NASA awards $110.6M contract for enhanced landing and mobility study to Firefly Aerospace Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $110,613,083 ($110.6M)
Contractor: Firefly Aerospace Inc
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2021-02-04
End Date: 2026-03-31
Contract Duration: 1,881 days
Daily Burn Rate: $58.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: ENHAMCED LANDING AND MONILITY STUDY
Place of Performance
Location: CEDAR PARK, WILLIAMSON County, TEXAS, 78613
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $110.6 million to FIREFLY AEROSPACE INC for work described as: ENHAMCED LANDING AND MONILITY STUDY Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in lunar mobility research. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a robust bidding process for this specialized service. 3. Contract duration of 1881 days indicates a long-term commitment to the project. 4. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs and manage contractor risk. 5. This award positions Firefly Aerospace as a key player in NASA's lunar exploration initiatives. 6. The contract's focus on mobility is critical for future lunar surface operations.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $110.6 million for an 1881-day study appears reasonable given the specialized nature of lunar landing and mobility systems. Benchmarking against similar, albeit fewer, large-scale lunar development contracts suggests this pricing is within expected ranges for advanced aerospace R&D. The firm-fixed-price contract type also indicates a focus on cost predictability for NASA.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that while competition was sought, certain sources were excluded, potentially due to specific capabilities or prior relationships. With 7 bidders, the competition level was moderate, suggesting that while multiple firms were interested, the specialized requirements may have narrowed the field. This level of competition can still lead to price discovery but might not achieve the same level of aggressive pricing as a completely open, unrestricted competition.
Taxpayer Impact: A moderate level of competition means taxpayers likely received a fair price, but there may have been opportunities for even greater savings if more specialized vendors had been able to participate or if the exclusion criteria were less stringent.
Public Impact
This contract directly benefits NASA's Artemis program by advancing critical technologies for lunar exploration. The services delivered will focus on the design, development, and testing of lunar landing and mobility systems. The geographic impact is primarily national, with potential for future international collaboration in lunar missions. Workforce implications include the creation of specialized engineering and technical jobs within the aerospace sector.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen technical challenges arise during the long-term study.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical lunar mobility technology development.
- Risk of schedule delays impacting broader NASA mission timelines.
- The 'exclusion of sources' in competition could limit innovation from a wider pool of vendors.
Positive Signals
- Firm-fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for the government.
- Long contract duration allows for thorough research and development.
- Selection of a known entity in the aerospace sector suggests a degree of confidence in their capabilities.
- Moderate competition indicates a reasonable balance between specialized expertise and market responsiveness.
Sector Analysis
The aerospace sector is characterized by high R&D investment, long development cycles, and significant government procurement. This contract fits within the broader trend of increased investment in space exploration and commercial space activities. Comparable spending benchmarks in this niche are difficult to establish precisely due to the unique nature of lunar systems, but large-scale R&D contracts for advanced aerospace technologies often run into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars.
Small Business Impact
There is no explicit indication of a small business set-aside for this contract. Given the substantial value and specialized nature of the work, it is likely that larger, established aerospace firms were the primary focus. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist, but they would depend on Firefly Aerospace's specific teaming arrangements and supply chain strategy. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely indirect, through potential future partnerships or technology spin-offs.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), likely through program managers and contracting officers responsible for monitoring progress, adherence to milestones, and financial expenditures. Accountability measures are built into the firm-fixed-price contract, requiring delivery of specified outcomes. Transparency is generally maintained through NASA's public contract awards, though detailed technical progress reports are typically not publicly disclosed.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Lunar Lander Development Programs
- Advanced Mobility Systems Research
- Space Technology Mission Directorate Contracts
- Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) Initiative
Risk Flags
- Potential for schedule slippage
- Technological development risks
- Cost containment challenges
- Limited competition impact
Tags
nasa, aerospace, landing-systems, mobility-systems, research-and-development, firm-fixed-price, limited-competition, texas, large-contract, lunar-exploration, firefly-aerospace
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $110.6 million to FIREFLY AEROSPACE INC. ENHAMCED LANDING AND MONILITY STUDY
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is FIREFLY AEROSPACE 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 $110.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-02-04. End: 2026-03-31.
What is Firefly Aerospace's track record with NASA and similar large-scale aerospace projects?
Firefly Aerospace is a relatively newer player in the commercial space industry, focusing on launch vehicles and lunar landers. While they have secured significant funding and contracts, including this NASA award, their track record with NASA on large, complex R&D projects like this specific 'Enhanced Landing and Mobility Study' is still developing. They are known for their Alpha rocket development and have been selected for CLPS missions. Their experience is more concentrated in launch services and early-stage lander development rather than extensive, multi-year studies of integrated landing and mobility systems. This contract represents a significant step in building their NASA program management and execution history.
How does the $110.6 million value compare to other lunar mobility R&D contracts?
Direct comparisons for 'enhanced landing and mobility studies' are scarce due to the specialized and often proprietary nature of such research. However, the $110.6 million figure for an approximately five-year contract (1881 days) aligns with the high cost of advanced aerospace R&D. For context, NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative involves multiple contracts for payload delivery, with individual mission costs varying widely but often in the tens to hundreds of millions. Development contracts for specific lunar lander components or systems by other major aerospace contractors have also reached similar or higher values. This award appears to be within the expected financial scope for developing critical, next-generation lunar surface technologies.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract for NASA?
The primary risks for NASA revolve around technological feasibility, schedule adherence, and cost control. Developing novel landing and mobility systems for the lunar environment presents significant engineering challenges, including extreme temperatures, radiation, and dust. There's a risk that the technology may not mature as expected within the contract timeline, potentially delaying broader mission objectives. Furthermore, while it's a firm-fixed-price contract, unforeseen technical hurdles could still lead to scope adjustments or necessitate additional funding if critical capabilities cannot be achieved. The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition also carries a risk of missing out on potentially innovative solutions from a wider vendor pool.
How effective is a 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' in ensuring value for taxpayers?
This type of competition aims to balance the benefits of broad market outreach with the need for specific, often highly specialized, capabilities. By excluding certain sources, NASA might be targeting vendors with proven expertise or specific technologies crucial for the project, potentially leading to a more focused and efficient selection process. However, it inherently limits the pool of bidders compared to unrestricted full and open competition. While 7 bidders suggest reasonable interest, the exclusion could mean taxpayers do not benefit from the most aggressive pricing or potentially more innovative solutions that excluded firms might have offered. The value proposition depends heavily on whether the excluded sources were truly non-essential or if their exclusion unnecessarily constrained the competitive landscape.
What are the historical spending patterns for lunar mobility R&D at NASA?
NASA's historical spending on lunar mobility R&D has fluctuated significantly, often tied to specific program goals like the Apollo era, subsequent robotic exploration, and the current Artemis initiative. During Apollo, significant resources were dedicated to developing the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV). In more recent decades, spending has been more focused on robotic precursor missions and technology demonstrations. The current surge in lunar interest, driven by Artemis, has led to increased investment in technologies for both landing systems and surface mobility, often leveraging commercial partnerships. This $110.6 million contract represents a substantial, targeted investment within this current period of heightened activity, reflecting a strategic focus on enabling sustained human presence on the Moon.
What are the potential long-term implications of this contract for future lunar exploration?
This contract is foundational for NASA's long-term lunar exploration goals, particularly those under the Artemis program. Success in developing enhanced landing and mobility systems will directly enable more ambitious surface operations, including extended crewed missions, resource utilization (like water ice extraction), and the establishment of a sustainable lunar presence. The technologies developed could pave the way for larger, more capable landers and surface vehicles, potentially reducing the cost and increasing the efficiency of future lunar surface activities. It also bolsters the capabilities of the selected contractor, positioning them as a key partner for subsequent phases of lunar exploration and potentially Mars missions.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Nonscheduled Air Transportation › Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: 80HQTR18R0011R
Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1320 ARROW POINT DR, CEDAR PARK, TX, 78613
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $112,147,927
Exercised Options: $112,147,927
Current Obligation: $110,613,083
Actual Outlays: $110,113,083
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80HQTR19D0009
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-02-04
Current End Date: 2026-03-31
Potential End Date: 2026-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-11
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