Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has been awarded a $249,294 purchase order by the NASA Shared Services Center for development of a Physics-Informed Particle Impact Ignition Model. The contract, issued as a sole-source award under FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), will be performed in Cambridge, MA with work extending through March 5, 2026. NASA determined that MIT possesses unique capabilities to develop this experimentally calibrated tool for predicting particle impact ignition risks in high-pressure oxidizing environments, a critical capability for ensuring safety in aerospace propulsion systems and related applications. The procurement was conducted as a Special Notice, allowing for consideration of potential competitive responses; however, MIT was ultimately selected as the sole provider based on its specialized expertise.
Under this firm fixed-price contract, MIT will deliver comprehensive modeling capabilities incorporating deterministic and probabilistic approaches to predict particle impact ignition risks. Key deliverables include test data reports, model drafts, usage documentation, and final technical reviews, with performance milestones including a Technical Interchange Meeting and mid-point review. This work supports NASA's efforts to advance predictive safety capabilities for high-pressure oxidizing environments and reflects MIT's continued role as a premier research institution providing advanced technological development to federal agencies across defense, space exploration, and scientific research domains.