NASA awards $72K contract to Battel Engineering for LVPC design R&D
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $72,000 ($72.0K)
Contractor: Battel Engineering Inc
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2025-03-25
End Date: 2026-09-25
Contract Duration: 549 days
Daily Burn Rate: $131/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: CONSULTING ON LOW VOLTAGE POWER SUPPLY (LVPC) DESIGN
Place of Performance
Location: PARADISE VALLEY, MARICOPA County, ARIZONA, 85253
State: Arizona Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $72,000 to BATTEL ENGINEERING INC for work described as: CONSULTING ON LOW VOLTAGE POWER SUPPLY (LVPC) DESIGN Key points: 1. Contract awarded for specialized R&D in physical and engineering sciences. 2. Battel Engineering Inc. is the sole awardee. 3. Low contract value suggests a focused, potentially niche service. 4. No small business participation noted.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $72,000 is relatively low for R&D consulting. Without specific benchmarks for LVPC design R&D, it's difficult to definitively assess pricing, but it appears reasonable for a specialized, short-term engagement.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was not competed under SAP, indicating a limited competition approach. This method may not yield the best price discovery compared to full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is minimal due to the low contract value.
Public Impact
Supports NASA's research and development initiatives. Potential for advancements in low voltage power supply technology. Contracting process could be more transparent with broader competition.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
- Lack of small business participation.
Positive Signals
- Supports critical R&D for a major government agency.
- Clear scope for specialized engineering services.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is crucial for technological advancement, but often involves high risk and long development cycles. Benchmarks vary widely based on the specific R&D area.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not awarded to a small business, and there is no indication of subcontracting to small businesses. This represents a missed opportunity to support the small business sector.
Oversight & Accountability
The award was made via purchase order, which is a standard procurement instrument. Oversight would focus on the delivery of R&D services and adherence to the firm fixed price terms.
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
- Limited competition
- No small business participation
- Potential for price not being optimized
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, az, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $72,000 to BATTEL ENGINEERING INC. CONSULTING ON LOW VOLTAGE POWER SUPPLY (LVPC) DESIGN
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BATTEL ENGINEERING 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 $72,000.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-03-25. End: 2026-09-25.
What specific R&D outcomes are expected from this LVPC design contract?
The contract is for Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences, specifically focusing on Low Voltage Power Supply (LVPC) design. Expected outcomes likely include innovative design concepts, feasibility studies, and potentially prototypes or technical reports that advance NASA's capabilities in power systems for its missions or facilities. The exact deliverables would be detailed in the contract statement of work.
What are the risks associated with awarding R&D contracts through limited competition?
Limited competition in R&D can increase risks such as paying a higher price than necessary, receiving less innovative solutions, and potentially overlooking superior capabilities from other firms. It also reduces transparency and can create perceptions of favoritism. While sometimes justified for specialized expertise, it necessitates strong justification and oversight to ensure value for taxpayer money.
How does this contract contribute to NASA's overall mission effectiveness?
This contract supports NASA's mission by investing in foundational research and development for critical systems like power supplies. Advancements in LVPC design could lead to more efficient, reliable, or lighter power solutions for spacecraft, ground systems, or future technologies, ultimately enhancing mission success and operational capabilities.
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 › Energy R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 80NSSC25898251Q
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 10020 N 58TH ST, PARADISE VALLEY, AZ, 85253
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $72,000
Exercised Options: $72,000
Current Obligation: $72,000
Actual Outlays: $51,694
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-03-25
Current End Date: 2026-09-25
Potential End Date: 2026-09-25 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-07
Other National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracts
- International Space Station — $22.4B (THE Boeing Company)
- TAS::80 0124::TAS Design, Development, Test&evaluation of Project Orion — $15.5B (Lockheed Martin Corp)
- Provide Developmental Hardware and Test Articles, and Manufacture and Assemble Ares I Upper Stages. the Upper Stage (US) Element IS an Integral Part of the Ares I Launch Vehicle and Provides the Second Stage of Flight. the US Element IS Responsible for the Roll Control During the First Stage Burn and Separation; and Will Provide the Guidance and Navigation, Command and Data Handling, and Other Avionics Functions for the Ares I During ALL Phases of the Ascent Flight. the US Element IS a NEW Design That Emphasizes Safety, Operability, and Minimum Life Cycle Cost. the Overall Design, Development, Test and Evaluation (ddt&e), Production, and Sustaining Engineering Efforts Include Activities Performed by Three Organizations; the Nasa Design Team (NDT), the Upper Stage Production Contractor (uspc) and the Instrument Unit Production Contractor (iupc). for Clarity, the Uspc Will BE Referred to AS the Contractor Throughout This Document. Nasa IS Responsible for the Integration of the Primary Elements of the Ares I Launch Vehicle Including: the First Stage, US Including Instrument Unit (IU), and US Engine; and Will Also Integrate the Ares I Launch Vehicle AT the Launch Site. Nasa IS Responsible for the Ddt&e, Including Technical and Programmatic Integration of the US Subsystems and Government-Furnished Property. Nasa Will Lead the Effort to Develop the Requirements and Specifications of the US Element, the Development Plan and Testing Requirements, and ALL Design Documentation, Initial Manufacturing and Assembly Process Planning, Logistics Planning, and Operations Support Planning. Development, Qualification, and Acceptance Testing Will BE Conducted by Nasa and the Contractor to Satisfy Requirements and for Risk Mitigation. Nasa IS Responsible for the Overall Upper Stage Verification and Validation Process and Will Require Support From the Contractor. the Contractor IS Responsible for the Manufacture and Assembly of the Upper Stage Test Flight and Operational Upper Stage Units Including the Installation of Upper Stage Instrument Unit, the Government-Furnished US Engine, Booster Separation Motors, and Other Government-Furnished Property. a Description of the Nasa Managed and Performed Efforts IS Contained in the US Work Packages and Will BE Made Available to the Contractor to Ensure Their Understanding of the Roles and Responsibilities of the NDT, Iupc, and Contractor During the Design, Development, and Operation of the US Element. the US Conceptual Design Described in the Uso-Clv-Se-25704 US Design Definition Document (DDD) IS the Baseline Design for This Contract. the Contractors Early Role Will BE to Provide Producibility Engineering Support to Nasa VIA the Established US Office Structure and to Provide Inputs Into the Final Design Configuration, Specifications, and Standards. Nasa Will Transition the Manufacturing and Assembly, Logistics Support Infrastructure, Configuration Management, and the Sustaining Engineering Functions to the Contractor AT the KEY Points During the Development and Implementation of the Program Currently Planned to Occur NO Later Than 90 Days After the Completion of the Following Major Milestones: Manufacturing and Assembly US Preliminary Design Review (PDR) Logistics Support Infrastructure US PDR Configuration Management US Critical Design Review CDR) Sustaining Engineering US Design Certification Review (DCR) After the Completion of an Orderly Transition of Roles and Responsibilities to the Contractor, Nasa Will Assume an Insight Role Into the Contractors Production, Sustaining Engineering, and Operations Support of the Ares I US Test Program and Flight Hardware. After DCR, the Contractor Will BE Responsible for Sustaining Engineering PER SOW Section 4.7, AS Necessary to Maintain and Support the US Configuration and for Production and Operations Support — $10.5B (THE Boeing Company)
- Space Program Operations Contract (spoc) — $8.5B (United Space Alliance, LLC)
- Joint Us/Russian Human Space Flight Activities — $4.7B (Russia Space Agency)
View all National Aeronautics and Space Administration contracts →