NASA Awards $57.5M Firm Fixed Price CLPS Contract to Firefly Aerospace for Lunar Delivery
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $57,536,920 ($57.5M)
Contractor: Firefly Aerospace Inc
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2025-07-29
End Date: 2030-04-02
Contract Duration: 1,708 days
Daily Burn Rate: $33.7K/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) CONTRACT TASK ORDER CS-6.
Place of Performance
Location: CEDAR PARK, WILLIAMSON County, TEXAS, 78613
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $57.5 million to FIREFLY AEROSPACE INC for work described as: COMMERCIAL LUNAR PAYLOAD SERVICES (CLPS) CONTRACT TASK ORDER CS-6. Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is for lunar payload delivery services, a critical component of space exploration. 3. Firefly Aerospace, a relatively new player, secures a significant contract, highlighting industry competition. 4. The firm fixed price structure aims to control costs for the government.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $57.5 million for lunar payload delivery appears reasonable given the scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar space exploration contracts is difficult due to the unique nature of lunar services, but the firm fixed price suggests cost certainty.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' suggesting a competitive process where multiple vendors were considered. This method generally promotes price discovery and ensures the government receives competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for this space exploration initiative.
Public Impact
Advancement of NASA's lunar exploration goals and scientific objectives. Potential for new technologies and commercial opportunities in the burgeoning space economy. Support for the development and operational capabilities of commercial space companies like Firefly Aerospace.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for schedule delays in complex space missions.
- Reliance on a single vendor for a critical delivery task.
- Unforeseen technical challenges in lunar operations.
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty.
- Competitive award process likely secured favorable pricing.
- Supports NASA's strategic lunar objectives.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the aerospace and defense sector, specifically focusing on commercial space services. Spending in this area is growing as government agencies increasingly leverage private sector capabilities for space missions.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates the awardee is Firefly Aerospace Inc., located in Texas. There is no explicit mention of small business participation in this specific task order, and the 'sb' field is false.
Oversight & Accountability
NASA's oversight mechanisms for such contracts typically involve rigorous technical reviews, performance monitoring, and financial audits to ensure mission success and responsible use of funds.
Related Government Programs
- Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Technological risks associated with lunar missions.
- Potential for launch or in-space mission failures.
- Dependency on a single contractor for a critical delivery.
- Schedule adherence challenges in space exploration.
Tags
nonscheduled-chartered-freight-air-trans, 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 $57.5 million to FIREFLY AEROSPACE INC. COMMERCIAL LUNAR PAYLOAD SERVICES (CLPS) CONTRACT TASK ORDER CS-6.
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 $57.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-07-29. End: 2030-04-02.
What is the specific payload or mission objective for this CLPS contract?
The provided data does not specify the exact payload or mission objective for CLPS Contract Task Order CS-6. CLPS contracts are designed to support NASA's scientific and exploration goals on the Moon, which can include delivering scientific instruments, technology demonstrations, or resources.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for Firefly Aerospace under this contract?
Key performance indicators would likely include successful payload delivery to the specified lunar location, adherence to mission timelines, operational reliability of the spacecraft, and data return. NASA typically sets stringent performance standards for CLPS missions to ensure scientific and exploration objectives are met.
How does the cost of this contract compare to previous or similar lunar delivery missions?
Direct cost comparison is challenging as lunar delivery services are a relatively new and evolving market. However, the $57.5 million firm fixed price for a multi-year delivery contract suggests a competitive market is developing. NASA's procurement process aims to achieve value for money through competition.
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: $176,676,853
Exercised Options: $176,676,853
Current Obligation: $57,536,920
Actual Outlays: $26,501,528
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80HQTR19D0009
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-07-29
Current End Date: 2030-04-02
Potential End Date: 2030-04-02 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-27
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