NASA awards $4.67M contract for in-space drug delivery device R&D to Auxilium Biotechnologies
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $4,673,184 ($4.7M)
Contractor: Auxilium Biotechnologies Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2022-09-06
End Date: 2026-11-30
Contract Duration: 1,546 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 20
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: BIOMANUFACTURING IN SPACE OF DRUG-DELIVERY MEDICAL DEVICES
Place of Performance
Location: SAN DIEGO, SAN DIEGO County, CALIFORNIA, 92130
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $4.7 million to AUXILIUM BIOTECHNOLOGIES INC. for work described as: BIOMANUFACTURING IN SPACE OF DRUG-DELIVERY MEDICAL DEVICES Key points: 1. Contract focuses on novel biomanufacturing techniques for medical devices in space. 2. Auxilium Biotechnologies, a California-based firm, secured the award. 3. The contract duration spans over 1500 days, indicating a long-term research objective. 4. This award falls under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'. 5. The firm fixed price contract type suggests a defined scope and cost. 6. NASA's investment aims to advance capabilities for future space exploration and astronaut health.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $4.67 million for a multi-year R&D project in a specialized field appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar advanced technology development contracts within NASA or other federal agencies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, given the innovative nature and long-term research goals, the pricing is likely aligned with the complexity and potential of the technology being developed.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This competitive process is designed to foster price discovery and ensure the government receives the best value. The presence of 20 proposals suggests a robust interest in this area of research.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down costs through market forces and encouraging innovation among a wider pool of potential contractors.
Public Impact
Benefits astronauts by developing advanced medical solutions for space missions. Services delivered include research and development of biomanufacturing processes for drug-delivery devices. Geographic impact is primarily within California, where Auxilium Biotechnologies is based, but the ultimate impact is global space exploration. Workforce implications include specialized scientific and technical jobs in biomanufacturing and aerospace medicine.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration could lead to scope creep if not managed tightly.
- Reliance on a single contractor for a critical R&D area may pose future supply chain risks.
- The specialized nature of the technology might limit future integration with other systems if not standardized.
Positive Signals
- Focus on biomanufacturing in space addresses a critical need for long-duration missions.
- Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty for NASA.
- Awarding to a specialized firm like Auxilium Biotechnologies leverages specific expertise.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the broader scientific research and development sector, specifically focusing on advanced medical technologies and biomanufacturing. The market for space-based medical solutions is nascent but growing, driven by increased private and public investment in space exploration. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found in R&D contracts for advanced materials, biotechnology, and aerospace medical systems, often characterized by high upfront investment and long development cycles.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not appear to have a specific small business set-aside. While Auxilium Biotechnologies is a firm, its size relative to large aerospace contractors is not specified. The implications for the broader small business ecosystem are minimal unless subcontracting opportunities are actively pursued and awarded to smaller entities.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be managed by NASA's contracting officers and program managers, ensuring adherence to the contract's technical and financial requirements. Accountability measures are built into the firm fixed price structure and performance milestones. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases and potential public reporting on research progress, though specific details of the R&D may be proprietary.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Advanced Exploration Systems (AES)
- Human Research Program
- Biotechnology Research
- Medical Device Development
- Space Medicine
Risk Flags
- Technological uncertainty in novel biomanufacturing processes.
- Long-term performance and reliability of devices manufactured in space.
- Potential for delays in R&D milestones.
Tags
research-and-development, biomanufacturing, medical-devices, space-exploration, nasa, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, california, scientific-services, long-term-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $4.7 million to AUXILIUM BIOTECHNOLOGIES INC.. BIOMANUFACTURING IN SPACE OF DRUG-DELIVERY MEDICAL DEVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AUXILIUM BIOTECHNOLOGIES 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 $4.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-09-06. End: 2026-11-30.
What is Auxilium Biotechnologies' track record with NASA or similar government contracts?
Information regarding Auxilium Biotechnologies' specific track record with NASA or other government agencies is not detailed in the provided data. A thorough review would require accessing contract databases like SAM.gov or FPDS to identify past performance, award history, and any reported issues. Understanding their experience with similar research and development projects, particularly in biotechnology or aerospace applications, is crucial for assessing their capability to successfully execute this contract. Without this historical data, the assessment relies heavily on the proposal evaluation process conducted by NASA.
How does the $4.67 million contract value compare to similar R&D efforts in biomanufacturing for space applications?
The $4.67 million contract value for a multi-year R&D project in biomanufacturing for space applications appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized, cutting-edge research. However, direct comparisons are challenging due to the novelty of 'in-space' biomanufacturing for drug delivery. Similar R&D contracts in advanced biotechnology or pharmaceutical development on Earth can range from millions to tens of millions of dollars, depending on the stage of development and complexity. NASA's investment reflects the unique challenges and potential high reward of developing these capabilities for extraterrestrial environments, where traditional manufacturing and supply chains are not feasible.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?
Key risks for this contract include technological feasibility (can the biomanufacturing process be reliably performed in space?), long-term viability of the developed devices, and potential delays in research progress. Mitigation strategies likely involve rigorous milestone-based payments, regular technical reviews by NASA, and Auxilium Biotechnologies' own internal quality control and risk management processes. The firm fixed price nature of the contract also incentivizes the contractor to manage costs and timelines effectively. Furthermore, NASA's selection process would have evaluated the contractor's proposed approach to managing these inherent R&D risks.
What is the expected effectiveness of the drug-delivery medical devices developed under this contract for future space missions?
The expected effectiveness is high, as the contract aims to develop novel biomanufacturing capabilities for drug-delivery medical devices specifically tailored for the space environment. This could lead to more efficient, on-demand production of critical medications for astronauts, reducing reliance on pre-packaged supplies and enabling personalized treatments. Successful development would enhance astronaut health and safety during long-duration missions, such as those to Mars, by providing a sustainable and adaptable medical support system. The ultimate effectiveness will be determined through the R&D process and subsequent testing.
What are the historical spending patterns for NASA in the area of space-based medical technology R&D?
NASA has consistently invested in space-based medical technology R&D to support human spaceflight. Historical spending patterns show a significant allocation towards understanding and mitigating the physiological effects of space on the human body, including research into countermeasures, diagnostics, and therapeutics. While specific figures for 'biomanufacturing of drug-delivery devices' might be granular, broader categories like 'human health and performance,' 'life support systems,' and 'advanced medical countermeasures' have seen substantial funding over various mission phases. This contract represents a continuation and advancement of that long-standing commitment to astronaut well-being.
How does this contract align with NASA's broader goals for long-duration space exploration?
This contract is highly aligned with NASA's strategic goals for long-duration space exploration, particularly missions to the Moon and Mars. Developing the capability to manufacture essential medical supplies, like drug-delivery devices, in space is critical for crew autonomy and health resilience. It reduces the logistical burden of carrying extensive medical kits and allows for customized treatments based on real-time needs. This R&D directly supports the objective of enabling sustainable human presence beyond Earth by ensuring that astronauts have access to necessary medical interventions, even in remote and challenging environments.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH
Solicitation ID: NNJ13ZBG001N
Offers Received: 20
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3945 CARMEL SPRINGS WAY, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92130
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $4,673,184
Exercised Options: $4,673,184
Current Obligation: $4,673,184
Actual Outlays: $3,285,000
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-09-06
Current End Date: 2026-11-30
Potential End Date: 2026-11-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-26
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