NASA awards $2.16M contract to Single Crystal Diamond Inc. for in-space production technology development
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,164,470 ($2.2M)
Contractor: Single Crystal Diamond Inc
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2024-12-16
End Date: 2028-03-30
Contract Duration: 1,200 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.8K/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: DEVELOP, DEMONSTRATE, AND MATURE SELECTED IN-SPACE PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES, LEADING TO SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION TO COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS ON FUTURE COMMERCIAL LEO DESTINATIONS (CLDS) OR OTHER LOW-EARTH ORBIT (LEO) PLATFORMS.
Place of Performance
Location: DOUGLAS, WORCESTER County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01516
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $2.2 million to SINGLE CRYSTAL DIAMOND INC for work described as: DEVELOP, DEMONSTRATE, AND MATURE SELECTED IN-SPACE PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES, LEADING TO SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION TO COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS ON FUTURE COMMERCIAL LEO DESTINATIONS (CLDS) OR OTHER LOW-EARTH ORBIT (LEO) PLATFORMS. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on developing and demonstrating in-space production technologies for future commercial Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) platforms. 2. The objective is to mature technologies for successful transition to commercial operations. 3. This award falls under Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 4. The contract duration is 1200 days, ending in March 2028. 5. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, indicating a defined cost for the services. 6. This award is a Purchase Order, a common instrument for acquiring goods and services.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $2.16 million for a 1200-day R&D effort appears reasonable for specialized technology development. Benchmarking against similar contracts for in-space manufacturing R&D is challenging due to the niche nature of the technology. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests a defined scope and cost expectation. Further analysis would require comparing the specific deliverables and technological advancements against the price.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: unknown
The contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which are typically used for purchases below the threshold for full and open competition. While this indicates some level of competition, the specific number of bidders or the nature of the solicitation is not detailed. SAP can offer a balance between efficiency and competition for smaller value procurements.
Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, competing under SAP aims to achieve fair pricing while streamlining the acquisition process for smaller contracts, potentially reducing administrative overhead.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA and the commercial space industry, which will gain access to advanced in-space production capabilities. Services delivered include the development, demonstration, and maturation of critical technologies for space-based manufacturing. The geographic impact is national, supporting the U.S. space economy and technological leadership. Workforce implications may include specialized R&D roles in materials science, engineering, and space systems.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition under SAP may not always yield the lowest possible price compared to full and open competition.
- The success of the technology transition is dependent on future commercial LEO destinations, which are still developing.
- The specific technological advancements and their readiness level are not detailed in the provided data.
Positive Signals
- Focus on developing critical technologies for future commercial space operations aligns with strategic national goals.
- Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
- The contract aims to foster commercialization and private sector involvement in LEO.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on advanced manufacturing and materials science for space applications. The market for in-space production technologies is nascent but growing, driven by the expansion of commercial LEO destinations and the increasing demand for on-orbit servicing and manufacturing. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the specialized nature, but R&D spending in advanced materials and manufacturing is a significant area for government investment.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside. The prime contractor, Single Crystal Diamond Inc., is not identified as a small business in this context.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will be managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). As a Purchase Order under SAP, oversight mechanisms are likely integrated into NASA's standard procurement and contract management processes. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases, and accountability rests with the contracting officer and program managers to ensure deliverables are met according to the firm fixed-price agreement.
Related Government Programs
- Space Technology Research Grants
- Commercial LEO Development
- Advanced Manufacturing Initiatives
- In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM)
Risk Flags
- Technology Readiness Risk
- Commercial Market Viability Risk
- Competition Under SAP Limitation
Tags
research-and-development, nasa, national, purchase-order, small-value, competed-under-sap, firm-fixed-price, space-technology, low-earth-orbit, advanced-manufacturing
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $2.2 million to SINGLE CRYSTAL DIAMOND INC. DEVELOP, DEMONSTRATE, AND MATURE SELECTED IN-SPACE PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES, LEADING TO SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION TO COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS ON FUTURE COMMERCIAL LEO DESTINATIONS (CLDS) OR OTHER LOW-EARTH ORBIT (LEO) PLATFORMS.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SINGLE CRYSTAL DIAMOND 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 $2.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-12-16. End: 2028-03-30.
What is the specific technological innovation Single Crystal Diamond Inc. is developing under this contract?
The contract aims to 'DEVELOP, DEMONSTRATE, AND MATURE SELECTED IN-SPACE PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES'. While the data specifies the objective is for future commercial Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) destinations, the exact nature of these 'selected technologies' is not detailed. It could encompass areas like additive manufacturing (3D printing) in microgravity, advanced material synthesis, or novel fabrication processes tailored for the space environment. Further details would likely be found in the Statement of Work (SOW) or technical exhibits associated with the contract, which are not publicly available in this data extract. The focus on 'single crystal diamond' in the contractor's name might suggest a specialization in diamond-based materials or manufacturing processes, potentially for applications requiring extreme hardness, thermal conductivity, or optical properties in space.
How does the $2.16 million value compare to similar R&D contracts for in-space manufacturing?
Benchmarking this $2.16 million contract against similar R&D efforts in in-space manufacturing is challenging due to the novelty and specialized nature of the field. Contracts in this area can vary significantly based on the technology's maturity, the scope of work (development vs. demonstration), and the specific materials or processes involved. Smaller, early-stage R&D efforts might range from hundreds of thousands to a few million dollars, while more mature technology demonstrations or pilot production lines could cost tens or hundreds of millions. Given the 1200-day duration and the focus on development and demonstration, $2.16 million appears to be within a reasonable range for a targeted R&D initiative, likely aimed at maturing a specific technology concept before scaling up.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or milestones for this contract?
The provided data does not explicitly list the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or specific milestones for this contract. However, the contract's objective to 'DEVELOP, DEMONSTRATE, AND MATURE SELECTED IN-SPACE PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES, LEADING TO SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION TO COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS' implies that milestones would likely be tied to achieving specific technological readiness levels (TRLs), successful ground-based demonstrations, and potentially small-scale in-space testing or validation. The firm fixed-price nature suggests that clear, measurable deliverables and acceptance criteria would be defined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) to ensure accountability and successful completion of the development and demonstration phases.
What is the track record of Single Crystal Diamond Inc. with NASA or similar government contracts?
The provided data does not include information on the track record of Single Crystal Diamond Inc. with NASA or other government agencies. To assess their past performance, one would typically need to consult federal procurement databases like SAM.gov (System for Award Management) or FPDS (Federal Procurement Data System) to review their contract history, including contract values, types, performance ratings, and any past performance issues. Without this historical data, it is difficult to evaluate their experience and reliability in executing similar R&D or manufacturing contracts for the government.
What are the potential risks associated with the transition to commercial operations mentioned in the contract's objective?
The primary risk associated with the transition to commercial operations lies in the inherent uncertainties of the commercial space market, particularly the development and viability of future Commercial LEO Destinations (CLDs). These destinations are largely dependent on private investment and market demand, which can fluctuate. Other risks include the technological maturity and scalability of the developed in-space production capabilities, the cost-effectiveness of these capabilities compared to Earth-based manufacturing, regulatory hurdles for space-based production, and the potential for unforeseen challenges in the harsh space environment. Successful transition requires not only technological readiness but also a robust commercial ecosystem and market demand.
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: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 101 FRANKLIN STREET, DOUGLAS, MA, 01516
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $2,904,968
Exercised Options: $2,164,470
Current Obligation: $2,164,470
Actual Outlays: $1,464,470
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-12-16
Current End Date: 2028-03-30
Potential End Date: 2028-03-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-17
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