NASA awards $240M contract to Dynetics for Human Landing System Integrated Lander R&D
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $239,692,638 ($239.7M)
Contractor: Dynetics, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2020-05-13
End Date: 2021-08-23
Contract Duration: 467 days
Daily Burn Rate: $513.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: WORK REQUIRED FOR THE DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, MANUFACTURE, TEST, LAUNCH, DEMONSTRATION AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT OF THE HUMAN LANDING SYSTEM INTEGRATED LANDER.
Place of Performance
Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35806
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $239.7 million to DYNETICS, INC. for work described as: WORK REQUIRED FOR THE DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, MANUFACTURE, TEST, LAUNCH, DEMONSTRATION AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT OF THE HUMAN LANDING SYSTEM INTEGRATED LANDER. Key points: 1. Significant investment in advanced space exploration technology. 2. Competition for lunar lander development is intensifying. 3. High risk associated with novel technology development and launch. 4. R&D sector sees substantial funding for critical national objectives.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $239.7M for R&D is substantial. However, without detailed cost breakdowns or comparisons to similar complex development projects, assessing its value for money is difficult. The firm fixed-price nature provides some cost certainty, but the R&D scope introduces inherent uncertainties.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. However, the specific details of the competition and how Dynetics' proposal was evaluated against others are not provided, making a definitive assessment of price competitiveness challenging.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are supporting advanced aerospace R&D, potentially leading to technological advancements and future economic benefits, but the immediate return on investment is tied to project success.
Public Impact
Advances U.S. capabilities in deep space exploration and lunar missions. Supports technological innovation with potential spin-offs for other industries. Contributes to national prestige and leadership in space exploration.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- High technical risk in developing novel landing system.
- Uncertainty in R&D outcomes and potential for cost overruns.
- Limited duration may impact full development cycle.
- No small business participation noted.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Firm fixed-price contract offers cost control.
- Supports a critical national objective for space exploration.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically for physical and engineering sciences. Spending in this area is often project-driven and focused on innovation. Benchmarks are difficult due to the unique nature of space hardware development.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates no small business participation in this contract. This suggests that the prime contractor, Dynetics, Inc., is a larger entity, and opportunities for subcontracting to small businesses were either not pursued or not applicable for this specific project.
Oversight & Accountability
NASA's procurement processes are generally robust, involving technical and cost evaluations. However, specific oversight details for this contract, such as performance monitoring and milestone reviews, are not provided. Accountability rests on meeting the contract's technical and delivery requirements.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- High technical risk
- R&D uncertainty
- Short contract duration
- No small business involvement
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, al, definitive-contract, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $239.7 million to DYNETICS, INC.. WORK REQUIRED FOR THE DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, MANUFACTURE, TEST, LAUNCH, DEMONSTRATION AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT OF THE HUMAN LANDING SYSTEM INTEGRATED LANDER.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is DYNETICS, 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 $239.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-05-13. End: 2021-08-23.
What is the projected timeline for key development milestones and how does it align with broader Artemis program goals?
The contract duration is 467 days, ending August 23, 2021. This relatively short timeframe suggests it likely covers an initial design, development, and potentially a demonstration phase. Alignment with the broader Artemis program goals would depend on whether this phase successfully meets its objectives and leads to subsequent funding for full-scale development and integration.
How will NASA ensure cost control and manage risks associated with the R&D nature of this firm fixed-price contract?
NASA will manage risks through rigorous technical reviews, performance monitoring, and potentially phased funding releases tied to milestones. The firm fixed-price structure shifts some cost risk to Dynetics, incentivizing efficiency. However, significant technical challenges in R&D could still lead to contract modifications or performance issues if not proactively managed.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will their achievement be measured to ensure mission success?
Key performance indicators would likely include successful design completion, prototype development, system integration, and rigorous testing of the integrated lander components. NASA would measure achievement through documented test results, design reviews, and demonstration of critical functionalities required for a human landing system, ensuring it meets stringent safety and performance standards.
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: NNH19ZCQ001K
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Leidos Holdings, Inc.
Address: 1002 EXPLORER BLVD, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35806
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $5,275,147,165
Exercised Options: $239,692,639
Current Obligation: $239,692,638
Actual Outlays: $239,692,638
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 66
Total Subaward Amount: $13,049,759
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-05-13
Current End Date: 2021-08-23
Potential End Date: 2025-02-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2022-04-08
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