NASA Awards $6.7M for Advanced Doppler Lidar with PIC Upgrades to Psionic, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $6,731,332 ($6.7M)
Contractor: Psionic, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2022-01-13
End Date: 2026-07-30
Contract Duration: 1,659 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 500
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: COMPACT COMMERCIAL NAVIGATION DOPPLER LIDAR WITH PHOTONIC-INTEGRATED-CIRCUIT UPGRADES
Place of Performance
Location: HAMPTON, HAMPTON CITY County, VIRGINIA, 23666
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $6.7 million to PSIONIC, INC. for work described as: COMPACT COMMERCIAL NAVIGATION DOPPLER LIDAR WITH PHOTONIC-INTEGRATED-CIRCUIT UPGRADES Key points: 1. Contract focuses on R&D for advanced navigation technology. 2. Psionic, Inc. is the sole awardee, raising questions about competition. 3. Potential risks include technology maturity and vendor lock-in. 4. Spending aligns with the R&D sector, but specific benchmarks are unavailable.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $6.7M for R&D is moderate. Without specific benchmarks for similar advanced lidar systems, a direct pricing assessment is difficult. The firm fixed-price structure provides some cost certainty.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
This was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating a limited competition. This method may lead to higher prices than full and open competition due to reduced market pressure.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for advanced technology development. The limited competition might result in a less optimal price for the government.
Public Impact
Advancement in navigation technology could have future commercial and scientific applications. Investment in cutting-edge R&D signals a commitment to technological leadership. The specific application of this lidar system is not detailed, limiting public understanding of its immediate impact.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition
- Lack of specific performance metrics
- Potential for cost overruns if technology proves difficult to develop
Positive Signals
- Investment in innovative technology
- Firm fixed-price contract structure
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical and engineering sciences. Benchmarking is challenging due to the specialized nature of the technology, but R&D spending can vary significantly based on technological advancement and agency priorities.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not awarded to a small business. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses in the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by NASA, a federal agency with established oversight mechanisms. However, the limited competition aspect warrants closer monitoring to ensure fair pricing and effective use of funds.
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
- Limited competition may result in suboptimal pricing.
- Lack of transparency regarding source exclusion justification.
- Potential for technology development risks and delays.
- No clear indication of small business participation.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, va, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $6.7 million to PSIONIC, INC.. COMPACT COMMERCIAL NAVIGATION DOPPLER LIDAR WITH PHOTONIC-INTEGRATED-CIRCUIT UPGRADES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is PSIONIC, 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 $6.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-01-13. End: 2026-07-30.
What is the specific intended application of this advanced Doppler Lidar system, and how does it align with NASA's broader research objectives?
The provided data does not specify the exact application of the compact commercial navigation Doppler Lidar. However, given NASA's mission, potential applications could include advanced aircraft navigation, autonomous vehicle guidance, or atmospheric research. Further details would be needed to understand its alignment with specific NASA research objectives and its contribution to scientific advancement or space exploration goals.
What were the justifications for excluding other potential sources, and how was the pricing determined to be fair and reasonable under limited competition?
The justification for excluding other sources is not detailed in the provided data. Typically, this occurs when only one source possesses unique capabilities or proprietary technology. The pricing was likely determined through negotiation, with the agency assessing it as fair and reasonable based on available cost data, market research, or historical pricing for similar, albeit less advanced, systems. Independent cost analysis would be crucial for validation.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this R&D contract, and how will success be measured to ensure effective use of taxpayer funds?
Key performance indicators are not explicitly stated in the provided data. For an R&D contract of this nature, success would likely be measured by the successful development and demonstration of the upgraded Doppler Lidar system meeting defined technical specifications, such as range, accuracy, and reliability. NASA's contracting officers would monitor progress through technical reviews and milestone achievements to ensure effective use of funds.
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 › General Science and Technology R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 500
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1100 EXPLORATION WAY STE 209, HAMPTON, VA, 23666
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $6,784,593
Exercised Options: $6,731,332
Current Obligation: $6,731,332
Actual Outlays: $5,520,717
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-01-13
Current End Date: 2026-07-30
Potential End Date: 2026-07-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-11
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