PP&C Models & Tools
The Strategic Insights and Budget (SIB) provides models and tools to the entire NASA community. By providing estimators and analysts with the latest in modeling, SIB strives to progress the entire field within NASA to better support current and future missions. Models and tools are often provided free-of-charge and may be developed entirely in-house by NASA employees, or licensed from commercial vendors. Below is a listing of the most commonly used and distributed models.
In-House Models & Tools
ASCoT – Analogy Software Costing Tool
ASCoT is a web-based tool for estimating the lines-of-code, development cost, and development effort months for NASA robotic flight software. ASCoT contains multiple methodologies to analyze uncrewed flight software and relies on high level technical and mission level inputs to produce estimates making it extremely useful for early concept and formulation phases. The methodologies in ASCoT are based are more than 50 individual NASA missions.
Government POC: Victoria Nilsen, NASA HQ, Victoria.M.Nilsen@nasa.gov
Technical POC: ASCOT@jpl.nasa.gov
NASA Access Instructions: Online Web-application via ONCE
COMPACT – CubeSat or MicroSat Probabilistic Analysis Costing Tool
COMPACT is a web-based tool for estimating the development cost of NASA CubeSats. COMPACT is a new effort to develop a first-ever parametric estimating tool for CubeSats based on NASA historical data. COMPACT utilizes multiple methodologies to provide development cost estimates and is based on more than 25 NASA CubeSat missions.
Government POC: Victoria Nilsen, NASA HQ, Victoria.M.Nilsen@nasa.gov
Technical POC: COMPACT@jpl.nasa.gov
NASA Access Instructions: Online Web-application via ONCE
MOCET – Mission Operations Cost Estimating Tool
The Mission Operations Cost Estimation Tool (MOCET) is a model developed by the Aerospace Corporation in partnership with NASAs Science Office for Mission Assessment (SOMA). MOCET provides a new capability to generate cost estimates for the operational, or Phase E, portion of NASA science missions. The model implements new Cost Estimating Relationships (CERs) that were derived from historical data for various mission operation stages as applicable to the Planetary Science, Earth Science, and Astrophysics/Heliophysics Explorer missions.
POC: MOCET@aero.org
NASA Access Instructions: Available via NASA Software Catalog and Download via ONCE
NICM – NASA Instrument Cost Model
NICM is a parametric estimating tool for instruments based on historical NASA projects. NICM estimates cost and schedule for new developments utilizing key technical parameters such as mass. NICM can provide system level and subsystem level cost estimates, development schedule duration estimates, and joint confidence level analysis for instruments. The methodologies in NICM are based are more than 260 historical instruments.
Government POC: Victoria Nilsen, NASA HQ, Victoria.M.Nilsen@nasa.gov
Technical POC: NICM@jpl.nasa.gov
NASA Access Instructions: Available via NASA Software Catalog and Download via ONCE
NNSI – NASA New Start Inflation Index
The inflation tables are provided for the purposes of estimating new efforts and for normalizing historical cost from prior missions. These factors should NOT be used to estimate NASA CS personnel costs nor should they be used if you have a contract in place. DCAA approved forward pricing indices should be used for all efforts that are already under contract. Please use the Inflation Table tab as the primary resource. To help facilitate analysis, we are not locking the spreadsheet this year. With that said, please take caution when doing any editing to this spreadsheet. Do not edit or tamper with any hidden tabs. Lastly, the Historical Inflation tab is provided as reference.
Government/Technical POC: Charles Hunt, NASA HQ, Charles.D.Hunt@nasa.gov
NASA Access Instructions: Download here
ONCE / CADRe – One NASA Cost Engineering Database / Cost Analysis Data Requirements
CADRe is a formal data collection process and is codified as a requirement in NPR 7120.5. CADRe data is collected at multiple milestones during the Project lifecycle and includes a CADRe Part A, Part B, and Part C. ONCE (One NASA Cost Engineering) is a database of the CADRe data, other useful information, and models/tools for the entire NASA community.
CADRe POC: Eric Plumer, NASA HQ
ONCE POC: James K. Johnson, NASA HQ, hq-oncesupport@mail.nasa.gov
NASA Access Instructions: How to request ONCE Access (PDF)
PCEC – Project Cost Estimating Capability
PCEC is a detailed library of estimating methodologies and a transparent framework for developing project cost estimates. PCEC contains the most current NASA CERs across a wide variety of WBS elements. PCEC is based on the CADRe data and includes a transparent normalization process for users.
Government POC: Robbie Holcombe, MSFC, Robbie.J.Holcombe@nasa.gov (Primary); and Victoria Nilsen, NASA HQ, Victoria.M.Nilsen@nasa.gov (Secondary)
Technical POC: MSFC-PCEC@mail.nasa.gov
NASA Access Instructions: Available via NASA Software Catalog and Download via ONCE (NASA CS Only)
REDSTAR – REsource Data STorage And Retrieval
The REDSTAR (REsource Data STorage And Retrieval) Analysis Center is managed by the Marshall Space Flight Center’s Engineering Cost Office. REDSTAR was established in 1971 as a NASA-wide repository of cost, programmatic, and technical data pertaining to the Space Program for the NASA Cost Estimating and Analysis Community. REDSTAR data spans from the total program level down to the subcomponent level for over a 150 space flight systems. REDSTAR is available for use by NASA Civil Servants and its non-hardware prime support contractors ONLY.
Government POC: Robbie Holcombe, MSFC, Robbie.J.Holcombe@nasa.gov (Primary); and Victoria Nilsen, NASA HQ, Victoria.M.Nilsen@nasa.gov (Secondary)
Technical POC: Melissa.E.Roberts@nasa.gov
NASA Access Instructions: Available via REDSTAR instructions page
SMART – Schedule Management and Relationship Tool
SMART combines analogy-based and parametric crosscheck methods to estimate the development schedule for unmanned spacecraft projects from Authority to Proceed (ATP) to Launch. SMART incorporates existing Schedule Estimating Relationships (SERs) developed for NASA as a convenient cross-check.
Government POC: Victoria Nilsen, NASA HQ, Victoria.M.Nilsen@nasa.gov
NASA Access Instructions: Download via ONCE
Commercial Models & Tools
ACEIT – Automated Cost Estimating Integrated Tools
Company: Tecolote Research, Inc.
Description: ACEIT is a family of applications that support program managers and cost/financial analysts during all phases of a program’s life-cycle. ACE is the heart of the estimation suite and allows users to build customizable models with built-in risk analysis features for estimators and a high-performance calculation engine. JACS is compatible with both MS Project and Primavera and supports schedule risk analysis and joint confidence level analysis. CO$TAT provides data analytics and statistical analysis capabilities such as multivariate regression.
Website: http://www.aceit.com
POC: aceit_support@tecolote.com
NASA Access Instructions: Download via ONCE
Acumen Fuse
Company: Deltek
Description: Acumen Fuse is a metric analysis and visualization tool that assesses quality of schedules, accuracy of cost forecasts, realism of risk models, earned value and project performance, providing a unique insight into how to improve project plans and execution strategies
Website: https://www.deltek.com/en/products/project-and-portfolio-management/acumen/modules/acumen-fuse
POC: Michele King, NASA HQ, Michele.t.king@nasa.gov
NASA Access Instructions: Download via ONCE (NASA computers only)
Argo
Company: Booz Allen Hamilton
Description: Argo is a Monte Carlo simulation add-in for Microsoft Excel and enables spreadsheet-based risk analysis and decision support.
Website: http://boozallen.github.io/argo/
POC: polaris@bah.com
NASA Access Instructions: Free via GitHub or Download via ONCE
Cobra
Company: Deltek
Description: Cobra is an Earned Value Management (EVM) engine that provides data to the EVM analysis tools, such as Empower. Cobra stores time-phased budget data and is where project actuals are loaded. Cobra can also calculate different EAC models that can be easily customized. It contains the WBS, control accounts, and work packages that make up a project. It has options for customizable fields and files that can be used in what-if scenarios.
Website: https://info.deltek.com/Deltek-Cobra
POC: Patrick Jordan, HQ-dl-evm-tools-admin@mail.nasa.gov
NASA Access Instructions: Contact POC or visit NASA EVM website
Empower
Company: Encore Analytics
Description: Empower™ is a web based analytical tool that integrates earned value, schedule, work authorization, and other key performance data to enable proactive management of complex projects. Empower™ features an attractive and powerful user interface that provides immediate productivity gains for users. Integrated schedule Gantt view which integrates the cost and schedule data for traceability. Charts and reports that can be used on a total project or one element at a time.
Website: https://www.encore-analytics.com
POC: Patrick Jordan, HQ-dl-evm-tools-admin@mail.nasa.gov
NASA Access Instructions: Contact POC or visit NASA EVM website
SEER
Company: Galorath Inc.
Description: SEER by Galorath project management tools provide project planning, project estimating, project tracking, and project cost management software for Software, Hardware and Electronics Systems, Manufacturing, and Information Technology.
Website: http://www.galorath.com
POC: Charles Hunt, NASA HQ, Charles.D.Hunt@nasa.gov
NASA Access Instructions: Contact POC