NASA's $15.77M contract for plant research unit SBIR Phase 3 awarded to Orbital Technologies Corporation
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $15,769,276 ($15.8M)
Contractor: Orbital Technologies Corporation
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2000-09-28
End Date: 2008-04-09
Contract Duration: 2,750 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: NOT REPORTED
Sector: R&D
Official Description: PLANT RESEARCH UNIT SBIR PHASE 3
Place of Performance
Location: MOUNTAIN VIEW, SANTA CLARA County, CALIFORNIA, 94035
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $15.8 million to ORBITAL TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION for work described as: PLANT RESEARCH UNIT SBIR PHASE 3 Key points: 1. Contract awarded under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, indicating a focus on early-stage technology development. 2. The contract duration of approximately 7.5 years suggests a long-term commitment to the research and development project. 3. Awarded by NASA, this contract likely supports advancements in space exploration or related scientific fields. 4. The contract's value of $15.77 million represents a significant investment in a specific research area. 5. The 'Phase 3' designation implies that initial research and feasibility studies (Phases 1 and 2) were successfully completed. 6. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this specific SBIR Phase 3 contract is challenging without more granular data on the specific research outcomes and market impact. However, the $15.77 million awarded over nearly 8 years indicates a substantial investment. Comparing it to other SBIR Phase 3 contracts would require identifying similar technology areas and research scopes. The absence of a specific Product or Service Code (PSC) makes direct cost comparisons difficult. The contract's duration suggests a phased approach to development, which can be cost-effective if milestones are met.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of two bids (no: 2) suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific research and development effort. While competition is generally positive for price discovery, the specialized nature of SBIR Phase 3 projects can sometimes limit the number of highly qualified bidders.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it aims to secure the best value through a competitive process, potentially leading to lower costs or superior technical solutions.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are likely NASA researchers and potentially the broader scientific community through the dissemination of research findings. The contract supports the development of advanced technologies or scientific understanding within the physical, engineering, and life sciences. The geographic impact is primarily centered in California, where the contractor is located. Workforce implications include employment for scientists, engineers, and support staff at Orbital Technologies Corporation.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- The long duration of the contract (nearly 8 years) could pose risks if project goals shift or if the technology becomes obsolete.
- Limited information on specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the project's progress and success.
- The absence of a specific Product or Service Code (PSC) hinders detailed cost analysis and benchmarking.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under the SBIR program, which is designed to foster innovation and commercialization of new technologies.
- The 'Phase 3' designation indicates successful completion of prior research phases, suggesting a degree of technical validation.
- Full and open competition suggests a structured and transparent procurement process.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The SBIR program is a key government initiative to stimulate technological innovation by supporting small businesses. Phase 3 contracts are typically for the commercialization of R&D results. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific sub-field of research, but R&D contracts can range widely in value.
Small Business Impact
While the contract is for a 'PLANT RESEARCH UNIT SBIR PHASE 3', the award itself is to Orbital Technologies Corporation, which may or may not be a small business. SBIR contracts are specifically designed to support small businesses. However, Phase 3 contracts can sometimes involve larger entities or transitions. Without explicit confirmation of Orbital Technologies Corporation's small business status for this award, it's difficult to assess direct small business set-aside implications. Subcontracting opportunities would depend on the project's needs and the prime contractor's strategy.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Accountability measures would be tied to the achievement of project milestones and deliverables outlined in the contract. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, though detailed project progress reports are often internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program
- NASA Research and Development Contracts
- Life Sciences Research Contracts
- Physical Sciences Research Contracts
- Engineering Research Contracts
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration
- Limited performance data available
- Specialized R&D field may limit competition
Tags
nasa, research-and-development, california, full-and-open-competition, sbir, phase-3, orbital-technologies-corporation, life-sciences, physical-sciences, engineering, large-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $15.8 million to ORBITAL TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION. PLANT RESEARCH UNIT SBIR PHASE 3
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ORBITAL TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION.
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 $15.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2000-09-28. End: 2008-04-09.
What specific technological advancements or scientific discoveries were expected from this 'PLANT RESEARCH UNIT SBIR PHASE 3' contract?
The provided data does not specify the exact nature of the 'PLANT RESEARCH UNIT' research. However, SBIR Phase 3 contracts are intended to bring technologies developed in earlier phases to commercialization. Given the award by NASA and the R&D classification (NAICS 541710), the research likely pertained to areas relevant to space exploration, life support systems, or fundamental biological sciences with potential applications in space or terrestrial environments. This could include areas like advanced agriculture for space habitats, bioregenerative life support, or novel plant-based materials. Without access to the contract's statement of work or final reports, the precise outcomes remain unspecified in this dataset.
How does the $15.77 million contract value compare to other SBIR Phase 3 contracts in similar R&D fields?
Directly comparing the $15.77 million value of this specific SBIR Phase 3 contract to others requires identifying contracts with identical or highly similar NAICS codes (541710 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences) and similar project scopes. SBIR Phase 3 contracts can vary significantly in value, often ranging from a few million to tens of millions of dollars, depending on the technology's complexity, market potential, and the duration of the development and commercialization effort. This particular contract's value appears substantial, suggesting a significant scope or a high-potential technology. Benchmarking would necessitate a detailed analysis of comparable contracts within NASA or other agencies funding similar R&D areas.
What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) or milestones for Orbital Technologies Corporation under this contract?
The provided data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or milestones for Orbital Technologies Corporation under this contract. Typically, for an SBIR Phase 3 contract, KPIs would focus on achieving specific technical performance targets, demonstrating the technology's readiness for commercialization, securing intellectual property, and achieving market penetration or sales goals. The long duration (2750 days, approximately 7.5 years) suggests a phased approach with multiple intermediate milestones related to research, development, testing, and eventual market introduction. NASA would have established these metrics in the contract's Statement of Work.
What is the track record of Orbital Technologies Corporation with NASA or other federal agencies for R&D contracts?
The provided data indicates that Orbital Technologies Corporation (Orbital) received this specific NASA contract. To assess their broader track record, one would need to query federal procurement databases for all contracts awarded to Orbital Technologies Corporation across various agencies and contract types. This would reveal their history in performing R&D work, their success rates, and the types of technologies they have developed. A comprehensive review would help determine if they have a consistent history of successful contract performance, particularly in areas related to NASA's mission or the specific R&D domain of this contract.
What was the total federal spending on NAICS code 541710 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences) during the contract period (2000-2008)?
The contract period for this award was from September 28, 2000, to April 9, 2008. During this timeframe, federal spending on NAICS code 541710 was substantial, reflecting the government's significant investment in scientific and technological advancement across various agencies. While precise annual figures for this specific code across all agencies are not directly available in the provided snippet, agencies like the Department of Defense, Department of Health and Human Services (including NIH), NASA, and the National Science Foundation are major contributors to this spending category. Overall federal R&D obligations typically run into the tens of billions of dollars annually, with a significant portion allocated to physical, engineering, and life sciences.
Were there any significant challenges or issues reported during the performance of this contract?
The provided data does not contain information regarding specific challenges or issues encountered during the performance of this contract. Contract performance data, including modifications, disputes, or termination details, would typically be found in more detailed contract management systems or agency reports. Without such information, it's impossible to determine if Orbital Technologies Corporation faced significant hurdles or if the contract proceeded smoothly towards its objectives.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Community and Regional Development R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ALTERNATIVE SOURCES
Solicitation ID: RFP2-36484(PBH)
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: NOT REPORTED (NO)
Contractor Details
Address: 1212 FOURIER DRIVE, MADISON, WI, 02
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $15,769,276
Exercised Options: $15,769,276
Current Obligation: $15,769,276
Timeline
Start Date: 2000-09-28
Current End Date: 2008-04-09
Potential End Date: 2008-04-09 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2010-09-20
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