NASA awards $900K contract for advanced atomic magnetometers to QUANTCAD LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $899,999 ($900.0K)
Contractor: Quantcad LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2023-06-06
End Date: 2026-07-31
Contract Duration: 1,151 days
Daily Burn Rate: $782/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: HIGH-SENSITIVITY ISOTOPICALLY-PURIFIED ALL-ELECTRICAL CHIP-SCALE ATOMIC MAGNETOMETERS
Place of Performance
Location: IOWA CITY, JOHNSON County, IOWA, 52245
State: Iowa Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $899,999 to QUANTCAD LLC for work described as: HIGH-SENSITIVITY ISOTOPICALLY-PURIFIED ALL-ELECTRICAL CHIP-SCALE ATOMIC MAGNETOMETERS Key points: 1. Contract awarded for specialized scientific instrumentation, indicating a need for high-precision measurement capabilities. 2. The definitive contract type suggests a long-term relationship for ongoing or phased research and development. 3. Fixed-price contract structure aims to control costs and provide predictability for the government. 4. The award falls under R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences, a critical area for scientific advancement. 5. The contract duration of over three years allows for comprehensive development and testing of the technology.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $899,999 for specialized atomic magnetometers appears reasonable given the niche nature of the technology and the R&D focus. Benchmarking against similar highly specialized scientific equipment procurement is challenging due to limited public data. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests an effort to ensure value for money by shifting cost risk to the contractor.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which is an unusual designation. Typically, 'full and open' implies broad solicitation. The exclusion of sources suggests that while the competition was intended to be open, specific criteria or prior engagements may have limited the pool of eligible bidders. Further clarification on the exclusion rationale is needed to fully assess the competitive landscape.
Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition, even if initially intended to be open, may have resulted in less aggressive pricing than a truly broad solicitation. Taxpayers benefit from the specialized nature of the equipment, but the pricing could potentially be higher than if more bidders were involved.
Public Impact
Researchers and scientists at NASA will benefit from access to advanced atomic magnetometers for their experiments. The contract supports the development of cutting-edge scientific instrumentation, potentially leading to breakthroughs in physics and engineering. The geographic impact is primarily at NASA facilities where the magnetometers will be utilized. The contract supports highly skilled jobs in the scientific and engineering fields, particularly in specialized instrumentation development.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- The 'exclusion of sources' in a 'full and open competition' designation requires further investigation to ensure fair market access.
- The highly specialized nature of the product may limit the number of potential contractors, impacting future competition.
- The long-term nature of the definitive contract could lead to scope creep if not managed carefully.
Positive Signals
- The firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
- The contract supports critical research and development in a specialized scientific field.
- The duration allows for thorough development and validation of the technology.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on advanced scientific instrumentation. The market for highly specialized atomic magnetometers is niche, serving scientific research institutions and potentially defense or medical applications. Spending in this area is driven by the need for increasingly precise measurement capabilities in fields like fundamental physics, materials science, and geophysics. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the specialized nature of the equipment.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that this contract involved small business set-asides. Given the specialized nature of the technology and the likely small number of qualified contractors, it is probable that larger, specialized firms were the primary participants. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not explicitly detailed but could arise if QUANTCAD LLC engages them for specific components or services.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will be managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). As a definitive contract, it likely involves regular reporting and milestone reviews. Transparency is generally maintained through federal contract databases, but specific details of the R&D process and performance metrics may be proprietary. NASA's Inspector General would have jurisdiction over any potential fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Research and Development Contracts
- Scientific Instrumentation Procurement
- Advanced Physics Research
- Definitive Contracts
- Firm Fixed Price Contracts
Risk Flags
- Unusual competition designation requires further review.
- Potential for limited competition impacting price discovery.
- Highly specialized technology may limit future contractor pool.
Tags
nasa, quantcad-llc, research-and-development, physical-engineering-life-sciences, definitive-contract, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition-after-exclusion-of-sources, atomic-magnetometers, scientific-instrumentation, iowa, high-sensitivity, chip-scale
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $899,999 to QUANTCAD LLC. HIGH-SENSITIVITY ISOTOPICALLY-PURIFIED ALL-ELECTRICAL CHIP-SCALE ATOMIC MAGNETOMETERS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is QUANTCAD 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 $899,999.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-06-06. End: 2026-07-31.
What is the specific technical capability of these "HIGH-SENSITIVITY ISOTOPICALLY-PURIFIED ALL-ELECTRICAL CHIP-SCALE ATOMIC MAGNETOMETERS" and why are they critical for NASA's mission?
These magnetometers are designed for extremely precise measurement of magnetic fields at a chip scale, utilizing atomic principles. The 'isotopically-purified' aspect suggests enhanced accuracy and reduced noise. Such devices are critical for NASA's mission in areas like fundamental physics research, space weather prediction, understanding planetary magnetic fields, and potentially for advanced navigation or sensor systems in spacecraft. Their high sensitivity allows for the detection of subtle magnetic phenomena that are otherwise undetectable, pushing the boundaries of scientific understanding and technological application in space exploration and Earth science.
Can the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' designation be clarified, and what does it imply for the competitive process?
The designation 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' is indeed unusual and warrants clarification. Typically, 'Full and Open Competition' means all responsible sources are permitted to submit offers. The 'Exclusion of Sources' clause suggests that while the intent was broad competition, specific sources were intentionally excluded, possibly due to unique capabilities, prior development work, or specific security requirements. This could imply that only a select few companies were eligible to bid, potentially limiting the breadth of innovation and price competition compared to a truly unrestricted solicitation. Understanding the justification for excluding other sources is key to assessing the true level of competition.
How does the $899,999 contract value compare to similar procurements for advanced atomic magnetometers?
Benchmarking the $899,999 contract value for these highly specialized atomic magnetometers is challenging due to the niche market and limited public data on comparable procurements. The price reflects the advanced R&D nature, the specific isotopic purification, and the chip-scale integration. For context, custom-built scientific instruments with similar precision requirements can range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on complexity and scale. Given the description, this value appears to be within a plausible range for cutting-edge, low-volume scientific equipment, especially considering the R&D phase and the contractor's specialized expertise.
What are the potential risks associated with a definitive contract for R&D in this specialized field?
Risks associated with a definitive contract for R&D in specialized fields include technical feasibility challenges, where the desired technological advancements may prove more difficult or impossible to achieve within the project timeline and budget. There's also the risk of cost overruns if the fixed-price nature doesn't adequately account for unforeseen R&D complexities. Contractor performance risk exists, as the success relies heavily on QUANTCAD LLC's expertise and execution. Furthermore, the rapid pace of technological development means the procured technology could become obsolete before or shortly after its completion, impacting its long-term utility.
What is QUANTCAD LLC's track record in developing and delivering advanced scientific instrumentation, particularly atomic magnetometers?
Information regarding QUANTCAD LLC's specific track record in developing and delivering advanced scientific instrumentation, particularly atomic magnetometers, is not detailed in the provided data. A thorough assessment would require reviewing their past performance on government contracts, commercial projects, publications, and any available client testimonials or case studies. Understanding their history with similar technologies, their success rate in R&D projects, and their ability to meet delivery schedules and quality standards is crucial for evaluating their capability to fulfill this NASA contract successfully.
What are the historical spending patterns for NASA in the R&D category of physical, engineering, and life sciences?
Historical spending patterns for NASA in the R&D category of 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' (NAICS 541715) are substantial and fluctuate based on agency priorities and budget allocations. NASA consistently invests billions annually across various scientific disciplines, including fundamental physics, materials science, aerospace engineering, and life sciences for space exploration. Specific figures for NAICS 541715 would require detailed analysis of NASA's historical budget documents and contract databases. This particular $900K contract represents a small fraction of NASA's overall R&D expenditure but signifies investment in cutting-edge technological development.
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: 1165 OAKES DR, IOWA CITY, IA, 52245
Business Categories: Category Business, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $899,999
Exercised Options: $899,999
Current Obligation: $899,999
Actual Outlays: $777,022
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-06-06
Current End Date: 2026-07-31
Potential End Date: 2026-07-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-06
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