NASA Awards $7.67M for Multi-Gas Sensor Updates, Boosting R&D in Physical Sciences
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $7,670,328 ($7.7M)
Contractor: Vista Photonics, Inc
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2024-06-20
End Date: 2026-12-31
Contract Duration: 924 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.3K/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: PHASE III - MULTI-GAS SENSOR UPDATES FOR XEMU
Place of Performance
Location: LAS CRUCES, DONA ANA County, NEW MEXICO, 88003
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $7.7 million to VISTA PHOTONICS, INC for work described as: PHASE III - MULTI-GAS SENSOR UPDATES FOR XEMU Key points: 1. Contract focuses on advanced sensor technology for the XEMU system. 2. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, indicating a structured procurement. 3. The contract value is moderate for R&D in this specialized scientific field. 4. Primary sector is Research and Development, specifically in physical sciences. 5. No small business participation is noted in this award.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $7.67M for a multi-year R&D effort appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar advanced sensor development contracts would provide a more precise assessment, but the scope suggests a fair price point.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The procurement utilized full and open competition after exclusion of sources, suggesting a deliberate process to ensure fair market access. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows for the best value to be determined.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure advanced technology at a reasonable cost for NASA's research objectives.
Public Impact
Enhances NASA's research capabilities with updated multi-gas sensor technology. Supports advancements in physical sciences research, potentially leading to new discoveries. The contract duration extends into late 2026, indicating a sustained investment in the technology.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of explicit small business participation.
- Specific details on the 'exclusion of sources' rationale are not provided.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition ensures broad market engagement.
- Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty.
- Focus on advanced R&D aligns with agency mission.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector. Spending in this area is critical for technological advancement, with benchmarks varying widely based on project complexity and duration.
Small Business Impact
This award does not indicate any specific set-aside for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities for small business subcontracting exist or were considered.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, which has established oversight mechanisms for research and development projects. Accountability is typically maintained through milestone reporting and technical reviews.
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
- Potential for limited competition due to specialized technology.
- Contract duration extends over multiple fiscal years.
- No small business participation noted.
- Specifics of 'exclusion of sources' not detailed.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, nm, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $7.7 million to VISTA PHOTONICS, INC. PHASE III - MULTI-GAS SENSOR UPDATES FOR XEMU
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is VISTA PHOTONICS, 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 $7.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-06-20. End: 2026-12-31.
What specific advancements in multi-gas sensor technology does this contract aim to achieve, and how do they align with NASA's broader scientific goals?
This contract likely focuses on improving the sensitivity, accuracy, and range of multi-gas sensors for the XEMU system, potentially for environmental monitoring, life support systems, or scientific instrumentation in space or terrestrial research. These advancements would support NASA's mission by providing more robust data collection capabilities, enabling more precise scientific measurements, and ensuring the safety and efficacy of future missions.
What were the specific reasons for excluding certain sources prior to the full and open competition, and did this exclusion impact the competitive landscape?
The exclusion of sources typically occurs when specific technical requirements, existing intellectual property, or unique capabilities necessitate limiting the initial pool of potential bidders. While the rationale isn't detailed here, such exclusions can sometimes narrow competition. However, the subsequent 'full and open' phase suggests that after initial vetting, the opportunity was broadly advertised to all qualified offerors, aiming to mitigate any negative impact on price discovery and overall competitiveness.
How will the effectiveness of the updated multi-gas sensors be measured and validated throughout the contract period to ensure optimal performance for NASA's applications?
Effectiveness will likely be measured through rigorous testing and validation protocols defined in the contract's Statement of Work. This would involve performance benchmarks, calibration procedures, and environmental stress testing to ensure the sensors meet specified accuracy, reliability, and operational requirements. NASA technical representatives will oversee these evaluations, potentially including prototype demonstrations and field tests, to confirm the sensors' suitability for their intended applications.
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: 3655 RESEARCH DR BLDG A STE 106, LAS CRUCES, NM, 88003
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $7,670,328
Exercised Options: $7,670,328
Current Obligation: $7,670,328
Actual Outlays: $5,499,947
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-06-20
Current End Date: 2026-12-31
Potential End Date: 2026-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-31
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