NASA awards $4M Lunar Logistics contract to Special Aerospace Services, LLC for R&D
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,999,522 ($4.0M)
Contractor: Special Aerospace Services, LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2025-05-07
End Date: 2026-06-30
Contract Duration: 419 days
Daily Burn Rate: $9.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 51
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: THIS IS A FFP CONTRACT FOR NEXTSTEP2 APPENDIX R: LUNAR LOGISTICS AND MOBILITY STUDIES.
Place of Performance
Location: BOULDER, BOULDER County, COLORADO, 80301
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $4.0 million to SPECIAL AEROSPACE SERVICES, LLC for work described as: THIS IS A FFP CONTRACT FOR NEXTSTEP2 APPENDIX R: LUNAR LOGISTICS AND MOBILITY STUDIES. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on research and development for lunar logistics and mobility. 2. Special Aerospace Services, LLC, based in Colorado, is the awardee. 3. The contract is a definitive contract with a firm-fixed-price structure. 4. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified bidders. 5. The contract duration is approximately 1.3 years, ending June 30, 2026. 6. The NAICS code 541715 suggests a focus on physical, engineering, and life sciences research.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $3,999,522 for a 1.3-year R&D effort in lunar logistics and mobility appears reasonable given the specialized nature of space exploration research. Benchmarking against similar NASA R&D contracts for advanced studies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor bears the primary risk for cost overruns, which can be a positive indicator for the government.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that NASA sought proposals from all responsible sources. The number of bids received (51) indicates a healthy level of interest and competition for this specialized research area. A competitive process like this generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more innovative solutions as contractors vie for the award.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that is likely to yield a fair price for the research services and encourage innovative approaches to lunar logistics and mobility.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA and the broader U.S. space exploration program, which will gain insights into lunar logistics and mobility. Services delivered include research and development studies crucial for future lunar missions. The geographic impact is national, supporting advancements in space technology and research capabilities. Workforce implications include potential employment for specialized researchers, engineers, and technical staff within Special Aerospace Services, LLC and its potential subcontractors.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep in R&D projects if not clearly defined.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical research could pose a risk if performance falters.
Positive Signals
- Firm-fixed-price contract structure shifts cost risk to the contractor.
- Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
- Award to a company with a specific focus (aerospace) may indicate specialized expertise.
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 a limited number of firms possessing the necessary expertise. NASA's spending in this area is critical for advancing national space objectives and maintaining technological leadership. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found within other NASA R&D procurements or those of similar agencies like the Department of Defense for advanced technology development.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). While Special Aerospace Services, LLC's size is not detailed here, the award process under full and open competition means small businesses could have bid. However, the specialized nature of lunar logistics R&D might favor larger, more established aerospace firms. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by NASA's contracting officers and program managers, ensuring adherence to the Statement of Work and delivery schedules. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract, linking payment to successful completion of research milestones. Transparency is facilitated through contract award announcements and public reporting mechanisms, though detailed research findings may be proprietary.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Lunar Exploration Program
- Advanced Space Technology Development
- Aerospace Research and Development Contracts
- Space Logistics Studies
Risk Flags
- Potential for R&D scope ambiguity
- Contractor's past performance not detailed
- Market size for specialized lunar R&D is limited
Tags
nasa, research-and-development, lunar-logistics, mobility-studies, special-aerospace-services-llc, firm-fixed-price, definitive-contract, full-and-open-competition, colorado, space-exploration, advanced-technology
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $4.0 million to SPECIAL AEROSPACE SERVICES, LLC. THIS IS A FFP CONTRACT FOR NEXTSTEP2 APPENDIX R: LUNAR LOGISTICS AND MOBILITY STUDIES.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SPECIAL AEROSPACE SERVICES, LLC.
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 $4.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-05-07. End: 2026-06-30.
What is the track record of Special Aerospace Services, LLC with NASA or similar government agencies?
Information regarding the specific track record of Special Aerospace Services, LLC with NASA or other government agencies is not provided in the given data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or commendations. Understanding their experience with similar R&D projects, particularly in space exploration or advanced engineering, would be crucial for evaluating their capability to successfully execute this lunar logistics and mobility contract. Without this historical data, the assessment of their reliability and past performance remains incomplete.
How does the $3.99 million contract value compare to similar lunar R&D studies?
The $3.99 million contract value for lunar logistics and mobility studies needs to be benchmarked against comparable contracts to assess its value for money. NASA and other space agencies often fund R&D efforts for lunar exploration, ranging from propulsion systems to habitat design. The specific scope of 'lunar logistics and mobility studies' is broad and could encompass various research areas. A direct comparison would involve identifying contracts with similar objectives, durations (419 days), and research intensity. Given the specialized nature of space R&D, costs can vary significantly based on the novelty of the research, required expertise, and technological challenges. A preliminary assessment suggests the value is within a plausible range for focused R&D, but a detailed comparative analysis of similar procurements is necessary for a definitive conclusion.
What are the primary risks associated with this firm-fixed-price contract for lunar R&D?
The primary risks associated with this firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract for lunar R&D, despite shifting cost risk to the contractor, include potential limitations in scope flexibility and contractor innovation. If unforeseen technical challenges arise during the research, the contractor might be hesitant to explore alternative solutions outside the defined scope to avoid incurring additional costs, potentially limiting the depth of innovation. Another risk is the contractor's ability to accurately estimate the R&D effort, which is inherently uncertain. If their cost estimates are too low, they might face financial strain, potentially impacting performance quality or leading to disputes. Conversely, if estimates are too high, the government may overpay. Ensuring clear technical requirements and robust oversight are key to mitigating these risks.
How effective is 'full and open competition' in ensuring optimal outcomes for specialized R&D contracts like this?
Full and open competition is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring optimal outcomes in government contracting, including specialized R&D. It maximizes the pool of potential offerors, increasing the likelihood of finding the most capable and cost-effective solution. For a contract like this, focusing on lunar logistics and mobility, it allows NASA to solicit innovative approaches from a wide range of aerospace and research firms. The high number of bids (51) suggests this approach was successful in attracting interest. While competition drives down prices and encourages quality, the specialized nature of R&D means that technical merit and innovative potential are equally, if not more, important than price alone. NASA's evaluation criteria would need to balance these factors to ensure the best technical solution is selected.
What is the historical spending pattern for NASA's lunar logistics and mobility R&D?
The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for NASA's lunar logistics and mobility R&D. To analyze this, one would need access to NASA's contract databases and budget allocations over several fiscal years. Key metrics to examine would include the total amount spent annually on related R&D, the number and average value of contracts awarded in this specific domain, and the primary contractors receiving these funds. Understanding historical spending can reveal trends, identify areas of consistent investment, and highlight shifts in program priorities. It would also help in contextualizing the current $3.99 million award within the broader financial landscape of NASA's lunar exploration initiatives.
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
Offers Received: 51
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3005 30TH ST, BOULDER, CO, 80301
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $3,999,522
Exercised Options: $3,999,522
Current Obligation: $3,999,522
Actual Outlays: $3,007,507
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-05-07
Current End Date: 2026-06-30
Potential End Date: 2026-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-26
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