NASA's $30.5M Mars Surveyor contract to Caltech shows long-term R&D investment in planetary science
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $30,523,801 ($30.5M)
Contractor: California Institute of Technology
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2003-09-10
End Date: 2008-06-29
Contract Duration: 1,754 days
Daily Burn Rate: $17.4K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 51
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: MARS GLOBAL SURVEYOR
Place of Performance
Location: PASADENA, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91125
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $30.5 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: MARS GLOBAL SURVEYOR Key points: 1. Contract awarded for research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. Significant duration of 1754 days indicates a substantial, long-term project. 3. Sole-source award suggests unique capabilities or a specific research focus. 4. Cost-plus award fee structure incentivizes performance while managing costs. 5. High number of 51 modifications points to evolving project scope or requirements. 6. Geographic concentration in California for this federal award.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to its specific R&D nature and sole-source award. The total value of $30.5 million over nearly five years suggests a moderate investment for a complex scientific endeavor. Without comparable sole-source R&D contracts in planetary science, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. The cost-plus award fee structure aims to balance cost control with performance incentives, but its effectiveness depends on the specific fee criteria and oversight.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed. This typically occurs when a specific contractor possesses unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or is the only source capable of meeting the government's requirements. The lack of competition means there was no opportunity for price discovery through a bidding process, potentially leading to higher costs than if multiple vendors had competed.
Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, a sole-source award means the government did not leverage competitive pressures to secure the best possible price. While justified by unique capabilities, it necessitates robust oversight to ensure fair pricing and efficient use of funds.
Public Impact
Benefits the scientific community by advancing knowledge in planetary science. Delivers research services crucial for understanding Mars. Geographic impact is concentrated in California, where the contractor is located. Workforce implications include employment for scientists, engineers, and support staff at Caltech.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits price competition.
- Cost-plus award fee can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.
- High number of modifications (51) may indicate scope creep or initial under-specification.
Positive Signals
- Award to a reputable research institution (Caltech) suggests strong technical expertise.
- Long contract duration indicates a sustained commitment to a critical research area.
- Focus on planetary science aligns with NASA's strategic goals.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences, with a clear emphasis on planetary science. The market for such specialized research is often dominated by academic institutions and dedicated research organizations. NASA's spending in this area is critical for scientific advancement and exploration, with contracts often being highly specialized and awarded based on unique expertise rather than broad market competition.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, nor is there information suggesting significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses. The nature of specialized scientific research often involves large, established institutions with in-house capabilities, limiting the direct impact on the broader small business ecosystem for this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under NASA's program management and contracting officers. The cost-plus award fee structure implies performance metrics that are monitored to determine award fees. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases, but detailed internal oversight processes and Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on specific NASA policies and the nature of any reported issues.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Mars Exploration Program
- Planetary Science Research Grants
- Aerospace Research and Development Contracts
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award requires justification of unique capabilities.
- Cost-plus award fee necessitates rigorous performance monitoring.
- High number of modifications warrants review for scope creep and cost control.
Tags
research-and-development, nasa, california, sole-source, cost-plus-award-fee, planetary-science, space-exploration, academic-institution, long-term-project, delivery-order
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $30.5 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. MARS GLOBAL SURVEYOR
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $30.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2003-09-10. End: 2008-06-29.
What is the specific research focus of the MARS GLOBAL SURVEYOR contract?
The MARS GLOBAL SURVEYOR contract, awarded to the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), is centered around Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences, with a specific focus on planetary science related to Mars. While the provided data doesn't detail the exact scientific objectives, the contract's name suggests involvement in the study, observation, or analysis of the Martian environment. This could encompass a wide range of activities, from developing new sensor technologies for Martian exploration to analyzing data from previous or ongoing missions, contributing to NASA's broader goals of understanding the Red Planet's geology, atmosphere, and potential for past or present life.
How does the cost-plus award fee (CPFF) structure typically function in R&D contracts like this?
A Cost-Plus Award Fee (CPFF) contract is a type of cost-reimbursement contract where the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred, plus a fee that is composed of a fixed base amount and an award amount. The award amount is determined based on the contractor's performance against pre-defined criteria, often related to technical achievement, schedule adherence, and cost control. For R&D contracts like the MARS GLOBAL SURVEYOR, this structure incentivizes the contractor (Caltech) to perform exceptionally well, as higher performance can lead to a larger fee. However, it requires robust government oversight to objectively evaluate performance and ensure the awarded fee is justified, balancing the need for innovation with fiscal responsibility.
What are the implications of the high number of contract modifications (51) for this contract?
The 51 modifications to the MARS GLOBAL SURVEYOR contract, spanning its 1754-day duration, suggest a dynamic and evolving research project. Such a high number can indicate several possibilities: the initial contract scope may have been broadly defined to allow flexibility in research direction, or unforeseen scientific challenges and discoveries may have necessitated adjustments to research plans, methodologies, or objectives. It could also point to scope creep, where the project's requirements expanded beyond the original intent. From a taxpayer perspective, while flexibility is often necessary in R&D, a high modification count warrants scrutiny to ensure that changes remain aligned with the core mission objectives and that costs associated with these modifications are reasonable and well-justified.
What is the significance of awarding this contract to the California Institute of Technology (Caltech)?
Awarding the MARS GLOBAL SURVEYOR contract to the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is significant because Caltech is a world-renowned institution with a strong history and expertise in space science and engineering, particularly through its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). This sole-source award implies that Caltech possesses unique capabilities, specialized knowledge, or proprietary technologies essential for the specific research objectives of the Mars Surveyor program that other institutions or companies could not match. It leverages Caltech's established track record in planetary science, suggesting a high level of confidence from NASA in their ability to successfully execute complex and critical research tasks related to Mars exploration.
How does this contract fit into NASA's broader strategy for Mars exploration?
The MARS GLOBAL SURVEYOR contract likely represents a component of NASA's long-term strategy for Mars exploration, which aims to understand the planet's potential habitability, geology, and climate history. Contracts like this, focused on research and development, are crucial for laying the scientific groundwork for future missions, whether they involve robotic landers, orbiters, or eventual human exploration. By investing in specialized research at institutions like Caltech, NASA ensures it has access to cutting-edge scientific insights and technological advancements necessary to achieve its ambitious exploration goals, contributing to the overall knowledge base required for informed decision-making regarding subsequent mission planning and execution.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 51
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 4800 OAK GROVE DR, PASADENA, CA, 91109
Business Categories: Category Business, Government, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $33,097,040
Exercised Options: $33,097,040
Current Obligation: $30,523,801
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NAS703001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2003-09-10
Current End Date: 2008-06-29
Potential End Date: 2008-06-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2020-03-31
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