NASA's $18.76M Solar Sail System Contract Awarded to Redwire Space Solutions
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $18,758,726 ($18.8M)
Contractor: Redwire Space Solutions, LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2021-06-21
End Date: 2025-12-31
Contract Duration: 1,654 days
Daily Burn Rate: $11.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: SOLAR CRUISER: SOLAR SAIL SYSTEM (SSS) AND ACTIVE MASS TRANSLATOR (AMT)
Place of Performance
Location: LONGMONT, BOULDER County, COLORADO, 80503
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $18.8 million to REDWIRE SPACE SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: SOLAR CRUISER: SOLAR SAIL SYSTEM (SSS) AND ACTIVE MASS TRANSLATOR (AMT) Key points: 1. Contract focuses on advanced space propulsion research and development. 2. Redwire Space Solutions is the sole awardee, raising questions about competition. 3. The contract's cost-plus-fixed-fee structure may pose cost escalation risks. 4. Spending falls within the R&D sector, specifically physical and engineering sciences.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) structure can lead to higher costs compared to fixed-price contracts if not managed carefully. Benchmarking CPFF contracts in R&D is challenging due to unique project scopes.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, Redwire Space Solutions is the sole awardee, which warrants further investigation into the evaluation and selection process to ensure optimal price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are supporting advanced space technology research, with potential long-term benefits for space exploration and commercialization. The CPFF structure necessitates close oversight to ensure cost efficiency.
Public Impact
Advancement of solar sail technology for potential future space missions. Development of active mass translation systems for improved spacecraft maneuverability. Potential for new commercial applications in space logistics and transportation. Contribution to the U.S. leadership in space technology innovation.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee structure may not be the most cost-effective for R&D.
- Sole awardee despite full and open competition needs scrutiny.
- Long contract duration increases exposure to potential cost overruns.
Positive Signals
- Supports critical research and development in space propulsion.
- Awarded to a known entity in the space solutions sector.
- Potential for significant technological advancements.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector. Spending benchmarks for highly specialized R&D projects like solar sail systems are difficult to establish due to their unique nature and technological novelty.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Redwire Space Solutions, LLC, a large business. There is no indication of small business subcontracting participation in the provided data, which could be an area for improvement.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's cost-plus-fixed-fee nature requires robust oversight from NASA to monitor costs, schedule, and performance. Regular reviews and audits will be crucial to ensure accountability and prevent potential cost overruns.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee structure
- Sole awardee despite full and open competition
- Long contract duration
- Lack of explicit small business participation noted
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, co, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $18.8 million to REDWIRE SPACE SOLUTIONS, LLC. SOLAR CRUISER: SOLAR SAIL SYSTEM (SSS) AND ACTIVE MASS TRANSLATOR (AMT)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is REDWIRE SPACE SOLUTIONS, LLC.
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 $18.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-06-21. End: 2025-12-31.
What specific technological advancements are expected from the Solar Sail System (SSS) and Active Mass Translator (AMT) that justify the $18.76 million investment?
The SSS aims to leverage solar radiation pressure for spacecraft propulsion, offering a propellant-less alternative for long-duration missions. The AMT focuses on enabling efficient in-space movement of mass, crucial for orbital maneuvering and station-keeping. These advancements could significantly reduce mission costs and expand the scope of achievable space exploration objectives.
Given the full and open competition, why was Redwire Space Solutions the sole awardee, and what measures are in place to ensure competitive pricing throughout the contract lifecycle?
While the initial award was under full and open competition, the sole awardee status necessitates careful monitoring. NASA likely assessed Redwire's proposal as the most advantageous based on technical merit and cost. Ongoing oversight, including cost analysis and performance reviews, will be critical to ensure fair pricing and prevent potential price creep associated with the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure.
What are the potential risks associated with the 2025 end date and the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure for this R&D contract, and how are they being mitigated?
The extended duration increases exposure to market fluctuations and potential scope creep. The CPFF structure, while allowing flexibility for R&D, carries inherent risks of cost overruns if not tightly managed. Mitigation strategies likely include stringent milestone-based payments, regular performance reviews, detailed cost tracking, and clear change control processes to manage scope and expenditures effectively.
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 › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH
Solicitation ID: NNH17ZDA004O
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Redwire LLC
Address: 2602 CLOVER BASIN DRI STE D, LONGMONT, CO, 80503
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $18,758,726
Exercised Options: $18,758,726
Current Obligation: $18,758,726
Actual Outlays: $18,754,657
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-06-21
Current End Date: 2025-12-31
Potential End Date: 2025-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-01
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