NASA awards $1.09M for silicon carbide panel fabrication, citing R&D in physical sciences
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $1,088,267 ($1.1M)
Contractor: General Electric Company
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2021-09-21
End Date: 2023-07-31
Contract Duration: 678 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.6K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: FABRICATION OF SILICON CARBIDE/SILICON CARBIDE PANELS FOR CHARACTERIZATION UTILIZING THE MELT INFILTRATION DENSIFICATION PROCESS
Place of Performance
Location: CINCINNATI, HAMILTON County, OHIO, 45215
State: Ohio Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $1.1 million to GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY for work described as: FABRICATION OF SILICON CARBIDE/SILICON CARBIDE PANELS FOR CHARACTERIZATION UTILIZING THE MELT INFILTRATION DENSIFICATION PROCESS Key points: 1. Contract focuses on advanced materials research for specialized applications. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and potential cost efficiencies. 3. Research and Development (R&D) nature implies inherent technical risks. 4. Performance period spans nearly two years, indicating a substantial research effort. 5. Geographic concentration in Ohio for contract performance.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $1.09 million for R&D in advanced materials fabrication appears moderate for specialized research. Without specific benchmarks for silicon carbide panel fabrication using the melt infiltration densification process, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the sole-source nature of the award suggests limited opportunity for competitive pricing, potentially leading to higher costs than a competed contract. Further analysis would require comparing this to similar R&D efforts in advanced materials.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one vendor, General Electric Company, was solicited. This approach is typically justified when a unique capability or proprietary technology is required, or in cases of urgent need. The lack of competition means that NASA did not benefit from a bidding process that could drive down prices or encourage innovative solutions from multiple offerors. This limits the agency's ability to ensure it received the best possible value through market forces.
Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition for this sole-source award means taxpayers did not benefit from the price discovery mechanisms inherent in a competitive bidding process, potentially resulting in a higher overall cost for the research.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiary is NASA, which gains access to specialized silicon carbide panels for research purposes. The contract supports advancements in materials science, potentially leading to new technologies in aerospace or other high-performance sectors. Research activities are concentrated in Ohio, potentially benefiting the local scientific and technical workforce. The outcome of this R&D could have broader implications for the development of next-generation materials.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competitive pressure on pricing.
- R&D contracts inherently carry technical risks that may impact successful delivery.
- Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data makes outcome assessment difficult.
Positive Signals
- Award to a well-established entity (General Electric Company) suggests a degree of reliability.
- Focus on advanced materials research aligns with strategic technological development goals.
- Clear definition of the research objective (fabrication of specific panels) provides focus.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on advanced materials like silicon carbide. The market for specialized materials fabrication, particularly for aerospace and defense applications, is often characterized by high technical barriers to entry and a limited number of highly capable suppliers. NASA's spending in this area supports innovation and the development of next-generation technologies. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found within other government R&D contracts for advanced materials or specialized component manufacturing.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not set aside for small businesses and General Electric Company is a large business. There is no indication of subcontracting plans for small businesses within the provided data. Therefore, this award is unlikely to have a direct positive impact on the small business ecosystem, nor does it reflect specific efforts to engage small businesses in this specialized R&D effort.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). As a cost-plus fixed-fee contract, NASA would monitor the contractor's costs and ensure adherence to the fixed fee. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases, but specific oversight mechanisms like regular progress reviews or independent technical evaluations are not detailed in the provided summary. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Research and Development Contracts
- Advanced Materials Research
- Aerospace Technology Development
- Silicon Carbide Applications
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award may limit price competition.
- R&D contracts carry inherent technical and performance risks.
- Lack of detailed performance metrics hinders outcome assessment.
Tags
research-and-development, nasa, general-electric-company, ohio, cost-plus-fixed-fee, sole-source, advanced-materials, silicon-carbide, fabrication, physical-sciences
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $1.1 million to GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY. FABRICATION OF SILICON CARBIDE/SILICON CARBIDE PANELS FOR CHARACTERIZATION UTILIZING THE MELT INFILTRATION DENSIFICATION PROCESS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY.
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 $1.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-09-21. End: 2023-07-31.
What is the specific technical objective of fabricating silicon carbide/silicon carbide panels using the melt infiltration densification process?
The specific technical objective is to develop and characterize silicon carbide (SiC) composite materials, likely for high-temperature or high-stress applications where SiC's inherent properties are advantageous. The 'melt infiltration densification process' is a manufacturing technique used to create these composite structures. The research aims to understand how this process affects the material's properties, such as strength, thermal conductivity, and resistance to degradation, potentially for use in components like turbine blades, heat shields, or structural elements in extreme environments. The characterization phase involves rigorous testing to quantify these properties and validate the manufacturing process.
How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type influence the risk allocation between NASA and General Electric Company?
In a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract, the contractor (General Electric Company) is reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. This structure places the primary cost risk on the government (NASA). If the research costs exceed initial estimates, NASA is obligated to cover those additional costs. General Electric Company's risk is primarily related to managing costs efficiently to avoid jeopardizing the fixed fee and ensuring the technical objectives are met within the scope of the contract. NASA bears the financial risk of cost overruns, while GE is incentivized to perform the work effectively to earn its fee.
What are the potential risks associated with the 'melt infiltration densification process' for silicon carbide panel fabrication?
The melt infiltration densification process for silicon carbide panels can present several risks. These include achieving uniform infiltration, which is critical for consistent material properties and avoiding defects like voids or microcracks. There's a risk of undesirable chemical reactions between the molten infiltrant and the SiC matrix, potentially degrading material performance. Controlling the process parameters (temperature, pressure, time) precisely is crucial, and deviations can lead to inconsistent results or material failure. Furthermore, scaling this process from laboratory to production levels can introduce new challenges and risks related to reproducibility and cost-effectiveness.
What is the typical duration and cost range for similar R&D contracts in advanced materials fabrication?
The duration and cost range for similar R&D contracts in advanced materials fabrication can vary significantly based on complexity, material type, and objectives. Contracts focusing on novel material synthesis or complex manufacturing processes, like the one awarded to General Electric Company for SiC panels, often span 1-3 years. Costs can range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars. For instance, R&D efforts in ceramic matrix composites or high-temperature alloys for aerospace applications frequently fall within the $0.5 million to $5 million range. The $1.09 million award for this specific fabrication process appears to be within the moderate range for such specialized R&D.
What are the implications of General Electric Company being the sole awardee for this specific research?
The implication of General Electric Company being the sole awardee is that NASA has determined GE possesses unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or essential expertise required for this specific research that cannot be readily obtained from other sources. This is often justified under specific circumstances outlined in federal acquisition regulations (e.g., limited sources, follow-on work to a previous sole-source effort). However, it means NASA did not leverage competitive forces to potentially achieve better pricing or explore alternative technical approaches. It also suggests a reliance on GE's specific knowledge base and infrastructure for the successful completion of this R&D.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Transportation R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1 NEUMANN WAY, CINCINNATI, OH, 45215
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $1,108,211
Exercised Options: $1,108,211
Current Obligation: $1,088,267
Actual Outlays: $1,023,530
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80LARC21D0002
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-09-21
Current End Date: 2023-07-31
Potential End Date: 2023-07-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-01
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