NSF awards $1.99M to SWEETSENSE INC for water systems research, focusing on R&D in physical and engineering sciences

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,998,732 ($2.0M)

Contractor: Sweetsense Inc

Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation

Start Date: 2025-06-05

End Date: 2026-06-04

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 47

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: CONVERGENCE ACCELERATOR FUTURE WATER SYSTEMS

Place of Performance

Location: BOULDER, BOULDER County, COLORADO, 80302

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Science Foundation obligated $2.0 million to SWEETSENSE INC for work described as: CONVERGENCE ACCELERATOR FUTURE WATER SYSTEMS Key points: 1. Contract value represents a focused investment in a specific research area. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a potentially competitive bidding process for this research award. 3. Performance risk appears moderate given the research and development nature of the contract. 4. The contract duration of one year provides a defined period for achieving research milestones. 5. This award positions SWEETSENSE INC within the broader landscape of scientific research and development. 6. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $2 million for a one-year research and development project appears reasonable within the context of federal R&D spending. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized research in physical and engineering sciences would provide a more precise value assessment. However, the fixed-price nature suggests an effort to establish clear cost expectations upfront. Without specific comparable contract data, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents excellent value, but it falls within a typical range for targeted research initiatives.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This approach generally fosters a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and innovation. The number of bids received (47) is substantial and suggests strong interest from the research community, further supporting the likelihood of competitive pricing and selection of a highly qualified contractor.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition ensures that taxpayer funds are utilized efficiently by encouraging multiple vendors to offer their best terms, thereby driving down costs and maximizing the value of the research investment.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are researchers and institutions involved in advancing water systems technology. The services delivered include cutting-edge research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. The geographic impact is likely concentrated in Colorado, where the contractor is based, but the research findings could have broader national or international implications. Workforce implications may include the creation or support of specialized research jobs within SWEETSENSE INC and potentially partner institutions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for research outcomes to not meet initial expectations or timelines.
Dependence on specialized scientific expertise which may be difficult to replace.
The broad nature of 'Research and Development' can sometimes lead to scope creep if not tightly managed.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
High number of bids received (47) suggests strong market interest and potential for innovation.
Fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Contractor is SWEETSENSE INC, a specific entity likely chosen for its relevant expertise.
Clear contract duration (364 days) sets defined performance expectations.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The market for such specialized R&D is driven by government funding agencies like the National Science Foundation (NSF) and private sector investment in innovation. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other NSF grants or Department of Defense R&D contracts in related scientific fields. The size of this award ($1.99M) is moderate for a single R&D project, reflecting a targeted investment rather than a large-scale program.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside (ss=false, sb=false). The award to SWEETSENSE INC, whose size is not specified here, means that subcontracting opportunities for small businesses would depend on SWEETSENSE INC's own subcontracting plan and needs. Without specific set-aside provisions, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is not guaranteed, though larger prime contractors often engage small businesses for specialized services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the National Science Foundation (NSF) program officers responsible for the 'Convergence Accelerator Future Water Systems' initiative. Accountability measures would be tied to the research milestones and deliverables outlined in the contract. Transparency is generally maintained through federal contract databases and public reporting of research outcomes. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

National Science Foundation Research Grants
Environmental Science and Engineering Research
Water Resource Management Technologies
Physical Sciences Research
Engineering Sciences Research

Risk Flags

Potential for R&D project delays
Uncertainty in research outcomes
Contractor performance risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Science Foundation awarded $2.0 million to SWEETSENSE INC. CONVERGENCE ACCELERATOR FUTURE WATER SYSTEMS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SWEETSENSE INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Science Foundation (National Science Foundation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-06-05. End: 2026-06-04.

What is the specific research objective of the 'Convergence Accelerator Future Water Systems' program?

The 'Convergence Accelerator Future Water Systems' program, under which this contract is awarded, aims to accelerate the development and implementation of innovative solutions for water challenges. It focuses on bringing together diverse scientific and engineering disciplines to address critical issues such as water scarcity, water quality, and resilient water infrastructure. The program encourages interdisciplinary teams to converge on tangible outcomes, moving research from the lab to practical application more rapidly. This specific award to SWEETSENSE INC likely contributes to one of the program's defined tracks, focusing on advancing the physical, engineering, or life sciences aspects relevant to future water systems.

How does the number of bids (47) compare to typical R&D contracts of this size awarded by the NSF?

Receiving 47 bids for a research and development contract valued at approximately $2 million is a strong indicator of significant interest and a healthy competitive environment. For specialized R&D projects, especially those funded by agencies like the NSF that often solicit proposals from academic institutions and research firms, this number suggests the topic is of high interest and that the solicitation was widely disseminated. While 'typical' can vary greatly by specific scientific field and solicitation details, a bid count in the dozens for a competitive R&D award of this magnitude generally points to a well-contested opportunity, which is favorable for the government in terms of potentially securing competitive pricing and innovative approaches.

What are the potential risks associated with a fixed-price contract for R&D, and how might they be mitigated?

Fixed-price contracts, while offering cost certainty, can pose risks in R&D environments where the final outcome and effort required are inherently uncertain. The primary risk is that the contractor may underestimate the complexity or cost of the research, leading to potential quality compromises, delays, or requests for contract modifications if the fixed price becomes unsustainable. Mitigation strategies employed by the government often include rigorous upfront scope definition, clear performance metrics, phased deliverables with review points, and careful contractor selection based on demonstrated technical capability and realistic cost proposals. The NSF likely has robust oversight mechanisms to monitor progress and address challenges proactively to ensure the research objectives are met within the agreed-upon price.

What is SWEETSENSE INC's track record in securing federal R&D contracts, particularly with the NSF?

Information regarding SWEETSENSE INC's specific track record with federal R&D contracts, and particularly with the National Science Foundation (NSF), is not directly provided in the abbreviated data. To assess their track record, one would need to consult federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) to identify previous awards, contract types, values, and performance history. A strong history of successful R&D contract completion, especially with NSF or similar agencies, would indicate reliability and expertise. Conversely, a limited or problematic history might raise concerns about their capacity to deliver on this specific 'Convergence Accelerator Future Water Systems' project. Further investigation into their past performance is crucial for a comprehensive risk assessment.

How does this $1.99M award compare to historical NSF spending on water-related research and development?

Comparing this $1.99 million award to historical NSF spending on water-related research and development requires access to broader historical budget and award data from the NSF. The NSF funds a vast array of research across numerous disciplines, and water systems research is likely distributed across several directorates (e.g., Engineering, Geosciences, Environmental Research). This specific award is part of the 'Convergence Accelerator' initiative, which represents a focused effort to accelerate solutions. To contextualize its significance, one would need to analyze the total NSF budget allocated to water-related R&D over several fiscal years and identify trends in award sizes and the number of projects funded. This single award, while substantial for a project, is likely a component within a larger NSF strategic investment in water solutions.

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 › General Science and Technology R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: NSFBAA-CA23-01

Offers Received: 47

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1026 LINCOLN PL, BOULDER, CO, 80302

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,998,551

Exercised Options: $1,998,732

Current Obligation: $1,998,732

Actual Outlays: $1,480,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline