NASA Awards $4.99M FFP Contract to Lockheed Martin for Lunar Logistics and Mobility Studies
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $4,990,832 ($5.0M)
Contractor: Lockheed Martin Corp
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2025-07-09
End Date: 2026-08-30
Contract Duration: 417 days
Daily Burn Rate: $12.0K/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: LITTLETON, DOUGLAS County, COLORADO, 80125
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $5.0 million to LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP for work described as: THIS IS A FFP CONTRACT FOR NEXTSTEP2 APPENDIX R: LUNAR LOGISTICS AND MOBILITY STUDIES. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Lockheed Martin for R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration is 417 days, ending in August 2026. 4. This award falls under the NAICS code 541715 for R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract is a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) type, which is generally favorable for the government as it shifts cost risk to the contractor. The total award amount of $4.99M for a 417-day R&D study appears reasonable within the context of aerospace research.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This method is expected to foster competitive pricing and ensure the government receives the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition aims to secure a fair price for the services rendered, maximizing taxpayer value by leveraging market competition.
Public Impact
Supports NASA's exploration goals for lunar missions. Invests in advanced research for future space endeavors. Potential for technological advancements in logistics and mobility. Contract awarded to a major aerospace contractor, Lockheed Martin.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Contract duration is relatively short for complex R&D.
- No specific small business set-aside mentioned.
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract type.
- Full and open competition.
- Awarded by NASA, a leading space agency.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area is critical for technological advancement and future mission capabilities, with benchmarks varying widely based on project scope and complexity.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, small businesses were likely not the primary focus of this specific procurement, and their direct participation may be limited unless they are subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The award is managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), which has established oversight mechanisms for its contracts. The firm fixed price structure provides a degree of cost control, and the competitive award process enhances accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for scope creep in R&D.
- Reliance on a single large contractor.
- Limited duration for complex research.
- No explicit small business participation noted.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, co, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $5.0 million to LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP. 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 LOCKHEED MARTIN 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 $5.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-07-09. End: 2026-08-30.
What are the specific deliverables expected from Lockheed Martin under this lunar logistics and mobility study contract?
The contract details are limited in the provided data, but typically, deliverables for such R&D studies would include comprehensive research reports, feasibility analyses, design concepts, simulation results, and potentially prototype recommendations for lunar logistics and mobility systems. The exact scope would be defined in the contract's statement of work.
What are the key risks associated with this R&D contract, and how are they mitigated?
Key risks include potential technical challenges in developing novel lunar systems, schedule delays due to unforeseen research complexities, and cost overruns if the FFP structure is insufficient for the R&D scope. Mitigation strategies likely involve rigorous project management, clear performance metrics, and NASA's oversight to ensure progress and address issues proactively.
How will the findings from this study contribute to the effectiveness of future NASA lunar missions?
The study's findings are expected to enhance the effectiveness of future lunar missions by providing critical insights into efficient logistics and robust mobility solutions tailored for the lunar environment. This could lead to optimized mission planning, reduced operational costs, improved astronaut safety, and the enablement of more ambitious exploration and resource utilization objectives on the Moon.
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: 12257 S WADSWORTH BLVD, LITTLETON, CO, 80125
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: $4,990,832
Exercised Options: $4,990,832
Current Obligation: $4,990,832
Actual Outlays: $1,797,195
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-07-09
Current End Date: 2026-08-30
Potential End Date: 2026-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-19
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