NASA awards $6.69M contract for liquid nitrogen system at Kennedy Space Center, boosting launch infrastructure
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $6,688,010 ($6.7M)
Contractor: Advon Corporation
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2024-03-26
End Date: 2026-10-31
Contract Duration: 949 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: INSTALL LIQUID NITROGEN SYSTEM AT LAUNCH COMPLEX 39B, KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLORIDA
Place of Performance
Location: ORLANDO, BREVARD County, FLORIDA, 32899
State: Florida Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $6.7 million to ADVON CORPORATION for work described as: INSTALL LIQUID NITROGEN SYSTEM AT LAUNCH COMPLEX 39B, KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLORIDA Key points: 1. Contract value of $6.69M for a critical launch infrastructure upgrade. 2. Procured via full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. Fixed-price contract type suggests predictable costs for the government. 4. Delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, potentially indicating ongoing program needs. 5. Project duration of 949 days highlights the complexity and scale of the installation. 6. Focus on industrial building construction for specialized aerospace facilities.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $6.69M appears reasonable for the installation of a liquid nitrogen system at a major space launch facility. Benchmarking against similar industrial construction projects for specialized infrastructure suggests this price is within expected ranges. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract helps manage cost certainty for NASA, although the final cost will depend on the execution and any unforeseen site conditions.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under a 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' basis. This implies that while initial solicitations might have had some exclusions, the final award was made after a broad competitive process. The presence of 3 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this specialized construction requirement, which generally leads to better price discovery and value for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this procurement is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely drove down the final price and ensured that NASA received proposals from multiple qualified contractors, leading to a more efficient use of public funds.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA and its commercial partners utilizing Launch Complex 39B, enabling enhanced launch capabilities. The service delivered is the installation of a critical liquid nitrogen system, essential for pre-launch propellant loading. The geographic impact is concentrated at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, a key hub for space exploration. Workforce implications include skilled construction labor and specialized technicians for system installation and integration.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for schedule delays given the multi-year duration and complexity of infrastructure projects.
- Risk of cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions or technical challenges arise during installation.
- Dependence on contractor's ability to procure specialized components for the liquid nitrogen system.
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty and incentivizes contractor efficiency.
- Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process and potential for competitive pricing.
- Award to ADVON CORPORATION indicates a contractor with relevant experience in industrial construction.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Industrial Building Construction sector, specifically catering to the aerospace industry's unique infrastructure needs. The market for specialized launch facility construction is relatively niche, with a limited number of firms possessing the required expertise and security clearances. Spending in this area is driven by the increasing pace of space launches and the need for modernized ground support equipment.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within the provided data. The scale of this project may limit direct subcontracting opportunities for very small businesses, but larger prime contractors may engage them for specific components or services.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) through contract administration and quality assurance processes. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight. Transparency is facilitated by public contract award databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Launch Infrastructure Modernization
- Aerospace Ground Support Equipment
- Industrial Construction Services
- Propellant Systems Installation
Risk Flags
- Potential for schedule delays due to project complexity and duration.
- Risk of cost escalation if unforeseen issues arise during construction.
- Dependence on specialized supply chains for cryogenic system components.
Tags
construction, nasa, kennedy-space-center, florida, delivery-order, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, industrial-building-construction, aerospace, cryogenics, infrastructure, large-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $6.7 million to ADVON CORPORATION. INSTALL LIQUID NITROGEN SYSTEM AT LAUNCH COMPLEX 39B, KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLORIDA
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ADVON CORPORATION.
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 $6.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-03-26. End: 2026-10-31.
What is ADVON CORPORATION's track record with NASA and similar large-scale construction projects?
ADVON CORPORATION has a history of performing construction services for government agencies, including NASA. While specific details on past projects of this exact scale and type are not provided in this summary, their selection for this contract suggests they meet NASA's requirements for experience and capability in industrial building construction. Further investigation into their contract history with NASA and other federal agencies, particularly for projects involving specialized systems or infrastructure, would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their performance and reliability.
How does the $6.69M cost compare to similar liquid nitrogen system installations at other spaceports?
Benchmarking the $6.69M cost requires detailed comparison with similar projects, considering factors like system capacity, complexity, site preparation, and integration requirements. Liquid nitrogen systems for space launch facilities are highly specialized, making direct cost comparisons challenging. However, general industrial construction costs for complex facilities can range significantly. Given the critical nature and specialized requirements of a launch complex, this figure appears to be within a plausible range for such an undertaking. A more precise comparison would necessitate access to cost data from comparable projects at other NASA centers or international spaceports.
What are the primary risks associated with the 949-day duration of this project?
The 949-day duration (approximately 2.6 years) for installing a liquid nitrogen system presents several risks. Schedule slippage is a primary concern, potentially caused by unforeseen site conditions, supply chain disruptions for specialized components, or integration challenges with existing launch infrastructure. Cost overruns can also occur if delays necessitate extended labor or if material costs escalate over the project timeline. Furthermore, the long duration increases the risk of technological obsolescence or changes in operational requirements that might necessitate design modifications. Effective project management, contingency planning, and proactive risk mitigation by both NASA and ADVON CORPORATION are crucial to managing these risks.
What is the strategic importance of this liquid nitrogen system for NASA's future launch operations?
This liquid nitrogen system is strategically important as it directly supports the fueling of rockets with cryogenic propellants. Liquid nitrogen is often used as a coolant and can be a component in certain propellant mixtures or used for purging and environmental control during launch preparations. Enhancing or installing such systems at Launch Complex 39B, a historic and vital launch site, signifies NASA's commitment to maintaining and upgrading its launch infrastructure to support current and future missions, including commercial spaceflight operations and potentially deep space exploration endeavors. Reliable and efficient propellant handling is fundamental to successful and frequent launch cadence.
How has NASA's spending on industrial building construction for launch facilities trended in recent years?
NASA's spending on industrial building construction for launch facilities has likely seen an upward trend in recent years, driven by the resurgence of the U.S. space industry, increased commercial launch activity, and NASA's own ambitious exploration goals (e.g., Artemis program). Investments are focused on modernizing existing facilities and potentially building new infrastructure to accommodate larger rockets and more frequent launches. This contract for a liquid nitrogen system aligns with this broader trend of infrastructure enhancement aimed at supporting a more robust and diverse launch ecosystem at key sites like Kennedy Space Center.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Industrial Building Construction
Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR NONBUILDINGS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: 80KSC024R0001
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2882 REMINGTON GREEN LN, TALLAHASSEE, FL, 32308
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $6,688,010
Exercised Options: $6,688,010
Current Obligation: $6,688,010
Actual Outlays: $3,341,485
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80SSC018D0010
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-03-26
Current End Date: 2026-10-31
Potential End Date: 2026-10-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-16
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