NASA awards $838K R&D contract for radiation-tolerant capacitors, focusing on cryogenic applications
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $838,441 ($838.4K)
Contractor: Polycharge America, Inc
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2024-06-06
End Date: 2026-09-05
Contract Duration: 821 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.0K/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 - HIGH ENERGY DENSITY RADIATION TOLERANT CAPACITORS FOR CRYOGENIC TEMPERATURE APPLICATIONS
Place of Performance
Location: TUCSON, PIMA County, ARIZONA, 85737
State: Arizona Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $838,441 to POLYCHARGE AMERICA, INC for work described as: SBIR PHASE II - HIGH ENERGY DENSITY RADIATION TOLERANT CAPACITORS FOR CRYOGENIC TEMPERATURE APPLICATIONS Key points: 1. Contract supports advanced materials research for specialized aerospace needs. 2. Focus on high-energy density and radiation tolerance suggests critical mission applications. 3. Small business status not applicable, indicating a focus on established R&D capabilities. 4. Fixed-price contract structure aims to control costs for the research effort. 5. Longer performance period suggests a complex research and development undertaking.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $838,441 for a definitive contract appears reasonable for a specialized R&D effort in materials science. Benchmarking against similar SBIR Phase II contracts for advanced component development would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The fixed-price nature of the contract helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government, but the specific pricing of labor and materials is not detailed here. Without more comparable contract data, a definitive assessment of cost-effectiveness is challenging.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which implies that while the competition was initially open, specific sources may have been excluded for technical or programmatic reasons. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a competitive process was intended. This approach aims to ensure fair pricing and access to a broad range of potential solutions.
Taxpayer Impact: A competitive process, even with exclusions, generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple firms to offer their best technical solutions and pricing, leading to potentially better value.
Public Impact
This contract directly benefits NASA's research and development initiatives in advanced materials for space exploration. The services delivered involve the research and development of high-energy density, radiation-tolerant capacitors suitable for cryogenic environments. The geographic impact is primarily within Arizona, where the contractor is located, but the technological advancements could have broader national implications for aerospace. Workforce implications include specialized R&D roles for scientists and engineers in materials science and electrical engineering.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for technology to be niche, limiting broader commercial application.
- Dependency on specific government funding cycles for continued development.
- Challenges in scaling up production of highly specialized components.
Positive Signals
- Development of critical technology for extreme space environments.
- Potential for intellectual property generation and future licensing opportunities.
- Contribution to U.S. technological leadership in aerospace materials.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical sciences and engineering. The market for specialized components like radiation-tolerant capacitors for extreme environments is niche but critical for aerospace and defense applications. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more specific market data, but R&D contracts of this nature often represent significant investments in future technological capabilities.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false) and there is no indication of small business subcontracting requirements (sb: false). This suggests the focus was on a specific capability that may be more readily available from larger or more specialized R&D firms. The absence of small business involvement means there is no direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this particular award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this definitive contract will likely be managed by NASA's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price structure, requiring the contractor to deliver the specified R&D outcomes within the agreed budget. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases, though detailed technical progress reports are typically proprietary. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- SBIR Program Contracts
- NASA Advanced Materials Research
- Aerospace Component Development
- Radiation Hardening Technologies
- Cryogenic Systems Research
Risk Flags
- Potential for technology obsolescence
- Limited market applicability
- Technical feasibility challenges
- Cost overrun risk in R&D
Tags
research-and-development, nasa, national-aeronautics-and-space-administration, definitive-contract, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, aerospace, materials-science, arizona, cryogenics, radiation-tolerance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $838,441 to POLYCHARGE AMERICA, INC. SBIR PHASE II - HIGH ENERGY DENSITY RADIATION TOLERANT CAPACITORS FOR CRYOGENIC TEMPERATURE APPLICATIONS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is POLYCHARGE AMERICA, 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 $838,441.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-06-06. End: 2026-09-05.
What is the specific technical challenge being addressed by these high-energy density, radiation-tolerant capacitors for cryogenic applications?
The contract aims to develop capacitors capable of withstanding extreme conditions encountered in space, such as high levels of radiation and very low temperatures (cryogenic). Standard capacitors can degrade or fail under such stresses. High energy density is crucial for storing sufficient power in compact, lightweight designs essential for spacecraft. Radiation tolerance ensures the capacitor's functionality and longevity in environments with significant ionizing radiation, common in deep space missions or near nuclear propulsion systems. Cryogenic compatibility is necessary for applications operating at extremely low temperatures, which can affect material properties and electronic performance.
How does the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' process differ from standard full and open competition, and what are its implications?
Standard 'Full and Open Competition' requires agencies to solicit offers from all responsible sources and to award contracts to the responsible source that provides the best value. 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' is a specific statutory exception. It means that while the competition was intended to be open, certain sources were excluded, often due to national security, export control, or specific technological requirements that only a limited number of entities could meet. This can reduce the pool of potential bidders, potentially impacting price competition. However, it ensures that the agency can access highly specialized technologies or capabilities that might otherwise be unavailable through a completely unrestricted process. The justification for exclusion must be documented.
What are the potential risks associated with developing specialized capacitors for extreme environments like cryogenic temperatures and high radiation?
Developing capacitors for extreme environments presents several risks. Technical risks include the difficulty in achieving the required performance metrics (energy density, radiation tolerance, cryogenic stability) simultaneously, potential material degradation over time, and unforeseen interactions between components under stress. Manufacturing risks involve the challenge of producing these specialized components consistently and at scale, especially if unique materials or processes are required. Programmatic risks include potential cost overruns if R&D proves more complex than anticipated, schedule delays due to technical hurdles, and the possibility that the technology may not ultimately meet NASA's mission requirements or could be superseded by alternative solutions. There's also a risk that the market for such highly specialized components might be limited, impacting long-term viability.
Can the performance of these specialized capacitors be benchmarked against existing commercial or military-grade components?
Benchmarking these specialized capacitors against existing components requires careful consideration of the specific performance parameters. Commercially available capacitors typically do not offer high levels of radiation tolerance or are not designed for sustained operation at cryogenic temperatures. Military-grade components might offer some level of ruggedization or wider temperature ranges, but often fall short of the extreme requirements for deep space or high-radiation environments. Therefore, direct benchmarking against off-the-shelf parts is often not feasible. Instead, performance is typically benchmarked against theoretical limits, previous generations of similar technology, or components developed under prior research programs. The value is derived from achieving performance levels significantly beyond current standard offerings.
What is the typical duration and funding profile for SBIR Phase II contracts, and how does this contract compare?
SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) Phase II contracts typically focus on the R&D of the proposed innovation. The duration often ranges from 18 to 24 months, and funding can vary significantly but often falls within the range of $500,000 to $1.5 million, depending on the technical scope and agency guidelines. This contract, valued at $838,441 and with an end date in September 2026 (implying a duration of approximately 27 months from award), aligns well within the typical range for an SBIR Phase II effort, although it is noted as a 'Definitive Contract' and not explicitly stated as an SBIR award in the provided data, despite the description 'SBIR PHASE II'. The duration is slightly longer than the average, which might indicate a more complex research undertaking.
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
Solicitation ID: SBIR_23_P2
Offers Received: 500
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 10960 N STALLARD PL, TUCSON, AZ, 85737
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $838,441
Exercised Options: $838,441
Current Obligation: $838,441
Actual Outlays: $608,165
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-06-06
Current End Date: 2026-09-05
Potential End Date: 2026-09-05 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-02
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