NASA awards $2.49M R&D contract for battery management systems to Electric Power Systems Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,487,089 ($2.5M)
Contractor: Electric Power Systems Inc
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2023-09-15
End Date: 2025-12-15
Contract Duration: 822 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.0K/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: ACTIVE BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WITH PHYSICS BASED LIFE MODELING TOPOLOGY
Place of Performance
Location: LOGAN, CACHE County, UTAH, 84321
State: Utah Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $2.5 million to ELECTRIC POWER SYSTEMS INC for work described as: ACTIVE BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WITH PHYSICS BASED LIFE MODELING TOPOLOGY Key points: 1. Contract focuses on advanced battery management systems with physics-based life modeling. 2. Research and Development sector for Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 3. Contract awarded via full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type indicates defined scope and cost certainty. 5. Performance period spans over two years, from September 2023 to December 2025. 6. Contract value is $2,487,089, with a base value of $302,600. 7. Electric Power Systems Inc. is the sole awardee. 8. Contract is for definitive contract type with a duration of 822 days.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $2.49 million for R&D in battery management systems appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the work. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts in advanced energy storage is challenging due to the unique physics-based modeling requirement. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests a degree of cost control and predictability for the government. The base award of $302,600 indicates an initial phase, with potential for growth up to the ceiling.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This indicates that while the competition was open, certain sources may have been excluded based on specific criteria, possibly related to technical capabilities or prior exclusions. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' designation generally implies a competitive process aimed at achieving the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: This competitive approach, even with exclusions, aims to ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by seeking proposals from qualified entities and potentially driving down costs through a structured bidding process.
Public Impact
Benefits NASA's research and development efforts in advanced energy storage solutions. Services delivered will advance the state-of-the-art in battery management systems. Geographic impact is primarily within NASA's research facilities, with potential for broader application in aerospace and energy sectors. Workforce implications include specialized R&D roles in electrical engineering and physics.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for limited number of bidders due to specialized technical requirements.
- Exclusion of sources, even if justified, may limit the breadth of competition.
- Dependence on a single contractor for this specific technology development.
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
- Focus on R&D aligns with NASA's mission to advance scientific and technological capabilities.
- Award to a specialized firm suggests expertise in the required domain.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on advanced physical and engineering sciences related to energy storage. The market for battery management systems is growing rapidly, driven by electric vehicles, grid storage, and aerospace applications. NASA's investment in physics-based life modeling for batteries is a niche but critical area that could lead to significant improvements in battery performance, safety, and longevity across various industries.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside criterion for this award. Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses through this specific contract is likely minimal. However, the prime contractor, Electric Power Systems Inc., may engage small businesses as subcontractors, though this is not explicitly detailed in the provided data. The focus on specialized R&D may also mean the primary awardee is a larger, more established entity in the field.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by NASA's contracting officers and program managers responsible for research and development initiatives. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified outcomes within the agreed budget. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases and public reporting, though specific technical details of the R&D may be proprietary. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Research and Development Programs
- Advanced Battery Technology Initiatives
- Aerospace Power Systems Research
- Energy Storage Solutions
Risk Flags
- Potential for limited competition due to specialized R&D requirements.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical technology development.
- Technical risks inherent in advanced R&D projects.
Tags
research-and-development, nasa, electric-power-systems-inc, battery-management-system, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, aerospace, energy-storage, utah, definitive-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $2.5 million to ELECTRIC POWER SYSTEMS INC. ACTIVE BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WITH PHYSICS BASED LIFE MODELING TOPOLOGY
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ELECTRIC POWER 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 $2.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-09-15. End: 2025-12-15.
What is the track record of Electric Power Systems Inc. with NASA or similar government agencies?
Information regarding Electric Power Systems Inc.'s specific track record with NASA or other government agencies is not detailed in the provided data snippet. A comprehensive analysis would require accessing contract databases like FPDS or SAM.gov to review past performance, award history, and any reported issues or successes. Typically, agencies assess a contractor's past performance as part of the source selection process, especially for R&D contracts where demonstrated capability is crucial. Without this specific data, it's difficult to definitively assess their reliability and expertise in fulfilling government contracts.
How does the $2.49 million contract value compare to similar R&D efforts in battery management systems?
The $2.49 million contract value for R&D in battery management systems with physics-based life modeling is within a typical range for specialized research projects. However, direct comparisons are difficult without knowing the specific scope, duration, and complexity of other similar contracts. R&D contracts can vary significantly in cost based on the novelty of the technology, the required expertise, and the intended application (e.g., aerospace vs. consumer electronics). NASA's focus on 'physics-based life modeling' suggests a high level of technical sophistication, which often commands higher R&D investment. Benchmarking would ideally involve looking at other NASA or DoD contracts for advanced battery research.
What are the key risks associated with this R&D contract?
Key risks for this R&D contract include technical feasibility, as developing advanced physics-based life models for batteries is inherently complex and may not yield the desired results within the project timeline or budget. There's also a risk of cost overruns if unforeseen technical challenges arise, although the firm fixed-price structure aims to mitigate this. Contractor performance risk exists, dependent on Electric Power Systems Inc.'s ability to deliver on its technical promises. Furthermore, the 'exclusion of sources' in the competition, while potentially justified, could limit the range of innovative solutions considered, posing a risk of missing out on alternative approaches.
How effective is the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' approach for this type of R&D?
The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' approach aims to balance broad competition with the need for specialized capabilities. For R&D in advanced areas like physics-based battery modeling, excluding sources might be necessary if only a few entities possess the requisite unique expertise or intellectual property. This approach can ensure that the competition is meaningful among highly qualified offerors. However, it carries the risk of inadvertently excluding potentially innovative smaller firms or those with slightly different, yet viable, approaches. The effectiveness hinges on the justification for exclusions and whether the remaining pool of competitors truly represents the best available options for NASA's needs.
What is the historical spending trend for battery management system R&D at NASA?
Historical spending trends for battery management system R&D at NASA are not provided in this data snippet. To analyze this, one would need to examine NASA's budget allocations and contract awards over several fiscal years, specifically looking for contracts categorized under aerospace engineering, power systems, or advanced materials related to energy storage. Trends might show increasing investment due to the growing importance of efficient and long-lasting batteries for space missions and potential commercial spin-offs, or fluctuations based on specific program priorities and technological advancements.
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
Solicitation ID: 2023-1-1128
Offers Received: 500
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 520 W 2850 N, LOGAN, UT, 84321
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $2,487,089
Exercised Options: $2,487,089
Current Obligation: $2,487,089
Actual Outlays: $2,487,089
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-09-15
Current End Date: 2025-12-15
Potential End Date: 2025-12-15 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-05
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