NASA Awards $2M R&D Contract to SAAZ Micro for Advanced ROIC Design
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $1,999,992 ($2.0M)
Contractor: Saaz Micro, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2025-07-15
End Date: 2027-07-14
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.7K/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 PHASE II PROPOSAL #AFFORD PHASE-III PROPOSAL ENTITLED "AFFORD - ADVANCED FORMAT AND FEATURE OPTIMIZED ROIC DESIGN
Place of Performance
Location: CAMARILLO, VENTURA County, CALIFORNIA, 93012
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $2.0 million to SAAZ MICRO, INC. for work described as: SBIR PHASE II PROPOSAL #AFFORD PHASE-III PROPOSAL ENTITLED "AFFORD - ADVANCED FORMAT AND FEATURE OPTIMIZED ROIC DESIGN Key points: 1. Contract focuses on advanced semiconductor design for specialized applications. 2. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, suggesting a deliberate selection process. 3. Risk is moderate, tied to the R&D nature of the project and firm fixed-price structure. 4. Sector is Research and Development, a key area for technological advancement.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $1,999,992 for a 2-year R&D effort appears reasonable given the specialized nature of semiconductor design. Benchmarking is difficult without specific comparable contracts for advanced ROIC development.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' indicates a competitive process was initiated, but specific sources were initially excluded. This method can lead to efficient price discovery if multiple qualified bidders participate.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are allocated to advance technological capabilities in a critical R&D area, potentially leading to future innovations and economic benefits.
Public Impact
Advancement in semiconductor technology could have broad applications beyond aerospace. Investment in R&D supports innovation and the growth of the domestic technology sector. Contract duration of 729 days allows for substantial development and testing. The firm fixed-price contract shifts cost risk to the contractor.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- R&D projects inherently carry technical and performance risks.
- Contract awarded to a single entity, SAAZ Micro, Inc.
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
- Longer contract duration allows for thorough development.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS 541715. Spending in this sector is crucial for innovation but can be subject to higher risk due to the experimental nature of the work.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates the contractor is SAAZ Micro, Inc. Further analysis would be needed to determine if this is a small business and if subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
NASA's oversight mechanisms for R&D contracts typically involve technical reviews, milestone tracking, and financial audits to ensure progress and responsible use of funds.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for technical challenges inherent in R&D.
- Firm fixed-price contract shifts cost risk to contractor.
- Competition method requires further scrutiny for full transparency.
- Contract awarded to a single entity.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, ca, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $2.0 million to SAAZ MICRO, INC.. SBIR PHASE II PROPOSAL #AFFORD PHASE-III PROPOSAL ENTITLED "AFFORD - ADVANCED FORMAT AND FEATURE OPTIMIZED ROIC DESIGN
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SAAZ MICRO, 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 $2.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-07-15. End: 2027-07-14.
What specific technological advancements are expected from this ROIC design, and how will they benefit NASA's mission?
The proposal aims for 'Advanced Format and Feature Optimized ROIC Design.' Expected advancements likely include improved performance, efficiency, or specialized capabilities for sensors or processing units within NASA's aerospace or scientific instruments. These could enhance data acquisition, reduce power consumption, or enable new mission functionalities, ultimately supporting NASA's objectives in space exploration, Earth observation, or aeronautics research.
What are the primary technical risks associated with developing an 'Advanced Format and Feature Optimized ROIC,' and how are they mitigated?
Primary technical risks include achieving the desired performance metrics, ensuring manufacturability at scale, and integrating the new ROIC into existing or planned systems. Mitigation strategies likely involve rigorous design reviews, prototyping, simulation, collaboration with foundries, and phased development with clear performance milestones. The firm fixed-price nature also incentivizes the contractor to proactively manage these risks to avoid cost overruns.
How does the firm fixed-price contract structure impact the potential for cost savings or overruns for this R&D project?
A firm fixed-price contract places the primary cost risk on the contractor, SAAZ Micro, Inc. This structure incentivizes efficient project management and cost control. While it offers budget certainty for NASA, it could lead to contractor losses if unforeseen technical challenges significantly increase development costs. Conversely, if SAAZ Micro innovates efficiently, they may achieve higher profit margins, but the government benefits from a predictable final price.
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: 800 CALLE PLANO, CAMARILLO, CA, 93012
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $3,999,984
Exercised Options: $3,999,984
Current Obligation: $1,999,992
Actual Outlays: $600,000
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-07-15
Current End Date: 2027-07-14
Potential End Date: 2027-07-14 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-15
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