NASA awards $21.8M contract to SunPower for advanced Stirling convertor technology development
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $21,810,138 ($21.8M)
Contractor: Sunpower, Inc
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2010-09-30
End Date: 2015-12-31
Contract Duration: 1,918 days
Daily Burn Rate: $11.4K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: THE SCOPE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO DEVELOP FREE-PISTON STIRLING CONVERTOR TECHNOLOGY FOR RADIOISOTOPE POWER CONVERSION (RPS) FOR FUTURE NASA SPACE SCIENCE AND EXPLORATION MISSIONS. THE CONTRACT WILL BE A TASK ORDER CONTRACT AND WILL INCLUDE THIS GENERAL OUTLINE AGREEMENT, AND INDIVIDUAL TASK ORDERS TO BE AWARDED. THE CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE DESIGN, ANALYSIS, TRADE STUDIES, HARDWARE PRODUCTION, TESTING, AND ASSOCIATED TASKS NEEDED TO CONTINUE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ADVANCED STIRLING CONVERTOR (ASC) TECHNOLOGY FOR POTENTIAL USE ON FUTURE NASA MISSIONS THAT REQUIRE RPS. DUE TO THE DYNAMIC NATURE OF THE RELATED PROGRAMS, ANTICIPATED DIRECTION FROM NASA HEADQUARTERS, AND POTENTIAL REVISION OF REQUIREMENTS, THE INDIVIDUAL TASKS WILL BE ISSUED WITH DETAILED STATEMENTS OF WORK. TECHNICAL DIRECTION PROVISIONS WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE CONTRACT TO PROVIDE FOR IN-SCOPE TECHNICAL DIRECTION FROM NASA TO THE CONTRACTOR. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE ALL NECESSARY PERSONNEL, FACILITIES, SERVICES, AND MATERIALS REQUIRED UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED. THE CONTRACT WILL INCLUDE TRAVEL TO SUPPORT TECHNICAL MEETINGS, REVIEWS, AND TESTS AS REQUIRED BY INDIVIDUAL TASKS. DELIVERABLES WILL BE SPECIFIED IN EACH INDIVIDUAL TASK ORDER AND WILL INCLUDE ITEMS SUCH AS STIRLING CONVERTORS AND RELATED TEST HARDWARE, TEST REPORTS, ANALYSIS REPORTS, DESIGN DRAWINGS, AND DATA PACKAGES. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY OR SERVICES WILL BE SPECIFIED IN EACH INDIVIDUAL TASK ORDER AS REQUIRED. THE TASKS UNDER THIS OUTLINE AGREEMENT WILL ADVANCE THE TECHNOLOGY AND FURTHER ESTABLISH THE VIABILITY OF THE STIRLING CONVERTOR TECHNOLOGY THAT WAS DEVELOPED UNDER THE RADIOISOTOPE POWER CONVERSION TECHNOLOGY (RPCT) NRA CONTRACT, NAS3-03128 AND THE SBIR PHASE II CONTRACT, NAS3-02174.
Place of Performance
Location: ATHENS, ATHENS County, OHIO, 45701
State: Ohio Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $21.8 million to SUNPOWER, INC for work described as: THE SCOPE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO DEVELOP FREE-PISTON STIRLING CONVERTOR TECHNOLOGY FOR RADIOISOTOPE POWER CONVERSION (RPS) FOR FUTURE NASA SPACE SCIENCE AND EXPLORATION MISSIONS. THE CONTRACT WILL BE A TASK ORDER CONTRACT AND WILL INCLUDE THIS GENERAL OUTLINE AGREEMENT, AND INDI… Key points: 1. Contract focuses on developing radioisotope power conversion technology for future space missions. 2. Development includes design, analysis, hardware production, and testing of advanced Stirling convertors. 3. Task order contract structure allows for flexibility in response to evolving program needs. 4. Technology aims to support NASA's long-term space science and exploration objectives. 5. Contract duration spans over five years, indicating a sustained development effort. 6. The contract is a sole-source award, raising questions about potential cost efficiencies.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $21.8 million over approximately five years for R&D in advanced Stirling convertor technology appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the work. However, without comparable sole-source contracts or detailed cost breakdowns, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) contract type suggests that while the fee is fixed, the government bears the risk of cost overruns, which warrants careful monitoring.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed. This approach is often used for highly specialized technologies or when a specific contractor possesses unique capabilities. While it ensures access to critical expertise, it limits the potential for price competition and may result in higher costs for the government compared to a fully competed procurement.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition means taxpayers may not benefit from the cost savings that could arise from a competitive bidding process. The government relies on negotiation and oversight to ensure a fair price.
Public Impact
Benefits NASA's future space science and exploration missions by providing advanced power conversion technology. Enables the development of reliable and efficient power sources for deep space probes and potential human missions. Supports the advancement of U.S. technological capabilities in space exploration. The development work is expected to occur in Ohio, potentially impacting the local high-tech workforce.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competitive pressure on pricing.
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee structure places cost overrun risk on the government.
- Dynamic nature of space programs could lead to scope creep and increased costs.
- Limited public information on specific performance metrics and milestones.
Positive Signals
- Focus on critical, advanced technology for future NASA missions.
- Contractor possesses specialized expertise in Stirling convertor technology.
- Task order structure allows for adaptability to evolving mission requirements.
- Long-term commitment indicates strategic importance of the technology.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on advanced physical and engineering sciences. The market for specialized space power conversion technologies is niche, with a limited number of companies possessing the required expertise. NASA's investment in Stirling convertor technology is part of a broader effort to develop next-generation power systems for long-duration space missions, where efficiency and reliability are paramount.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a stated objective, and the award was made to SunPower, Inc., a large business. There is no information available regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans. This suggests that the primary focus was on acquiring specialized technical capabilities rather than promoting small business involvement.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). As a task order contract, individual task orders will likely have specific statements of work and delivery schedules that are monitored by NASA program managers. The cost-plus-fixed-fee nature necessitates close financial oversight to manage costs and ensure the contractor is meeting performance expectations. Transparency may be limited due to the sole-source nature and the proprietary aspects of advanced technology development.
Related Government Programs
- Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS)
- Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC) Technology
- NASA Space Science Missions
- Deep Space Exploration Power Systems
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award may limit cost competition.
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract shifts cost overrun risk to the government.
- Technology development is inherently risky and may not meet all performance goals.
- Evolving program requirements could lead to scope changes and cost increases.
Tags
research-and-development, nasa, space-exploration, power-conversion, stirling-convertor, sole-source, cost-plus-fixed-fee, ohio, advanced-technology, radioisotope-power-conversion
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $21.8 million to SUNPOWER, INC. THE SCOPE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO DEVELOP FREE-PISTON STIRLING CONVERTOR TECHNOLOGY FOR RADIOISOTOPE POWER CONVERSION (RPS) FOR FUTURE NASA SPACE SCIENCE AND EXPLORATION MISSIONS. THE CONTRACT WILL BE A TASK ORDER CONTRACT AND WILL INCLUDE THIS GENERAL OUTLINE AGREEMENT, AND INDIVIDUAL TASK ORDERS TO BE AWARDED. THE CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE DESIGN, ANALYSIS, TRADE STUDIES, HARDWARE PRODUCTION, TESTING, AND ASSOCIATED TASKS NEEDED TO CONTINUE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ADVANCED STIRLING CONVERTOR (ASC) TE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SUNPOWER, INC.
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 $21.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2010-09-30. End: 2015-12-31.
What is the specific technical expertise SunPower, Inc. possesses that led to this sole-source award for Stirling convertor technology?
SunPower, Inc. has a history of developing and manufacturing high-efficiency solar cells and related power technologies. While their primary focus is often solar, their expertise in materials science, thermal management, and energy conversion principles is transferable to advanced power systems like Stirling convertors. For this specific contract, it is likely that SunPower demonstrated unique capabilities, proprietary designs, or prior successful development work related to Stirling convertors for space applications that NASA deemed essential and not readily available from other sources. The sole-source justification would typically detail these specific, unique qualifications and the absence of viable alternatives.
How does the cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) contract type impact the government's financial risk and the contractor's incentive for cost control?
Under a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) contract, the government agrees to pay the contractor's actual allowable costs plus a fixed fee, representing profit. This structure shifts the primary financial risk of cost overruns to the government, as they are obligated to cover all reasonable costs incurred by the contractor. While the fee is fixed, providing some predictability for the contractor's profit, the contractor's incentive for stringent cost control can be diminished compared to fixed-price contracts. The government's role becomes crucial in closely monitoring costs, ensuring efficiency, and verifying the allowability and reasonableness of all expenditures to mitigate potential overspending.
What are the potential performance risks associated with developing advanced Stirling convertor technology for space missions?
Developing advanced Stirling convertor technology for space missions carries several performance risks. These include technical challenges in achieving the required efficiency, reliability, and longevity under extreme space conditions (e.g., vacuum, radiation, temperature fluctuations). Material degradation, mechanical wear in moving parts, and heat rejection can be significant hurdles. Furthermore, integrating the convertor with radioisotope heat sources presents unique safety and operational challenges. The dynamic nature of NASA's program requirements also introduces risk, as design changes or shifts in mission objectives could necessitate costly rework or render initial development efforts obsolete.
Can the $21.8 million contract value be benchmarked against similar R&D efforts in advanced power conversion technologies?
Benchmarking the $21.8 million contract value for advanced Stirling convertor technology is challenging due to the specialized and often proprietary nature of such R&D. Comparable contracts are not widely publicized, especially for sole-source awards. However, R&D contracts for advanced aerospace technologies can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the complexity, duration, and technological maturity. Given that this contract covers design, analysis, hardware production, and testing over several years for a critical space power system, the value appears within a plausible range for cutting-edge aerospace R&D. A more precise benchmark would require access to detailed cost breakdowns and data on similar sole-source or competed R&D efforts within NASA or other space agencies.
What is the historical spending pattern for Stirling convertor technology development at NASA or related agencies?
Historical spending on Stirling convertor technology development by NASA and related agencies has been significant, though often project-specific and not always publicly aggregated under a single category. NASA has invested in Stirling cycle technology for various applications, including radioisotope power systems (RPS) for deep space missions (like the proposed Kilopower/KRUSTY experiment) and potentially for terrestrial applications. Funding levels can fluctuate based on program priorities and technological readiness. While specific historical dollar amounts for Stirling convertor R&D are not readily available in a consolidated format, the continued investment in this area, including the current contract, indicates a sustained strategic interest in its potential for future space exploration power needs.
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: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Ametek Inc (UEI: 001345149)
Address: 182 MILL ST, ATHENS, OH, 45701
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $21,810,138
Exercised Options: $21,810,138
Current Obligation: $21,810,138
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NNC10BA21B
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2010-09-30
Current End Date: 2015-12-31
Potential End Date: 2015-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2016-09-23
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