Nasa's Mars Technolgy Program Awarded $173.7M to Caltech, Primarily for R&D
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $173,733,225 ($173.7M)
Contractor: California Institute of Technology
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2003-09-22
End Date: 2012-09-30
Contract Duration: 3,296 days
Daily Burn Rate: $52.7K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 51
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: MARS TECHNOLGY PROGRAM
Place of Performance
Location: PASADENA, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91125
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $173.7 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: MARS TECHNOLGY PROGRAM Key points: 1. Significant investment in advanced technology development. 2. Sole-source award to a leading research institution. 3. Long contract duration suggests complex, multi-year research. 4. Focus on physical, engineering, and life sciences R&D.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's cost-plus award fee structure allows for flexibility but requires careful monitoring to ensure cost-effectiveness. Benchmarking is difficult without specific deliverables and comparable projects.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This was a sole-source award, meaning competition was not sought. While potentially justified for specialized research, it limits price discovery and may not yield the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are directed to a single entity without competitive pressure, necessitating strong oversight to ensure efficient use of resources.
Public Impact
Advancement of Mars exploration technologies. Potential for scientific breakthroughs in physical, engineering, and life sciences. Long-term commitment to research and development.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost-plus award fee structure
- Long contract duration
Positive Signals
- Award to a reputable research institution
- Focus on critical R&D areas
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 can be challenging to benchmark due to the unique nature of research projects.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not awarded to a small business, and there is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award necessitates robust oversight from NASA to ensure the contractor is meeting objectives and managing costs effectively. Performance metrics and regular reviews are critical.
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 with Cost Plus Award Fee
- Risk of technological obsolescence due to long duration
- Limited transparency on specific research 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 $173.7 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. MARS TECHNOLGY PROGRAM
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 $173.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2003-09-22. End: 2012-09-30.
What specific technological advancements are expected from this MARS TECHNOLGY PROGRAM, and how do they align with NASA's broader Mars exploration goals?
The program likely aims to develop technologies crucial for future Mars missions, such as advanced propulsion, life support systems, robotics, or in-situ resource utilization. Alignment with NASA's goals would be demonstrated through project milestones that directly contribute to enabling or enhancing robotic and human exploration of Mars, reducing mission risks, and increasing scientific return.
Given the sole-source nature, what mechanisms are in place to ensure Caltech is delivering maximum value and managing costs efficiently under the Cost Plus Award Fee structure?
NASA likely employs stringent performance monitoring, regular technical reviews, and clearly defined award fee criteria tied to specific, measurable outcomes. The 'award fee' component incentivizes performance beyond minimum requirements, while the 'cost plus' element covers allowable costs. Effective oversight involves detailed cost analysis and performance evaluations to ensure fair compensation and prevent cost overruns.
How does the long duration (over 9 years) of this contract impact the agility and relevance of the research being conducted in a rapidly evolving technological landscape?
A long duration can provide stability for complex, long-term research but risks the developed technologies becoming outdated. NASA likely mitigates this through phased research, incorporating flexibility for mid-course corrections, and potentially requiring periodic re-evaluation of research objectives and technological relevance. Regular reviews are essential to adapt to new discoveries and technological shifts.
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: $188,622,687
Exercised Options: $188,622,687
Current Obligation: $173,733,225
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NAS703001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2003-09-22
Current End Date: 2012-09-30
Potential End Date: 2012-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2020-01-06
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