NASA awards $3.97M contract to OxEon Energy for Mars oxygen and methane system development
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,966,859 ($4.0M)
Contractor: Oxeon Energy LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2024-09-17
End Date: 2027-09-16
Contract Duration: 1,094 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.6K/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 II - SEQUENTIAL - MARS OXYGEN AND METHANE SYSTEM (MOMS)
Place of Performance
Location: NORTH SALT LAKE, DAVIS County, UTAH, 84054
State: Utah Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $4.0 million to OXEON ENERGY LLC for work described as: PHASE II - SEQUENTIAL - MARS OXYGEN AND METHANE SYSTEM (MOMS) Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical research and development for future Mars missions. 2. OxEon Energy, a single-source provider, will develop the MOMS system. 3. The contract duration is nearly three years, indicating a phased development approach. 4. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for this R&D effort. 5. Geographic focus on Utah for contract performance. 6. This award falls under the R&D category for physical, engineering, and life sciences.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $3.97 million for a Phase II R&D effort appears reasonable given the specialized nature of developing a Mars oxygen and methane system. However, without specific benchmarks for similar advanced propulsion or life support system development contracts, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for NASA, but the absence of competition limits the opportunity for price discovery and potential savings.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
This contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' suggesting that while initial broad competition may have occurred, specific circumstances led to excluding other sources for this particular award. The limited competition raises questions about whether NASA explored all available avenues to ensure the most competitive pricing and innovative solutions were considered. The rationale for excluding other sources would be critical to understanding the full competitive landscape.
Taxpayer Impact: Limited competition can potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers as it reduces the pressure on contractors to offer their most competitive pricing. It also limits the government's ability to leverage a wider range of technological solutions.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiary is NASA's Mars exploration program, advancing capabilities for future missions. The contract will deliver a functional Mars Oxygen and Methane System (MOMS). Performance is centered in Utah, potentially impacting the local aerospace and technology workforce. Successful development could enable more sustainable human presence on Mars.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition may restrict access to potentially more cost-effective or innovative solutions from other firms.
- Reliance on a single contractor for a critical technology could pose supply chain or development risks if issues arise.
- The specific justification for excluding other sources needs further scrutiny to ensure fairness and optimal resource allocation.
Positive Signals
- The contract is for a critical R&D component for NASA's ambitious Mars program.
- The firm fixed-price structure provides cost predictability for this research phase.
- The award supports specialized technological development within the US aerospace sector.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on advanced physical and engineering sciences relevant to space exploration. The market for developing life support and propulsion systems for extraterrestrial missions is highly specialized, with a limited number of companies possessing the requisite expertise. NASA's spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological leadership and achieving long-term exploration goals.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) is not a primary focus for this specific award. There is no indication of a small business set-aside. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not explicitly detailed in the provided data, but given the specialized nature of the work, it's possible that larger R&D firms may engage smaller, niche suppliers if needed.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will be managed by NASA's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability is established through the firm fixed-price structure and defined performance milestones. Transparency is facilitated by NASA's public contract databases, though detailed technical progress reports are typically internal. The Inspector General's office would have jurisdiction in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Mars Exploration Program
- Advanced Propulsion Systems Research
- In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) Technologies
- Space Life Support Systems Development
Risk Flags
- Limited competition justification requires review.
- Potential for cost overruns in specialized R&D.
- Schedule adherence for critical mission components.
Tags
research-and-development, nasa, space-exploration, mars-mission, definitive-contract, firm-fixed-price, limited-competition, physical-engineering-life-sciences, utah, aerospace, technology-development
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $4.0 million to OXEON ENERGY LLC. PHASE II - SEQUENTIAL - MARS OXYGEN AND METHANE SYSTEM (MOMS)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is OXEON ENERGY 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 $4.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-09-17. End: 2027-09-16.
What is OxEon Energy LLC's track record with NASA or similar government agencies for R&D contracts?
OxEon Energy LLC's specific track record with NASA or similar government agencies for R&D contracts is not detailed in the provided data. However, their specialization in energy systems, particularly for aerospace applications, suggests they possess relevant expertise. A deeper dive into their contract history, past performance reviews, and any prior work on propulsion or life support systems would be necessary to fully assess their capabilities and reliability for this critical Mars mission component. Understanding their success rate on previous fixed-price R&D contracts would also provide valuable insight into their ability to manage costs and deliver on technical objectives.
How does the $3.97 million contract value compare to similar R&D efforts for space exploration technologies?
Comparing the $3.97 million contract value for the Mars Oxygen and Methane System (MOMS) development requires context within the highly specialized field of space R&D. Contracts for developing critical components for planetary missions can range significantly based on complexity, technology readiness level, and development phase. Phase II R&D contracts, like this one, typically involve more mature technologies than Phase I but are still experimental. Without access to a benchmark database of similar NASA contracts for propulsion, life support, or ISRU technologies, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the value appears within a plausible range for a multi-year, specialized R&D effort aimed at a critical mission objective.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?
The primary risks associated with this contract include technological hurdles in developing a novel Mars oxygen and methane system, potential cost overruns despite the fixed-price structure if unforeseen technical challenges arise, and schedule delays impacting NASA's broader mission timeline. Mitigation strategies likely involve rigorous project management, phased development with clear milestones, regular technical reviews, and contingency planning by OxEon Energy. NASA's oversight will be crucial in monitoring progress and addressing issues proactively. The limited competition also presents a risk of not leveraging the best available technology or pricing.
What is the expected effectiveness of the Mars Oxygen and Methane System (MOMS) once developed under this contract?
The expected effectiveness of the Mars Oxygen and Methane System (MOMS) is to provide a reliable and efficient means of generating oxygen and methane on the Martian surface. This capability is crucial for supporting future human missions, potentially for breathing air, producing rocket propellant for return journeys, or for other life support functions. The contract's objective is to advance the technology to a functional prototype or a highly TRL (Technology Readiness Level) system. Its ultimate effectiveness will be determined by its performance in simulated Martian conditions and, eventually, in actual space missions, meeting specific targets for production rates, purity, and energy efficiency.
What are the historical spending patterns for similar R&D contracts by NASA in the physical and engineering sciences?
NASA's historical spending in physical and engineering sciences R&D is substantial, reflecting the agency's core mission. This includes significant investments in propulsion, materials science, robotics, and life support systems. Spending patterns vary year to year based on program priorities and budget allocations. Contracts for advanced technology development, especially for deep space missions like Mars, often involve multi-year efforts with values ranging from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of dollars, depending on the phase and scope. The $3.97 million for this MOMS contract aligns with typical funding levels for specialized, mid-phase R&D projects within NASA's science and exploration directorates.
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: 257 RIVER BEND WAY, NORTH SALT LAKE, UT, 84054
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $3,966,859
Exercised Options: $3,966,859
Current Obligation: $3,966,859
Actual Outlays: $2,313,872
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-09-17
Current End Date: 2027-09-16
Potential End Date: 2027-09-16 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-07
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