NASA awards $36M contract to Advanced Space LLC for extended mission support, focusing on R&D
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $36,076,347 ($36.1M)
Contractor: Advanced Space LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2024-09-12
End Date: 2026-12-31
Contract Duration: 840 days
Daily Burn Rate: $42.9K/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: PHASE III - CAPSTONE EXTENDED MISSION
Place of Performance
Location: DENVER, ADAMS County, COLORADO, 80234
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $36.1 million to ADVANCED SPACE LLC for work described as: PHASE III - CAPSTONE EXTENDED MISSION Key points: 1. Contract value of $36.1 million over approximately 2.6 years suggests a moderate investment in ongoing space mission operations. 2. The award to Advanced Space LLC indicates a reliance on specialized expertise for complex R&D in physical and engineering sciences. 3. The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' suggests a competitive process, though specific details on excluded sources are not provided. 4. The contract's duration of 840 days points to a medium-term commitment for mission support and development. 5. The primary NAICS code (541715) highlights the contract's focus on research and development, distinct from pure manufacturing or service provision. 6. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide predictability for the agency. 7. The contract is categorized as a Definitive Contract, typically used for long-term agreements with defined terms.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $36.1 million for a period of approximately 2.6 years appears reasonable for specialized R&D support in the space sector. Benchmarking against similar NASA contracts for mission extension or advanced research would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure suggests an effort to manage costs effectively, but the absence of detailed cost breakdowns makes a granular price assessment challenging. Without specific performance metrics or comparison to industry standards for similar R&D efforts, it's difficult to definitively gauge the 'excellence' of the pricing.
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, certain sources were excluded from the bidding process. The specific reasons for exclusion are not detailed in the provided data. The number of bidders is not specified, making it difficult to fully assess the level of competition. A limited competition may result in less aggressive pricing compared to full and open competition without exclusions.
Taxpayer Impact: The exclusion of certain sources, even within an otherwise open competition, could potentially limit price discovery and may not guarantee the absolute best value for taxpayers. However, the 'full and open' aspect suggests an attempt to solicit a broad range of qualified offerors.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiary is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), which will receive continued support for its space missions. The contract will facilitate advanced research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences related to space exploration. The geographic impact is primarily centered around the contractor's location in Colorado, with potential broader implications for national space program advancements. The contract supports a specialized workforce in the R&D sector, contributing to the growth of expertise in aerospace and related scientific fields.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of transparency regarding the specific reasons for excluding certain sources from the competition.
- Potential for less competitive pricing due to the exclusion of some potential bidders.
- Limited public information on the specific R&D objectives and expected outcomes of the extended mission.
Positive Signals
- Award to a specialized company (Advanced Space LLC) suggests access to niche expertise for critical mission support.
- The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for NASA.
- The contract duration indicates a sustained commitment to the mission, implying positive progress or critical ongoing needs.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences, with a strong emphasis on aerospace applications. The market for space R&D is highly specialized, dominated by a few key players with proven track records and advanced technological capabilities. NASA's spending in this area is crucial for maintaining its leadership in space exploration and scientific discovery. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other NASA contracts for similar mission support, technology development, or scientific research initiatives, which often run into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars depending on scope and duration.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) is not a primary focus of this specific contract award. There is no indication of a small business set-aside. Consequently, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem through this contract is likely minimal. However, the prime contractor, Advanced Space LLC, may engage small businesses as subcontractors, though this information is not detailed here. Further investigation into subcontracting plans would be necessary to assess the broader impact on small businesses.
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, oversight will likely focus on performance milestones, adherence to technical specifications, and financial accountability. NASA's internal oversight mechanisms, including program managers and contracting officers, will be responsible for monitoring progress. Transparency is facilitated through contract awards databases, but detailed operational oversight specifics are typically internal to the agency. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Exploration Mission Support
- Space Technology Research Grants
- Advanced Spacecraft Development Programs
- Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) - potentially related if mission involves payload delivery
- Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - if subcontractors are involved
Risk Flags
- Limited Competition Details
- Unspecified R&D Objectives
- Lack of Performance Metrics
- Potential for Cost Overruns (inherent in R&D)
Tags
nasa, advanced-space-llc, research-and-development, phase-iii, definitive-contract, firm-fixed-price, limited-competition, space-exploration, colorado, aerospace, science-and-technology
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $36.1 million to ADVANCED SPACE LLC. PHASE III - CAPSTONE EXTENDED MISSION
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ADVANCED SPACE 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 $36.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-09-12. End: 2026-12-31.
What is the specific nature of the 'extended mission' and the R&D activities to be performed under this contract?
The provided data identifies the contract as 'PHASE III - CAPSTONE EXTENDED MISSION' and categorizes the work under 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)' (NAICS 541715). While the specific mission name 'CAPSTONE' suggests a particular project, the details of the 'extended mission' and the precise R&D activities are not elaborated upon in the summary data. Typically, such extensions involve continued data collection, analysis, technology maturation, or operational support for an ongoing space mission. The R&D focus implies activities aimed at advancing scientific understanding, developing new technologies, or improving mission operations through research-based approaches. Further details would likely be found in the contract's statement of work (SOW) or associated documentation.
How does the $36.1 million contract value compare to previous funding for the CAPSTONE mission or similar NASA R&D initiatives?
Direct comparison of the $36.1 million contract value to previous CAPSTONE mission funding or similar NASA R&D initiatives requires access to historical budget data for the specific mission and a benchmark of comparable R&D contracts. The provided data only offers the current award amount and duration. To assess value, one would need to analyze the total lifecycle cost of the CAPSTONE mission to date, compare this award to other NASA contracts for extended mission support or advanced R&D in comparable scientific domains (e.g., planetary science, Earth observation, astrophysics), and consider the scope and complexity of the work. Without this comparative data, it is difficult to definitively state whether this award represents a significant increase, decrease, or is in line with historical spending patterns for similar endeavors.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or success metrics for this extended mission contract?
The provided summary data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or success metrics for this contract. For a Phase III extended mission focused on R&D, KPIs would typically be defined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) and could include metrics related to data acquisition rates, scientific analysis completion, technology readiness levels achieved, operational uptime, successful completion of specific research objectives, or timely delivery of research reports and findings. The effectiveness of the contract would be measured against these predefined benchmarks. Without access to the SOW, a detailed assessment of performance expectations and potential risks is not possible.
What is the track record of Advanced Space LLC in supporting NASA missions, particularly those involving R&D?
Advanced Space LLC is identified as the contractor for this $36.1 million award. To assess their track record, one would need to examine their past performance on NASA contracts and other relevant projects. This includes reviewing contract history for on-time delivery, adherence to budget, quality of work, and overall customer satisfaction. Specifically for R&D, their experience in managing complex research projects, their scientific and engineering expertise, and their ability to innovate would be critical factors. Information on previous successful missions, publications, or technological advancements stemming from their work would provide further insight into their capabilities and reliability in supporting NASA's objectives.
What are the potential risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?
Potential risks for this R&D contract could include technical challenges in achieving research objectives, unforeseen scientific complexities, delays in data acquisition or analysis, potential cost overruns (though mitigated by fixed-price), and contractor performance issues. The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' also introduces a risk related to the limited pool of bidders. Mitigation strategies, typically outlined in the contract's risk management plan, would involve close monitoring by NASA, clear communication channels, contingency planning for technical hurdles, and performance incentives. The fixed-price nature itself acts as a primary risk mitigation tool for the government regarding cost certainty.
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: 1400 W 122ND AVE, WESTMINSTER, CO, 80234
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $36,076,347
Exercised Options: $36,076,347
Current Obligation: $36,076,347
Actual Outlays: $19,065,036
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-09-12
Current End Date: 2026-12-31
Potential End Date: 2026-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-02
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