NASA awards $5M R&D contract for advanced lunar maneuvering vehicles to Flight Works, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $4,999,071 ($5.0M)
Contractor: Flight Works, Inc
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2022-09-29
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,462 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.4K/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: EO14042 PHASE II LUNAR SEQUENTIAL - HIGH-PERFORMANCE, HIGH THRUST, "GREEN" ORBITAL MANEUVERING VEHICLE FOR LUNAR AND DEEP SPACE MISSIONS
Place of Performance
Location: IRVINE, ORANGE County, CALIFORNIA, 92614
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $5.0 million to FLIGHT WORKS, INC for work described as: EO14042 PHASE II LUNAR SEQUENTIAL - HIGH-PERFORMANCE, HIGH THRUST, "GREEN" ORBITAL MANEUVERING VEHICLE FOR LUNAR AND DEEP SPACE MISSIONS Key points: 1. Contract focuses on developing high-performance, "green" orbital maneuvering technology for lunar and deep space missions. 2. Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences is the primary sector for this award. 3. The contract duration of 1462 days indicates a significant, long-term investment in technology maturation. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests defined costs and risks for both parties. 5. The award was made under Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources, implying a specific justification for limited initial bidders. 6. This contract represents a strategic investment in advancing space exploration capabilities beyond Earth's orbit.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $4,999,071 for a 4-year R&D effort appears reasonable for developing novel space propulsion technology. Benchmarking against similar advanced propulsion system development contracts is challenging due to the specialized nature of the 'green' orbital maneuvering vehicle. However, the firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty. The award amount is within the expected range for early-stage, high-risk R&D in aerospace.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be open, specific sources were excluded, likely due to unique capabilities or prior development work. The exact number of bidders is not specified, but the exclusion suggests a limited pool of qualified entities. This approach can sometimes lead to higher prices if the qualified bidder pool is small.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the focused development of advanced technology that could lead to more efficient and environmentally friendly space missions, potentially reducing long-term operational costs.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA and the broader U.S. space exploration program, which will gain advanced propulsion capabilities. The contract will deliver a high-performance, high-thrust, 'green' orbital maneuvering vehicle prototype. The geographic impact is primarily within the aerospace R&D sector, with potential for technology transfer to commercial space ventures. Workforce implications include specialized engineering and scientific roles in propulsion development and testing.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition may have resulted in a less competitive price than a truly full and open process.
- The 'green' aspect of the propulsion system requires rigorous testing to ensure environmental and safety standards are met.
- Technological risks associated with developing novel propulsion systems could impact project timelines and success.
- Dependence on a single contractor for this specialized technology raises concerns about long-term sustainment and future development.
Positive Signals
- Focus on 'green' propulsion aligns with environmental sustainability goals in space exploration.
- Development of high-performance maneuvering capabilities is critical for future lunar and deep space mission success.
- Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost predictability for the government.
- The contract supports innovation in a critical area of aerospace technology.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the aerospace and defense R&D sector, specifically focusing on advanced propulsion systems. The market for such specialized technologies is characterized by high barriers to entry, significant R&D investment, and a limited number of highly skilled contractors. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish precisely due to the unique nature of 'green' orbital maneuvering, but R&D contracts for novel aerospace components can range from millions to tens of millions of dollars depending on complexity and maturity.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'sb': false. The prime contractor, Flight Works, Inc., is likely a small business itself, but the contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting plans for small businesses, which could limit their direct involvement in this specific project.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The firm fixed-price contract type provides a degree of financial oversight by fixing the total cost. Accountability will be measured against the defined milestones and performance requirements in the contract. Transparency is facilitated through NASA's contract reporting, though detailed technical progress reports are typically proprietary.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Advanced Propulsion Research
- Lunar Gateway Program
- Deep Space Exploration Technologies
- Orbital Maneuvering Systems Development
- Green Propellant Research
Risk Flags
- Limited competition may impact price.
- Technological feasibility risk.
- Long-term sustainment of specialized technology.
- Environmental compliance verification for 'green' propellants.
Tags
research-and-development, aerospace, nasa, california, definitive-contract, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition-after-exclusion-of-sources, orbital-maneuvering, lunar-missions, deep-space-missions, propulsion-systems, green-technology
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $5.0 million to FLIGHT WORKS, INC. EO14042 PHASE II LUNAR SEQUENTIAL - HIGH-PERFORMANCE, HIGH THRUST, "GREEN" ORBITAL MANEUVERING VEHICLE FOR LUNAR AND DEEP SPACE MISSIONS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is FLIGHT WORKS, 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 $5.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-09-29. End: 2026-09-30.
What is the specific 'green' technology being developed, and what are its advantages over traditional propellants?
The contract specifies a 'green' orbital maneuvering vehicle, implying the use of propellants that are less toxic and more environmentally benign than traditional hypergolic fuels (like hydrazine). While the exact 'green' propellant is not detailed in the provided data, common examples include ADN-based propellants (like LMP-103S) or hydroxylammonium nitrate (HAN)-based propellants. These 'green' alternatives offer advantages such as reduced toxicity during handling and storage, lower environmental impact, and potentially higher performance or density-specific impulse compared to some traditional options. The development aims to enhance safety for astronauts and ground crews, simplify mission logistics, and contribute to more sustainable space operations.
How does the 'Exclusion of Sources' clause in the competition impact the value for money?
The 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources' clause suggests that NASA initially considered a broader range of potential contractors but ultimately excluded certain sources before proceeding with a competition among the remaining qualified entities. This exclusion could be based on factors like proprietary technology, unique capabilities, prior development investment, or specific performance requirements that only a limited number of firms could meet. While it aims to ensure the best possible solution is found, excluding potential bidders can limit the competitive pressure on pricing. If the pool of eligible bidders is small, the government might not achieve the lowest possible price compared to a truly open competition where numerous firms could vie for the contract. Therefore, the value for money might be slightly compromised if the exclusion significantly reduced the number of competitive offers.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will success be measured?
Key performance indicators for this contract would likely revolve around the technical performance of the orbital maneuvering vehicle. These would include metrics such as thrust level, specific impulse (efficiency), propellant consumption rate, ignition reliability, throttling capability, system lifetime (number of cycles), and the environmental characteristics of the exhaust products. Success will be measured by Flight Works, Inc.'s ability to meet or exceed the specified performance thresholds outlined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW). NASA will likely conduct rigorous testing and evaluation of prototypes or subsystems to verify these KPIs. Failure to meet critical performance parameters could result in contract modifications, penalties, or termination, depending on the contract's terms and the severity of the deficiency.
What is Flight Works, Inc.'s track record in developing advanced aerospace propulsion systems?
Information regarding Flight Works, Inc.'s specific track record in developing advanced aerospace propulsion systems is not detailed in the provided contract data. To assess their capabilities, further research into the company's history, previous contracts (especially with NASA or other space agencies), published technical papers, and demonstrated technologies would be necessary. Companies involved in developing novel propulsion, particularly 'green' alternatives, often have specialized expertise stemming from prior R&D efforts, university collaborations, or spin-offs from larger aerospace firms. A thorough review of their portfolio and past performance would be crucial for a comprehensive understanding of their suitability for this high-stakes R&D contract.
How does this $5 million contract compare to historical NASA spending on similar R&D initiatives for space propulsion?
A $5 million contract for R&D in advanced space propulsion is a moderate investment. NASA's spending on propulsion R&D varies significantly based on the technology's maturity and scope. Early-stage research into novel concepts or specific components might receive funding in the single-digit millions, as seen here. However, development of more mature technologies, flight-qualified systems, or large-scale propulsion units for major missions (like Mars transit or heavy-lift launch vehicles) can command tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars over several years. This contract appears to be focused on a specific, high-performance component ('green' orbital maneuvering vehicle) rather than an entire propulsion system, making its value appropriate for its targeted scope within the broader landscape of NASA's propulsion R&D investments.
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: 17905 SKY PARK CIR STE F, IRVINE, CA, 92614
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $4,999,071
Exercised Options: $4,999,071
Current Obligation: $4,999,071
Actual Outlays: $4,501,761
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-09-29
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2026-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-11
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