NASA awards $29.5K for Fuel Quantity Test Box to Alberth Aviation, Ltd. under Other Aircraft Parts Manufacturing
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $29,500 ($29.5K)
Contractor: Alberth Aviation, Ltd.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2026-04-09
End Date: 2026-04-23
Contract Duration: 14 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.1K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: P/N: 1159GSE50575-255 FUEL QUANTITY TEST BOX
Place of Performance
Location: MAGNOLIA, MONTGOMERY County, TEXAS, 77355
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $29,500 to ALBERTH AVIATION, LTD. for work described as: P/N: 1159GSE50575-255 FUEL QUANTITY TEST BOX Key points: 1. The contract value of $29.5K is relatively small, suggesting a niche requirement. 2. Alberth Aviation, Ltd. is the sole awardee, raising questions about competition. 3. The 'Other Aircraft Parts' sector is broad, but this specific item is likely specialized. 4. The short duration (14 days) indicates a quick fulfillment need.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The award amount is low, making direct price comparisons difficult. However, without competition, it's hard to ascertain if the price is optimal.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The direct taxpayer impact is minimal due to the low contract value, but the lack of competition sets a precedent.
Public Impact
Ensures operational readiness for NASA aircraft by providing a critical testing component. Supports the aerospace manufacturing sector, albeit on a small scale. Highlights potential gaps in competitive sourcing for specialized aircraft parts.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpayment due to sole-source award
- Limited visibility into market pricing for this specific part
Positive Signals
- Award supports a specific, likely critical, NASA requirement
- Contract is for a relatively small dollar amount, limiting financial risk
Sector Analysis
This award falls under the 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing' sector. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on the complexity and scale of the parts required, with specialized components often commanding higher prices.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate if Alberth Aviation, Ltd. is a small business. The award was not competed, so small business set-aside opportunities were not explored.
Oversight & Accountability
The award was made via a Purchase Order, which typically has less stringent oversight than larger contract vehicles. The lack of competition warrants further review by oversight bodies.
Related Government Programs
- Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of documented justification for sole-sourcing
- Absence of competitive bidding process
- Potential for inflated pricing
- Limited visibility into market alternatives
Tags
other-aircraft-parts-and-auxiliary-equip, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, tx, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $29,500 to ALBERTH AVIATION, LTD.. P/N: 1159GSE50575-255 FUEL QUANTITY TEST BOX
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ALBERTH AVIATION, LTD..
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 $29,500.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2026-04-23.
What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and what steps were taken to ensure fair and reasonable pricing?
The justification for a sole-source award is not provided in the data. Typically, this occurs when only one vendor can meet the requirement due to unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent need. NASA should have conducted a price analysis to ensure the $29.5K is fair and reasonable, comparing it to historical prices or commercial equivalents if available.
What is the potential risk to NASA if this specific fuel quantity test box is not readily available from multiple sources?
The primary risk is operational disruption if NASA's existing test boxes fail and replacements are difficult to procure quickly. A sole-source situation can also lead to price escalation over time and reduced innovation as there's no competitive pressure for vendors to improve their offerings or reduce costs.
How effective is NASA's procurement strategy in ensuring access to critical aircraft parts while maximizing value for taxpayers?
This sole-source award suggests a potential weakness in NASA's strategy for ensuring broad access to critical parts and maximizing taxpayer value. While necessary in some cases, a reliance on sole-source awards for specialized components could indicate a need for better market research, strategic sourcing, or fostering competition within the supply chain.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing › Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: AEROSPACE CRAFT COMPONENTS AND ACCESSORIES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 80NSSC26927116Q
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 36027 FM 1774 RD, MAGNOLIA, TX, 77355
Business Categories: Category Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $29,500
Exercised Options: $29,500
Current Obligation: $29,500
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-09
Current End Date: 2026-04-23
Potential End Date: 2026-04-23 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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