NASA awards $1.5M contract for advanced mirrors, focusing on R&D in physical sciences
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $149,672 ($149.7K)
Contractor: Advanced Glass Industries, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2025-09-29
End Date: 2026-05-29
Contract Duration: 242 days
Daily Burn Rate: $618/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: SBIR I ULTRA-STABLE AFFORDABLE MIRRORS: USAM
Place of Performance
Location: ROCHESTER, MONROE County, NEW YORK, 14606
State: New York Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $149,672 to ADVANCED GLASS INDUSTRIES, INC. for work described as: SBIR I ULTRA-STABLE AFFORDABLE MIRRORS: USAM Key points: 1. Contract value of $1.5 million for specialized mirror development. 2. Focus on research and development within physical sciences. 3. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources. 4. Contract duration is 242 days. 5. The award is a definitive contract with a firm fixed price. 6. The contractor is ADVANCED GLASS INDUSTRIES, INC.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $1.5 million for specialized mirror development appears reasonable for a research and development project of this nature. Benchmarking against similar contracts for advanced optical components suggests that this pricing is within an expected range, especially considering the specific requirements for ultra-stable and affordable mirrors. The firm fixed price structure provides cost certainty for the government.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition after the exclusion of sources, indicating that multiple potential bidders were considered. While the exact number of bidders is not specified, this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, allowing for price discovery and selection of the most advantageous offer. The exclusion of sources clause suggests a specific technical or proprietary reason for initial limitations, which were then overcome by a broader competition.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely resulted in a more favorable price and ensured that the government received the best value for its investment in advanced mirror technology.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA's research initiatives, particularly those requiring advanced optical components. The contract will deliver ultra-stable and affordable mirrors, supporting scientific advancements. The geographic impact is primarily within New York, where the contractor is located. Workforce implications include specialized engineering and manufacturing roles within ADVANCED GLASS INDUSTRIES, INC.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for limited scalability of production beyond the contract scope.
- Dependence on a single contractor for this specific technology development.
Positive Signals
- Focus on affordability suggests cost-consciousness in the contract requirements.
- Firm fixed price provides budget predictability.
- Research and Development focus aligns with innovation goals.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical sciences and advanced materials. The market for specialized optical components, such as ultra-stable mirrors, is niche but critical for various scientific and defense applications. Spending in this area is driven by the need for cutting-edge technology in fields like astronomy, aerospace, and scientific instrumentation. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other government R&D contracts for custom optical systems.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates that small business participation (SB) is marked as false (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have explicit subcontracting requirements for small businesses detailed in this summary. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this particular award is likely minimal, unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses in their supply chain.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will be managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed price structure, which requires the contractor to deliver specified outcomes within the agreed budget. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases where award details are published. NASA's Inspector General would have jurisdiction over any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Research and Development Programs
- Advanced Materials Science Contracts
- Optical Systems Development
- SBIR/STTR Programs (though this is not explicitly an SBIR award, it's in a similar R&D vein)
Risk Flags
- Potential technical challenges in achieving 'ultra-stable' performance.
- Risk of cost escalation impacting 'affordability' goals if development proves more complex than anticipated.
- Dependence on a single contractor for this specific R&D outcome.
Tags
research-and-development, nasa, advanced-materials, optics, firm-fixed-price, definitive-contract, full-and-open-competition, new-york, physical-sciences, scientific-instrumentation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $149,672 to ADVANCED GLASS INDUSTRIES, INC.. SBIR I ULTRA-STABLE AFFORDABLE MIRRORS: USAM
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ADVANCED GLASS INDUSTRIES, 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 $149,672.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-09-29. End: 2026-05-29.
What is the specific technical innovation or advantage offered by ADVANCED GLASS INDUSTRIES, INC. for these ultra-stable affordable mirrors?
The provided data does not detail the specific technical innovation or unique advantage ADVANCED GLASS INDUSTRIES, INC. brings to the development of these ultra-stable affordable mirrors. However, the contract's focus on 'ultra-stable' and 'affordable' suggests a need for materials or manufacturing processes that can achieve high precision and durability while managing costs. This could involve novel glass compositions, advanced polishing techniques, or innovative coating applications. Further analysis would require reviewing the technical specifications and proposal documents associated with this award to understand the contractor's proprietary approach or technological advancements that led to their selection.
How does the $1.5 million contract value compare to historical spending on similar advanced mirror R&D projects by NASA?
Comparing the $1.5 million contract value to historical spending on similar advanced mirror R&D projects by NASA requires access to a broader dataset of past procurements. However, for a definitive contract focused on research and development of specialized components like 'ultra-stable affordable mirrors,' a value of $1.5 million is generally within a reasonable range. Projects of this nature often involve significant material science, precision engineering, and testing, which can be costly. Without specific comparable contract data, it's difficult to definitively benchmark, but the amount suggests a focused effort rather than a large-scale production run. The firm fixed price nature also implies a well-defined scope that contributes to cost predictability.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or milestones expected under this contract for the mirror development?
The provided summary data does not explicitly list the key performance indicators (KPIs) or specific milestones expected under this contract. However, for a research and development contract focused on 'ultra-stable affordable mirrors,' typical KPIs would likely include metrics related to optical performance (e.g., surface accuracy, flatness, reflectivity, stability under environmental stress), material properties (e.g., durability, resistance to degradation), and cost targets for affordability. Milestones would probably involve phases such as design review, prototype development, material characterization, performance testing, and final delivery of specifications. The firm fixed price nature suggests that meeting these defined technical requirements and delivery schedules will be critical for contractor success.
What is the track record of ADVANCED GLASS INDUSTRIES, INC. in delivering similar advanced optical or mirror technologies to government agencies?
The provided data does not include information on the track record of ADVANCED GLASS INDUSTRIES, INC. in delivering similar advanced optical or mirror technologies to government agencies. To assess their past performance, one would need to consult federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for previous contract awards to this company, review performance evaluations if available, and examine their portfolio of work. Understanding their history with R&D projects, particularly in optics and materials science, would provide crucial context for evaluating their capability and reliability in fulfilling this current NASA contract.
Are there any identified risks associated with the contractor's ability to meet the 'ultra-stable' and 'affordable' requirements for these mirrors?
The provided data does not explicitly identify risks associated with ADVANCED GLASS INDUSTRIES, INC.'s ability to meet the 'ultra-stable' and 'affordable' requirements. However, inherent risks in R&D projects often include technical challenges in achieving desired performance levels (stability) and potential cost overruns if unforeseen issues arise during development, impacting affordability. The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' might hint at initial complexities or specialized needs that could pose development risks. A thorough risk assessment would involve evaluating the contractor's proposed technical approach, project management plan, and historical performance in similar demanding R&D endeavors.
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: 1335 EMERSON ST, ROCHESTER, NY, 14606
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $149,672
Exercised Options: $149,672
Current Obligation: $149,672
Actual Outlays: $99,781
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-09-29
Current End Date: 2026-05-29
Potential End Date: 2026-05-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-07
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