NASA's $2.26M MIDAS contract awarded to Opto-Knowledge Systems Inc. for R&D services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,257,331 ($2.3M)
Contractor: Opto-Knowledge Systems Inc
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2022-09-27
End Date: 2027-02-28
Contract Duration: 1,615 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.4K/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: MIDAS: MULTISPECTRAL IMAGING AND DATA ACQUISITION SERVICE
Place of Performance
Location: TORRANCE, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 90502
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $2.3 million to OPTO-KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS INC for work described as: MIDAS: MULTISPECTRAL IMAGING AND DATA ACQUISITION SERVICE Key points: 1. Contract focuses on advanced imaging and data acquisition for R&D. 2. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources. 3. Risk appears moderate given the fixed-price contract type. 4. Sector is Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $2.26M over approximately 4.5 years appears reasonable for specialized R&D services. Benchmarking against similar complex imaging and data acquisition contracts would provide further validation.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' indicates a competitive process was initiated, likely after an initial phase or specific requirement was identified. This method aims to ensure fair pricing and access for qualified vendors.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process is expected to yield fair market value, minimizing unnecessary taxpayer expenditure for this specialized R&D service.
Public Impact
Supports NASA's research initiatives in advanced imaging technologies. Potential for technological advancements with broad scientific applications. Contract duration allows for in-depth research and development.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep in R&D projects.
- Dependence on a single contractor for specialized services.
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract limits cost overrun risk.
- Clear contract end date provides budget certainty.
- Competition after exclusion of sources suggests a structured procurement.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the R&D sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for innovation but can be subject to long development cycles and uncertain outcomes.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was sought or if opportunities were missed.
Oversight & Accountability
NASA's procurement processes are generally robust. Oversight would focus on performance metrics, adherence to R&D milestones, and effective management of the contract by the agency.
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
- Potential for R&D scope creep.
- Contractor's ability to deliver highly specialized technology.
- Long contract duration increases exposure to market/technology shifts.
- Limited visibility into specific R&D milestones and deliverables.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, ca, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $2.3 million to OPTO-KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS INC. MIDAS: MULTISPECTRAL IMAGING AND DATA ACQUISITION SERVICE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is OPTO-KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS 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 $2.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-09-27. End: 2027-02-28.
What specific technological advancements are expected from the MIDAS service, and how will they benefit NASA's broader mission objectives?
The MIDAS service is expected to yield advancements in multispectral imaging and data acquisition capabilities. These improvements could enhance NASA's ability to analyze celestial bodies, monitor Earth's climate, or support deep space exploration missions by providing higher resolution and more comprehensive data sets for scientific analysis and decision-making.
What are the primary risks associated with the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method for this R&D contract?
The primary risk is that excluding certain sources might inadvertently limit the pool of highly qualified vendors, potentially impacting the final price or the innovative solutions available. It could also raise questions about the justification for exclusion if not clearly documented and defensible, potentially leading to protests or perceptions of unfairness.
How effectively does the Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type manage the inherent uncertainties of R&D projects like MIDAS?
An FFP contract provides cost certainty for the government, transferring most of the cost risk to the contractor. For R&D, this can incentivize efficiency but may also lead contractors to propose conservative solutions or potentially cut corners if unforeseen technical challenges arise, impacting the depth of innovation achieved within the fixed price.
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: 19805 HAMILTON AVE, TORRANCE, CA, 90502
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $2,257,331
Exercised Options: $2,257,331
Current Obligation: $2,257,331
Actual Outlays: $2,010,442
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-09-27
Current End Date: 2027-02-28
Potential End Date: 2027-02-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-23
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