Execute a balanced science program based on discipline-specific guidance from the national academies of sciences, engineering, and medicine, administration priorities, and direction from congress.…

This federal contract award, valued at $78,017.00, was granted to the Smithsonian Institution's Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) division by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Shared Services Center. The contract requires SAO to execute a balanced science program based on guidance from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, administration priorities, and direction from Congress. SAO will participate as a key partner and enabler in NASA's exploration initiative, focusing on scientific research of, on, and from the Moon, lunar orbit, Mars, and beyond. The contract also requires SAO to advance discovery in emerging fields by identifying and exploiting cross-disciplinary opportunities between traditional science disciplines, and to develop a directorate-wide, target-user focused approach to applied programs, including Earth science applications, space weather, planetary defense, and space situational awareness. This is a grant for research contract with no set-aside designation, indicating open competition. SAO has a history of delivering diverse goods and services to federal agencies through contracts and grants, including instrument design, technical support, and specialized research initiatives.

Execute a balanced science program based on discipline-specific guidance from the national academies of sciences, engineering, and medicine, administration priorities, and direction from congress. Participate as a key partner and enabler in the agency s exploration initiative, focusing on scientific research of, on, and from the moon, lunar orbit, mars, and beyond. Advance discovery in emerging fields by identifying and exploiting cross-disciplinary opportunities between traditional science disciplines develop a directorate-wide, target-user focused approach to applied programs, including earth science applications, space weather, planetary defense, and space situational awareness.