NSF awards $2M to Iridescent Sensors for toxic gas detection tech for first responders

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,999,996 ($2.0M)

Contractor: Iridescent Sensors Inc

Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation

Start Date: 2025-07-08

End Date: 2026-07-07

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: PHASE II RESEARCH FOR TOPIC, "AN OPTOELECTRONIC NOSE FOR TOXIC GAS DETECTION BY FIRST RESPONDERS"

Place of Performance

Location: CHAMPAIGN, CHAMPAIGN County, ILLINOIS, 61820

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Science Foundation obligated $2.0 million to IRIDESCENT SENSORS INC for work described as: PHASE II RESEARCH FOR TOPIC, "AN OPTOELECTRONIC NOSE FOR TOXIC GAS DETECTION BY FIRST RESPONDERS" Key points: 1. This contract focuses on R&D for advanced toxic gas detection, a critical need for public safety. 2. The award is to Iridescent Sensors Inc., a small business, for Phase II research. 3. The contract is a Firm Fixed Price Definitive Contract, indicating clear scope and pricing. 4. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The $2M award for a 364-day research project appears reasonable given the specialized nature of optoelectronic sensor development for toxic gas detection. Benchmarking is difficult without specific comparable contracts for this niche technology.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically fosters competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value. The firm fixed price structure further aids in price discovery and cost control.

Taxpayer Impact: This investment aims to enhance first responder safety, potentially reducing costs associated with hazardous material incidents and improving emergency response effectiveness.

Public Impact

Enhanced safety for first responders through advanced toxic gas detection. Potential for improved emergency response times and effectiveness in hazardous situations. Advancement in optoelectronic sensor technology with dual-use applications. Investment in domestic R&D capabilities for critical safety technologies.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for technology not meeting operational requirements.
Long-term sustainability and scalability of the developed technology.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical technology development.

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical public safety need.
Supports small business innovation.
Utilizes a competitive procurement process.
Clear contract terms and pricing structure.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical and engineering sciences. The $2M award is moderate for Phase II R&D, with benchmarks varying widely based on technological complexity and project scope.

Small Business Impact

Iridescent Sensors Inc. is a small business recipient of this Phase II R&D contract. Supporting small businesses in R&D is crucial for fostering innovation and economic growth within specialized technological fields.

Oversight & Accountability

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is responsible for oversight. The definitive contract structure with a fixed end date provides a clear framework for monitoring progress and ensuring accountability throughout the project lifecycle.

Related Government Programs

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
National Science Foundation Contracting
National Science Foundation Programs

Risk Flags

Technology readiness level at contract end.
Scalability of sensor manufacturing.
Long-term maintenance and calibration requirements.
Integration challenges with existing first responder equipment.
Potential obsolescence of technology over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Science Foundation awarded $2.0 million to IRIDESCENT SENSORS INC. PHASE II RESEARCH FOR TOPIC, "AN OPTOELECTRONIC NOSE FOR TOXIC GAS DETECTION BY FIRST RESPONDERS"

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is IRIDESCENT SENSORS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Science Foundation (National Science Foundation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-07-08. End: 2026-07-07.

What is the projected timeline for transitioning this technology from Phase II research to operational deployment by first responder agencies?

The current award covers Phase II research concluding in July 2026. A transition timeline to operational deployment would depend on successful research outcomes, further development phases (e.g., Phase III for commercialization or prototyping), and agency adoption processes. This typically involves extensive testing, validation, and integration with existing equipment, which could take several additional years.

What are the specific toxic gases this optoelectronic nose is designed to detect, and what are the sensitivity and specificity targets?

The provided data does not specify the exact toxic gases targeted or the sensitivity/specificity metrics. Phase II research typically aims to demonstrate feasibility and refine these parameters. Further details would likely be found in the technical proposal or subsequent project reports from Iridescent Sensors Inc. and the NSF.

How does the cost-effectiveness of this optoelectronic sensor compare to existing toxic gas detection methods for first responders?

The cost-effectiveness comparison is not detailed in the provided data. While the $2M R&D investment is significant, the goal is to develop a potentially more advanced, sensitive, or versatile detection system. The long-term cost-effectiveness will depend on manufacturing costs, operational lifespan, maintenance, and the value of improved detection capabilities compared to current technologies.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › General Science and Technology R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH

Solicitation ID: NSFBAA-CA23-01

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 60 HAZELWOOD DR, CHAMPAIGN, IL, 61820

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,999,996

Exercised Options: $1,999,996

Current Obligation: $1,999,996

Actual Outlays: $1,250,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline