NASA Awards $3.35M Helium Delivery Contract to Messer LLC for GSFC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,353 ($3.4K)
Contractor: Messer LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2026-04-01
End Date: 2027-09-30
Contract Duration: 547 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: GASEOUS & LIQUID HELIUM DELIVERY SERVICES FOR NASA GSFC CODE 500 AND CODE 600.
Place of Performance
Location: GREENBELT, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20771
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $3,353 to MESSER LLC for work described as: GASEOUS & LIQUID HELIUM DELIVERY SERVICES FOR NASA GSFC CODE 500 AND CODE 600. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Messer LLC for gaseous and liquid helium delivery. 2. Serves NASA GSFC Codes 500 and 600, critical for research and operations. 3. Duration of 547 days with a firm fixed price contract. 4. Potential for future needs based on ongoing research and development.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $3.35M over approximately 18 months appears reasonable for specialized industrial gas delivery services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for high-purity gases to research facilities would provide a more precise assessment.
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 is expected to yield fair market prices for the required helium delivery services.
Taxpayer Impact: The $3.35M expenditure supports critical NASA operations, ensuring the availability of essential materials for scientific research and space exploration, thus representing a justifiable use of taxpayer funds.
Public Impact
Ensures continuity of critical research and development at NASA GSFC. Supports advanced scientific experiments requiring high-purity gaseous and liquid helium. Contributes to the operational readiness of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential supply chain disruptions for helium.
- Price volatility of industrial gases.
- Dependence on a single supplier for critical materials.
Positive Signals
- Supports critical NASA scientific missions.
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty.
Sector Analysis
The Industrial Gas Manufacturing sector (NAICS 325120) is essential for various industries, including aerospace. NASA's spending on industrial gases like helium is typical for its research and operational needs, with benchmarks varying based on purity, volume, and delivery logistics.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were solicited or participated in the bidding process.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by NASA's National Aeronautics and Space Administration, which has established procurement and oversight processes. The firm fixed price structure provides a degree of financial accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Industrial Gas Manufacturing
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for helium price volatility.
- Dependence on a single supplier.
- Limited visibility into specific risk mitigation strategies.
- No small business participation noted.
Tags
industrial-gas-manufacturing, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, md, delivery-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $3,353 to MESSER LLC. GASEOUS & LIQUID HELIUM DELIVERY SERVICES FOR NASA GSFC CODE 500 AND CODE 600.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is MESSER 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 $3,353.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2027-09-30.
What is the historical pricing trend for gaseous and liquid helium delivery services to government agencies?
Historical pricing for helium delivery services can fluctuate based on global supply, demand, and geopolitical factors. Agencies often secure multi-year contracts with fixed-price escalators or market-based adjustments to mitigate volatility. Analyzing past awards for similar quantities and purity levels to NASA or other federal entities would reveal trends in per-unit costs and overall contract values.
What are the primary risks associated with the supply chain for helium, and how are they mitigated in this contract?
Helium supply chains face risks from geopolitical instability in producing regions, plant outages, and increasing demand from various sectors. This contract's mitigation strategies are not explicitly detailed but typically involve supplier diversification, robust inventory management, and contractual clauses addressing force majeure. The firm fixed price may limit the agency's exposure to immediate price hikes but could strain the supplier if costs rise significantly.
How effectively does this contract support NASA GSFC's mission objectives for scientific research and space exploration?
This contract is crucial for NASA GSFC's mission by ensuring a reliable supply of helium, a critical component for scientific instruments, cooling systems, and various experimental setups. Consistent availability directly supports ongoing research and development, enabling the continuity of complex projects and the successful execution of space exploration-related activities without interruption due to material shortages.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Basic Chemical Manufacturing › Industrial Gas Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: FUELS, LUBRICANTS, OILS, WAXES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Messer Industrie Gmbh
Address: 200 SOMERSET CORPORATE BLVD STE 7000, BRIDGEWATER, NJ, 08807
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $874,712
Exercised Options: $335,404
Current Obligation: $3,353
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80KSC025D0002
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-01
Current End Date: 2027-09-30
Potential End Date: 2030-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-01
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