NASA awards $999K contract to Pratt & Miller for lunar logistics and mobility studies
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $999,330 ($999.3K)
Contractor: Pratt & Miller Engineering & Fabrication, LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2025-04-29
End Date: 2026-06-30
Contract Duration: 427 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 51
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: NEXT SPACE TECHNOLOGIES FOR EXPLORATION PARTNERSHIP-2 APPENDIX R: LUNAR LOGISTICS & MOBILITY STUDIES. AREAS OF STUDY INCLUDE BUT AREN'T LIMITED TO CONCEPT OF OPS, GROUND SUPPORT EQUIP, LANDER ASSUMPTIONS, PROCUREMENT STRATEGY & LUNAR SURFACE IMPACTS
Place of Performance
Location: NEW HUDSON, OAKLAND County, MICHIGAN, 48165
State: Michigan Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $999,329.52 to PRATT & MILLER ENGINEERING & FABRICATION, LLC for work described as: NEXT SPACE TECHNOLOGIES FOR EXPLORATION PARTNERSHIP-2 APPENDIX R: LUNAR LOGISTICS & MOBILITY STUDIES. AREAS OF STUDY INCLUDE BUT AREN'T LIMITED TO CONCEPT OF OPS, GROUND SUPPORT EQUIP, LANDER ASSUMPTIONS, PROCUREMENT STRATEGY & LUNAR SURFACE IMPACTS Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical early-stage research for lunar exploration. 2. Pratt & Miller Engineering & Fabrication, LLC, is the sole awardee. 3. The contract is a firm-fixed-price definitive contract. 4. Performance period spans over two years, from April 2025 to June 2026. 5. The award falls under Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 6. This award represents a small portion of NASA's overall R&D spending.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of approximately $999,329.52 for a two-year study period appears reasonable for specialized research and development in the aerospace sector. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts for concept development and feasibility studies in space exploration is challenging due to the unique nature of lunar logistics and mobility. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract suggests that the government has a clear understanding of the scope and associated costs, mitigating some financial risk. Further analysis would require comparing the scope of work and deliverables to other NASA R&D awards in similar technology areas.
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. The number of bids received (51) suggests a healthy level of interest in this research area. A competitive process like this generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more innovative solutions as contractors vie for the award. The agency's commitment to full and open competition is a positive indicator for efficient use of taxpayer funds.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition ensures that taxpayers benefit from a wide range of proposals and competitive pricing, maximizing the value for the funds invested in this critical lunar research.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA and the broader U.S. space exploration community, gaining insights into lunar surface operations. Services delivered include concept of operations, ground support equipment, lander assumptions, procurement strategy, and lunar surface impact studies. The geographic impact is primarily national, supporting U.S. leadership in space exploration, with potential future impacts on lunar surface activities. Workforce implications include specialized engineering and research roles within Pratt & Miller and potentially supporting industries.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if research areas expand beyond initial definitions.
- Dependence on Pratt & Miller's specialized expertise for successful project outcomes.
- The long-term impact and applicability of study findings require further validation.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
- Firm-fixed-price contract structure helps control costs and manage budget.
- Clear definition of research areas for lunar logistics and mobility studies.
- Contract duration of over two years allows for thorough investigation.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on advanced engineering and physical sciences related to space exploration. The market for lunar logistics and mobility studies is niche, driven by government agencies like NASA and emerging private space companies. Spending in this area is critical for developing the foundational technologies and operational concepts necessary for sustained human presence beyond Earth. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish precisely due to the specialized nature of the research, but NASA's overall R&D budget provides a broader context for such investments.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and Pratt & Miller Engineering & Fabrication, LLC is not identified as a small business. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific award appears minimal, though the broader implications of successful lunar exploration could create future opportunities.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will be managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). As a definitive contract with a firm-fixed-price structure, oversight will likely focus on adherence to the defined scope of work, timely delivery of research findings, and compliance with contractual terms. NASA's internal oversight mechanisms and potentially its Inspector General's office would be responsible for ensuring accountability and transparency throughout the contract's performance period.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Lunar Exploration Program
- Advanced Space Technology Research
- Space Systems Development
- Aerospace Engineering Services
Risk Flags
- Contract awarded to a single entity.
- Scope of work is research and development, which inherently carries uncertainty.
- Long-term applicability of study findings requires further validation.
Tags
nasa, pratt-and-miller-engineering-and-fabrication-llc, research-and-development, lunar-logistics, lunar-mobility, definitive-contract, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, aerospace, space-exploration, michigan, fy2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $999,329.52 to PRATT & MILLER ENGINEERING & FABRICATION, LLC. NEXT SPACE TECHNOLOGIES FOR EXPLORATION PARTNERSHIP-2 APPENDIX R: LUNAR LOGISTICS & MOBILITY STUDIES. AREAS OF STUDY INCLUDE BUT AREN'T LIMITED TO CONCEPT OF OPS, GROUND SUPPORT EQUIP, LANDER ASSUMPTIONS, PROCUREMENT STRATEGY & LUNAR SURFACE IMPACTS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is PRATT & MILLER ENGINEERING & FABRICATION, 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 $999,329.52.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-04-29. End: 2026-06-30.
What is Pratt & Miller Engineering & Fabrication, LLC's track record with NASA and in aerospace R&D?
Pratt & Miller Engineering & Fabrication, LLC has a history of providing engineering and fabrication services, often in high-performance sectors like motorsports and defense. While specific details of their past NASA contracts are not provided in this data, their selection for this lunar logistics study suggests they possess relevant expertise. Their experience likely includes complex design, prototyping, and testing, which are crucial for R&D in aerospace. A deeper dive into their contract history with NASA and other government agencies would reveal the extent and nature of their prior work in space-related research and development, providing further context for their capabilities in this specific award.
How does the $999,329.52 contract value compare to similar lunar R&D studies?
Benchmarking the $999,329.52 contract value for lunar logistics and mobility studies against similar contracts is challenging due to the specialized and often unique nature of space R&D. Contracts for early-stage concept development, feasibility studies, and technology demonstrations can vary significantly based on scope, complexity, and the specific technologies involved. While this amount represents a substantial investment for a single study, it is likely within the expected range for specialized aerospace research. Without access to a comprehensive database of comparable NASA R&D awards for lunar surface operations, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests a defined scope, which aids in cost control.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?
The primary risks associated with this contract include potential technical challenges in defining novel lunar logistics and mobility solutions, the possibility of scope creep if research objectives expand, and reliance on the contractor's specialized expertise. Mitigation strategies are embedded within the contract structure. The firm-fixed-price nature helps control costs, ensuring that the government pays a set amount for the defined scope. NASA's oversight will monitor progress and adherence to the research plan, addressing any deviations or emerging issues. The selection of Pratt & Miller, presumably based on their demonstrated capabilities, also mitigates the risk of technical underperformance. Clear deliverables and milestones will allow NASA to track progress and ensure the research objectives are met.
How effective is the 'full and open competition' approach for specialized R&D like this?
The 'full and open competition' approach is generally effective for specialized R&D as it allows NASA to solicit proposals from a broad range of potential contractors, including those with unique expertise. This maximizes the chances of finding the most innovative and cost-effective solutions. The fact that 51 proposals were received indicates strong market interest and a competitive environment. While specialized R&D can be complex to evaluate, this method ensures that the best technical and business approaches are considered, ultimately benefiting the program's objectives and taxpayer value. It prevents reliance on a single source and encourages contractors to offer their best capabilities and pricing.
What are historical spending patterns for NASA's lunar exploration R&D?
Historical spending patterns for NASA's lunar exploration R&D have varied significantly over decades, reflecting shifts in national priorities and technological advancements. Following the Apollo era, lunar exploration R&D funding saw periods of reduced emphasis. However, with the recent resurgence of interest in returning humans to the Moon through programs like Artemis, NASA's R&D spending in this area has demonstrably increased. This includes investments in propulsion, life support, surface mobility, in-situ resource utilization, and foundational studies like the one awarded to Pratt & Miller. Analyzing NASA's budget allocations over the past 5-10 years would show a trend of growing investment in lunar-focused research and technology development, driven by strategic goals for sustainable lunar presence and eventual Mars missions.
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 › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: NNH16ZCQ001K-APPENDIX-R
Offers Received: 51
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Oshkosh Corporation
Address: 29600 WK SMITH DR, NEW HUDSON, MI, 48165
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $999,330
Exercised Options: $999,330
Current Obligation: $999,330
Actual Outlays: $820,816
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-04-29
Current End Date: 2026-06-30
Potential End Date: 2026-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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