GECKO ROBOTICS awarded $3.4M R&D contract for physical sciences research by GSA

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,427,919 ($3.4M)

Contractor: Gecko Robotics, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-01-30

End Date: 2027-01-29

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.4K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: GECKO ROBOTICS CNSP TO 01

Place of Performance

Location: SAN DIEGO, SAN DIEGO County, CALIFORNIA, 92155

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $3.4 million to GECKO ROBOTICS, INC. for work described as: GECKO ROBOTICS CNSP TO 01 Key points: 1. Contract focuses on advanced research and development in physical sciences, excluding specialized fields. 2. The contract is a firm-fixed-price delivery order, indicating a defined scope and cost. 3. Awarded by the General Services Administration (GSA), a key federal procurement agency. 4. Research area aligns with the NAICS code 541715 for physical, engineering, and life sciences R&D. 5. Contract duration is approximately one year, suggesting a project-based or phased approach. 6. The contract was not competed, raising questions about potential cost efficiencies and innovation.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $3.4 million for a one-year R&D effort requires careful benchmarking against similar research projects. Without more data on the specific deliverables and the novelty of the research, it is difficult to definitively assess value for money. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty, but the lack of competition could mean the government did not secure the most competitive pricing available.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not open to competition from other potential vendors. This approach is typically used when a specific contractor possesses unique capabilities or when circumstances necessitate a direct award. The lack of competition limits the government's ability to explore a wider range of solutions and potentially achieve better pricing through a competitive bidding process.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not benefit from the cost savings that typically arise from a competitive procurement process. The absence of multiple bids means there was no direct pressure on pricing from market forces.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the research and development sector, potentially advancing scientific understanding in physical sciences. Services delivered include specialized research and development activities. The geographic impact is primarily within California, where the contractor is located. Workforce implications may include employment for specialized researchers and technical staff at GECKO ROBOTICS, INC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
Sole-source award limits opportunities for other innovative companies to secure federal funding.
Research outcomes and their practical application are not yet detailed, posing a risk of limited impact.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded to a company specializing in robotics and potentially advanced research.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for the government.
Contract duration of one year allows for focused research efforts.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. This sector is characterized by innovation and the pursuit of new knowledge. Federal spending in R&D is crucial for technological advancement and national competitiveness. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend heavily on the specific sub-field of research and the scale of the project.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract includes a small business set-aside. As a sole-source award, it bypasses the typical competitive processes where small businesses might have opportunities to bid or subcontract. The impact on the small business ecosystem is minimal in this specific instance, as the award was not designed to foster small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration's Federal Acquisition Service. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified research outcomes within the agreed budget. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, with fewer public details available compared to competed contracts.

Related Government Programs

National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Grants
Department of Energy (DOE) Applied Science Programs
NASA Research and Technology Development

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing pressure.
Limited public information on specific research objectives and expected outcomes.
Potential for cost overruns if not closely managed due to lack of competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $3.4 million to GECKO ROBOTICS, INC.. GECKO ROBOTICS CNSP TO 01

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GECKO ROBOTICS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-01-30. End: 2027-01-29.

What specific research objectives does this contract aim to achieve within the physical sciences?

The provided data indicates the contract falls under NAICS code 541715, 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)'. However, the specific research objectives are not detailed in the provided information. GECKO ROBOTICS, INC. is known for its work in robotics and industrial inspection, suggesting the research might involve advanced materials, sensor technology, automation, or data analytics related to physical systems. Further details would be required from the contract statement of work to understand the precise scientific or engineering goals.

How does the $3.4 million contract value compare to similar R&D efforts in physical sciences?

Benchmarking the $3.4 million contract value requires a detailed comparison with similar R&D projects in the physical sciences, considering factors like research scope, duration, contractor expertise, and deliverables. Without access to a comprehensive database of comparable federal R&D contracts or industry benchmarks for this specific niche, a precise comparison is challenging. However, for a one-year R&D effort, $3.4 million is a substantial investment, suggesting a project of significant complexity or requiring highly specialized personnel and equipment. The sole-source nature of the award means this figure was not tested against market competition.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for R&D, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risk of a sole-source R&D award is the potential for inflated costs due to the absence of competitive bidding, and the missed opportunity to explore potentially more innovative or cost-effective solutions from other vendors. Mitigation strategies often involve rigorous justification for the sole-source award, detailed cost analysis by the procuring agency (GSA in this case), and strong contract management to ensure deliverables are met. The government may also rely on historical pricing data or independent cost estimates. For R&D, the unique capabilities of the awarded contractor can sometimes outweigh the benefits of competition, especially if the research is highly specialized.

What is GECKO ROBOTICS, INC.'s track record with federal R&D contracts?

The provided data does not include information on GECKO ROBOTICS, INC.'s specific track record with federal R&D contracts. This contract, valued at $3.4 million and awarded by the General Services Administration, appears to be a significant federal engagement. To assess their track record, one would need to examine past federal contract awards, performance reviews, and any history of successful R&D project completion for government agencies. Without this historical data, it's difficult to gauge their experience and past performance in delivering federal R&D outcomes.

What are the expected outcomes or deliverables from this $3.4 million R&D contract?

The specific outcomes and deliverables for this $3.4 million R&D contract are not detailed in the provided summary data. Typically, R&D contracts result in reports, prototypes, new methodologies, scientific publications, or technological advancements. Given the contractor's specialization in robotics and industrial inspection, potential deliverables could include advancements in robotic inspection technologies, new data analysis techniques for physical assets, or prototypes for automated inspection systems. The contract's statement of work, which is not publicly available here, would outline the precise deliverables and success criteria.

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: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 47QFCA26R0015

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 100 S COMMONS, PITTSBURGH, PA, 15212

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $54,204,858

Exercised Options: $3,427,919

Current Obligation: $3,427,919

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QFCA26D0001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline