Basic and Applied Aerospace Research and Technology (BAART)

The Basic and Applied Aerospace Research and Technology (BAART) Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicle is a NASA-administered multiple-award contract focused on advanced aerospace research and technology development. The contract supports NASA's aeronautics research mission by enabling targeted investigations across critical technology domains such as advanced materials, aerodynamics, autonomous systems, flight-critical technologies, and propulsion research. The BAART IDIQ allows NASA to rapidly engage contractors for specific research initiatives that advance the agency's technological capabilities and support future aviation and aerospace developments.

The contract vehicle primarily issues task orders to major aerospace engineering firms, with The Boeing Company being a frequent recipient. Task orders typically range from $100,000 to approximately $12 million, with performance periods spanning 6 to 36 months. Key research areas include wind tunnel testing, thermal protection systems, acoustic liner development, autonomous flight systems, and advanced aircraft configuration studies. Most task orders are cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts issued by NASA Langley Research Center, with no small business set-aside designations. Performance locations predominantly include contractor facilities in Missouri, Minnesota, and other aerospace engineering hubs. Contractors like Boeing, Architecture Technology Corporation, and Honeywell have been awarded multiple task orders, demonstrating the vehicle's importance in supporting NASA's ongoing aeronautical research and technology advancement initiatives.