland Stanford Junior University lands $181,839,613 long-term NASA HMI contract (MEDIUM)▲
Definitive cost-no-fee structure under full and open competition provides revenue visibility through 2027-09-30 for space science R&D, with low contract pricing risk.
- $25,928,889 outlays lag on The Leland Stanford Junior University's $181,839,613 NASA contract (MEDIUM)▲
Minimal spending to date (14% of obligation) on the 25-year award signals potential execution delays or uneven budget pacing ahead of 2027 expiration.
Risk Flags (2)
- Execution [MEDIUM RISK]▼
Low $25,928,889 outlays against $181,839,613 obligation on The Leland Stanford Junior University's NASA Goddard Space Flight Center HMI contract indicate possible delays.
- Competition [MEDIUM RISK]▼
Full and open competition history on The Leland Stanford Junior University's expiring 2027-09-30 NASA contract raises re-compete vulnerability post-performance period.
Opportunities (1)
- ◆
NASA's 25-year $181,839,613 commitment to The Leland Stanford Junior University for HMI space science R&D signals durable civilian funding in NAICS 541710.
Sector Themes (1)
- ◆
Goddard Space Flight Center's $181,839,613 cost-no-fee contract to The Leland Stanford Junior University for Solar Dynamics Observatory HMI spans 25 years with low pricing risk.
Watch List (2)
- 👁
{"entity"=>"The Leland Stanford Junior University", "reason"=>"Monitor $25,928,889 outlay progress on $181,839,613 NASA HMI contract and overall performance amid low current spending.", "trigger"=>"Outlay increases, 2027-09-30 end date milestones, cost-no-fee changes or options exercise"}
- 👁
{"entity"=>"space science/applications R&D sector", "reason"=>"NASA's commitment to long-term HMI instrument support via Stanford highlights civilian R&D durability.", "trigger"=>"Similar NASA awards or post-2027 re-compete outcomes"}
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