NASA's $10.6M Propulsion Program Dir Contract Awarded to Caltech, Lacking Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $10,589,660 ($10.6M)
Contractor: California Institute of Technology
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2003-09-23
End Date: 2012-09-30
Contract Duration: 3,295 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.2K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 51
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IN-SPC PROPUL'N PRGM DIR
Place of Performance
Location: PASADENA, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91125
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $10.6 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: IN-SPC PROPUL'N PRGM DIR Key points: 1. The contract awarded to California Institute of Technology for the Propulsion Program Directorate represents a significant investment in R&D. 2. Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpricing and missed opportunities for innovation from other entities. 3. The long duration and cost-plus award fee structure warrant close monitoring for cost control and performance. 4. This contract falls within the R&D sector, specifically focusing on physical and engineering sciences.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract's Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure, combined with a lack of competition, makes a direct pricing assessment difficult. Without benchmarks from competing bids, it's hard to determine if the $10.6M represents fair value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially reduces the incentive for the contractor to offer the most competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers than if multiple vendors had vied for the contract.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the lack of competitive bidding. The long contract duration (2003-2012) suggests a critical, ongoing need for this specific research. NASA's reliance on a single entity for this program could impact the broader aerospace research landscape.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost-plus award fee structure
- Long contract duration
Positive Signals
- Awarded to a reputable research institution (Caltech)
- Supports critical R&D for NASA
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (NAICS 541710). Spending in this sector is crucial for technological advancement but can be complex to benchmark due to unique project scopes.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. The award to a large research institution suggests a focus on specialized capabilities.
Oversight & Accountability
The long duration and cost-plus nature of this contract necessitate robust oversight from NASA to ensure performance objectives are met and costs remain controlled. Regular reviews of award fee criteria are essential.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competitive pricing.
- Cost-plus award fee can incentivize cost growth.
- Long contract duration increases risk of cost overruns.
- Lack of transparency on specific deliverables and outcomes.
- Potential for contractor lock-in due to specialized nature.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, ca, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $10.6 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. IN-SPC PROPUL'N PRGM DIR
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 $10.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2003-09-23. End: 2012-09-30.
What specific technological advancements or mission objectives has this contract enabled for NASA's propulsion programs?
The contract supported the "IN-SPC PROPUL'N PRGM DIR," likely involving research and development for specific space propulsion technologies. While the exact advancements are not detailed, such programs are critical for enabling future space missions, improving efficiency, and exploring new propulsion concepts essential for NASA's long-term goals.
Given the sole-source nature, how did NASA ensure the contractor's proposed costs were reasonable and aligned with industry standards for similar R&D efforts?
Without a competitive process, NASA would typically rely on detailed cost proposals, historical pricing data, and potentially independent cost estimates. For a sole-source award to an institution like Caltech, negotiations would focus on justifying labor rates, indirect costs, and the fee structure to ensure alignment with the scope of work and expected outcomes.
What mechanisms were in place to measure contractor performance and ensure the 'award fee' component was earned based on objective criteria?
The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure implies NASA established specific performance criteria and metrics. The contractor would be evaluated against these criteria, and the 'award fee' would be disbursed based on the degree to which these objectives were met or exceeded, requiring diligent monitoring and evaluation by NASA.
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: $18,070,000
Exercised Options: $18,070,000
Current Obligation: $10,589,660
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NAS703001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2003-09-23
Current End Date: 2012-09-30
Potential End Date: 2012-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2020-10-21
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