NASA awards $2.03M for Helium to Messer LLC, ensuring supply for Marshall Space Flight Center
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,030,938 ($2.0M)
Contractor: Messer LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2025-10-01
End Date: 2027-09-30
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: DELIVERY ORDER FOR THE BULK PURCHASE OF HELIUM FOR MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER.
Place of Performance
Location: BRIDGEWATER, SOMERSET County, NEW JERSEY, 08807
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $2.0 million to MESSER LLC for work described as: DELIVERY ORDER FOR THE BULK PURCHASE OF HELIUM FOR MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER. Key points: 1. Significant award for industrial gas supply, crucial for space exploration. 2. Messer LLC, a key player in industrial gases, secures this contract. 3. Potential risk: reliance on a single supplier for a critical resource. 4. Sector: Industrial Gas Manufacturing, supporting aerospace operations.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The award amount of $2.03M for a 729-day duration appears reasonable for bulk helium. Benchmarking against similar industrial gas contracts would provide further validation.
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 generally leads to better price discovery and value for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for essential materials.
Public Impact
Ensures continued operation of critical research and development at Marshall Space Flight Center. Supports the U.S. space program's need for essential industrial gases. Highlights the government's reliance on specialized industrial suppliers.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential supply chain disruptions for a critical resource.
- Price volatility of helium on the global market.
Positive Signals
- Secures a vital resource for national space initiatives.
- Awarded through a competitive process.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Industrial Gas Manufacturing sector, which is vital for numerous government operations, including aerospace. Spending benchmarks for industrial gases vary widely based on commodity prices and volume.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the prime contractor, Messer LLC, is a large corporation. There is no direct indication of small business subcontracting opportunities in this data.
Oversight & Accountability
The award is a delivery order under a larger contract, implying prior oversight. Further oversight would focus on contract performance, delivery schedules, and adherence to pricing terms.
Related Government Programs
- Industrial Gas Manufacturing
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for supply chain disruption.
- Helium price volatility.
- Dependence on a single supplier for a critical resource.
Tags
industrial-gas-manufacturing, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, nj, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $2.0 million to MESSER LLC. DELIVERY ORDER FOR THE BULK PURCHASE OF HELIUM FOR MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER.
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 $2.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2027-09-30.
What is the historical pricing trend for helium and how does this contract's price compare?
Helium prices have historically shown volatility due to supply constraints and increasing demand from various sectors, including electronics and medical imaging. A detailed analysis would compare the per-unit cost in this contract against historical market data and similar government procurements to assess if the negotiated price represents good value, considering the firm fixed-price structure.
What are the risks associated with a single supplier for a critical resource like helium?
Reliance on a single supplier, even if competitively selected, poses risks such as potential supply chain disruptions due to geopolitical events, natural disasters, or the supplier's operational issues. This could impact NASA's ability to conduct its missions. Mitigation strategies might include maintaining strategic reserves or exploring alternative sourcing options.
How effectively does this contract support NASA's long-term helium requirements and mission continuity?
This delivery order addresses NASA's immediate and near-term helium needs for Marshall Space Flight Center through September 2027. Its effectiveness in supporting long-term requirements depends on the overall contract structure and potential for future renewals or extensions. Ensuring mission continuity relies on reliable delivery and consistent quality from Messer LLC.
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: 1
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: $5,507,749
Exercised Options: $5,507,749
Current Obligation: $2,030,938
Actual Outlays: $923,821
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: 2025-10-01
Current End Date: 2027-09-30
Potential End Date: 2027-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-03
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