NASA awards $910K contract for solar-blind energetic particle detection technology
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $910,000 ($910.0K)
Contractor: Advent Diamond, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2023-05-18
End Date: 2026-08-30
Contract Duration: 1,200 days
Daily Burn Rate: $758/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 500
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: SBIR PHASE II SOLAR-BLIND SOLID-STATE ENERGETIC PARTICLE DETECTION FOR NEXT-GENERATION INSTRUMENTS
Place of Performance
Location: SCOTTSDALE, MARICOPA County, ARIZONA, 85257
State: Arizona Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $910,000 to ADVENT DIAMOND, INC. for work described as: SBIR PHASE II SOLAR-BLIND SOLID-STATE ENERGETIC PARTICLE DETECTION FOR NEXT-GENERATION INSTRUMENTS Key points: 1. Contract focuses on advanced R&D for space instrumentation. 2. Awardee has a history of innovation in specialized materials. 3. Project duration of 3 years suggests a phased development approach. 4. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs. 5. Geographic location of awardee is Arizona. 6. Small business status is not applicable for this award.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $910,000 for a definitive contract over approximately three years appears reasonable for specialized research and development in advanced sensor technology. Benchmarking against similar SBIR Phase II contracts for novel instrument development suggests this is within a typical range. The firm fixed-price nature of the award provides cost certainty for the government, although it places the development risk on the contractor. Without more detailed cost breakdowns or comparisons to commercial off-the-shelf alternatives (if any exist for such specialized technology), a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which implies that while the competition was intended to be broad, specific exclusions were applied. This could be due to proprietary technology, unique capabilities, or prior development efforts. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'limited' competition level suggests fewer than a full and open competition, potentially impacting price negotiation and the range of innovative solutions considered.
Taxpayer Impact: A limited competition may result in higher prices compared to a fully open process with numerous bidders. Taxpayers may not benefit from the most competitive pricing achievable.
Public Impact
This contract will advance the development of next-generation scientific instruments for space exploration. The technology aims to improve the detection of energetic particles, crucial for understanding space weather and radiation environments. Benefits include enhanced data collection for NASA's scientific missions. The primary beneficiaries are the scientific community and future space exploration endeavors. Workforce implications include specialized R&D roles within the contractor's organization.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition could lead to suboptimal pricing.
- Exclusion of sources may limit the pool of innovative solutions.
- Reliance on a single awardee for specialized R&D carries inherent risk.
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
- SBIR Phase II funding supports mature technology development.
- Awardee's specialization in energetic particle detection is a positive signal.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical sciences and engineering for advanced instrumentation. The market for specialized space-related sensors is niche, driven by government agencies like NASA and defense contractors. While precise market size data for solar-blind energetic particle detectors is not readily available, the broader market for space instrumentation and sensor technology is substantial, with significant government investment. This contract represents a targeted investment in a critical technology for future space science missions.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the awardee, ADVENT DIAMOND, INC., is not identified as a small business in the provided data. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a small business set-aside. The focus is on the development of advanced technology by a specific entity.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will be managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). As a definitive contract, it will likely involve programmatic oversight of milestones, deliverables, and financial expenditures. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Specific accountability measures would be detailed within the contract terms and conditions, and NASA's Inspector General would have jurisdiction over any potential fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- SBIR Program
- NASA Instrument Development Contracts
- Space Science Research
- Energetic Particle Sensors
- Advanced Materials Research
Risk Flags
- Limited competition may impact price and innovation.
- Technical risks inherent in developing novel technology.
- Dependence on a single contractor for specialized R&D.
Tags
research-and-development, nasa, national-aeronautics-and-space-administration, definitive-contract, firm-fixed-price, arizona, sbir-phase-ii, particle-detection, space-instrumentation, limited-competition
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $910,000 to ADVENT DIAMOND, INC.. SBIR PHASE II SOLAR-BLIND SOLID-STATE ENERGETIC PARTICLE DETECTION FOR NEXT-GENERATION INSTRUMENTS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ADVENT 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 $910,000.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-05-18. End: 2026-08-30.
What is the track record of ADVENT DIAMOND, INC. with NASA or similar agencies for R&D contracts?
Information regarding ADVENT DIAMOND, INC.'s specific track record with NASA or similar agencies for R&D contracts is not detailed in the provided data. However, the award of an SBIR Phase II contract suggests the company has successfully completed Phase I research and demonstrated potential for commercialization or significant technological advancement. SBIR contracts are highly competitive, indicating a level of technical merit and innovation. Further investigation into the company's past performance, publications, and previous government awards would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment of their track record.
How does the $910,000 contract value compare to similar SBIR Phase II contracts for particle detection technology?
The $910,000 contract value for this SBIR Phase II project appears to be within the typical range for advanced R&D in specialized scientific instrumentation. SBIR Phase II awards generally range from $500,000 to $1.5 million, supporting the development of a prototype or process. Contracts for highly specialized technologies like solar-blind energetic particle detection, which require significant scientific expertise and potentially unique materials or fabrication processes, can command higher values. Without specific benchmarks for 'solar-blind solid-state energetic particle detection,' it's difficult to provide a precise comparison, but the amount is consistent with the scope of developing next-generation instruments.
What are the primary risks associated with the development of this energetic particle detection technology?
The primary risks associated with the development of this energetic particle detection technology include technical feasibility, integration challenges, and potential cost overruns, although the firm fixed-price contract aims to mitigate the latter. Technical risks involve achieving the required sensitivity, selectivity (solar-blind capability), and durability for space environments. Integration risks pertain to ensuring the new detector works seamlessly with existing or planned instrument platforms. Furthermore, the novelty of the technology means there might be unforeseen scientific or engineering hurdles. The limited competition also introduces a risk that alternative, potentially superior, technological approaches might not be explored.
How effective is the SBIR program in fostering innovation for NASA's scientific missions?
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is generally considered highly effective in fostering innovation for NASA's scientific missions by providing crucial early-stage funding to small businesses. It encourages the development of cutting-edge technologies that might otherwise struggle to find commercial investment. Many advanced instruments and technologies used in space exploration have roots in SBIR funding. The program's structure, requiring Phase I feasibility studies and Phase II prototype development, ensures a progression from concept to tangible results. NASA leverages SBIR to access a diverse range of innovative solutions and potentially transition them into larger mission-critical systems.
What are the historical spending patterns for R&D in advanced sensor technology at NASA?
NASA consistently invests significant resources in Research and Development (R&D) for advanced sensor technology, recognizing its critical role in enabling scientific discovery and mission success. Historical spending patterns show a sustained commitment to areas such as particle detection, imaging, spectroscopy, and environmental monitoring for space applications. While specific dollar amounts fluctuate annually based on budgetary priorities and mission needs, R&D in sensor technology represents a substantial portion of NASA's science and exploration budgets. This contract aligns with a long-standing pattern of NASA seeking innovative sensor solutions to push the boundaries of space science and exploration.
What does the 'solar-blind' specification imply for the technology's application?
The 'solar-blind' specification implies that the energetic particle detector is designed to be insensitive to or filter out signals originating from the Sun, particularly solar energetic particles or other solar radiation that could interfere with measurements. This is crucial for scientific missions that aim to study phenomena in regions of space where solar activity is not the primary focus, or where distinguishing between different particle sources is essential. For example, studying cosmic rays or particles originating from distant astrophysical sources requires instruments that can ignore the overwhelming background noise from the Sun, thus enhancing the clarity and accuracy of the scientific data collected.
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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 500
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1475 N SCOTTSDALE RD STE 200, SCOTTSDALE, AZ, 85257
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $910,000
Exercised Options: $910,000
Current Obligation: $910,000
Actual Outlays: $910,000
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-05-18
Current End Date: 2026-08-30
Potential End Date: 2026-08-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-06
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