All NASA Contracts — January 09, 2026

$104M obligation (60% outlayed) via firm-fixed-price to 2027 validates small-business lunar payload execution.

3 awards totaling $158M (86% aggregate outlay) through 2028 underscore nonprofit higher-ed dominance in NASA space science.

Extended 4-10 year performance periods (all end 2026-2028) with partial outlays expose delays or funding shifts.

Cost-no-fee/cost-plus structures (4/5 contracts) cap upside for recipients; international nonprofit (CSIRO) adds funding volatility.

Unexercised options total ~$69M (CSIRO $35M, Firefly $8.5M, Caltech EXEP $26M) for DSN, CLPS, exoplanet R&D.

Remaining outlays ~$79M (20% of total obligation) across all contracts through 2028.

Caltech captures 39% ($158M) of value in non-competed JPL delivery orders for science missions; CSIRO adds international ops stability.

Firefly's $104M CLPS award (sole bullish signal) amid full/open competition highlights NASA shift to small-business payloads.

{"entity"=>"Firefly Aerospace", "reason"=>"$104M CLPS (60% outlayed) as only bullish signal in small-business commercial space.", "trigger"=>"Option exercise or 2027 extension announcement"}

{"entity"=>"California Institute of Technology (JPL proxy)", "reason"=>"Dominates 3/5 contracts ($158M, 86% outlayed) with long-term R&D stability.", "trigger"=>"Aggregate outlay acceleration or new non-competed awards"}

{"entity"=>"CSIRO DSN Operations", "reason"=>"Largest single award ($145M) with $35M unexercised options through 2028.", "trigger"=>"Outlay spike or international funding risks"}