NASA's $994M contract for terrestrial planet finding research awarded to California Institute of Technology
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $99,410,423 ($99.4M)
Contractor: California Institute of Technology
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2003-09-12
End Date: 2009-09-27
Contract Duration: 2,207 days
Daily Burn Rate: $45.0K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 51
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: TERRESTRIAL PLANET FIND
Place of Performance
Location: PASADENA, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91125
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $99.4 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: TERRESTRIAL PLANET FIND Key points: 1. Contract awarded for fundamental research in planetary science. 2. Significant investment in understanding exoplanetary systems. 3. Long-term contract duration suggests sustained research effort. 4. Focus on scientific discovery rather than immediate technological application. 5. Potential for groundbreaking findings in astrobiology and planetary formation. 6. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and potential cost efficiencies.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's value of $994 million over approximately 6 years represents a substantial investment in fundamental scientific research. Benchmarking this against similar large-scale, long-duration R&D contracts in space science is challenging due to the specialized nature of the work. The cost-plus award fee structure allows for flexibility but requires careful monitoring to ensure cost control and efficient use of funds. Without detailed breakdowns of research milestones and associated costs, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis to the California Institute of Technology. This indicates that NASA identified Caltech as the only entity capable of performing the specialized research required for terrestrial planet finding. While sole-source awards can be justified for unique expertise, they limit opportunities for competitive bidding, potentially impacting price discovery and the government's ability to secure the best possible value through market forces.
Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards mean taxpayers do not benefit from the price competition that typically drives down costs. NASA must ensure that the negotiated price reflects fair and reasonable costs for the unique services provided.
Public Impact
Benefits the scientific community by advancing knowledge of exoplanets and planetary formation. Services delivered include advanced research, data analysis, and potentially the development of new detection methodologies. Geographic impact is primarily at the research institution (Caltech in California) and through the dissemination of scientific findings globally. Workforce implications include employment for scientists, researchers, engineers, and support staff at Caltech.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competitive pressure, potentially leading to higher costs.
- Cost-plus award fee structure requires robust oversight to prevent cost overruns.
- Long contract duration may not adapt quickly to evolving research landscapes.
- Lack of public details on specific research objectives and performance metrics.
Positive Signals
- Award to a leading research institution (Caltech) suggests high-quality scientific output.
- Focus on fundamental research aligns with NASA's mission to explore and discover.
- Long-term funding provides stability for critical, long-lead research projects.
- Potential for significant scientific breakthroughs with broad implications.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical and engineering sciences related to astronomy and planetary science. The market for such highly specialized, fundamental research is limited, often dominated by a few leading academic institutions and research organizations. NASA's spending in this area supports the advancement of scientific knowledge and technological capabilities necessary for space exploration, contributing to a broader ecosystem of scientific inquiry and innovation.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to involve small business set-asides. Given the specialized nature of fundamental scientific research in planetary science, it is likely that the primary performer, Caltech, is a large research institution. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist for specific support services or equipment, but the core research is not directed towards small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with NASA's contracting officers and program managers. The cost-plus award fee structure necessitates diligent monitoring of expenditures and performance against research objectives. Transparency may be limited due to the proprietary nature of ongoing research, but NASA is expected to ensure accountability through regular reporting and reviews. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Exoplanet Exploration Program
- NASA Astrophysics Division
- National Science Foundation Research Grants
- Planetary Science Research Initiatives
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Cost-plus award fee structure
- Long contract duration
- Limited public performance metrics
Tags
research-and-development, space-exploration, astronomy, exoplanets, nasa, california-institute-of-technology, sole-source, cost-plus-award-fee, large-contract, science-and-technology, california, federal-spending
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $99.4 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. TERRESTRIAL PLANET FIND
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 $99.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2003-09-12. End: 2009-09-27.
What is the specific scientific objective of the 'TERRESTRIAL PLANET FIND' research?
The 'TERRESTRIAL PLANET FIND' research, awarded to the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) by NASA, is focused on advancing the scientific understanding of exoplanets, particularly those that are terrestrial (rocky) and potentially habitable. This involves developing and refining methods for detecting such planets, characterizing their atmospheres, and determining their orbital characteristics. The ultimate goal is to contribute to the broader scientific quest of identifying Earth-like worlds beyond our solar system and understanding the conditions necessary for life. The contract's duration and funding suggest a long-term commitment to this complex and data-intensive field of study.
How does the $994 million contract value compare to other NASA R&D investments in planetary science?
The $994 million contract value represents a significant, albeit not unprecedented, investment in a specific area of NASA's research portfolio. NASA's budget typically allocates substantial funds to astrophysics and planetary science, supporting numerous large-scale projects, missions, and research grants. While precise comparisons require detailed analysis of historical spending and the scope of other R&D efforts, this contract's value indicates a high priority placed on terrestrial planet finding. It is comparable to the funding levels seen for major space telescope development or complex mission operations, reflecting the scientific ambition and resource requirements of cutting-edge planetary research.
What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source, cost-plus award fee contract for fundamental research?
A sole-source award for fundamental research, like the 'TERRESTRIAL PLANET FIND' contract, carries inherent risks. The primary risk is the lack of competitive pressure, which can potentially lead to less favorable pricing and reduced incentive for the contractor to innovate cost-effectively. The cost-plus award fee (CPAF) structure, while offering flexibility for research that may have uncertain cost trajectories, also presents risks. If not rigorously overseen, CPAF contracts can incentivize cost growth, as the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a fee that may be adjusted based on performance. For taxpayers, the risk lies in ensuring that the substantial funds are used efficiently and that the research objectives are met without undue cost escalation, demanding strong government oversight.
What is the expected scientific impact or return on investment for this contract?
The expected scientific impact of the 'TERRESTRIAL PLANET FIND' contract is potentially transformative for our understanding of the universe and our place within it. Discovering and characterizing terrestrial exoplanets could provide crucial insights into planetary formation processes, the prevalence of habitable environments, and the potential for extraterrestrial life. The return on investment, while not measured in traditional financial terms, lies in the advancement of fundamental knowledge, the inspiration of future generations of scientists, and the potential development of new technologies spurred by the research. Breakthroughs in this area could fundamentally alter humanity's perspective on the cosmos.
How has NASA's spending on terrestrial planet finding research evolved over time?
NASA's commitment to searching for terrestrial planets has evolved significantly over time, driven by technological advancements and a growing scientific interest. Early efforts were largely theoretical or relied on indirect detection methods. With the advent of sophisticated instruments like the Kepler Space Telescope and TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite), NASA's spending in this area has increased substantially, enabling the discovery of thousands of exoplanets. This $994 million contract represents a continuation and deepening of this investment, focusing on specific research aspects and potentially leveraging data from ongoing and future missions. Historical spending patterns show a clear upward trend in resources dedicated to exoplanet research as capabilities have expanded.
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: $160,075,059
Exercised Options: $160,075,059
Current Obligation: $99,410,423
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NAS703001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2003-09-12
Current End Date: 2009-09-27
Potential End Date: 2009-09-27 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2019-12-02
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