NASA's $636K R&D contract for HABITAL WORLDS OBSERVATORY awarded to The Aerospace Corporation
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $636,389 ($636.4K)
Contractor: THE Aerospace Corporation
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2026-04-01
End Date: 2027-03-31
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.7K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: HABITAL WORLDS OBSERVATORY (HWO)
Place of Performance
Location: EL SEGUNDO, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 90245
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $636,388.66 to THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION for work described as: HABITAL WORLDS OBSERVATORY (HWO) Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting competitive pricing benefits. 2. Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences is a broad category with varying cost structures. 3. The contract duration is one year, suggesting a focused scope of work. 4. The contractor, The Aerospace Corporation, is a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC). 5. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. 6. The specific nature of the 'HABITAL WORLDS OBSERVATORY' project requires further detail to assess its unique value.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this $636,388.66 contract is challenging without more specific details on the deliverables and the research objectives. As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract awarded to an FFRDC, the pricing structure is designed to cover costs plus a negotiated fee. While FFRDCs are intended to provide objective advice, the lack of competition means there's no direct market comparison to assess if this price represents optimal value for money. The fixed fee component provides some cost certainty, but the overall cost is subject to the actual expenses incurred.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed. This typically occurs when a specific contractor possesses unique capabilities or when circumstances necessitate a rapid award. The lack of competition means that NASA did not benefit from a bidding process that could have driven down prices or spurred innovation through multiple proposals. The justification for a sole-source award would need to be thoroughly documented to ensure it was appropriate.
Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards limit the government's ability to leverage competition to secure the best possible pricing, potentially resulting in higher costs for taxpayers.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiary is NASA, which will receive research and development services for the HABITAL WORLDS OBSERVATORY. The services delivered are focused on research and development within the physical, engineering, and life sciences. The geographic impact is primarily within California, where the contractor is located. Workforce implications are likely to involve specialized researchers and technical staff employed by The Aerospace Corporation.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits price competition.
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type carries inherent risk of cost escalation.
- Lack of detailed public information on project scope makes value assessment difficult.
Positive Signals
- Award to a reputable FFRDC suggests access to specialized expertise.
- Contract duration is defined, providing a clear timeframe for deliverables.
- Fixed fee component offers some level of cost predictability for the fee portion.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls under the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector, specifically NAICS code 541715. This sector is characterized by innovation and specialized scientific expertise. Spending in this area by agencies like NASA is crucial for advancing scientific knowledge and technological capabilities. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend heavily on the specific research area within the physical, engineering, and life sciences, but R&D contracts can range significantly in value.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. As a sole-source award to The Aerospace Corporation, a large FFRDC, there are no direct subcontracting opportunities for small businesses indicated in the provided data. The focus is on specialized R&D, which may not lend itself to typical small business contracting vehicles unless specific components are outsourced.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under NASA's contracting officers and program managers. As a sole-source award, the justification and terms would be subject to internal review and potentially audits by agencies like the Government Accountability Office (GAO) or NASA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) if specific concerns arise. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature and the proprietary aspects of R&D.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Research and Development Programs
- Space Science Research Contracts
- Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs)
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
- Limited public information on project scope
Tags
nasa, research-and-development, aerospace, california, sole-source, cost-plus-fixed-fee, ffrdc, science, observatory, fy2027
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $636,388.66 to THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION. HABITAL WORLDS OBSERVATORY (HWO)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION.
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 $636,388.66.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2027-03-31.
What is the specific research objective of the HABITAL WORLDS OBSERVATORY (HWO) project?
The provided data does not specify the exact research objectives of the HABITAL WORLDS OBSERVATORY (HWO). The contract falls under NAICS code 541715, 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology).' This broad classification suggests the project could involve a wide range of scientific inquiry, potentially related to astrophysics, planetary science, astrobiology, or the development of observational technologies. Without further details from NASA's contract documentation or project descriptions, the precise goals and expected outcomes of the HWO remain undefined. Understanding these objectives is critical for evaluating the contract's necessity and potential impact.
How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure compare to other contract types for similar R&D projects?
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type is common for research and development efforts where the scope of work is not fully defined at the outset, making it difficult to establish a firm fixed price. In a CPFF contract, the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. This contrasts with Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contracts, where the price is set regardless of actual costs, incentivizing contractor efficiency but carrying higher risk for the contractor if costs escalate. Cost-reimbursement contracts, like CPFF, are often used when the government needs access to specialized R&D capabilities but cannot precisely define the end product or cost. However, CPFF contracts can lead to higher overall costs for the government if not carefully managed, as the contractor has less incentive to control expenses compared to an FFP contract. For R&D, other variations like Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) or Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) might offer better performance incentives.
What is the track record of The Aerospace Corporation in delivering similar R&D projects for NASA?
The Aerospace Corporation is a well-established Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) with extensive experience supporting NASA and other government agencies in research and development. As an FFRDC, its primary mission is to provide objective, independent research and analysis. While specific project details for the HABITAL WORLDS OBSERVATORY are not public, The Aerospace Corporation has a long history of contributing to space exploration, satellite technology, and scientific research programs. Their expertise in systems engineering, space operations, and advanced technologies is widely recognized. NASA typically relies on FFRDCs like The Aerospace Corporation for complex, long-term, and often sensitive R&D initiatives where deep technical expertise and unbiased analysis are paramount. Their track record generally indicates a high level of technical competence and reliability in fulfilling government research needs.
What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for this R&D contract?
The primary risk associated with a sole-source award for this R&D contract is the lack of price competition. Without multiple bidders vying for the contract, there is no market pressure to ensure the government receives the best possible price for the services. This can lead to inflated costs for taxpayers. Additionally, sole-source awards can sometimes indicate a lack of available qualified sources or a rushed procurement process, which might introduce other risks related to scope definition or contractor capacity. While The Aerospace Corporation is a reputable FFRDC, the absence of competition means that alternative solutions or more cost-effective approaches from other potential providers were not explored. This can also limit opportunities for innovation that might arise from a competitive bidding process.
How does the $636K contract value compare to NASA's overall R&D spending in this sector?
The contract value of $636,388.66 for the HABITAL WORLDS OBSERVATORY is relatively modest when considered within the context of NASA's overall Research and Development (R&D) budget. NASA's annual R&D expenditures typically run into the billions of dollars, encompassing a vast array of scientific missions, technological advancements, and exploratory projects. For instance, NASA's budget requests often allocate significant portions to areas like space exploration, aeronautics research, and science missions. Therefore, this specific contract represents a small fraction of the agency's total R&D investment. While the dollar amount may seem substantial for a single contract, it is likely a focused effort within a larger R&D program. Benchmarking this specific value against other R&D contracts within NAICS 541715 would require a more granular analysis of similar projects, but it is unlikely to be a major outlier in terms of overall NASA R&D spending.
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: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2310 EAST EL SEGUNDO BLVD, EL SEGUNDO, CA, 90245
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $636,389
Exercised Options: $636,389
Current Obligation: $636,389
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80GSFC19D0011
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-01
Current End Date: 2027-03-31
Potential End Date: 2027-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-01
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