NASA awards $4.2M contract to Sierra Space for lunar logistics and mobility studies supporting Moon to Mars strategy
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $4,217,549 ($4.2M)
Contractor: Sierra Space Corp
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2025-04-30
End Date: 2026-08-30
Contract Duration: 487 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 51
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: NEXT SPACE TECHNOLOGIES EXPLORATION PARTNERSHIP-2 APPENDIX R: LUNAR LOGISTICS & MOBILITY STUDIES. GOALS ARE TO SUPPORT MISSION ARCHITECTURE DEFINITIONS FOR HUMAN MISSIONS BEYOND LOW-EARTH ORBIT AS PART OF NASA'S MOON TO MARS EXPLORATION STRATEGY.
Place of Performance
Location: LOUISVILLE, BOULDER County, COLORADO, 80027
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $4.2 million to SIERRA SPACE CORP for work described as: NEXT SPACE TECHNOLOGIES EXPLORATION PARTNERSHIP-2 APPENDIX R: LUNAR LOGISTICS & MOBILITY STUDIES. GOALS ARE TO SUPPORT MISSION ARCHITECTURE DEFINITIONS FOR HUMAN MISSIONS BEYOND LOW-EARTH ORBIT AS PART OF NASA'S MOON TO MARS EXPLORATION STRATEGY. Key points: 1. Contract aims to define mission architectures for human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit. 2. Focus on lunar logistics and mobility is critical for NASA's long-term space exploration goals. 3. Sierra Space Corp, the contractor, has a role in advancing space technology. 4. The contract duration of 487 days suggests a focused research and development effort. 5. This award falls under the broader category of physical, engineering, and life sciences R&D. 6. The firm-fixed-price structure indicates a defined scope and cost for the services.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $4.2 million for a 487-day study period appears reasonable for specialized research and development in lunar logistics and mobility. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts for space mission architecture studies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, given the complexity and novelty of lunar exploration, the allocated funds seem appropriate for the defined scope of work.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The presence of 51 proposals suggests a robust competitive environment, which typically drives innovation and can lead to more favorable pricing for the government. The extensive number of bids implies that the solicitation was widely disseminated and attracted significant interest from the industry.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition for this research contract likely resulted in a more competitive bid landscape, potentially leading to cost savings for taxpayers compared to a sole-source or limited competition award.
Public Impact
Benefits NASA's Moon to Mars exploration strategy by advancing foundational research. Supports the development of future human missions beyond low-Earth orbit. Contributes to the scientific and technological understanding of lunar operations. Potential to foster innovation in the aerospace sector related to lunar capabilities. Workforce implications include specialized research and engineering roles.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if study objectives are not tightly managed.
- Reliance on contractor's expertise for critical mission architecture definitions.
- Long-term implications of study findings on future program funding and direction.
Positive Signals
- Clear alignment with NASA's strategic goals for lunar and Mars exploration.
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating broad market interest.
- Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The market for space exploration R&D is highly specialized, with significant government investment driving innovation. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve other NASA or DoD contracts for advanced mission planning, systems engineering, and technology development related to deep space exploration.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside or subcontracting requirements for this contract. As a research and development effort awarded under full and open competition, it is likely that larger, specialized aerospace firms were the primary bidders. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will be managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). As a definitive contract for R&D services, standard NASA procurement regulations and contract management practices will apply. Transparency is facilitated through public contract award databases, and accountability will be measured by the contractor's adherence to the study's objectives and deliverables.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Moon to Mars Exploration Program
- Advanced Space Exploration Technologies
- Lunar Surface Operations Research
- Space Mission Architecture Development
Risk Flags
- Potential for research findings to become quickly outdated due to rapid technological advancements.
- Dependency on contractor's ability to deliver novel and practical solutions for lunar challenges.
Tags
nasa, sierra-space-corp, research-and-development, lunar-exploration, moon-to-mars, definitive-contract, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, aerospace, mission-architecture, logistics, mobility
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $4.2 million to SIERRA SPACE CORP. NEXT SPACE TECHNOLOGIES EXPLORATION PARTNERSHIP-2 APPENDIX R: LUNAR LOGISTICS & MOBILITY STUDIES. GOALS ARE TO SUPPORT MISSION ARCHITECTURE DEFINITIONS FOR HUMAN MISSIONS BEYOND LOW-EARTH ORBIT AS PART OF NASA'S MOON TO MARS EXPLORATION STRATEGY.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SIERRA SPACE CORP.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $4.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-04-30. End: 2026-08-30.
What is Sierra Space Corp's track record with NASA and similar R&D contracts?
Sierra Space Corp has a growing presence in the space industry, particularly known for its Dream Chaser spaceplane. While specific details on their past NASA R&D contracts for lunar studies are not provided in this data, their involvement in developing advanced space systems suggests relevant expertise. A deeper dive into their contract history with NASA and other space agencies would reveal their performance on similar research and development initiatives, including their success in meeting technical requirements, managing budgets, and adhering to timelines. Their experience with complex space systems development is a positive indicator for their capability to undertake this lunar logistics and mobility study.
How does the $4.2 million value compare to similar lunar exploration R&D contracts?
The $4.2 million contract value for lunar logistics and mobility studies is within a typical range for specialized R&D efforts in the aerospace sector. Contracts for mission architecture definition, technology feasibility studies, and early-stage concept development often fall within this financial bracket. However, direct comparisons are challenging without knowing the specific scope, duration, and complexity of other similar contracts. Factors such as the number of research areas, the depth of analysis required, and the specific deliverables expected can significantly influence contract value. Given NASA's ambitious Moon to Mars goals, this investment appears proportionate for foundational research.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract?
Primary risks for this contract include the inherent uncertainties in R&D, particularly in a nascent field like lunar logistics and mobility. There's a risk that the study's findings may not yield actionable insights or may require significant revisions as technology and mission requirements evolve. Technical risks involve the complexity of defining optimal architectures for future missions, which could be impacted by unforeseen technological breakthroughs or limitations. Furthermore, there's a potential risk of schedule delays if research encounters unexpected challenges or if coordination with other NASA programs proves difficult. The firm-fixed-price nature, while providing cost certainty, could also incentivize cutting corners if not managed carefully.
How effective is this contract likely to be in advancing NASA's Moon to Mars strategy?
This contract is likely to be effective in advancing NASA's Moon to Mars strategy by providing crucial foundational research for mission architecture definitions. By focusing on lunar logistics and mobility, it addresses key challenges for sustained human presence beyond low-Earth orbit. The insights gained will inform subsequent phases of development, helping NASA make more informed decisions about resource allocation, technology priorities, and mission planning. The success of this contract hinges on the quality of the research and the applicability of its findings to future mission designs. Its effectiveness will be measured by its contribution to a cohesive and achievable long-term exploration plan.
What are historical spending patterns for NASA's lunar exploration R&D efforts?
NASA's historical spending on lunar exploration R&D has varied significantly over decades, with peaks during the Apollo era and renewed focus in recent years through programs like Artemis. Spending has encompassed a wide range of activities, from basic research in materials science and propulsion to advanced concept studies for surface systems and orbital infrastructure. The current $4.2 million award for lunar logistics and mobility studies aligns with a trend of targeted investments in specific technological and architectural challenges necessary for sustained lunar presence and eventual Mars missions. Analyzing broader historical data would reveal trends in funding allocation across different R&D categories within lunar exploration.
What is the significance of the 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' NAICS code?
The NAICS code 541715, 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology),' signifies that this contract is for fundamental and applied research aimed at advancing scientific knowledge and capabilities within these broad fields. For this specific contract, it means the work focuses on the engineering and physical sciences aspects of lunar logistics and mobility, such as developing new concepts for transportation, resource utilization, or habitat support systems on the Moon. This classification distinguishes the contract from development of specific products or services, emphasizing the exploratory and knowledge-generating nature of the work.
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 › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: NNH16ZCQ001K-APPENDIX-R
Offers Received: 51
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Sierra Nevada Corporation
Address: 2000 TAYLOR AVE STE 100, LOUISVILLE, CO, 80027
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $4,217,549
Exercised Options: $4,217,549
Current Obligation: $4,217,549
Actual Outlays: $2,716,434
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-04-30
Current End Date: 2026-08-30
Potential End Date: 2026-08-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-13
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