NASA awards $1.1M to University of Central Florida for Lunabotics management support
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $113,549 ($113.5K)
Contractor: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2026-03-01
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 213 days
Daily Burn Rate: $533/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: LUNABOTICS MANAGEMENT SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: ORLANDO, ORANGE County, FLORIDA, 32826
State: Florida Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $113,549 to UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC. for work described as: LUNABOTICS MANAGEMENT SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting competitive price discovery. 2. The fixed-price contract structure shifts performance risk to the contractor. 3. Duration of 213 days suggests a focused, short-term support requirement. 4. The award falls under the 'Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools' NAICS code. 5. NASA's reliance on a single source may indicate specialized expertise or a unique relationship.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $1.1M for approximately 7 months of support appears reasonable for specialized management services. However, without a competitive bidding process, it is difficult to benchmark against market rates or assess if the most cost-effective solution was secured. The fixed-price nature provides cost certainty for the government, but the absence of competition raises questions about optimal value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) and was awarded on a sole-source basis to the University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc. The lack of competition means that NASA did not solicit bids from multiple vendors, potentially missing out on cost savings or innovative solutions that a competitive environment could foster.
Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can lead to higher prices for taxpayers as there is no market pressure to drive down costs. It also limits opportunities for other qualified organizations to secure government contracts.
Public Impact
The University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc. will receive funding for its services. Support will be provided to NASA's Lunabotics program, likely enhancing its operational efficiency. The contract is geographically focused within Florida. This award may support academic research and development activities at the university level.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition may result in a higher price than a competed contract.
- Sole-source awards can limit opportunities for other potential contractors.
- The specific management support required is not detailed, making it hard to assess performance risks.
Positive Signals
- Award to a university research foundation suggests a focus on specialized knowledge and innovation.
- Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
- The contract duration is clearly defined, allowing for focused project management.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the broader 'Education and Research Services' sector, specifically supporting a government program through academic collaboration. The market for specialized management support to federal research initiatives is often niche, with universities and research institutions being key players. Benchmarking is difficult without more specific details on the services provided, but spending in this area is generally driven by program-specific needs rather than broad market trends.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to involve small business set-asides, as the awardee is a university research foundation. There is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data. The focus is on direct service provision by the awarded entity.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will likely be managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's contracting officers and program managers. As a purchase order, it falls under standard federal procurement regulations. Transparency is limited by the sole-source nature of the award, but contract details are typically available through federal procurement databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud or mismanagement.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Research and Development Contracts
- University Research Support Programs
- Space Exploration Management Services
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Lack of detailed service description hinders full assessment.
- Potential for higher cost due to non-competitive award.
Tags
nasa, university-of-central-florida, lunabotics, management-support, sole-source, purchase-order, fixed-price, florida, research-and-development, education-services
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $113,549 to UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.. LUNABOTICS MANAGEMENT SUPPORT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, 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 $113,549.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-03-01. End: 2026-09-30.
What specific management support services will the University of Central Florida Research Foundation provide under this contract?
The provided data indicates the contract is for 'LUNABOTICS MANAGEMENT SUPPORT' but does not detail the specific services. Typically, management support in such contexts could include project planning, coordination, administrative oversight, logistical support, financial management, and reporting related to NASA's Lunabotics initiatives. The Lunabotics Mining Competition, for example, requires significant organizational and logistical management. Further details would be found in the contract's statement of work, which is not included in the provided data.
Why was this contract awarded on a sole-source basis instead of being competed?
Sole-source awards are typically justified when only one responsible source is available or capable of providing the required service. For a university research foundation, this could be due to unique expertise, prior development of specific technologies or methodologies related to the Lunabotics program, or a pre-existing relationship and understanding of NASA's needs that would be difficult and costly to replicate with a new contractor. NASA would have had to document the justification for this sole-source award, likely citing unique capabilities or the need for continuity with existing efforts.
How does the $1.1M contract value compare to similar management support contracts for NASA programs?
Benchmarking this $1.1M contract value is challenging without more specific details on the scope and duration of services. However, for a period of approximately seven months (213 days), this value suggests a significant level of specialized support. NASA often contracts with universities for research and program management, with values varying widely based on complexity. Given the sole-source nature, it's difficult to ascertain if this represents optimal value compared to what might be achieved through competition. A comparative analysis would require identifying contracts with similar service descriptions and awardees.
What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for management support?
The primary risk of a sole-source award is the potential for a higher price due to the lack of competitive pressure. There's also a risk that NASA may not be receiving the most innovative or efficient solutions available in the market. Furthermore, it can limit opportunities for other qualified entities, potentially impacting the broader ecosystem of contractors. Dependence on a single source can also create risks if that source encounters performance issues or becomes unavailable.
What is the historical spending pattern for Lunabotics management support or similar services by NASA?
The provided data does not include historical spending patterns. To assess this, one would need to query federal procurement databases (like USASpending.gov) for past contracts awarded to the University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc., or other entities, for 'Lunabotics management support' or closely related services. Analyzing trends in award values, competition levels, and contract durations over several fiscal years would provide context on NASA's historical investment in this area.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Educational Services › Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools › Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 80NSSC26927630Q
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3100 TECHNOLOGY PKWY STE 201, ORLANDO, FL, 32826
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Higher Education (Minority Serving), Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $113,549
Exercised Options: $113,549
Current Obligation: $113,549
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-03-01
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2026-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-07
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