NASA awards $3.2M for high-performance polymers, focusing on R&D for extreme environment bearings
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,211,836 ($3.2M)
Contractor: Atsp Innovations Inc
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2023-09-26
End Date: 2026-07-25
Contract Duration: 1,033 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.1K/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: FY23 PHASE II SEQUENTIAL - HIGH PERFORMANCE POLYMER FOR DUST TOLERANT EXTREME ENVIRONMENT BEARINGS
Place of Performance
Location: HOUSTON, HARRIS County, TEXAS, 77055
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $3.2 million to ATSP INNOVATIONS INC for work described as: FY23 PHASE II SEQUENTIAL - HIGH PERFORMANCE POLYMER FOR DUST TOLERANT EXTREME ENVIRONMENT BEARINGS Key points: 1. Contract focuses on advanced materials research, a critical area for aerospace innovation. 2. The award represents a modest investment within the broader R&D sector. 3. Performance risk appears manageable given the research and development nature of the contract. 4. The contract duration suggests a phased approach to material development and testing. 5. This award aligns with NASA's strategic goals for space exploration and technological advancement. 6. The chosen contractor has a history of innovation in specialized material science.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $3.2 million for a Phase II R&D effort appears reasonable when benchmarked against similar advanced materials research projects. While direct comparisons are difficult due to the specialized nature of the polymer and its application, the funding level is consistent with the scope of developing and testing high-performance materials for extreme environments. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs, but the ultimate value will be determined by the successful development of the specified polymer.
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,' indicating that while initial solicitations may have been limited, the final award was made after a competitive process that allowed all eligible sources to participate. The number of bidders (500 potential offerors) suggests a robust level of competition, which is generally favorable for price discovery and innovation. This approach aims to ensure the government receives the best value by considering a wide range of capabilities.
Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down prices and encouraging innovative solutions. The broad competition indicates that multiple companies vied for this contract, likely leading to a more cost-effective outcome for the government.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA's research and development initiatives, aiming to enhance the longevity and reliability of spacecraft components. The contract will deliver advanced polymer materials suitable for dust-tolerant, extreme environment bearings, crucial for space exploration missions. The geographic impact is primarily within Texas, where the contractor ATSP Innovations Inc. is located. Workforce implications include specialized roles in materials science, engineering, and polymer research and development.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- The success of the project is contingent on the successful development of a novel high-performance polymer, which carries inherent research and development risks.
- Ensuring the polymer meets the stringent 'dust tolerant' and 'extreme environment' specifications will require rigorous testing and validation.
- The long-term durability and performance of the developed material in actual space applications will need to be monitored post-development.
Positive Signals
- The contract is awarded to a firm with demonstrated expertise in material science and innovation.
- The Phase II designation suggests prior successful research and development in Phase I, indicating a degree of de-risking.
- The firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
- The broad competition indicates a healthy market for this type of specialized R&D.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on advanced materials. The market for high-performance polymers is specialized, driven by industries requiring materials that can withstand extreme conditions, such as aerospace, defense, and energy. NASA's investment in this area is crucial for pushing technological boundaries and ensuring mission success in challenging environments. Comparable spending benchmarks in this niche R&D area are difficult to pinpoint precisely due to proprietary developments, but investments in advanced materials research by government agencies and private industry often range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars for specific material development projects.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not appear to have a small business set-aside. There is no explicit indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for specialized support or materials.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will be managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). As a definitive contract with a fixed-price structure, NASA will monitor progress against defined milestones and deliverables. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases and reporting requirements. While specific Inspector General jurisdiction is not detailed here, NASA's Office of Inspector General typically oversees all NASA contracts to ensure accountability and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Advanced Materials Research
- Aerospace Engineering
- Spacecraft Component Development
- Polymer Science Research
- NASA Research and Development Programs
Risk Flags
- Research and Development Risk
- Material Performance Uncertainty
- Long-term Durability Validation
Tags
research-and-development, nasa, texas, definitive-contract, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, advanced-materials, aerospace, phase-ii, polymer-science
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $3.2 million to ATSP INNOVATIONS INC. FY23 PHASE II SEQUENTIAL - HIGH PERFORMANCE POLYMER FOR DUST TOLERANT EXTREME ENVIRONMENT BEARINGS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ATSP INNOVATIONS 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 $3.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-09-26. End: 2026-07-25.
What is the track record of ATSP Innovations Inc. in securing and successfully completing government R&D contracts, particularly in advanced materials?
ATSP Innovations Inc. has a history of engaging in research and development contracts, often focusing on specialized materials and technologies. While specific details on past contract performance require deeper database analysis, their selection for a Phase II SBIR/STTR-like award (implied by Phase II Sequential) suggests they have successfully demonstrated technical merit and potential in prior research phases. Their focus on high-performance polymers aligns with their stated expertise. Further investigation into their contract history with NASA and other agencies would provide a more comprehensive view of their track record in delivering on government R&D objectives and managing project timelines and budgets effectively.
How does the $3.2 million contract value compare to similar R&D efforts for advanced polymers in extreme environments?
The $3.2 million contract value for a Phase II R&D effort focused on high-performance polymers for dust-tolerant, extreme environment bearings is within a reasonable range for specialized material development. Phase II efforts typically build upon initial feasibility studies and aim for prototype development and testing, justifying a higher investment than Phase I. Comparable projects in aerospace and defense R&D for novel materials can range from $1 million to over $10 million, depending on the complexity, novelty, and scale of development. Given the specific application (bearings for extreme environments) and the need for advanced polymer formulation, this funding level appears appropriate for achieving the stated research objectives.
What are the primary technical risks associated with developing dust-tolerant, extreme environment bearings using high-performance polymers?
The primary technical risks involve achieving the required material properties under extreme conditions. 'Dust tolerant' implies resistance to abrasion and sealing capabilities to prevent particulate ingress, which can be challenging for polymers. 'Extreme environments' suggests tolerance to wide temperature fluctuations, radiation, vacuum, and potentially corrosive substances, all of which can degrade polymer performance. Developing a polymer that simultaneously meets these demanding criteria, maintains structural integrity, and exhibits low friction for bearing applications is a significant scientific and engineering challenge. Ensuring long-term material stability and preventing premature wear or failure are critical risk areas that the R&D effort must address.
What is the expected impact of this contract on NASA's future space exploration missions?
This contract is expected to significantly enhance NASA's capabilities for future space exploration missions by providing critical components that can withstand harsh extraterrestrial conditions. Reliable bearings are essential for the operation of robotic systems, rovers, landers, and potentially human-rated spacecraft. By developing dust-tolerant and extreme environment-resistant bearings, NASA can improve the longevity, reliability, and performance of its equipment operating on planetary surfaces (like Mars or the Moon) or in deep space. This could lead to more successful missions, reduced maintenance needs, and the ability to explore environments previously considered too challenging for current materials technology.
How has NASA's spending on R&D for advanced materials evolved over the past five fiscal years?
Analyzing NASA's spending on advanced materials R&D over the past five fiscal years would reveal trends in investment priorities. Generally, NASA's R&D budget fluctuates based on overall appropriations and strategic objectives. Investments in advanced materials are typically driven by the need for lighter, stronger, more durable, and more efficient components for spacecraft, launch vehicles, and exploration technologies. A review of NASA's historical budget documents and contract databases would likely show consistent, albeit varying, levels of funding dedicated to materials science, with potential increases in areas critical for new exploration initiatives, such as in-situ resource utilization or advanced propulsion systems.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) that will be used to measure the success of this polymer development contract?
Key performance indicators for this contract would likely focus on the material's ability to meet specific technical requirements outlined in the Statement of Work. These could include: 1) Mechanical Properties: Tensile strength, compressive strength, flexural modulus, and hardness within specified ranges. 2) Environmental Resistance: Performance retention after exposure to extreme temperatures (high and low), radiation, and vacuum. 3) Tribological Performance: Coefficient of friction, wear rate, and load-carrying capacity under simulated dusty and extreme conditions. 4) Material Purity and Consistency: Ensuring the polymer composition is uniform and free from contaminants that could compromise performance. 5) Durability: Demonstrated lifespan or resistance to degradation over a projected operational period.
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: 6762 SHADYVILLA LN BLDG 3, HOUSTON, TX, 77055
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $3,211,836
Exercised Options: $3,211,836
Current Obligation: $3,211,836
Actual Outlays: $2,814,000
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-09-26
Current End Date: 2026-07-25
Potential End Date: 2026-07-25 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-25
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