DoD awards $7.2M contract for advanced monopropellant thrusters to Moog Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $7,195,263 ($7.2M)
Contractor: Moog Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2025-02-03
End Date: 2027-02-26
Contract Duration: 753 days
Daily Burn Rate: $9.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: MOOG ASCENT GREEN MONOPROPELLANT THRUSTER
Place of Performance
Location: EDWARDS, KERN County, CALIFORNIA, 93524
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $7.2 million to MOOG INC for work described as: MOOG ASCENT GREEN MONOPROPELLANT THRUSTER Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is for research and development, indicating investment in future capabilities. 3. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide predictability. 4. The duration of 753 days suggests a significant development or testing phase. 5. The award to Moog Inc., a known aerospace component manufacturer, aligns with industry expertise. 6. The contract is for a specific component (monopropellant thruster), highlighting specialized needs.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $7.2 million for a definitive contract of 753 days appears reasonable for specialized aerospace R&D. Benchmarking against similar advanced propulsion system development contracts would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests an effort to manage costs effectively.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters price discovery and encourages competitive pricing among potential suppliers.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider selection of innovative solutions, maximizing the value of federal investment.
Public Impact
The Department of Defense, specifically the Air Force, will benefit from advanced propulsion technology. Services delivered include research and development for monopropellant thrusters. The geographic impact is primarily within California, where Moog Inc. is located. This contract supports the aerospace and defense manufacturing workforce.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns if R&D proves more complex than anticipated, despite fixed-price structure.
- Dependence on a single contractor for a critical component could pose supply chain risks.
- The specific performance metrics and testing protocols are not detailed, making it difficult to assess success criteria upfront.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
- Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
- Moog Inc. has established expertise in aerospace components, reducing technical risk.
- The contract supports the development of advanced technology for national defense.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical and engineering sciences. The aerospace and defense industry is characterized by high R&D investment and specialized component manufacturing. Comparable spending benchmarks for advanced propulsion systems can vary widely based on technological complexity and scale, but a $7.2 million award for a specific thruster system is within the typical range for developmental contracts in this niche.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside requirement for this award (ss: false, sb: false). While Moog Inc. is a large business, there may be opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business subcontracting planned for this contract.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of the Air Force contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract type, which incentivizes the contractor to meet defined milestones within budget. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance details may be sensitive.
Related Government Programs
- Space Launch Vehicle Development
- Satellite Propulsion Systems
- Advanced Aerospace Materials Research
- Department of Defense Research and Development Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for R&D complexity exceeding initial estimates.
- Dependence on a single supplier for critical technology.
- Need for clear performance metrics and testing validation.
Tags
defense, department-of-defense, air-force, research-and-development, definitive-contract, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, aerospace, propulsion-systems, california, large-business
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $7.2 million to MOOG INC. MOOG ASCENT GREEN MONOPROPELLANT THRUSTER
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is MOOG INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $7.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-02-03. End: 2027-02-26.
What is Moog Inc.'s track record with similar government contracts, particularly in propulsion systems?
Moog Inc. has a significant history of supplying components and systems to the Department of Defense and NASA, including various propulsion technologies. Their experience spans decades, with numerous contracts for spacecraft and launch vehicle components. While specific details on past monopropellant thruster contracts are not immediately available in this summary, their established presence in the aerospace sector suggests a strong technical capability and a history of successful contract performance. A deeper dive into their contract history would reveal specific performance metrics, any past issues, and their success rate with similar R&D efforts.
How does the $7.2 million contract value compare to similar R&D efforts for advanced thruster technology?
The $7.2 million contract value for the development of a monopropellant thruster appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized aerospace R&D. The cost of developing advanced propulsion systems can vary significantly based on technological innovation, required performance characteristics, and the maturity of the technology. Contracts for novel propulsion systems can range from a few million to tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars for highly complex or cutting-edge projects. Without specific details on the technological advancements required for this particular thruster, a precise benchmark is difficult. However, for a definitive contract focused on R&D for a specific component, $7.2 million suggests a focused effort rather than a broad, system-level development.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?
The primary risks associated with this R&D contract include technical challenges in developing the advanced monopropellant thruster, potential schedule delays, and cost overruns, although the firm fixed-price structure aims to mitigate the latter. Technical risks are partially mitigated by awarding the contract to Moog Inc., a company with established expertise in aerospace components. Schedule risks might be managed through defined milestones and reporting requirements within the contract. The government's mitigation strategy also includes the competitive bidding process, which ideally selects a contractor with a realistic plan and the capability to execute it. However, the inherent uncertainties of R&D mean that some level of risk will always remain.
What is the expected impact of this contract on the Air Force's future capabilities?
This contract is expected to enhance the Air Force's future capabilities by providing advanced monopropellant thrusters. Monopropellant thrusters are critical for spacecraft maneuvering, station-keeping, and attitude control. Advancements in this technology can lead to more efficient, reliable, and potentially smaller or lighter propulsion systems. This could translate to improved performance for satellites, space-based assets, or potentially even future aerospace vehicles, enabling more complex missions, longer operational lifetimes, or enhanced agility in space operations. The R&D aspect suggests the development of next-generation technology.
How has spending on similar R&D contracts for propulsion systems evolved over the past five years?
Spending on R&D contracts for propulsion systems within the Department of Defense and other agencies has generally seen consistent investment, driven by the need for technological advancement in space and aviation. While specific figures for monopropellant thruster R&D are not readily available, the broader trend shows increased focus on areas like electric propulsion, advanced chemical propulsion, and miniaturized systems. Factors influencing this evolution include evolving mission requirements, the rise of commercial space activities, and a desire for greater efficiency and performance. Overall, the market for advanced propulsion R&D remains robust, reflecting its critical importance to national security and space exploration objectives.
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 › C – National Defense R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 400 JAMISON RD, EAST AURORA, NY, 14052
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $7,195,263
Exercised Options: $7,195,263
Current Obligation: $7,195,263
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $352,134
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: PRODUCTS OR SERVICES PURSUANT TO FAR 12.102(F)
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-02-03
Current End Date: 2027-02-26
Potential End Date: 2027-02-26 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-03
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