NASA's PHOENIX Phase B contract awarded to Caltech for $73.2M, a sole-source R&D effort
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $73,220,798 ($73.2M)
Contractor: California Institute of Technology
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2003-09-17
End Date: 2013-05-07
Contract Duration: 3,520 days
Daily Burn Rate: $20.8K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 51
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: PHOENIX - PHASE B
Place of Performance
Location: PASADENA, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91125
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $73.2 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: PHOENIX - PHASE B Key points: 1. Significant R&D investment in physical sciences. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about competition. 3. Long contract duration (2003-2013) suggests substantial project scope. 4. Potential for cost overruns in Cost Plus Award Fee contracts.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract is a Cost Plus Award Fee type, which can incentivize performance but also carries a risk of higher costs compared to fixed-price contracts. Without specific performance metrics and award fee structure, a precise value assessment is difficult.
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 leads to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may have resulted in a higher price than could have been achieved through a bidding process, impacting taxpayer value.
Public Impact
Funding advanced research in physical sciences. Potential for groundbreaking discoveries impacting technology and understanding. Long-term commitment to a specific research area.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Cost Plus Award Fee contract type
- Long contract duration
Positive Signals
- Supports critical R&D for NASA
- Awarded to a reputable research institution
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is crucial for innovation but often involves higher risk and less predictable outcomes than other sectors.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded to the California Institute of Technology, a large research institution. There is no indication of small business subcontracting in the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
The long duration and sole-source nature of this contract warrant careful oversight to ensure funds are used effectively and objectives are met. Award fee structures require clear performance metrics.
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 competition
- Potential for cost overruns
- Limited transparency on performance metrics
- Long contract duration may indicate scope creep or delays
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 $73.2 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. PHOENIX - PHASE B
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 $73.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2003-09-17. End: 2013-05-07.
What specific research objectives were achieved under this contract, and how did they align with NASA's strategic goals?
The contract supported PHOENIX Phase B, likely involving research and development related to a specific scientific or engineering challenge. Without detailed project reports, it's difficult to ascertain the precise objectives and their alignment with NASA's broader mission. Further investigation into project milestones and outcomes would be necessary.
What was the rationale for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and were alternative competitive approaches considered?
Sole-source awards are typically justified when only one source possesses the unique capability or technology required. For this contract, the rationale might stem from Caltech's specialized expertise or proprietary technology. However, the absence of competition inherently limits price discovery and may not represent the best value for taxpayer funds.
How did the performance of Caltech under the Cost Plus Award Fee structure compare to the expected outcomes and award criteria?
The Cost Plus Award Fee structure incentivizes contractor performance by offering additional payment based on achieving specific metrics. Evaluating the effectiveness requires access to the award fee determination process and performance reviews. Without this information, it's impossible to definitively assess whether the contractor met expectations or if the fee structure drove optimal value.
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: $73,481,006
Exercised Options: $73,481,006
Current Obligation: $73,220,798
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NAS703001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2003-09-17
Current End Date: 2013-05-07
Potential End Date: 2013-05-07 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2020-10-22
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