DoD's $14.3M R&D contract for space suit components awarded to Utah State University

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,335,966 ($14.3M)

Contractor: Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2008-08-27

End Date: 2013-08-30

Contract Duration: 1,829 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 19

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: SPACE SUITABLE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS & RESPONSIVE SYSTEM ELEMENTS

Place of Performance

Location: LOGAN, CACHE County, UTAH, 84341

State: Utah Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $14.3 million to UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY SPACE DYNAMICS LABORATORY for work described as: SPACE SUITABLE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS & RESPONSIVE SYSTEM ELEMENTS Key points: 1. Contract focused on research and development for advanced space suit electronics and responsive systems. 2. Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a broad market search. 3. The contract duration of approximately 5 years indicates a significant, long-term research effort. 4. The 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' NAICS code points to a specialized technical area. 5. The contractor, Utah State University, is a known entity in aerospace research. 6. The contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) is common for R&D where costs can be uncertain.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this R&D contract is challenging without specific deliverables or comparable projects. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure means the government pays the actual costs plus a fixed fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. However, CPFF is often used for R&D where the scope is not fully defined, allowing for flexibility. The total award amount of $14.3 million over nearly five years suggests a moderate investment for specialized space technology research.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 19 bids suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this specialized R&D requirement. A competitive process like this generally helps ensure that the government receives fair pricing and access to the best available technology and expertise.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely drove down costs and encouraged innovation from multiple research institutions.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense and potentially NASA, through advancements in space exploration and astronaut safety. The contract aims to deliver improved electronic components and responsive system elements for space suits. The geographic impact is primarily within Utah, where Utah State University is located, but the technological advancements could have national and international implications. This contract supports specialized R&D roles within the university and potentially its subcontractors, fostering a skilled workforce in aerospace engineering.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can incentivize contractors to incur costs without strict adherence to budget if not properly monitored.
The long duration of the contract could present challenges in adapting to rapidly evolving technological landscapes in space electronics.
Ensuring clear and measurable R&D milestones is crucial for effective oversight and value realization in CPFF contracts.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
The contractor, Utah State University, has a demonstrated history in space research, suggesting technical capability.
The contract focuses on critical R&D for space suit technology, a vital area for national security and exploration.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The market for space suit components and related technologies is highly specialized, often involving a mix of government-funded research institutions and private aerospace contractors. Spending in this niche area is driven by the needs of space exploration programs (both governmental and commercial) and defense requirements for personnel operating in extreme environments. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within broader aerospace R&D budgets or specific space agency procurement data.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract included specific small business set-asides. Given the specialized nature of R&D in space suit electronics, it is likely that the primary award went to a large research institution. However, the potential for subcontracting to small businesses with niche expertise in electronic components or materials cannot be ruled out and would depend on the specific needs outlined in the contract's statement of work.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA). Accountability measures would focus on tracking incurred costs against the approved budget, monitoring progress against R&D milestones, and ensuring the contractor adheres to the terms of the contract. Transparency would be facilitated through regular reporting requirements from the contractor and potentially through public releases of research findings, depending on classification and proprietary considerations.

Related Government Programs

NASA Space Suit Development Programs
Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Contracts
Advanced Materials Research for Aerospace
Space Systems Engineering Contracts

Risk Flags

Cost Overrun Risk (CPFF)
Scope Creep Potential (R&D)
Technological Obsolescence (Long Duration)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $14.3 million to UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY SPACE DYNAMICS LABORATORY. SPACE SUITABLE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS & RESPONSIVE SYSTEM ELEMENTS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY SPACE DYNAMICS LABORATORY.

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 $14.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-08-27. End: 2013-08-30.

What is Utah State University's track record with Department of Defense contracts, particularly in R&D?

Utah State University (USU) has a significant history of engaging in research and development contracts, particularly with agencies like the Department of Defense (DoD) and NASA. USU's Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL), the entity that received this contract, is well-established in aerospace research, often focusing on areas like space weather, satellite technology, and advanced instrumentation. While specific dollar amounts and the number of past DoD R&D contracts would require a deeper dive into federal procurement databases, USU's general reputation and the existence of this substantial award indicate a proven capability to secure and execute complex research projects for defense and space applications. Their work often involves developing cutting-edge technologies and scientific understanding crucial for national security and space exploration.

How does the $14.3 million award compare to typical R&D spending for space suit components?

Comparing the $14.3 million award for space suit electronic components and responsive systems to typical R&D spending is complex due to the specialized nature of the field and the variability in contract scopes. This amount represents a significant investment, suggesting a comprehensive research effort over its ~5-year duration. However, it's important to note that R&D budgets can fluctuate widely based on program priorities, technological maturity, and the specific objectives. Larger, more established aerospace prime contractors might manage programs of this scale or larger, but for a university-affiliated research laboratory, this award signifies a substantial project. Without knowing the precise technical goals and the number of comparable active projects government-wide, it's difficult to definitively benchmark this specific award against an 'average' R&D spend, but it indicates a serious commitment to advancing this particular technology.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for R&D in space electronics?

The primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for R&D in space electronics revolve around cost control and scope definition. In a CPFF arrangement, the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. A key risk is that the contractor may have less incentive to control costs rigorously compared to fixed-price contracts, as cost overruns are generally covered by the government. For R&D, where the final outcome and exact technical challenges are often uncertain, defining a precise scope can be difficult, potentially leading to scope creep or unforeseen technical hurdles that increase costs. Effective oversight, clear milestone definitions, and robust cost tracking mechanisms are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives good value for its investment.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the development of future space exploration technologies?

This contract has the potential to significantly impact future space exploration technologies by advancing the state-of-the-art in space suit electronics and responsive systems. Improved electronic components can lead to more reliable, lighter, and more functional suits, enhancing astronaut safety and mission capabilities. 'Responsive systems' could imply technologies that adapt to changing environmental conditions or user needs in real-time, which is critical for long-duration missions or operations in unpredictable environments. The R&D funded here could lay the groundwork for next-generation suits required for lunar bases, Mars missions, or advanced orbital activities, ultimately enabling more ambitious and safer human space exploration endeavors.

How has federal spending on space suit technology evolved over the past decade, and where does this contract fit?

Federal spending on space suit technology has seen consistent investment, driven by NASA's exploration goals and the Department of Defense's requirements for personnel operating in hazardous environments. While specific figures for 'space suit technology' R&D can be difficult to isolate from broader aerospace R&D budgets, agencies like NASA and DoD allocate substantial funds towards astronaut life support systems, including suits. This $14.3 million contract awarded in 2008 fits within this ongoing trend of investing in advanced materials and systems for space operations. It represents a focused R&D effort rather than procurement of operational suits, indicating a commitment to technological advancement that likely complements larger procurement programs and supports long-term strategic objectives for human spaceflight and defense.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH

Offers Received: 19

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Utah State University (UEI: 072983455)

Address: 1695 N RESEARCH PKWY, LOGAN, UT, 01

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Federally Funded Research and Development Corp, Foundation, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,348,177

Exercised Options: $14,348,177

Current Obligation: $14,335,966

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline