NASA & Space Contracts Intelligence — April 23, 2026

$178,975,557 total obligation (with $143,190,612 outlayed) under a non-competed cost-plus-fixed-fee contract through 2027 signals NASA's multi-year commitment to space R&D, including $8,929,186 in subawards to 24 recipients.

The sole $178,975,557 award to tax-exempt Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. provides stable funding but offers no stock-based investment vehicle, with indirect benefits via 24 subawards totaling $8,929,186.

Non-competed cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. faces potential funding cliffs post-September 30, 2027 end date, despite low pricing risk and $143M outlayed.

Non-competed award with unknown competition signal to nonprofit Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. may face protests or re-competition risks near 2027 expiration.

Potential exercise of options on NASA Goddard's $178,975,557 contract to Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., expanding to $204,955,978 base + options for WFIRST SOC.

NASA Goddard's $178,975,557 obligation to Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. for WFIRST Science Operations Center design (PSC AR45) reflects sustained multi-year funding with $143M outlayed and low pricing risk.

{"entity"=>"Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc.", "reason"=>"$178,975,557 NASA Goddard contract with $143,190,612 outlayed; tracks annual ~$21.7M revenue est. and subaward flow.", "trigger"=>"outlay progress beyond $143,190,612; option exercise to $204,955,978; performance through September 30, 2027"}

{"entity"=>"NASA space R&D sector", "reason"=>"Sole $178.98M civilian award underscores WFIRST priorities amid neutral signal strength.", "trigger"=>"post-2027 re-compete announcement or extension"}