NASA's L'Garde Solar Sail Demo: $21.8M for Phase B R&D, Restarting 2007 Fabrication
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $21,856,212 ($21.9M)
Contractor: L'garde, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2011-09-23
End Date: 2014-12-15
Contract Duration: 1,179 days
Daily Burn Rate: $18.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 47
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: THE WORK SPECIFIED IN THIS SOW COVERS THE INITIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE L GARDE SOLAR SAIL DEMONSTRATION DURING PHASE B. 7.1.1 SAILCRAFT BASE PERIOD ELEMENTS OF WORK BASE PERIOD DESCRIPTION THE SAILCRAFT BASE PERIOD SOW WILL BEGIN AT PROGRAM AUTHORITY TO PROCEED (ATP) AND END AT PDR. DURING THIS PERIOD THE EFFORT WILL BE FOCUSED ON FOUR MAIN EFFORTS: 1) RESTART FABRICATION, 2) PRELIMINARY DESIGN, 3) COUPON TESTING, AND 4) COMPONENT TESTING AND DEMONSTRATIONS. RESTART SOLAR SAIL FABRICATION DESCRIPTION DURING PREVIOUS EFFORTS MATERIAL HANDLING AND MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUES AND EQUIPMENT WERE MATURED. SINCE THE MOST RECENT SOLAR SAIL PROGRAM IN 2007, THESE MACHINES HAVE BEEN IDLED AND NO SAIL COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED. IT IS IMPORTANT TO RESTART THESE FABRICATION MACHINES AND TO REACQUAINT THE L GARDE TECHNICIANS WITH THE ART OF SOLAR SAIL MANUFACTURING. PRELIMINARY DESIGN DESCRIPTION THIS EFFORT ENCOMPASSES MISSION DESIGN, SYSTEMS DESIGN, AND SPACECRAFT PRELIMINARY DESIGN. THROUGH THESE EFFORTS THE PROGRAM WILL BE SHAPED AND DIRECTED TO A PRELIMINARY DESIGN THAT MEETS THE NEEDS OF THE MISSION. ALL TESTS AND DEMONSTRATIONS WILL BE INPUT TO THE PRELIMINARY DESIGN. THE OUTPUT OF THE PRELIMINARY DESIGN EFFORT WILL BE A PDR PACKAGE THAT INCLUDES ANALYSIS AND TESTING RESULTS AS WELL AS CAD RENDERINGS AND DETAILED DRAWINGS. COUPON TESTING DESCRIPTION THE BASE PERIOD COUPON TESTING WILL FOCUS ON CONNECTING THE DESIGN OF THE SAIL DEPLOYED IN THE NASA PLUM BROOK VACUUM CHAMBER WITH PROPOSED SAIL DESIGN. THROUGH A SERIES OF SIMPLE COUPON TESTS L GARDE SHALL DEVELOP CONFIDENCE IN THE PROPOSED SYSTEM CONFIGURATION AND GEOMETRY. SPECIFIC EMPHASIS WILL BE PLACED ON ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING OF THE PROPOSED SAIL MATERIAL TO FUNCTION IN THE RELEVANT SPACE ENVIRONMENT. COMPONENT DEMONSTRATIONS DESCRIPTION L GARDE SHALL PERFORM SEVERAL COMPONENT LEVEL TEST AND DEMONSTRATIONS. THESE TESTS, LIKE THE ABOVE COUPON TESTS, WILL AIM TO BRIDGE BETWEEN THE TECHNOLOGY HERITAGE OF THE L GARDE SOLAR SAIL AND SAIL DESIGNED IN THIS PROGRAM.
Place of Performance
Location: TUSTIN, ORANGE County, CALIFORNIA, 92780, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $21.9 million to L'GARDE, INC. for work described as: THE WORK SPECIFIED IN THIS SOW COVERS THE INITIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE L GARDE SOLAR SAIL DEMONSTRATION DURING PHASE B. 7.1.1 SAILCRAFT BASE PERIOD ELEMENTS OF WORK BASE PERIOD DESCRIPTION THE SAILCRAFT BASE PERIOD SOW WILL BEGIN AT PROGRAM AUTHORITY TO PROCEED (ATP) AND END AT P… Key points: 1. Focus on restarting solar sail fabrication, preliminary design, and testing for Phase B. 2. Competition was 'Full and Open after Exclusion of Sources', potentially limiting price discovery. 3. Risk of material degradation and equipment recalibration due to 2007 idle period. 4. Sector is R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences, with a specific NAICS code.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts for advanced materials and fabrication is difficult due to the unique nature of solar sails.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources' method suggests a pre-selection process, which might not have yielded the most competitive pricing. The impact on price discovery is unclear without knowing the exclusion criteria.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are allocated for advanced space technology development. The cost-effectiveness will depend on the success of the demonstration and future applications.
Public Impact
Advancement of solar sail technology for potential future space missions. Potential for new manufacturing techniques and materials science breakthroughs. Investment in cutting-edge aerospace research and development.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Risk of material degradation after 2007.
- Equipment recalibration needs.
- Potential for cost overruns with CPFF contract type.
- Limited competition transparency.
Positive Signals
- Restarting critical fabrication capabilities.
- Focus on key R&D phases (B).
- Potential for technological innovation.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is often characterized by high innovation potential but also inherent risks and long development cycles.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates the contractor is L'Garde, Inc. There is no specific information provided regarding small business participation or subcontracting in this data snippet.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by NASA. Oversight would typically involve monitoring progress against milestones, cost controls, and technical performance reviews to ensure accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Material degradation risk.
- Equipment obsolescence/recalibration risk.
- Cost overrun risk (CPFF).
- Schedule slippage risk.
- Unclear long-term ROI.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, ca, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $21.9 million to L'GARDE, INC.. THE WORK SPECIFIED IN THIS SOW COVERS THE INITIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE L GARDE SOLAR SAIL DEMONSTRATION DURING PHASE B. 7.1.1 SAILCRAFT BASE PERIOD ELEMENTS OF WORK BASE PERIOD DESCRIPTION THE SAILCRAFT BASE PERIOD SOW WILL BEGIN AT PROGRAM AUTHORITY TO PROCEED (ATP) AND END AT PDR. DURING THIS PERIOD THE EFFORT WILL BE FOCUSED ON FOUR MAIN EFFORTS: 1) RESTART FABRICATION, 2) PRELIMINARY DESIGN, 3) COUPON TESTING, AND 4) COMPONENT TESTING AND DEMONSTRATIONS. RESTART SOLAR SAIL FABRICATION DESCR
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is L'GARDE, 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 $21.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2011-09-23. End: 2014-12-15.
What is the projected return on investment for this solar sail demonstration?
The return on investment is not explicitly stated and is likely long-term and indirect. Success in Phase B could lead to reduced launch costs, extended mission durations, and new propulsion capabilities for future space exploration, indirectly benefiting taxpayers through scientific advancement and technological leadership.
What are the specific risks associated with restarting fabrication after a 14-year hiatus?
Key risks include material degradation of the solar sail fabric, requiring extensive testing and potential re-qualification. Equipment used in 2007 may require significant recalibration, maintenance, or even replacement, leading to schedule delays and increased costs. Ensuring the fidelity of the original design and manufacturing processes after such a long period is also a concern.
How will the effectiveness of the Phase B development be measured?
Effectiveness will likely be measured against the defined elements of work for the base period, including successful restart of fabrication, completion of preliminary design reviews, positive coupon and component testing results, and demonstration of key functionalities. Meeting the PDR milestone within the specified timeframe and budget will be a primary indicator.
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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH
Offers Received: 47
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 15181 WOODLAWN AVE, TUSTIN, CA, 92780
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $21,856,212
Exercised Options: $21,856,212
Current Obligation: $21,856,212
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2011-09-23
Current End Date: 2014-12-15
Potential End Date: 2014-12-15 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2016-05-26
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