NASA awards $250K contract for life support system sorbent to XPLOSAFE LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $249,999 ($250.0K)
Contractor: Xplosafe LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2025-08-26
End Date: 2026-05-31
Contract Duration: 278 days
Daily Burn Rate: $899/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: 80NSSC25C0466 VACUUM-REGENERABLE SORBENT FOR NASA'S EXPLORATION PORTABLE LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM
Place of Performance
Location: STILLWATER, PAYNE County, OKLAHOMA, 74074
State: Oklahoma Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $249,999 to XPLOSAFE LLC for work described as: 80NSSC25C0466 VACUUM-REGENERABLE SORBENT FOR NASA'S EXPLORATION PORTABLE LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical life support technology for space exploration. 2. Research and Development sector, specifically physical, engineering, and life sciences. 3. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 4. Definitive contract type suggests a long-term agreement for specific goods or services. 5. Firm Fixed Price contract type aims to control costs and provide budget certainty. 6. Contract duration of 278 days indicates a focused, short-term project. 7. Small business set-aside was not utilized for this procurement.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $249,999 is relatively small, suggesting a focused R&D effort rather than a large-scale production or service contract. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized life support components is difficult without more specific details on the sorbent's capabilities and intended application. However, the firm fixed-price structure indicates an effort to manage costs effectively. The value appears reasonable for a research and development project of this nature.
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'. This indicates that the agency sought proposals from all responsible sources, but may have excluded certain sources for specific reasons prior to the competition. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competitive environment was intended.
Taxpayer Impact: A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for taxpayers, as multiple vendors vie for the contract.
Public Impact
This contract directly benefits NASA's exploration initiatives by developing crucial components for the portable life support system. The services delivered involve research and development of a vacuum-regenerable sorbent, a key element for maintaining a habitable environment in space. The geographic impact is primarily within the United States, supporting R&D activities. Workforce implications include specialized roles in scientific research, engineering, and materials science.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited public information on the specific technical requirements and performance metrics of the sorbent.
- The exclusion of sources, even if justified, warrants understanding the rationale to ensure full market engagement.
- Dependence on a single contractor for this specific sorbent development could pose a risk if alternatives are not explored.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a fair and transparent process.
- Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
- Focus on a critical component for NASA's life support systems demonstrates strategic investment.
- Contract duration is well-defined, indicating clear project scope and timeline.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on advanced materials and engineering for space applications. The market for specialized life support components is niche, driven by government agencies like NASA and potentially private space exploration companies. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more granular data on similar sorbent technologies, but R&D contracts of this size are common for developing novel solutions.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside provision. However, the prime contractor, XPLOSAFE LLC, may engage small businesses as subcontractors if it aligns with their project needs and procurement strategy.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). As a definitive contract, it likely involves defined milestones and deliverables that NASA program managers will monitor. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Specific Inspector General jurisdiction would be NASA's Office of Inspector General, responsible for investigating fraud, waste, and abuse in NASA programs.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Exploration Systems Development
- NASA Life Support Systems Research
- Advanced Materials Research Contracts
- Aerospace Engineering Services
Risk Flags
- Potential for integration challenges with existing PLSS.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical R&D component.
- Need for thorough validation of sorbent performance and safety.
Tags
nasa, research-and-development, life-support-systems, space-exploration, definitive-contract, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, materials-science, aerospace, united-states
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $249,999 to XPLOSAFE LLC. 80NSSC25C0466 VACUUM-REGENERABLE SORBENT FOR NASA'S EXPLORATION PORTABLE LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is XPLOSAFE 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 $249,999.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-08-26. End: 2026-05-31.
What is the specific function and expected performance of the vacuum-regenerable sorbent?
The vacuum-regenerable sorbent is intended for use in NASA's Exploration Portable Life Support System (PLSS). Its primary function is likely to remove contaminants or regulate atmospheric conditions within the spacecraft or spacesuit, crucial for astronaut safety and mission success. Vacuum-regenerable sorbents are designed to be reused by applying a vacuum to desorb captured substances, making them efficient for long-duration missions. Specific performance metrics, such as capacity, regeneration efficiency, lifespan, and compatibility with other PLSS components, would be detailed in the technical specifications of the contract, which are not publicly available in this data extract. This R&D aims to advance the technology for future space exploration endeavors.
How does the $249,999 contract value compare to similar R&D efforts for life support components?
The $249,999 contract value is relatively modest for research and development in the aerospace sector. It suggests a focused project, possibly for prototype development, material testing, or initial feasibility studies, rather than full-scale system development or production. Comparable R&D contracts for life support components can range from tens of thousands for component-level research to millions for integrated system development. Without knowing the specific technological maturity and scope of this sorbent's development, a direct comparison is challenging. However, for a specific material or component R&D task, this value appears within a reasonable range for a targeted effort.
What are the potential risks associated with developing a novel sorbent for a critical life support system?
Developing a novel sorbent for a critical life support system carries several risks. Technical risks include failure to meet performance specifications (e.g., capacity, regeneration efficiency, durability), material degradation under operational conditions (e.g., radiation, temperature extremes), and potential toxicity or off-gassing issues. Schedule risks can arise from unforeseen research challenges, leading to delays. Cost risks might emerge if development requires more resources than initially budgeted, although the firm fixed-price contract aims to mitigate this for the government. Furthermore, integration risks exist, where the sorbent may not function effectively with other PLSS components. Finally, long-term reliability and safety validation are paramount and can be time-consuming and resource-intensive.
What is XPLOSAFE LLC's track record with NASA or similar government contracts?
Information regarding XPLOSAFE LLC's specific track record with NASA or similar government contracts is not provided in the data extract. To assess their capabilities and past performance, one would typically review contract databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) for previous awards, contract types, values, and performance ratings. Examining their past performance on R&D contracts, particularly in life support or environmental control systems, would be crucial. A review of their company profile, technical expertise, and any publicly available project outcomes would also inform an assessment of their suitability for this contract.
What does 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' imply for this contract's procurement process?
The term 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' indicates that NASA intended to solicit proposals from all responsible sources capable of meeting the requirements. However, it also implies that prior to the solicitation, certain sources were identified and excluded from consideration for specific, justifiable reasons. These reasons could include factors like national security, proprietary information, or unique capabilities possessed by only a few entities. While the competition was intended to be broad, the exclusion clause means not every potential vendor had an opportunity to bid. The justification for such exclusions is typically documented by the agency to ensure fairness and compliance with procurement regulations.
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: 712 EASTGATE ST, STILLWATER, OK, 74074
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $249,999
Exercised Options: $249,999
Current Obligation: $249,999
Actual Outlays: $166,666
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-08-26
Current End Date: 2026-05-31
Potential End Date: 2026-05-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-10
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