NASA Awards $112.7M to Firefly Aerospace for Lunar Payload Delivery Under CLPS Program
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $112,770,706 ($112.8M)
Contractor: Firefly Aerospace Inc
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2023-03-14
End Date: 2027-08-31
Contract Duration: 1,631 days
Daily Burn Rate: $69.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: COMMERCIAL LUNAR PAYLOAD SERVICES (CLPS) TASK ORDER CS-3
Place of Performance
Location: CEDAR PARK, WILLIAMSON County, TEXAS, 78613
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $112.8 million to FIREFLY AEROSPACE INC for work described as: COMMERCIAL LUNAR PAYLOAD SERVICES (CLPS) TASK ORDER CS-3 Key points: 1. Significant investment in lunar exploration capabilities. 2. Competition method suggests potential for price discovery. 3. Risk associated with new space ventures and fixed-price contracts. 4. IT and R&D sectors may see indirect benefits from space tech advancements.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $112.7 million for lunar payload delivery appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the service. Benchmarking against similar, albeit fewer, lunar missions suggests this pricing is within expected ranges for developing space capabilities.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The competition was 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating a competitive process was initiated but narrowed. This method can impact price discovery by limiting the pool of potential bidders, potentially leading to higher prices than a fully open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are supporting the advancement of space exploration and commercial lunar capabilities, with the potential for future economic returns from lunar resource utilization or scientific discovery.
Public Impact
Advances U.S. lunar exploration goals and scientific research capabilities. Supports the growth of the commercial space industry and innovation. Potential for new discoveries and understanding of the lunar environment. Enhances national capabilities in space technology and operations.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Contract awarded to a single entity.
- Fixed-price contract may not account for unforeseen development costs.
- Limited competition could impact final price.
- Newer company in a high-risk industry.
Positive Signals
- Supports NASA's CLPS initiative.
- Firm fixed price provides cost certainty for NASA.
- Potential for technological breakthroughs.
- Delivery order structure allows for phased execution.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the broader aerospace and defense sector, specifically focusing on commercial space services. Spending in this sector is driven by government investment in national security, scientific research, and the burgeoning commercial space economy.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not awarded to a small business. The focus on a single, larger entity for this specialized task order may limit direct opportunities for small businesses in this specific award, though they may participate as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
NASA's contracting processes are subject to oversight from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Inspector General (IG). The CLPS program itself is designed to foster commercial innovation, implying a degree of market-based accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Technical performance risk
- Schedule delay risk
- Cost overrun risk (for contractor)
- Market viability risk for contractor
- Dependency on a single provider for this task order
Tags
nonscheduled-chartered-freight-air-trans, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, tx, delivery-order, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $112.8 million to FIREFLY AEROSPACE INC. COMMERCIAL LUNAR PAYLOAD SERVICES (CLPS) TASK ORDER CS-3
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 $112.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-03-14. End: 2027-08-31.
What is the long-term value proposition of investing in commercial lunar payload services?
The long-term value lies in establishing a sustainable and cost-effective lunar transportation infrastructure. This enables more frequent and diverse scientific missions, supports the development of lunar resources, and fosters a commercial ecosystem on the Moon, potentially leading to new industries and economic growth beyond Earth.
What are the primary risks associated with Firefly Aerospace's ability to successfully execute this contract?
Key risks include technical challenges in developing and launching reliable lunar landers, potential delays in mission timelines, and the financial viability of the company in a highly competitive and capital-intensive industry. The fixed-price nature of the contract also exposes Firefly to cost overruns if development proves more expensive than anticipated.
How effectively does this contract contribute to NASA's broader scientific and exploration objectives?
This contract is crucial for achieving NASA's Artemis program goals by providing essential payload delivery services to the lunar surface. It allows for a wider range of scientific instruments and technology demonstrations to be deployed, accelerating our understanding of the Moon and paving the way for future human exploration.
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
Offers Received: 5
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: $113,530,258
Exercised Options: $113,530,258
Current Obligation: $112,770,706
Actual Outlays: $76,615,919
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80HQTR19D0009
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-03-14
Current End Date: 2027-08-31
Potential End Date: 2027-08-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-30
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