DARPA awards $991K R&D contract to Impact Cooling Inc. for physical sciences research

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $991,261 ($991.3K)

Contractor: Impact Cooling Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-02-01

End Date: 2028-01-31

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: DARPA SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) PHASE II RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT (R&D) AWARD TO IMPACT COOLING INC

Place of Performance

Location: FORT COLLINS, LARIMER County, COLORADO, 80524

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $991,261 to IMPACT COOLING INC for work described as: DARPA SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) PHASE II RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT (R&D) AWARD TO IMPACT COOLING INC Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is for Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences, a critical area for innovation. 3. Fixed-price contract type indicates a defined scope and cost, reducing financial risk for the government. 4. The contract duration of approximately two years allows for substantial project development. 5. Awardee, Impact Cooling Inc., is a small business, potentially indicating a focus on innovative, emerging companies. 6. The contract is managed by the Department of the Interior, though the research area is broad.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $991,261 for a two-year R&D project appears reasonable for specialized research. Benchmarking against similar SBIR Phase II awards for physical sciences research would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The fixed-price nature of the contract helps control costs, but the ultimate value will depend on the successful development of the technology.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This indicates that while the initial solicitation might have had some restrictions, the final award was made after a broad competitive process. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' designation suggests multiple interested parties were considered.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for taxpayers compared to sole-source or limited competition contracts.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of the Interior and potentially other government agencies that could utilize the developed technology. The contract aims to deliver advancements in physical, engineering, and life sciences research. The geographic impact is primarily centered in Colorado, where Impact Cooling Inc. is located. Workforce implications may include specialized R&D roles within Impact Cooling Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The specific nature of the R&D is not detailed, making it difficult to assess potential risks or failures.
Reliance on a single small business for critical R&D could pose a risk if the company faces financial or operational challenges.

Positive Signals

The award is part of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, designed to foster innovation in small businesses.
The fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The research area (physical, engineering, and life sciences) is crucial for technological advancement.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The SBIR program, under which this award is made, is a significant mechanism for government investment in early-stage technology development by small businesses. Comparable spending in this sector involves numerous agencies investing in basic and applied research to drive innovation and address national challenges.

Small Business Impact

This contract is awarded to Impact Cooling Inc., identified as a small business. As an SBIR Phase II award, it directly supports small business innovation. The contract does not explicitly mention subcontracting requirements, but the success of the project relies on the capabilities of Impact Cooling Inc. itself. This award contributes to the small business R&D ecosystem by providing funding for promising technologies.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of the Interior. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight. Transparency regarding the project's progress and outcomes would depend on reporting requirements stipulated in the contract and the agency's policies on R&D disclosure.

Related Government Programs

DARPA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program
Department of the Interior Research and Development Contracts
Physical Sciences Research Awards
Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program

Risk Flags

Lack of specific technical details for R&D
Potential for small business performance risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $991,261 to IMPACT COOLING INC. DARPA SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) PHASE II RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT (R&D) AWARD TO IMPACT COOLING INC

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is IMPACT COOLING INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $991,261.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-02-01. End: 2028-01-31.

What is the specific technological innovation Impact Cooling Inc. is developing under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact technological innovation Impact Cooling Inc. is developing. The contract is broadly categorized under 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)'. To understand the specific innovation, one would need to consult the contract's statement of work or related project documentation. DARPA's SBIR program typically funds high-risk, high-reward research with the potential for significant technological breakthroughs. The 'Impact Cooling' name might suggest a focus on thermal management or energy efficiency technologies, but this is speculative without further details.

How does the $991,261 award compare to typical SBIR Phase II awards in physical sciences R&D?

SBIR Phase II awards can vary significantly based on the research area, project scope, and agency. However, awards in the range of $750,000 to $1.5 million are common for Phase II projects, which typically extend for two years and aim to further develop technologies initiated in Phase I. The $991,261 award to Impact Cooling Inc. falls comfortably within this typical range for physical sciences R&D. The Department of the Interior's specific funding priorities and the competitive nature of the SBIR program influence the exact award amounts.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will success be measured?

The provided data does not detail the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, R&D contracts, especially those under the SBIR program, will have milestones and deliverables outlined in the Statement of Work (SOW). Success is usually measured by the achievement of these technical milestones, the demonstration of the technology's feasibility, and the potential for commercialization or further government adoption. The contracting officer and program manager at the Department of the Interior would be responsible for monitoring progress against the SOW and determining if the contractor is meeting the contract's objectives.

What is Impact Cooling Inc.'s track record with government contracts, particularly SBIR awards?

The provided data indicates that Impact Cooling Inc. is receiving this award, suggesting they have successfully navigated the SBIR application process. However, the data does not provide a comprehensive history of their government contracting performance, including prior awards, contract values, or performance ratings. To assess their track record, one would need to access government contract databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) to review their past awards, contract types, and any available performance information. Experience with previous SBIR phases (Phase I) would be a strong indicator of their capability.

What is the potential for this research to transition into a larger program or commercial product?

The SBIR program is specifically designed to encourage the transition of innovative technologies from small businesses into the commercial marketplace or further government programs. The success of this transition depends heavily on the results of the Phase II research, the market viability of the developed technology, and the continued interest from government agencies or private investors. DARPA and the Department of the Interior likely have mechanisms to support this transition, such as follow-on funding opportunities (Phase III) or connections to potential commercial partners. The 'Impact Cooling' name suggests potential applications in areas like data center efficiency or advanced cooling systems, which have significant commercial markets.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7101 MOUNT ADAMS ST, WELLINGTON, CO, 80549

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,797,090

Exercised Options: $991,261

Current Obligation: $991,261

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline