DoD's Air Force Awards $2M for Engineering Services to AXNANO INC via Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,996,990 ($2.0M)

Contractor: Axnano Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-10-31

End Date: 2027-10-30

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH PROJECT PHASE II TACFI AXNANO, LLC PY25.2 C2 TOPIC NUMBER: AX224-OCSO1

Place of Performance

Location: WARNER ROBINS, HOUSTON County, GEORGIA, 31098

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $2.0 million to AXNANO INC for work described as: SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH PROJECT PHASE II TACFI AXNANO, LLC PY25.2 C2 TOPIC NUMBER: AX224-OCSO1 Key points: 1. The contract is for a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project, indicating a focus on innovative solutions. 2. AXNANO INC, the contractor, is a single entity, suggesting specialized expertise. 3. The contract is awarded under Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources, implying a competitive process with specific justifications. 4. The sector is Engineering Services, a broad category often supporting complex technological development.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $1,996,989.57 for a 2-year duration appears reasonable for a specialized SBIR Phase II project. Benchmarking against similar SBIR contracts would provide further context.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The award was made under 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources'. This suggests that while the competition was open, specific sources may have been excluded based on defined criteria, potentially impacting the breadth of initial bidders but still aiming for competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award, even with exclusions, aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for innovative research and development.

Public Impact

Supports technological advancement through the Small Business Innovation Research program. The Department of the Air Force is investing in specialized engineering services. The contract duration of two years allows for substantial project development and testing. The fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition due to 'Exclusion of Sources' clause.
SBIR projects can carry inherent technical and schedule risks.
Contract value is significant for a single-phase SBIR award.

Positive Signals

Focus on innovation through SBIR program.
Firm Fixed Price contract offers budget predictability.
Awarded by a major branch of the DoD (Air Force).

Sector Analysis

The Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330) is critical for defense and aerospace, encompassing design, consulting, and R&D. Spending in this area by the DoD is substantial, often driven by complex system development and modernization efforts.

Small Business Impact

While the contractor is AXNANO INC, the contract is part of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, which specifically aims to foster innovation within small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to confirm if AXNANO INC itself qualifies as a small business under SBIR program definitions.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a definitive contract awarded by the Department of the Air Force, implying standard oversight mechanisms are in place. The SBIR program itself has oversight to ensure research objectives are met.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Air Force Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to 'Exclusion of Sources'.
Technical risks inherent in R&D projects.
Contract duration may be insufficient for full technology maturation.
Dependence on a single contractor (AXNANO INC).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $2.0 million to AXNANO INC. SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH PROJECT PHASE II TACFI AXNANO, LLC PY25.2 C2 TOPIC NUMBER: AX224-OCSO1

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AXNANO INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-10-31. End: 2027-10-30.

What specific engineering challenges does this SBIR project aim to address for the Air Force?

The specific engineering challenges are not detailed in the provided data, which only lists the contract award for an SBIR Phase II project. To understand the precise objectives, one would need to consult the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or the specific topic announcement (C2 Topic Number: AX224-OCSO1) under which this award was made. These documents typically outline the technical goals, deliverables, and desired outcomes.

How does the 'Exclusion of Sources' in the competition method impact potential risks or value?

The 'Exclusion of Sources' clause suggests that while the competition was open, certain potential bidders were explicitly excluded based on predefined criteria, possibly related to security, intellectual property, or specific technological capabilities. This could limit the pool of competitors, potentially reducing price pressure and innovation diversity. However, it might also ensure that the awarded contractor possesses highly specialized and relevant expertise, mitigating technical risks for the government.

What is the expected effectiveness of this project in advancing Air Force capabilities?

The effectiveness hinges on the successful completion of the SBIR Phase II objectives, which are designed to mature innovative technologies. As a Phase II award, it implies that initial feasibility (Phase I) has been demonstrated. The ultimate effectiveness will be measured by whether the developed solution meets the Air Force's needs, integrates into existing systems, and provides a tangible capability enhancement or cost-saving benefit.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: FA857126R0014

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2901 E GATE CITY BLVD, GREENSBORO, NC, 27401

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,996,990

Exercised Options: $1,996,990

Current Obligation: $1,996,990

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline