NASA awards $1.5M contract for atmospheric convective heat expulsion engine research to Stone Aerospace, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $149,973 ($150.0K)
Contractor: Stone Aerospace, Inc.
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 MARS ATMOSPHERIC CONVECTIVE HEAT EXPULSION ENGINE (MACHINE)
Place of Performance
Location: DEL VALLE, TRAVIS County, TEXAS, 78617
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $149,973 to STONE AEROSPACE, INC. for work described as: SBIR I MARS ATMOSPHERIC CONVECTIVE HEAT EXPULSION ENGINE (MACHINE) Key points: 1. Contract focuses on advanced research and development in physical and engineering sciences. 2. The contract duration is 179 days, indicating a focused, short-term research effort. 3. Awarded as a firm-fixed-price contract, suggesting defined scope and cost certainty. 4. The contract was competed under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources', implying a specific justification for source exclusion. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541715 points to R&D services in physical sciences. 6. The contract is a definitive contract, typically used for complex or long-term projects, though this one is short-term. 7. The base award amount is $1,499,730. 8. The contractor, Stone Aerospace, Inc., is based in Texas.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $1.5 million for a 179-day R&D effort appears reasonable for specialized atmospheric research. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts in aerospace is challenging without more specific technical details. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests a degree of cost control and defined deliverables. The value seems aligned with the scope of developing a specific engine component.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources'. This designation implies that while the competition was intended to be broad, specific sources were excluded for a stated reason, which requires further investigation. The number of bidders is not specified, but the exclusion of sources suggests a potentially narrowed field compared to a truly 'full and open' competition.
Taxpayer Impact: The exclusion of sources, even if justified, may limit the potential for the most competitive pricing by reducing the number of eligible offerors. Taxpayers benefit from competition, and any limitations on it warrant scrutiny to ensure the best value is achieved.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA and potentially the broader aerospace research community through advancements in atmospheric heat expulsion technology. The service delivered is research and development for a specific engine component. The geographic impact is primarily within Texas, where the contractor is located, and at NASA research facilities. Workforce implications include specialized engineers and researchers employed by Stone Aerospace, Inc.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- The 'exclusion of sources' clause requires careful review to ensure it was justified and did not unduly restrict competition.
- Lack of detailed technical specifications in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the true complexity and potential risks of the R&D effort.
- The short duration of the contract (179 days) might indicate a very specific, narrowly defined research task, or it could be an initial phase of a larger effort.
Positive Signals
- The contract is firm-fixed-price, which provides cost certainty for the government.
- The contractor, Stone Aerospace, Inc., is likely specialized in this area, suggesting potential for high-quality research.
- The award falls under NASA's R&D mission, aligning with its strategic goals for technological advancement.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical and engineering sciences related to aerospace propulsion. The market for specialized aerospace R&D is competitive, with a mix of large corporations and niche firms like Stone Aerospace. NASA is a significant investor in this sector, driving innovation in areas like atmospheric physics and engine technology. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within NASA's broader R&D portfolio for propulsion systems.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) is not a primary focus for this specific award. There is no indication of a small business set-aside. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not detailed here but would depend on Stone Aerospace's internal strategy and the nature of the R&D work.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will likely be managed by NASA's contracting officers and technical monitors responsible for the R&D program. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract, requiring delivery of specified research outcomes. Transparency is facilitated by federal contract databases, though detailed technical progress reports are typically internal to the agency.
Related Government Programs
- NASA SBIR/STTR Programs
- Advanced Propulsion Research
- Aerospace Engineering Services
- Atmospheric Science Research
Risk Flags
- Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion.
- Technical risks inherent in R&D projects.
- Short contract duration may indicate a narrow scope or potential for follow-on work.
Tags
nasa, research-and-development, aerospace, engine-technology, firm-fixed-price, definitive-contract, limited-competition, stone-aerospace, texas, atmospheric-science, physical-sciences, engineering-research
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $149,973 to STONE AEROSPACE, INC.. SBIR I MARS ATMOSPHERIC CONVECTIVE HEAT EXPULSION ENGINE (MACHINE)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is STONE AEROSPACE, 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 $149,973.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-09-29. End: 2026-03-27.
What specific technologies or scientific principles are being researched under this contract for the atmospheric convective heat expulsion engine?
The provided data does not specify the exact technologies or scientific principles. However, the contract's focus on 'atmospheric convective heat expulsion engine (machine)' suggests research into methods of managing and expelling heat generated by atmospheric conditions within an engine system. This could involve novel thermodynamic cycles, advanced materials for heat dissipation, or innovative fluid dynamics applications tailored to specific atmospheric environments. Further details would likely be found in the contract's statement of work or technical exhibits, which are not publicly available in this summary.
How does the $1.5 million award compare to other NASA R&D contracts for similar engine components?
Benchmarking this $1.5 million award against other NASA R&D contracts for similar engine components is difficult without more specific technical details about the 'atmospheric convective heat expulsion engine' and its intended application. NASA funds a wide range of R&D projects, from early-stage feasibility studies costing tens of thousands of dollars to more mature technology development efforts reaching tens of millions. A $1.5 million contract for a 179-day R&D effort suggests a focused, potentially mid-stage development or advanced research task. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to identify contracts with similar NAICS codes (541715), similar contract types (e.g., Firm Fixed Price), and comparable technical objectives within NASA's propulsion or atmospheric research directorates.
What are the potential risks associated with Stone Aerospace, Inc. undertaking this research and development project?
Potential risks associated with Stone Aerospace, Inc. undertaking this R&D project include technical risks inherent in developing novel engine components, such as unforeseen scientific challenges, difficulties in achieving desired performance metrics, or integration issues with existing systems. There are also performance risks related to meeting project timelines and deliverables within the 179-day period. Financial risks are mitigated by the firm-fixed-price contract, but cost overruns due to scope creep or unforeseen technical hurdles could still impact the contractor's profitability. Reputational risk exists if the research does not yield the expected outcomes or if the contractor fails to meet contractual obligations. The 'exclusion of sources' aspect also introduces a potential risk if the justification for exclusion was weak, potentially leading to protests or questions about fairness.
What is the historical spending pattern of NASA with Stone Aerospace, Inc. for similar R&D services?
The provided data does not include historical spending patterns between NASA and Stone Aerospace, Inc. To assess this, one would need to query federal procurement databases (like USASpending.gov or FPDS) for past contracts awarded to Stone Aerospace, Inc. by NASA, filtering by relevant NAICS codes (e.g., 541715) and contract types. Analyzing this historical data would reveal the frequency, value, and nature of previous R&D engagements, providing context on the contractor's track record and NASA's reliance on their services for similar research.
How does the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' procurement method impact the overall value for taxpayers?
The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method aims to balance broad competition with specific needs. Ideally, it allows for competition among a wide range of potential offerors while excluding specific entities for documented reasons (e.g., national security, proprietary data, or unique capabilities). If the exclusion is well-justified and the remaining competition is robust, taxpayers can still receive good value. However, if the exclusion is overly broad or poorly justified, it can limit the number of bidders, potentially leading to higher prices and reduced innovation compared to unrestricted full and open competition. The key for taxpayers is the transparency and validity of the exclusion justification and the competitiveness of the remaining pool.
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: 3511 CALDWELL LN, DEL VALLE, TX, 78617
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $149,973
Exercised Options: $149,973
Current Obligation: $149,973
Actual Outlays: $99,982
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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