NASA Awards $19.3M Contract for Advanced Animal Habitat Centrifuge to Star Enterprises Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $19,297,000 ($19.3M)
Contractor: Star Enterprises Inc
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 1999-12-15
End Date: 2008-08-31
Contract Duration: 3,182 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: SBIR PHASE 3 - ADVANCED ANIMAL HABITAT- CENTRIFUGE
Place of Performance
Location: BLOOMINGTON, MONROE County, INDIANA, 47408
State: Indiana Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $19.3 million to STAR ENTERPRISES INC for work described as: SBIR PHASE 3 - ADVANCED ANIMAL HABITAT- CENTRIFUGE Key points: 1. Contract awarded for advanced animal habitat centrifuge. 2. Star Enterprises Inc. is the contractor. 3. NASA is the contracting agency. 4. Contract duration is over 8 years. 5. Full and open competition was used.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, which can lead to higher costs if not managed carefully. The award amount of $19.3 million over nearly 9 years suggests a significant investment, but without specific performance metrics or benchmarks, assessing value is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified bidders. This method generally promotes competitive pricing, but the Cost Plus Award Fee structure requires diligent oversight to ensure cost-effectiveness.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for advanced research infrastructure. The long duration and cost-plus structure necessitate strong oversight to ensure efficient use of funds.
Public Impact
Supports NASA's space exploration research by providing advanced animal habitats. The centrifuge technology could have applications in other scientific fields. Long-term contract may indicate a sustained need for this capability. Investment in specialized research equipment.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee structure requires careful monitoring.
- Long contract duration (nearly 9 years) increases risk of cost overruns.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes value assessment challenging.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition utilized.
- Contract supports critical NASA research objectives.
- Awarded to a single entity, potentially indicating specialized capability.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the aerospace and research equipment sector. Spending in this area is driven by government research and development needs, particularly for space exploration and life sciences. Benchmarks are difficult without specific technology details.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors. The primary awardee is Star Enterprises Inc., and further analysis would be needed to determine their size status and any small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The Cost Plus Award Fee contract type requires robust oversight from NASA to ensure performance standards are met and costs are controlled. Regular reviews and audits would be essential to ensure accountability and prevent potential cost creep over the contract's long duration.
Related Government Programs
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Award Fee structure.
- Long contract duration.
- Potential for cost overruns.
- Lack of clear performance metrics in provided data.
- Limited information on technology specifics.
Tags
national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, in, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $19.3 million to STAR ENTERPRISES INC. SBIR PHASE 3 - ADVANCED ANIMAL HABITAT- CENTRIFUGE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is STAR ENTERPRISES 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 $19.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 1999-12-15. End: 2008-08-31.
What specific scientific advancements or research outcomes are expected from this advanced animal habitat centrifuge, and how will they justify the $19.3 million investment?
The expected outcomes likely relate to understanding the effects of simulated space environments on biological systems, crucial for long-duration human spaceflight. This could include research into physiological adaptations, radiation effects, or behavioral changes in animals under altered gravity. Justification hinges on the criticality of this data for astronaut safety and mission success, potentially leading to breakthroughs in life support or medical countermeasures.
Given the Cost Plus Award Fee structure and the nearly 9-year duration, what specific mechanisms are in place to mitigate the risk of cost overruns and ensure the government receives fair value?
Mitigation strategies would involve clearly defined award fee criteria tied to objective performance metrics, regular progress reviews, and stringent cost accounting standards. NASA's contracting officers must actively manage the contract, ensuring that fee awards are justified by exceptional performance and that costs remain within projected budgets. Independent cost estimates and audits would also serve as crucial oversight tools.
How does the technology developed for this advanced animal habitat centrifuge compare to commercial alternatives, and what is its potential for broader application or commercialization beyond NASA's i
The technology's uniqueness for space applications likely sets it apart from standard commercial centrifuges. Its advanced features may be tailored for specific research parameters not found in off-the-shelf solutions. Potential for broader application could exist in specialized biomedical research, pharmaceutical development, or even advanced agricultural science, depending on the specific innovations achieved during the contract period.
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Contractor Details
Address: 2713 E BETHEL LN, BLOOMINGTON, IN, 09
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $30,605,266
Exercised Options: $30,605,266
Current Obligation: $19,297,000
Timeline
Start Date: 1999-12-15
Current End Date: 2008-08-31
Potential End Date: 2008-08-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2013-10-22
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