NASA awards $25.4M for Orion heat shield materials, supporting critical space exploration R&D
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $25,350,550 ($25.4M)
Contractor: Textron Systems Corporation
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2007-05-04
End Date: 2010-12-10
Contract Duration: 1,316 days
Daily Burn Rate: $19.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: CEV THERMAL PROTECTION MATERIALS FOR ORION HEAT SHIELD DEVELOPMENT.
Place of Performance
Location: WILMINGTON, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01887
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $25.4 million to TEXTRON SYSTEMS CORPORATION for work described as: CEV THERMAL PROTECTION MATERIALS FOR ORION HEAT SHIELD DEVELOPMENT. Key points: 1. Contract supports advanced materials research for a high-profile space program. 2. Competition was open, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. Contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) can lead to cost overruns if not managed closely. 4. Performance period of over three years indicates a significant, long-term research effort. 5. Contractor has a history of performing complex R&D for government agencies. 6. Focus on thermal protection materials highlights a critical component for spacecraft safety.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $25.4 million for specialized thermal protection materials appears reasonable given the R&D nature and the critical application for the Orion spacecraft. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts for advanced materials is challenging due to the unique specifications. However, the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure necessitates close oversight to ensure value for money, as it incentivizes cost incurrence up to a point. The duration of the contract also suggests a substantial scope of work.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 5 bidders suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this specialized R&D requirement. This competitive environment is generally favorable for price discovery and achieving a fair market price for the materials and associated research.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the competitive process, which helps ensure that NASA is not overpaying for these critical development materials and services.
Public Impact
Benefits NASA's Orion program, crucial for future human spaceflight missions. Advances the development of cutting-edge thermal protection materials essential for spacecraft reentry. Supports high-skilled R&D jobs within the aerospace sector. Geographic impact is primarily within Massachusetts where the contractor is located, but the technology has national implications.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts require diligent oversight to prevent cost overruns.
- The specialized nature of the materials may limit future competition if only a few firms possess the required expertise.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition indicates a robust bidding process.
- Contract awarded to a known entity (Textron Systems Corporation) with relevant experience.
- Long performance period suggests a sustained commitment to critical R&D.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on advanced materials for aerospace applications. The market for such specialized materials is niche, driven by government space programs and high-performance aerospace manufacturers. NASA's spending in this area is critical for maintaining technological leadership and ensuring mission success. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the unique nature of thermal protection systems for deep space missions.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. Textron Systems Corporation is a large business. There is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses, which could be an area for further inquiry to ensure small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under NASA's contracting officer and program management. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure necessitates rigorous financial and performance monitoring to ensure adherence to the fixed fee and control costs. Transparency is generally maintained through contract reporting mechanisms, and while no specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction is mentioned, NASA's Office of Inspector General would have oversight authority for potential fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Orion Program
- Spacecraft Thermal Protection Systems
- Advanced Materials Research
- Aerospace R&D Contracts
Risk Flags
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type requires diligent oversight.
- Specialized nature of materials may limit future competition.
- Potential for cost escalation in R&D projects.
Tags
research-and-development, nasa, aerospace, spacecraft-materials, thermal-protection-systems, cost-plus-fixed-fee, full-and-open-competition, massachusetts, large-business, purchase-order
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $25.4 million to TEXTRON SYSTEMS CORPORATION. CEV THERMAL PROTECTION MATERIALS FOR ORION HEAT SHIELD DEVELOPMENT.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TEXTRON SYSTEMS CORPORATION.
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 $25.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-05-04. End: 2010-12-10.
What is Textron Systems Corporation's track record with NASA and similar R&D contracts?
Textron Systems Corporation has a significant history of contracting with government agencies, including NASA, particularly in areas related to aerospace, defense, and advanced materials. Their experience likely includes developing and testing complex systems and components. For R&D contracts, their track record would typically involve demonstrating technical expertise, managing project timelines, and delivering innovative solutions. Specific performance metrics and past issues, if any, would be detailed in NASA's contract performance databases (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), which are not publicly available in this context. However, being awarded a contract for a critical component like the Orion heat shield suggests a level of trust and proven capability.
How does the $25.4 million award compare to similar R&D contracts for spacecraft thermal protection materials?
Direct comparisons for specialized R&D contracts like this are challenging due to the unique technical requirements and the proprietary nature of advanced materials development. However, the $25.4 million figure for a multi-year R&D effort on a critical component for a major space program like Orion is within a plausible range. Contracts for developing and testing heat shield materials for previous NASA programs (e.g., Space Shuttle, Apollo) involved substantial investment, though direct dollar-for-dollar comparisons are complicated by inflation and evolving technological complexity. The number of bidders (5) suggests that the price was likely competitive within the specialized market for such advanced materials.
What are the primary risks associated with this Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type for R&D?
The primary risk with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract, especially for R&D, is the potential for cost overruns. While the contractor is incentivized to control costs to protect their fixed fee, the government bears the risk of all allowable costs incurred. If unforeseen technical challenges arise during development, costs can escalate beyond initial estimates. Effective oversight by NASA is crucial to monitor expenditures, ensure that costs are reasonable and allocable, and manage the scope of work. The fixed fee itself is negotiated, and its adequacy for the contractor's effort and risk is a key element. Without diligent management, CPFF contracts can become more expensive than initially projected.
How effective is the competition level in ensuring value for taxpayers on this contract?
The full and open competition with five bidders is a strong indicator of potential value for taxpayers. A competitive environment generally drives down prices and encourages innovation as contractors vie for the award. It allows NASA to select the offer that provides the best combination of technical merit and price. For taxpayers, this means that the $25.4 million allocated is more likely to represent a fair market price for the advanced R&D services and materials required. The competition mitigates the risk of a sole-source or limited-source award, where prices could be higher due to lack of alternatives.
What are the historical spending patterns for R&D related to spacecraft thermal protection systems at NASA?
NASA has a long history of investing in R&D for thermal protection systems (TPS), dating back to the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs. The Space Shuttle program involved significant, ongoing R&D and sustainment costs for its TPS tiles. More recently, programs like Orion and the development of commercial crew vehicles have necessitated new investments in advanced TPS materials capable of withstanding higher reentry speeds and conditions. Historical spending has varied widely depending on program phase (development vs. sustainment), technological maturity, and specific mission requirements. While specific aggregate figures are complex to isolate, R&D for critical safety components like TPS consistently represents a substantial portion of NASA's overall aerospace technology budget.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: NNA07178997R
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Textron Inc
Address: 201 LOWELL ST, WILMINGTON, MA, 01887
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $34,710,318
Exercised Options: $25,450,556
Current Obligation: $25,350,550
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-05-04
Current End Date: 2010-12-10
Potential End Date: 2011-02-07 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-10-02
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