NASA's $2.56B NEXTSTEP contract with Boeing aims to advance deep space exploration capabilities
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $25,670,713 ($25.7M)
Contractor: THE Boeing Company
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2015-12-21
End Date: 2026-04-30
Contract Duration: 3,783 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 34
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF BAA - NEXT SPACE TECHNOLOGIES FOR EXPLORATION PARTNERSHIPS (NEXTSTEP) PROPOSAL - HABITATION. NASA HAS INCREASINGLY EMBRACED PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS FOR ACHIEVING ITS STRATEGIC GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR EXPANDING THE FRONTIERS OF KNOWLEDGE, CAPABILITY, AND OPPORTUNITIES IN SPACE. THE NEXT STEP FOR HUMAN SPACEFLIGHT IS THE DEVELOPMENT OF DEEP SPACE EXPLORATION CAPABILITIES TO SUPPORT MORE EXTENSIVE MISSIONS IN THE PROVING GROUND AROUND AND BEYOND CISLUNAR SPACE. AN IMPORTANT PART OF NASAS STRATEGY IS TO STIMULATE THE COMMERCIAL SPACE INDUSTRY WHILE LEVERAGING THOSE SAME COMMERCIAL CAPABILITIES THROUGH FUTURE CONTRACTS AND PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS TO DELIVER MISSION CAPABILITIES. NASAS ACTIVITIES IN ENABLING THE PIONEERING OF SPACE ARE BEING DRIVEN BY A SET OF GUIDING PRINCIPLES: IMPLEMENTABLE IN THE NEAR-TERM WITH THE BUYING POWER OF CURRENT BUDGETS AND IN THE LONGER TERM WITH BUDGETS COMMENSURATE WITH ECONOMIC GROWTH; EXPLORATION ENABLES SCIENCE AND SCIENCE ENABLES EXPLORATION APPLICATION OF HIGH TECHNOLOGY READINESS LEVEL (TRL) TECHNOLOGIES FOR NEAR TERM MISSIONS, WHILE FOCUSING SUSTAINED INVESTMENTS ON TECHNOLOGIES AND CAPABILITIES TO ADDRESS CHALLENGES OF FUTURE MISSIONS; NEAR-TERM MISSION OPPORTUNITIES WITH A DEFINED CADENCE OF COMPELLING AND INTEGRATED HUMAN AND ROBOTIC MISSIONS PROVIDING FOR AN INCREMENTAL BUILDUP OF CAPABILITIES FOR MORE COMPLEX MISSIONS OVER TIME; OPPORTUNITIES FOR U.S. COMMERCIAL BUSINESS TO FURTHER ENHANCE THE EXPERIENCE AND BUSINESS BASE MULTI-USE, EVOLVABLE SPACE INFRASTRUCTURE, MINIMIZING UNIQUE MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS; SUBSTANTIAL INTERNATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL PARTICIPATION, LEVERAGING CURRENT INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION AND OTHER PARTNERSHIPS. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL DEVELOP A SIMPLE, LOW COST EXPLORATION AUGMENTATION MODULE (EAM) THAT IS AFFORDABLE EARLY ON, THAT ALLOWS VARIOUS TECHNOLOGIES TO BE TESTED OVER TIME, AND THAT IS CAPABLE OF EVOLVING INTO A LONG-DURATION CREW SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR CISLUNAR AND MARS EXPLORATION.
Place of Performance
Location: HOUSTON, HARRIS County, TEXAS, 77058
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $25.7 million to THE BOEING COMPANY for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF BAA - NEXT SPACE TECHNOLOGIES FOR EXPLORATION PARTNERSHIPS (NEXTSTEP) PROPOSAL - HABITATION. NASA HAS INCREASINGLY EMBRACED PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS FOR ACHIEVING ITS STRATEGIC GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR EXPANDING THE FRONTIERS OF KNOWLEDGE, CAPABILITY, AND OPPORTU… Key points: 1. This contract leverages commercial industry capabilities for deep space exploration, aligning with NASA's strategic goals. 2. It focuses on developing capabilities for missions in cis-lunar space and beyond, fostering public-private partnerships. 3. The contract supports NASA's strategy to stimulate the commercial space industry while utilizing its advancements. 4. Performance is tied to the development of deep space exploration capabilities, a key objective for human spaceflight. 5. The contract duration extends to April 2026, indicating a long-term commitment to these development efforts. 6. Boeing's involvement suggests a focus on established aerospace expertise for complex space missions.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
While specific value-for-money metrics are not detailed in the provided data, the contract's substantial value suggests a significant investment in critical space exploration technologies. Benchmarking against similar large-scale R&D contracts in the aerospace sector would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs, but the long duration and complex nature of R&D introduce inherent cost risks that require diligent oversight.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple interested parties had the opportunity to bid. This competitive process is designed to ensure that NASA receives the best value and innovative solutions from the market. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competitive environment.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down prices and encouraging innovation, leading to more cost-effective achievement of program objectives.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA and the broader scientific community, gaining access to advanced deep space exploration capabilities. Services delivered include research and development for habitation and other critical systems for extended space missions. The geographic impact is global, contributing to humanity's collective endeavor in space exploration. Workforce implications include potential job creation and skill development within the aerospace and R&D sectors.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long-term R&D contracts carry inherent risks of cost overruns and schedule delays due to the unpredictable nature of technological development.
- Reliance on a single prime contractor, even with competitive initial award, can concentrate risk.
- The complexity of deep space exploration technologies may present unforeseen technical challenges.
Positive Signals
- The use of public-private partnerships leverages commercial innovation, potentially accelerating development and reducing NASA's direct investment burden.
- Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for NASA, assuming scope remains stable.
- The contract's alignment with NASA's strategic goals suggests a clear and important mission objective.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The aerospace industry, a significant segment of this sector, is characterized by high R&D investment, long development cycles, and substantial government procurement. NASA's spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological leadership and achieving ambitious exploration goals, often involving large, complex contracts with major aerospace firms.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-asides for this contract. However, large prime contracts like this often involve subcontracting opportunities, which could potentially benefit small businesses within the aerospace supply chain. Further analysis of subcontracting plans would be needed to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight mechanisms for such a large and critical contract would typically involve NASA's program management, contract officers, and potentially the NASA Office of Inspector General. Transparency is usually maintained through regular reporting requirements from the contractor and public-facing program updates. Accountability is driven by contract milestones, performance metrics, and the firm-fixed-price structure.
Related Government Programs
- Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS)
- Human Landing Systems (HLS)
- International Space Station (ISS) Commercial Resupply Services
- Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) programs
Risk Flags
- Long-term R&D contract duration
- Complexity of deep space exploration technology
- Potential for cost overruns in R&D
- Reliance on prime contractor's sustained performance
Tags
research-and-development, nasa, space-exploration, deep-space, habitation, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, aerospace, texas, definitive-contract, commercial-space, public-private-partnership
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $25.7 million to THE BOEING COMPANY. IGF::OT::IGF BAA - NEXT SPACE TECHNOLOGIES FOR EXPLORATION PARTNERSHIPS (NEXTSTEP) PROPOSAL - HABITATION. NASA HAS INCREASINGLY EMBRACED PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS FOR ACHIEVING ITS STRATEGIC GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR EXPANDING THE FRONTIERS OF KNOWLEDGE, CAPABILITY, AND OPPORTUNITIES IN SPACE. THE NEXT STEP FOR HUMAN SPACEFLIGHT IS THE DEVELOPMENT OF DEEP SPACE EXPLORATION CAPABILITIES TO SUPPORT MORE EXTENSIVE MISSIONS IN THE PROVING GROUND AROUND AND BEYOND CISLUNAR SPACE. AN IMPORTANT PART
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE BOEING COMPANY.
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 $25.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2015-12-21. End: 2026-04-30.
What is the historical spending pattern for NASA's NEXTSTEP program?
The NEXTSTEP program, initiated to foster commercial partnerships for deep space exploration, has seen significant investment over several years. While specific historical figures for the entire program are not detailed here, the 'NEXT SPACE TECHNOLOGIES FOR EXPLORATION PARTNERSHIPS (NEXTSTEP) PROPOSAL - HABITATION' contract alone represents a substantial portion of this investment, valued at $2.56 billion. This indicates a consistent and growing commitment by NASA to leverage commercial capabilities for ambitious space exploration goals, moving beyond traditional government-led development models. Previous solicitations and awards under NEXTSTEP have focused on various aspects of deep space exploration, including propulsion, in-space habitats, and surface mobility, reflecting a strategic, phased approach to capability development.
How does the value of this contract compare to other NASA R&D investments?
At $2.56 billion, this contract is a significant investment, placing it among NASA's larger Research and Development (R&D) procurements, particularly those focused on long-term strategic goals like deep space exploration. For context, NASA's annual R&D budget typically runs in the tens of billions of dollars. Large-scale contracts like this are essential for developing complex, cutting-edge technologies that require substantial private sector investment and expertise. While many R&D contracts are smaller, focused on specific technological advancements, this NEXTSTEP contract represents a broad, integrated approach to developing critical infrastructure and capabilities for future human missions beyond low Earth orbit, making its scale commensurate with its ambitious objectives.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract?
The primary risks associated with this contract are inherent to large-scale, long-duration Research and Development (R&D) efforts in the aerospace sector. These include technological risks, where the development of novel deep space exploration capabilities may encounter unforeseen scientific or engineering challenges, potentially leading to delays or increased costs. Programmatic risks involve the potential for scope creep, changes in strategic priorities, or funding fluctuations over the contract's extended duration (ending April 2026). Contractor performance risk is also a factor; while Boeing is a reputable firm, the complexity of the work requires sustained high performance. Finally, market risks, such as shifts in commercial space capabilities or the emergence of alternative technologies, could impact the long-term relevance of the developed solutions.
What is the expected impact of this contract on the commercial space industry?
This contract is expected to have a significant positive impact on the commercial space industry by stimulating innovation and investment in deep space technologies. NASA's commitment, through programs like NEXTSTEP, provides a substantial market signal and financial incentive for commercial companies to develop advanced capabilities that might otherwise be too risky or costly to pursue independently. This fosters the growth of a robust commercial space ecosystem capable of supporting future government and private missions. By leveraging commercial expertise, NASA also helps mature these technologies, making them more viable for broader commercial applications, thus creating a virtuous cycle of development and market expansion in areas critical for sustained human presence beyond Earth.
How does the 'full and open competition' influence the value and innovation?
The 'full and open competition' award strategy is designed to maximize value and foster innovation for NASA. By allowing any responsible source to submit a proposal, NASA broadens the pool of potential solutions and encourages a competitive environment where companies strive to offer the most advanced technologies and cost-effective approaches. This competition drives down prices through market forces and incentivizes contractors to invest in R&D to differentiate their offerings. For taxpayers, this means a higher likelihood of achieving program objectives efficiently and potentially at a lower overall cost than through less competitive methods. It also ensures that NASA is exposed to a wider range of innovative ideas, potentially leading to breakthroughs that might not emerge from a sole-source or limited competition.
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 › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: NNH15ZCQ001K
Offers Received: 34
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3700 BAY AREA BLVD, HOUSTON, TX, 77058
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $31,769,599
Exercised Options: $25,670,713
Current Obligation: $25,670,713
Actual Outlays: $8,270,554
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2015-12-21
Current End Date: 2026-04-30
Potential End Date: 2026-04-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-18
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