NASA's $158M Prometheus Project: R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences awarded to Caltech
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $158,050,272 ($158.1M)
Contractor: California Institute of Technology
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2003-09-18
End Date: 2006-02-16
Contract Duration: 882 days
Daily Burn Rate: $179.2K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 51
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: PROMETHEUS PROJECT
Place of Performance
Location: PASADENA, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91125
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $158.1 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: PROMETHEUS PROJECT Key points: 1. Significant investment in advanced R&D, focusing on complex scientific endeavors. 2. Sole awardee suggests unique capabilities or specific project requirements. 3. Long duration and cost-plus contract structure may present cost control challenges. 4. Potential for groundbreaking scientific discoveries and technological advancements.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract type, while allowing flexibility for R&D, can lead to higher costs if not managed tightly. The award fee structure needs careful monitoring to ensure it incentivizes efficiency and value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and may result in a higher price than if multiple vendors had competed.
Taxpayer Impact: Without competition, taxpayers may be paying a premium for the services rendered, as there was no market pressure to drive down costs.
Public Impact
Advancement of scientific knowledge and technological capabilities. Potential for spin-off technologies benefiting various sectors. Long-term investment in critical research areas for national interest.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost-plus contract type
- Long project duration
Positive Signals
- Potential for significant scientific breakthroughs
- Award to a reputable research institution
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 innovation but often involves high risk and long timelines, making oversight critical.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any involvement of small businesses in this contract, suggesting the focus was on large, specialized research institutions.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature and cost-plus contract type necessitate robust oversight from NASA to ensure funds are used efficiently and effectively towards project goals.
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
- Lack of competitive bidding
- Potential for cost overruns due to CPAF structure
- Long project duration increases risk exposure
- Limited transparency on specific R&D outcomes
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, ca, delivery-order, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $158.1 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. PROMETHEUS PROJECT
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 $158.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2003-09-18. End: 2006-02-16.
What specific scientific or technological advancements were achieved by the Prometheus Project, and did they justify the $158 million investment?
The Prometheus Project aimed to develop advanced nuclear systems for space exploration. While specific outcomes are not detailed here, the success of such R&D projects is often measured by their contribution to future missions and technological capabilities, which may not always have immediate, quantifiable returns on investment.
Given the sole-source award and cost-plus structure, what mechanisms were in place to mitigate cost overruns and ensure fair pricing?
As a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract, NASA would have established specific performance criteria and award fee targets. Effective oversight would involve rigorous monitoring of expenditures, regular performance reviews, and careful evaluation of the contractor's progress against milestones to control costs and ensure value.
How did the California Institute of Technology's unique capabilities justify a sole-source award for this complex R&D initiative?
Sole-source awards are typically justified when a specific entity possesses unique expertise, intellectual property, or facilities essential for a project's success. Caltech's established track record and specialized research infrastructure in relevant scientific fields likely made them the only viable option for NASA's ambitious Prometheus Project.
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: $158,514,209
Exercised Options: $158,514,209
Current Obligation: $158,050,272
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NAS703001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2003-09-18
Current End Date: 2006-02-16
Potential End Date: 2006-02-16 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2018-11-01
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