NASA awards $7.9M for Advanced Plant Habitat mission integration and operations to Redwire Space Technologies
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $7,938,608 ($7.9M)
Contractor: Redwire Space Technologies, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2018-03-14
End Date: 2025-07-31
Contract Duration: 2,696 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: ADVANCED PLANT HABITAT (APH) MISSION INTEGRATION AND OPERATIONS AND SUSTAINING ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR SPACE BIOLOGY TASK ORDER
Place of Performance
Location: GREENVILLE, FLOYD County, INDIANA, 47124
State: Indiana Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $7.9 million to REDWIRE SPACE TECHNOLOGIES, INC. for work described as: ADVANCED PLANT HABITAT (APH) MISSION INTEGRATION AND OPERATIONS AND SUSTAINING ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR SPACE BIOLOGY TASK ORDER Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Redwire Space Technologies, Inc. for mission integration and sustaining engineering services. 2. The contract is for Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 3. The total value is $7,938,607.60, with a duration of 2696 days. 4. This task order falls under the NASA agency's purview.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking per-unit costs for similar space biology mission integration services is difficult due to the specialized nature of the work.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the specific pricing discovery mechanisms for this specialized R&D service are not detailed, making it hard to assess optimal price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for advanced space biology research, which has long-term potential benefits but requires careful oversight to ensure value for money.
Public Impact
Supports critical research in space biology, potentially leading to advancements in long-duration spaceflight and extraterrestrial agriculture. The contract contributes to NASA's ongoing exploration and scientific discovery missions. Investment in space technology development can spur innovation and create high-skilled jobs.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type may incentivize higher costs.
- Limited public information on specific performance metrics and outcomes.
- Long contract duration increases exposure to potential scope creep or changing requirements.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Supports critical NASA research objectives.
- Experienced contractor in space technologies.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector, specifically related to space biology. Spending in this niche R&D area is highly specialized and driven by agency mission requirements rather than broad market trends.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was awarded to Redwire Space Technologies, Inc., a large business. There is no indication of small business subcontracting participation in this specific task order.
Oversight & Accountability
NASA's contracting office is responsible for oversight. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates robust monitoring of costs and performance to ensure accountability and prevent contractor overreach.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
- Long contract duration.
- Specialized R&D service with limited direct cost comparables.
- No explicit mention of small business subcontracting goals.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, in, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $7.9 million to REDWIRE SPACE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. ADVANCED PLANT HABITAT (APH) MISSION INTEGRATION AND OPERATIONS AND SUSTAINING ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR SPACE BIOLOGY TASK ORDER
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is REDWIRE SPACE TECHNOLOGIES, INC..
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 $7.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2018-03-14. End: 2025-07-31.
What specific scientific advancements are expected from the APH mission integration and operations services?
The APH mission integration and operations services are expected to support critical research in space biology, focusing on plant growth and development in microgravity. This research is vital for understanding the physiological challenges of long-duration spaceflight and developing sustainable life support systems for future human missions to the Moon and Mars. Expected advancements include optimized crop production techniques for space environments and a deeper understanding of plant adaptation to extraterrestrial conditions.
What are the primary risks associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type for this R&D mission?
The primary risk with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for R&D is that the contractor may have less incentive to control costs, as their fee is fixed regardless of the final project cost. This can lead to potential cost overruns if the agency does not maintain rigorous oversight. For specialized R&D like the APH mission, unforeseen technical challenges can significantly increase costs, and the CPFF structure needs careful management to ensure the government receives good value and the project stays within budget expectations.
How does this contract contribute to NASA's broader strategic goals for space exploration and scientific discovery?
This contract directly supports NASA's strategic goals by enabling critical research into life support systems and human sustainability for deep space missions. Advancing plant growth capabilities in space is fundamental to reducing resupply needs and enabling longer, more ambitious human exploration. The data gathered from the APH mission integration and operations will inform future mission designs and contribute to the scientific understanding of biological processes beyond Earth, aligning with NASA's mandate for scientific discovery.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 7200 HIGHWAY 150, GREENVILLE, IN, 47124
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $7,938,608
Exercised Options: $7,938,608
Current Obligation: $7,938,608
Actual Outlays: $6,719,567
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80JSC017D0014
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2018-03-14
Current End Date: 2025-07-31
Potential End Date: 2025-07-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-03
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