NASA awards $2.9M contract for advanced fuel cell technology, focusing on R&D for space applications
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,898,683 ($2.9M)
Contractor: Oxeon Energy LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2025-09-09
End Date: 2026-12-08
Contract Duration: 455 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.4K/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 - SUSTAINED ON ORBIT PROPELLANT ENABLED RUGGEDIZED SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL (SOOPER SOFC)
Place of Performance
Location: NORTH SALT LAKE, DAVIS County, UTAH, 84054
State: Utah Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $2.9 million to OXEON ENERGY LLC for work described as: PHASE III - SUSTAINED ON ORBIT PROPELLANT ENABLED RUGGEDIZED SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL (SOOPER SOFC) Key points: 1. Contract focuses on research and development for a specialized fuel cell system. 2. The contract value is modest, suggesting a focused research effort rather than large-scale production. 3. Competition was open, indicating potential for fair pricing and multiple vendor engagement. 4. The technology aims for ruggedized, sustained operation, crucial for space missions. 5. The award is a definitive contract, suggesting a defined scope of work. 6. The contract duration is over a year, allowing for substantial development and testing.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $2.9 million for a Phase III R&D effort appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the technology. Benchmarking against similar advanced materials or propulsion R&D contracts would provide further context, but the amount suggests a focused, high-risk, high-reward research initiative. The firm-fixed-price structure helps manage cost uncertainty for NASA.
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 an initial broad solicitation followed by specific source exclusions, potentially due to unique capabilities or prior development. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition framework suggests an effort to achieve competitive pricing and explore various technological solutions.
Taxpayer Impact: This level of competition, even with exclusions, aims to ensure taxpayers receive the best value by allowing multiple qualified entities to propose solutions, driving innovation and potentially lowering overall development costs.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA and its space exploration missions, which will gain access to advanced, reliable power sources. The services delivered include research, development, and testing of a ruggedized solid oxide fuel cell system. The geographic impact is primarily within Utah, where the contractor is located, potentially supporting local high-tech jobs. Workforce implications include specialized engineering and scientific roles required for advanced fuel cell development.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for technology lock-in if only one or a few sources were truly capable of meeting the specific requirements.
- The 'Exclusion of Sources' aspect warrants scrutiny to ensure it was justified and did not unduly limit competition.
- Long-term sustainment and maintenance costs of this specialized technology are not yet clear.
Positive Signals
- Awarding a Phase III contract suggests successful prior R&D phases, indicating a mature technology.
- The focus on 'sustained on-orbit propellant enabled' technology addresses critical needs for long-duration space missions.
- The firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
- The contract is for a definitive contract, implying a clear scope and deliverables.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on advanced energy technologies for aerospace applications. The market for specialized fuel cells, particularly those designed for the harsh environment of space, is niche but critical for future space exploration and satellite operations. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found in other advanced propulsion or power systems R&D contracts within NASA and the Department of Defense.
Small Business Impact
The contract does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary impact on small businesses would be through potential subcontracting opportunities if the prime contractor, OXEON ENERGY LLC, chooses to engage them. Without explicit set-asides, large businesses or established R&D firms are likely to be the primary awardees.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will be managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). As a definitive contract with a defined scope and firm-fixed-price structure, accountability is tied to meeting the specified research and development milestones and deliverables. Transparency is facilitated through the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), where contract awards are publicly reported. Specific Inspector General jurisdiction would fall under NASA's Office of Inspector General.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Advanced Exploration Systems (AES)
- NASA Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD)
- Advanced Power Systems Research
- Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Development
Risk Flags
- Potential for limited competition due to specialized technology requirements.
- Technological risks inherent in advanced R&D for space environments.
- Need for clear justification for 'Exclusion of Sources' to ensure fair competition.
Tags
research-and-development, nasa, space-technology, fuel-cells, phase-iii, definitive-contract, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, aerospace, utah, science-and-technology, energy-technology
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $2.9 million to OXEON ENERGY LLC. PHASE III - SUSTAINED ON ORBIT PROPELLANT ENABLED RUGGEDIZED SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL (SOOPER SOFC)
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 $2.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-09-09. End: 2026-12-08.
What is the specific technological advancement OXEON ENERGY LLC is expected to deliver under this contract?
This contract, 'PHASE III - SUSTAINED ON ORBIT PROPELLANT ENABLED RUGGEDIZED SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL (SOOPER SOFC)', focuses on advancing Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) technology for space applications. The key is 'sustained on-orbit propellant enabled' operation, suggesting the development of a fuel cell system that can operate reliably for extended periods in space, potentially utilizing propellants or their byproducts as fuel. The 'ruggedized' aspect implies the system must withstand the harsh conditions of space, including radiation, temperature extremes, and vibrations. This Phase III award indicates that foundational research and development have likely been completed in earlier phases, and this contract aims to mature the technology towards a deployable or near-deployable state for potential use in future NASA missions, such as long-duration crewed missions or advanced satellite power systems.
How does the $2.9 million contract value compare to similar R&D efforts in advanced fuel cell technology for aerospace?
The $2.9 million contract value for a Phase III R&D effort in advanced fuel cell technology for aerospace is relatively modest. Phase III contracts typically represent the final stage of R&D, moving towards commercialization or full-scale development. While specific comparable data is proprietary, R&D contracts in cutting-edge aerospace technologies, especially those involving novel power generation for space, can range from a few million to tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the maturity, complexity, and scale of the intended application. This $2.9 million award suggests a focused effort on a specific aspect or component of the SOFC system, or perhaps a limited number of prototypes or extensive testing protocols. It is not indicative of a large-scale production or deployment contract.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract and the technology it aims to develop?
The primary risks associated with this contract involve technological and programmatic uncertainties. Technologically, SOFCs, while promising, still face challenges in long-term stability, efficiency degradation over time, and miniaturization for space applications. Ensuring the 'ruggedized' and 'sustained on-orbit' operational requirements are met under extreme space conditions presents significant engineering hurdles. Programmatically, the risk lies in the successful transition from R&D to operational use; the technology might prove too complex, costly, or unreliable for actual space missions. Furthermore, the 'Exclusion of Sources' in the competition, while potentially justified, carries a risk of limiting the pool of innovative solutions and potentially leading to higher costs if the selected source faces unforeseen development challenges.
What is the historical spending pattern for OXEON ENERGY LLC with NASA or similar agencies?
Information on OXEON ENERGY LLC's historical spending patterns with NASA or similar agencies is not directly available in the provided data snippet. To assess their track record, one would need to consult federal procurement databases like FPDS or SAM.gov to review past contract awards, performance history, and any reported issues. A thorough analysis would involve looking at the types of contracts awarded (e.g., R&D, services, products), their values, durations, and whether they were successfully completed. Examining past performance reviews or any contract disputes would also provide valuable insights into their reliability and capability as a government contractor, particularly in the specialized field of fuel cell technology.
How does the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' procurement method impact the overall value for taxpayers?
The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method aims to balance broad market exploration with specific capability requirements. Initially, it allows any qualified source to compete, fostering price discovery and innovation. The subsequent exclusion of sources suggests that only a subset of initial bidders possessed the highly specialized technology, facilities, or prior development necessary for this specific Phase III R&D. While this can limit the number of bidders, if the exclusion is well-justified based on unique technical needs or prior investment, it can prevent wasted effort and ensure the contract goes to the most capable entity. For taxpayers, the value depends on whether the exclusion was truly necessary to achieve the best technical outcome or if it inadvertently reduced competitive pressure, potentially leading to a higher price than a broader competition might have yielded. Transparency in the justification for exclusions is key to assessing this impact.
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, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $2,898,683
Exercised Options: $2,898,683
Current Obligation: $2,898,683
Actual Outlays: $766,863
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-09-09
Current End Date: 2026-12-08
Potential End Date: 2026-12-08 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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