NASA Awards $14.4M for Chemical Steam Generators to Eden Cryogenics LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $14,369,462 ($14.4M)
Contractor: Eden Cryogenics LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2008-09-30
End Date: 2011-10-21
Contract Duration: 1,116 days
Daily Burn Rate: $12.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE ALL RESOURCES NECESSARY FOR THE FABRICATION, INSPECTION, AND TESTING OF CHEMICAL STEAM GENERATORS, THE STRUCTURAL SKID ON WHICH THE CHEMICAL STEAM GENERATORS ARE MOUNTED, PIPING AND COMPONENTS SUCH AS VALVES AND INSTRUMENTATION, AS WELL AS CONTROL SYSTEM HARDWARE AS STATED IN THE REFERENCED SPECIFICATION WITH DELIVERY TO STENNIS SPACE CENTER, MS.
Place of Performance
Location: PLAIN CITY, FRANKLIN County, OHIO, 43064
State: Ohio Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $14.4 million to EDEN CRYOGENICS LLC for work described as: CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE ALL RESOURCES NECESSARY FOR THE FABRICATION, INSPECTION, AND TESTING OF CHEMICAL STEAM GENERATORS, THE STRUCTURAL SKID ON WHICH THE CHEMICAL STEAM GENERATORS ARE MOUNTED, PIPING AND COMPONENTS SUCH AS VALVES AND INSTRUMENTATION, AS WELL AS CONTROL SYSTEM HAR… Key points: 1. Contract focuses on fabrication, inspection, and testing of complex machinery. 2. Eden Cryogenics LLC is the sole awardee, raising questions about competition. 3. Risk of cost overruns or delays exists due to the specialized nature of the equipment. 4. Spending falls within the 'All Other Miscellaneous General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing' sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $14.4M for specialized steam generators appears reasonable given the complexity. However, without specific benchmarks for similar custom-built systems, a precise pricing assessment is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. This method should theoretically lead to better price discovery and value for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for necessary equipment.
Public Impact
Supports NASA's research and development capabilities at Stennis Space Center. Ensures availability of critical components for potential future space missions. Potential for technological advancements in cryogenic systems.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of small business participation.
- Potential for sole-source follow-on contracts if this vendor is uniquely qualified.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Firm fixed price contract type limits cost escalation risk.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing sector, which includes a wide range of industrial equipment. Spending benchmarks for highly specialized cryogenic steam generators are not readily available, making direct comparison challenging.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates no small business participation in this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed or if the nature of the work precluded small business involvement.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by NASA, a federal agency with established oversight mechanisms. The firm fixed price contract type provides some accountability for delivery and quality.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Miscellaneous General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- No small business participation.
- Specialized nature of equipment may limit future competition.
- Delivery to a specific remote location (Stennis Space Center) could introduce logistical risks.
Tags
all-other-miscellaneous-general-purpose-, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, oh, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $14.4 million to EDEN CRYOGENICS LLC. CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE ALL RESOURCES NECESSARY FOR THE FABRICATION, INSPECTION, AND TESTING OF CHEMICAL STEAM GENERATORS, THE STRUCTURAL SKID ON WHICH THE CHEMICAL STEAM GENERATORS ARE MOUNTED, PIPING AND COMPONENTS SUCH AS VALVES AND INSTRUMENTATION, AS WELL AS CONTROL SYSTEM HARDWARE AS STATED IN THE REFERENCED SPECIFICATION WITH DELIVERY TO STENNIS SPACE CENTER, MS.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is EDEN CRYOGENICS LLC.
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 $14.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-09-30. End: 2011-10-21.
What is the expected lifespan and maintenance cost of these chemical steam generators?
The provided data does not specify the expected lifespan or ongoing maintenance costs for the chemical steam generators. This information is crucial for a complete lifecycle cost analysis and would require further inquiry with NASA or Eden Cryogenics LLC to assess the long-term value and potential hidden costs beyond the initial fabrication.
How was the 'fair' value rating determined without specific unit cost benchmarks?
The 'fair' value rating is based on the contract being awarded under full and open competition and having a firm fixed price structure, which are positive indicators for price discovery. However, the lack of specific unit cost benchmarks for comparable custom-built cryogenic steam generators prevents a more precise valuation, leading to a 'fair' rather than 'good' or 'excellent' assessment.
What are the specific risks associated with the fabrication and testing of these specialized generators?
Risks include potential technical challenges in fabricating highly specialized cryogenic equipment, ensuring rigorous inspection and testing protocols are met, and managing delivery to the Stennis Space Center. Delays in fabrication or testing could impact NASA's project timelines. The firm fixed price contract mitigates direct cost overrun risk for the government, but delays remain a concern.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing › All Other Miscellaneous General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: FURNACE/STEAM/DRYING; NUCL REACTOR
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: NNS08229845R
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 8445 RAUSCH DR, PLAIN CITY, OH, 04
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $14,369,462
Exercised Options: $14,369,462
Current Obligation: $14,369,462
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-09-30
Current End Date: 2011-10-21
Potential End Date: 2011-10-21 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2012-07-20
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