NASA Awards $3.87M for Gaseous Helium, Boosting Space Exploration Efforts
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,870,159 ($3.9M)
Contractor: Messer LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2025-10-01
End Date: 2027-09-30
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: SSC DELIVERY ORDER (DO) FOR GASEOUS HELIUM (GHE)
Place of Performance
Location: STENNIS SPACE CENTER, HANCOCK County, MISSISSIPPI, 39529
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $3.9 million to MESSER LLC for work described as: SSC DELIVERY ORDER (DO) FOR GASEOUS HELIUM (GHE) Key points: 1. Significant award for essential industrial gas to support NASA's mission. 2. Messer LLC secured the contract through full and open competition. 3. Potential risk associated with reliance on a single supplier for critical gas. 4. Industrial Gas Manufacturing sector sees continued government investment.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The award of $3.87 million for gaseous helium appears reasonable given the duration and the nature of the product. Benchmarking against similar contracts for industrial gases would provide a more precise assessment of value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust price discovery process. This method generally leads to more competitive pricing for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award suggests taxpayers are likely receiving fair value for the funds expended on this critical supply.
Public Impact
Ensures continued supply of gaseous helium for critical NASA operations. Supports advanced research and development in aerospace and related fields. Contributes to the stability of the industrial gas supply chain.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential supply chain disruption if Messer LLC faces production issues.
- Price volatility in the helium market could impact future contract costs.
Positive Signals
- Secures a vital resource for national space programs.
- Awarded through a competitive process, suggesting good value.
- Long-term contract provides supply stability.
Sector Analysis
The Industrial Gas Manufacturing sector is crucial for various government operations, including aerospace and defense. NASA's consistent need for gases like helium highlights the sector's importance and the competitive landscape for suppliers.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were excluded from the bidding process or if the scope of work was not conducive to small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The award was made by NASA, an agency with established oversight mechanisms. The use of a delivery order under a broader contract framework suggests a degree of pre-existing review and approval.
Related Government Programs
- Industrial Gas Manufacturing
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Reliance on a single supplier for a critical resource.
- Potential for price increases due to market volatility in helium.
- Lack of small business participation in this specific award.
- Long-term contract duration may not fully account for future technological shifts.
Tags
industrial-gas-manufacturing, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, ms, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $3.9 million to MESSER LLC. SSC DELIVERY ORDER (DO) FOR GASEOUS HELIUM (GHE)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is MESSER 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 $3.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-10-01. End: 2027-09-30.
What is the market price trend for gaseous helium, and how does this contract align with it?
Gaseous helium prices can fluctuate based on global supply, demand, and extraction costs. Analyzing historical market data and comparing it to the firm fixed price of this contract will reveal if NASA secured a favorable rate. Understanding these trends is crucial for assessing long-term value and potential future cost increases.
What are the contingency plans if Messer LLC experiences supply chain disruptions for gaseous helium?
Contingency planning for critical supplies like gaseous helium is essential. NASA should have protocols in place, potentially including identifying alternative suppliers or maintaining strategic reserves, to mitigate risks associated with Messer LLC's potential disruptions. This ensures mission continuity and avoids project delays.
How does the unit cost of this gaseous helium delivery order compare to similar government or commercial contracts?
Benchmarking the per-unit cost against comparable contracts is vital for evaluating cost-effectiveness. If this contract's pricing is significantly higher than market averages or similar government procurements, it may indicate suboptimal price negotiation or market conditions. Conversely, a lower price suggests efficient procurement.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Basic Chemical Manufacturing › Industrial Gas Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: FUELS, LUBRICANTS, OILS, WAXES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Messer Industrie Gmbh
Address: 200 SOMERSET CORPORATE BLVD STE 7000, BRIDGEWATER, NJ, 08807
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $3,870,159
Exercised Options: $3,870,159
Current Obligation: $3,870,159
Actual Outlays: $1,650,833
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80KSC025D0002
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-10-01
Current End Date: 2027-09-30
Potential End Date: 2027-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-19
More Contracts from Messer LLC
- Atmospheric GAS Analysis Services — $29.9M (Department of Defense)
- Bulk Dewar Helium — $17.4M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- Delivery Order for Gaseous Helium Required for Stennis Space Center (SSC) AS Described on Kennedy Space Center's (ksc's) Base Contract — $14.3M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- Delivery Order for Liquid Nitrogen for Stennis Space Center (SSC) AS Described on Kennedy Space Center's (ksc's) Base Contract — $13.9M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- Delivery Order for Liquid Oxygen for Stennis Space Center (SSC) AS Described on Kennedy Space Center's (ksc's) Base Contract — $2.3M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
Other National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracts
- International Space Station — $22.4B (THE Boeing Company)
- TAS::80 0124::TAS Design, Development, Test&evaluation of Project Orion — $15.5B (Lockheed Martin Corp)
- Provide Developmental Hardware and Test Articles, and Manufacture and Assemble Ares I Upper Stages. the Upper Stage (US) Element IS an Integral Part of the Ares I Launch Vehicle and Provides the Second Stage of Flight. the US Element IS Responsible for the Roll Control During the First Stage Burn and Separation; and Will Provide the Guidance and Navigation, Command and Data Handling, and Other Avionics Functions for the Ares I During ALL Phases of the Ascent Flight. the US Element IS a NEW Design That Emphasizes Safety, Operability, and Minimum Life Cycle Cost. the Overall Design, Development, Test and Evaluation (ddt&e), Production, and Sustaining Engineering Efforts Include Activities Performed by Three Organizations; the Nasa Design Team (NDT), the Upper Stage Production Contractor (uspc) and the Instrument Unit Production Contractor (iupc). for Clarity, the Uspc Will BE Referred to AS the Contractor Throughout This Document. Nasa IS Responsible for the Integration of the Primary Elements of the Ares I Launch Vehicle Including: the First Stage, US Including Instrument Unit (IU), and US Engine; and Will Also Integrate the Ares I Launch Vehicle AT the Launch Site. Nasa IS Responsible for the Ddt&e, Including Technical and Programmatic Integration of the US Subsystems and Government-Furnished Property. Nasa Will Lead the Effort to Develop the Requirements and Specifications of the US Element, the Development Plan and Testing Requirements, and ALL Design Documentation, Initial Manufacturing and Assembly Process Planning, Logistics Planning, and Operations Support Planning. Development, Qualification, and Acceptance Testing Will BE Conducted by Nasa and the Contractor to Satisfy Requirements and for Risk Mitigation. Nasa IS Responsible for the Overall Upper Stage Verification and Validation Process and Will Require Support From the Contractor. the Contractor IS Responsible for the Manufacture and Assembly of the Upper Stage Test Flight and Operational Upper Stage Units Including the Installation of Upper Stage Instrument Unit, the Government-Furnished US Engine, Booster Separation Motors, and Other Government-Furnished Property. a Description of the Nasa Managed and Performed Efforts IS Contained in the US Work Packages and Will BE Made Available to the Contractor to Ensure Their Understanding of the Roles and Responsibilities of the NDT, Iupc, and Contractor During the Design, Development, and Operation of the US Element. the US Conceptual Design Described in the Uso-Clv-Se-25704 US Design Definition Document (DDD) IS the Baseline Design for This Contract. the Contractors Early Role Will BE to Provide Producibility Engineering Support to Nasa VIA the Established US Office Structure and to Provide Inputs Into the Final Design Configuration, Specifications, and Standards. Nasa Will Transition the Manufacturing and Assembly, Logistics Support Infrastructure, Configuration Management, and the Sustaining Engineering Functions to the Contractor AT the KEY Points During the Development and Implementation of the Program Currently Planned to Occur NO Later Than 90 Days After the Completion of the Following Major Milestones: Manufacturing and Assembly US Preliminary Design Review (PDR) Logistics Support Infrastructure US PDR Configuration Management US Critical Design Review CDR) Sustaining Engineering US Design Certification Review (DCR) After the Completion of an Orderly Transition of Roles and Responsibilities to the Contractor, Nasa Will Assume an Insight Role Into the Contractors Production, Sustaining Engineering, and Operations Support of the Ares I US Test Program and Flight Hardware. After DCR, the Contractor Will BE Responsible for Sustaining Engineering PER SOW Section 4.7, AS Necessary to Maintain and Support the US Configuration and for Production and Operations Support — $10.5B (THE Boeing Company)
- Space Program Operations Contract (spoc) — $8.5B (United Space Alliance, LLC)
- Joint Us/Russian Human Space Flight Activities — $4.7B (Russia Space Agency)
View all National Aeronautics and Space Administration contracts →