REI Systems Secures $3.8M NASA PETS Contract
In a significant advancement for technological innovation, REI Systems has been awarded a $3.8 million contract by NASA under its Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) program. This contract is particularly focused on the NASA Platform Engineering and Technology Services (PETS) and represents a continuation of REI's longstanding relationship with the federal agency, supporting NASA's ambitious missions for the next 12 months.
Founded over 35 years ago, REI Systems has built a solid reputation in delivering reliable and innovative technology solutions tailored for the U.S. federal government. This recent contract underlines the company's commitment to fostering developments in technology that hold considerable commercialization potential and serve critical government needs. The SBIR/STTR program is specifically designed to empower small businesses—including those owned by women and minorities—reinforcing their roles as crucial innovators that drive both societal benefits and bolster the national economy.
The $3.8 million award allows REI Systems to expand upon its established history of supporting NASA's initiatives through advanced software solutions. Utilizing methodologies such as data analytics, DevSecOps, and agile development, REI has a proven track record of meeting the government's demand for modern and efficient technology systems.
The PETS project, which commenced in 2022, addressed various challenges including accessibility, operational efficiency, and the modernization of outdated systems, to significantly enhance the overall impact of the program. One of the fundamental goals of the SBIR process is to evolve towards a more scalable and user-friendly submission mechanism. REI tackled this project with a product-oriented approach, firmly grounded in user research and human-centered design principles.
The outcome of these efforts is the Proposal Submission and Awards Management System (ProSAMS), a cutting-edge, cloud-based platform developed on agile frameworks and leveraging open-source technologies. ProSAMS has replaced the legacy Electronic Handbooks (EHB) and serves as the backbone of the PETS endeavor. During Phase I of the PETS initiative, tangible milestones were achieved, such as nearly a 90% improvement in processing time for completing similar business functions. Furthermore, the automation of previously manual processes resulted in an impressive 88% drop in non-responsive firm proposals between 2022 and 2023, translating to more than $1.99 million in annual savings for ongoing operations, driven by reduced hosting costs and optimized support teams.
“This project exemplifies our mission at REI to do more than just system modernization,” remarked Samidha Manu, Vice President of REI. “It encapsulates our commitment to empowering small businesses to create technologies with the potential to change lives. ProSAMS is a testament to our goal of sculpting user-centric solutions that deliver measurable benefits. We take pride in aiding NASA in its connection with innovators, fostering breakthroughs that enrich both society and the economy.”
Administratively, ProSAMS streamlines NASA’s SBIR/STTR program operations by effectively linking the agency's technological requirements with small business capabilities. It facilitates research and development portfolio management, encourages equitable access and diversity initiatives, and enhances service delivery to awardees, all while improving overall performance and minimizing costs.
In summary, REI Systems continues to demonstrate its leadership role in providing innovative, reliable technology solutions that further governmental missions. With its Mindful Modernization™ approach, REI has consistently partnered with federal agencies to tackle intricate challenges, yielding improved outcomes for millions of Americans. To discover more about REI Systems and its offerings, visit
www.REIsystems.com.