NASA Awards Axiom Space $30.4M for Space Vehicle Manufacturing, Spanning 5 Years
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $30,429,748 ($30.4M)
Contractor: Axiom Space Inc
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2024-09-27
End Date: 2029-09-27
Contract Duration: 1,826 days
Daily Burn Rate: $16.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: SPECIAL STUDIES
Place of Performance
Location: HOUSTON, HARRIS County, TEXAS, 77058
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $30.4 million to AXIOM SPACE INC for work described as: SPECIAL STUDIES Key points: 1. Significant contract for space vehicle manufacturing awarded to Axiom Space Inc. 2. Full and open competition indicates a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. Firm fixed price contract type offers cost certainty for NASA. 4. The contract duration of 5 years suggests a long-term need for these services.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The award amount of $30.4 million over five years appears reasonable for specialized space vehicle manufacturing. Benchmarking against similar NASA contracts for guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing would provide a more precise assessment of value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: The firm fixed price structure helps control costs, ensuring taxpayer funds are used efficiently for this specialized manufacturing requirement.
Public Impact
Supports the advancement of space exploration and technology development. Potential for job creation and economic impact in the aerospace sector. Ensures continued capability in guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing for national interests.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns if scope expands beyond initial estimates.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical manufacturing capabilities.
Positive Signals
- Clear contract duration and pricing structure.
- Awarded through a competitive process.
- Supports a key agency mission.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing sector, a highly specialized area of the aerospace industry. Spending in this sector is often driven by national security and space exploration initiatives, with significant R&D investment.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors or partners in this award. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
NASA's procurement processes are subject to oversight from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Inspector General (IG). The competitive award process itself is a form of accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for scope creep leading to cost increases.
- Reliance on a single entity for critical manufacturing.
- Technological obsolescence risk in a rapidly evolving field.
- Supply chain disruptions impacting production timelines.
Tags
guided-missile-and-space-vehicle-manufac, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, tx, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $30.4 million to AXIOM SPACE INC. SPECIAL STUDIES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AXIOM SPACE 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 $30.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-09-27. End: 2029-09-27.
What specific types of space vehicles or components will be manufactured under this contract?
The provided data specifies 'Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing' but lacks granular detail on the exact nature of the vehicles or components. Understanding the specific deliverables is crucial for assessing the technical scope, associated risks, and the overall value proposition of the $30.4 million award.
How does the per-unit cost benchmark for similar space vehicle manufacturing contracts compare to this award?
Without access to a database of comparable contracts for guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing, a precise per-unit cost benchmark is unavailable. A thorough review of historical NASA contracts and industry data would be necessary to establish a reliable benchmark and assess if Axiom Space's pricing is competitive.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and milestones NASA will use to measure the effectiveness of this contract?
The provided data does not detail the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or milestones for this contract. Effective oversight would require clearly defined metrics related to production timelines, quality control, adherence to specifications, and successful delivery of the manufactured space vehicles or components.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing › Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: LEASE/RENT EQUIPMENT › LEASE OR RENTAL OF EQUIPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1290 HERCULES AVE STE 120, HOUSTON, TX, 77058
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $30,668,748
Exercised Options: $30,668,748
Current Obligation: $30,429,748
Actual Outlays: $23,517,262
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80JSC022DA022
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-09-27
Current End Date: 2029-09-27
Potential End Date: 2029-09-27 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-14
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