Full and Open Competition after exclusion of sources
Major Defense Program
Not listed
Pricing Type
Firm Fixed Price
Place of Performance
Blacksburg, VA, USA
Solicitation Procedures
Negotiated Proposal / Quote
Number Of Offers Received
2
Legislative Mandate
Walsh Healy Act
National Interest Action
Not listed
Research Type
STTR Phase I
Primary Consortia Member
Not listed
This is a STTR Phase I contract awarded by NASA's Ames Research Center to Nanosonic Inc., a small business manufacturer based in Pembroke, Virginia. The contract, valued at $100,000.00, is for the development of radiation-resistant, reconfigurable shape memory metal rubber (SM-MR) space array materials.
The objective is to verify the radiation shielding capabilities of Nanosonic's SM-MR technology, which uses self-assembled high-z, dense gold and silver nanoparticles to provide durable, lightweight, and flexible radiation shielding. The materials are hypothesized to maintain their shielding properties even when mechanically morphed, a key requirement for deployable space structures. The Phase I effort aims to reach Technology Readiness Level 6, with plans to advance to TRL 8 and 9 during follow-on phases with the assistance of a space systems prime contractor.
This contract was set aside for small businesses, highlighting Nanosonic's role in supporting federal small business initiatives. The company has a history of SBIR and STTR awards, leveraging its expertise in advanced materials and innovative devices to address the needs of agencies like NASA, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Energy.