California Association For Research In Astronomy
Waimea, HI Doing business as W.m. Keck Observatory
- UEI
- DDL5KU1YZLP3
- CAGE
- 1KQZ0
- Primary NAICS
- Not on record
- SAM.gov registration
- Active through
Company facts
- FY2025 rankings
- Self-certified in SAM.gov
- Entity structure
- Corporate Entity (Tax Exempt)
- SAM.gov registration date
- Physical address
- 65-1120 Mamalahoa Hwy, Waimea, HI 96743, USA
- Website
- keckobservatory.org
- Founded
- 1985
- Employees
- 51-250
- Estimated annual revenue
- $10M-$50M
- Industry
-
- Industrials
- Commercial & Professional Services
- Professional Services
- Research & Consulting Services
- SIC code
- 87 Engineering & Management Services
Registration and certifications come from SAM.gov and the SBA; company details from public web sources. Updated .
Contract obligations by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Obligated |
|---|---|
| FY2027 To date | $0 |
| FY2026 | $3,923,000 |
| FY2025 | $5,899,000 |
| FY2024 | $4,775,000 |
| FY2023 | $4,996,231 |
Top agencies by obligations
| Rank | Agency | Obligated, FY2026–FY2027 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | National Aeronautics and Space Administration | $3,923,000 |
Contract awards
Latest 5 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Contract subawards
| Prime contractor | Prime award | Amount | Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Of Hawaii | 80HQTR24DA010 | $31,939 |
Grant awards
Latest 5 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Grant subawards
| Prime recipient | Prime award | Amount | Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Of California Santa Cruz | 80NSSC25K7486 | $122,815 | |
| The Regents Of The University Of California | 2511697 | $33,092 | |
| University Of Hawaii | 2009051 | -$78,700 | |
| University Of California Santa Cruz | 2346210 | $183,476 |
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About the company
California Association For Research In Astronomy (CARA), doing business as W.M. Keck Observatory, is a non-profit organization that manages two 10-meter optical/infrared telescopes located in Waimea, Hawaii. Registered in SAM.gov since 2001, CARA provides advanced scientific research capabilities to federal agencies, specializing in astronomical observation and cutting-edge telescope technologies. The organization operates the W.M. Keck Observatory, which is a premier research facility that supports scientific investigations across multiple disciplines, particularly in astronomy and astrophysics.
CARA's federal contract work primarily involves cooperative agreements with NASA, most notably a $24,798,000 cooperative agreement for science operations at the W.M. Keck Observatory from March 2023 through February 2028. This contract is not set aside and supports NASA's scientific programs by maintaining observational capabilities at the Keck telescopes. The organization has also engaged in sub-contract work, such as service-based agreements with the University of Hawaii, demonstrating its ability to collaborate with academic and research institutions to support federal scientific objectives.
The organization's federal grant awards focus extensively on developing advanced astronomical technologies and research capabilities. CARA has received multiple grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF), including a $1,229,874 project grant for developing an Infrared Wavefront Sensor Adaptive Optics system, a $388,823 grant to improve adaptive optics performance with the "Fast and Furious" algorithm, and a grant for the High Order Advanced Keck Adaptive Optics (HAKA) project. These grants support technological innovations in astronomical instrumentation, enhance telescope performance, and enable new scientific investigations such as exoplanet imaging, black hole physics research, and advanced optical sensing. CARA has also worked with sub-grantees like the University of California Santa Cruz and California Institute of Technology, further expanding its research and technological development network.
Quick answers
Is California Association For Research In Astronomy registered in SAM.gov?
Yes. California Association For Research In Astronomy's SAM.gov registration is active through December 3, 2026.
How much has California Association For Research In Astronomy received in federal contracts?
Federal contracts obligated $5,899,000 to California Association For Research In Astronomy in fiscal year 2025 and $19,593,231 in fiscal years 2023 through 2027.
How does California Association For Research In Astronomy rank among federal contractors?
California Association For Research In Astronomy ranked #19 in PSC AR11 and #55 in PSC AR in FY2025.
What is California Association For Research In Astronomy's most recent federal award?
California Association For Research In Astronomy's most recent federal grant award is MRI: track 2 development of infrared wavefront sensor adaptive optics ('IWA) enabled astrophysics (2510577), from Division of Astronomical Sciences, on October 1, 2025.
On GovTribe
See California Association For Research In Astronomy's full federal record
- Federal contract awards
- Federal grant awards
- Subcontracting relationships
- Funding analysis by agency, NAICS and set-aside
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