NASA awards $150K contract for advanced heat exchangers, focusing on R&D for space applications
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $150,000 ($150.0K)
Contractor: Robocasting Enterprises LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2025-09-29
End Date: 2026-03-27
Contract Duration: 179 days
Daily Burn Rate: $838/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 PASSIVE DURABLE GRAVITY-INDEPENDENT CONDENSING HEAT EXCHANGERS FOR PLSSS
Place of Performance
Location: ALBUQUERQUE, BERNALILLO County, NEW MEXICO, 87109
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $150,000 to ROBOCASTING ENTERPRISES LLC for work described as: SBIR I PASSIVE DURABLE GRAVITY-INDEPENDENT CONDENSING HEAT EXCHANGERS FOR PLSSS Key points: 1. Contract focuses on innovative R&D for passive, gravity-independent heat exchangers. 2. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a targeted research effort. 3. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, indicating a deliberate procurement process. 4. The R&D nature of the contract implies potential for future technological advancements. 5. Performance period is short, suggesting a milestone-driven or feasibility study approach. 6. The contractor, ROBOCASTING ENTERPRISES LLC, is likely being evaluated for specific technical capabilities.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $150,000 is modest, typical for early-stage R&D or feasibility studies. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts in advanced materials or thermal management would be necessary for a precise value-for-money assessment. Given the specialized nature of the technology (passive, gravity-independent heat exchangers), direct price comparisons may be difficult. The fixed-price nature suggests a defined scope, but the R&D component introduces inherent uncertainty in cost estimation.
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 intended to be broad, specific sources may have been excluded based on pre-defined criteria, possibly related to unique capabilities or prior research. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' designation suggests an effort to solicit a wide range of proposals.
Taxpayer Impact: This procurement method aims to ensure fair pricing by allowing multiple qualified vendors to compete, potentially leading to better value for taxpayers compared to sole-source awards.
Public Impact
This contract directly benefits NASA's research and development efforts in advanced thermal management systems for space exploration. The primary service delivered is research into novel heat exchanger technology. The geographic impact is primarily within New Mexico, where the contractor is located, but the technology's application is global for space missions. Workforce implications include specialized R&D roles for engineers and scientists at the contractor's facility.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- The R&D nature of the contract carries inherent risks of technical feasibility and successful development within the defined timeline and budget.
- Limited information on the contractor's specific track record in developing similar advanced heat exchangers could be a concern.
- The short performance period might limit the depth of research achievable.
Positive Signals
- The use of 'Full and Open Competition' suggests a structured procurement process designed to identify capable vendors.
- The focus on passive, gravity-independent technology indicates a pursuit of innovative solutions for challenging space environments.
- The contract is awarded by NASA, a reputable agency with stringent oversight for its R&D investments.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical sciences and engineering. The market for advanced thermal management solutions is critical for aerospace, defense, and energy sectors. NASA's investment in novel heat exchangers aligns with broader industry trends towards more efficient and reliable cooling systems for high-performance applications, especially in extreme environments like space. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within R&D budgets for aerospace agencies and defense contractors.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the contractor, ROBOCASTING ENTERPRISES LLC, is likely a small business based on typical industry profiles for specialized R&D firms. However, without explicit data on the contractor's size or subcontracting plans, its direct impact on the broader small business ecosystem remains unclear. Future contracts stemming from this R&D could potentially involve larger prime contractors who may then engage small businesses for subcontracting.
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, it implies defined deliverables and payment milestones. Transparency is generally maintained through federal contract databases. Specific accountability measures would be tied to the R&D milestones and technical performance outlined in the contract statement of work. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- NASA SBIR/STTR Program
- Advanced Thermal Management Systems
- Space Exploration Technology Development
- Aerospace Materials Research
Risk Flags
- Technical Feasibility Risk
- Limited Contractor Performance Data
- Short Project Duration
Tags
research-and-development, nasa, new-mexico, definitive-contract, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, small-business-focus-unknown, aerospace, thermal-management, space-technology
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $150,000 to ROBOCASTING ENTERPRISES LLC. SBIR I PASSIVE DURABLE GRAVITY-INDEPENDENT CONDENSING HEAT EXCHANGERS FOR PLSSS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ROBOCASTING ENTERPRISES 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 $150,000.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-09-29. End: 2026-03-27.
What is the specific technical innovation sought in these passive, gravity-independent heat exchangers?
The contract seeks innovation in heat exchanger technology that can operate effectively without relying on gravity, a critical requirement for space missions where orientation is variable and gravity effects are negligible or absent. Passive systems imply that the heat transfer process will not require external energy input for operation, such as pumps or fans. This could involve advanced materials, novel fluid dynamics, or phase-change mechanisms that naturally facilitate heat movement. The goal is likely to improve the efficiency, reliability, and potentially reduce the mass and power consumption of thermal control systems for spacecraft, payloads, and equipment.
How does the $150,000 contract value compare to typical R&D investments in similar advanced materials or thermal management technologies?
A $150,000 contract value is generally considered modest for significant R&D efforts in advanced materials or thermal management. This amount is more typical for early-stage feasibility studies, proof-of-concept demonstrations, or specific component development within a larger research program. Larger, more comprehensive R&D projects, especially those involving extensive testing, prototyping, and material science, often range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars. This contract likely represents an initial investment to explore a specific concept or technology before committing to larger funding.
What are the potential risks associated with the R&D nature of this contract and the short performance period?
The primary risk associated with R&D contracts is technical uncertainty: the desired technology may prove infeasible, less effective than anticipated, or impossible to develop within the given constraints. For this contract, the risk lies in achieving the passive, gravity-independent functionality within the $150,000 budget and the 179-day performance period. A short duration increases the pressure to achieve results quickly and may limit the scope of experimentation and validation. If the research hits unforeseen technical hurdles, the project might not yield the desired outcomes, potentially requiring additional funding or a revised approach.
What does 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' imply about the procurement process and potential vendor pool?
'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' suggests a procurement process that initially aimed for broad competition but subsequently excluded certain potential offerors based on specific, documented reasons. This could occur if, for instance, only a few companies possess the highly specialized knowledge or patented technology required, or if prior research and development by certain entities made them uniquely qualified. While it aims for broad participation, the exclusion clause indicates a deliberate narrowing of the field, potentially to ensure the most relevant expertise is engaged. The specific reasons for exclusion are typically documented in the contract file.
What is ROBOCASTING ENTERPRISES LLC's track record in developing advanced heat exchangers or similar technologies?
Information regarding ROBOCASTING ENTERPRISES LLC's specific track record in developing passive, gravity-independent heat exchangers is not readily available in the provided data. As a specialized R&D firm, their expertise likely lies in niche engineering solutions. To assess their capability, one would need to review their past performance on similar government contracts, research publications, patents, or commercial products. NASA's decision to award this contract implies they found sufficient evidence of the company's potential to meet the technical requirements, possibly through prior proposals, technical capabilities statements, or previous, smaller-scale engagements.
How might this R&D contribute to NASA's long-term space exploration goals?
Advanced thermal management is crucial for the success of long-duration space missions, including those to the Moon and Mars. Efficient heat exchangers are needed to regulate temperatures of sensitive electronics, life support systems, and crew habitats in the extreme thermal environment of space. Passive, gravity-independent systems offer advantages in reliability and reduced power consumption compared to active systems, which are vital for autonomous or resource-constrained missions. Success in this R&D could lead to lighter, more robust spacecraft designs, enabling extended missions and supporting the development of sustainable lunar or Martian outposts.
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: 5660 PINO AVE NE, ALBUQUERQUE, NM, 87109
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Manufacturer of Goods, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $150,000
Exercised Options: $150,000
Current Obligation: $150,000
Actual Outlays: $37,500
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-09-29
Current End Date: 2026-03-27
Potential End Date: 2026-03-27 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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