NASA's $26.4M JPL contract with Caltech spans a decade of R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $26,400,995 ($26.4M)
Contractor: California Institute of Technology
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2003-09-30
End Date: 2013-09-26
Contract Duration: 3,649 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.2K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 51
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: SMD R&A, FY03-FY08
Place of Performance
Location: PASADENA, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91125
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $26.4 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: SMD R&A, FY03-FY08 Key points: 1. The contract's long duration suggests a sustained need for the research services provided. 2. A single awardee over a decade indicates a potentially stable but limited competitive landscape. 3. The cost-plus award fee structure incentivizes performance but requires careful oversight to manage costs. 4. The contract's focus on R&D aligns with NASA's core mission of scientific exploration and technological advancement. 5. The geographic location in California may indicate a concentration of specialized research talent and facilities.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to its specific R&D focus and long duration. The cost-plus award fee (CPAF) structure, while common for complex research, can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently. Without comparable contracts for similar scope and duration, assessing the overall value for money is difficult. The total award amount of $26.4 million over approximately 10 years averages to about $2.64 million per year, which may be reasonable for specialized research, but a detailed cost breakdown and performance metrics would be needed for a definitive assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach is typically used when a specific entity possesses unique capabilities, expertise, or intellectual property essential for the project. While it ensures the selection of a highly qualified contractor, it limits the potential for price competition and may result in higher costs compared to a fully competed contract.
Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards mean taxpayers do not benefit from the price reductions that can arise from competitive bidding, potentially leading to a higher overall expenditure for the government.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiary is NASA, which gains access to specialized research capabilities at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). The contract supports research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences, contributing to scientific knowledge and technological innovation. The geographic impact is concentrated in California, where JPL is located, potentially supporting the local research ecosystem. The contract likely involves a highly skilled workforce of scientists, engineers, and researchers.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competitive pressure on pricing.
- Cost-plus award fee structure requires robust oversight to prevent cost escalation.
- Long contract duration may indicate a lack of readily available alternative sources for this specific research.
Positive Signals
- Award to a well-established research institution (Caltech/JPL) suggests access to specialized expertise.
- Long-term nature of the contract indicates a sustained and critical need for the research.
- Focus on R&D aligns with NASA's mission objectives.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. This is a critical area for government investment, particularly for agencies like NASA that rely on scientific advancement and technological innovation. The market for such specialized R&D services is often characterized by a limited number of highly qualified institutions and firms. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without knowing the precise nature of the research, but NASA's overall R&D spending is substantial, with significant portions allocated to areas like space exploration and aeronautics.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'sb: false'. Given the sole-source nature and the specialized research focus, it is unlikely that subcontracting opportunities for small businesses would be a primary consideration or requirement within this specific award. The primary contractor, Caltech, is a large research institution, and the nature of the work may not lend itself to significant subcontracting to smaller entities.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under NASA's purview, given the agency's role as the awarding body and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's affiliation. As a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract, robust oversight is crucial to monitor expenditures, evaluate performance against established criteria, and ensure that award fees are justified. Transparency would be facilitated through regular reporting requirements from the contractor and NASA's internal review processes. The specific Inspector General jurisdiction would be NASA's Office of Inspector General.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Research and Development Contracts
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Funding
- Scientific Research Grants
- Aerospace Research and Development
- Physical Sciences Research
- Engineering Research
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Cost-plus award fee requires diligent oversight.
- Long contract duration may indicate limited market alternatives.
Tags
nasa, caltech, jpl, research-and-development, physical-sciences, engineering, life-sciences, sole-source, cost-plus-award-fee, california, long-term-contract, federal-spending
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $26.4 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. SMD R&A, FY03-FY08
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 $26.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2003-09-30. End: 2013-09-26.
What is the specific nature of the 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' funded by this contract?
The provided data does not detail the specific research areas within physical, engineering, and life sciences. However, given the contractor is the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and the awarding agency is NASA, it is highly probable that the research is related to space exploration, aeronautics, planetary science, astrophysics, or related engineering and life support systems for space missions. Caltech, through its management of JPL, is a leading institution in these fields. Further details would require access to the contract's statement of work or NASA's project descriptions.
How does the $26.4 million total award amount compare to similar NASA R&D contracts over a decade?
Comparing this $26.4 million contract to similar NASA R&D contracts requires access to a broader dataset of NASA procurements. However, as an average of approximately $2.64 million per year over 10 years, it appears to be a moderate-sized award for specialized R&D. NASA funds a wide range of R&D efforts, from small grants to multi-billion dollar programs. Contracts for specific research projects at institutions like JPL often fall within this range, especially when they involve unique expertise and long-term objectives. Without knowing the specific technical scope, it's difficult to definitively benchmark, but it doesn't immediately suggest over or under-funding based on the annual average alone.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to determine the 'award fee' in this Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract?
The specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for determining the award fee are not detailed in the provided summary data. In CPAF contracts, these KPIs are typically outlined in the contract's "schedule of services" or "performance evaluation plan." For a NASA R&D contract with Caltech/JPL, KPIs could include factors such as the successful completion of research milestones, the quality and impact of scientific publications, the development of new technologies, adherence to project timelines, effective budget management, and contributions to NASA's strategic goals. The "award fee" portion is discretionary and based on NASA's subjective evaluation of the contractor's performance against these defined criteria.
What is the historical spending pattern for NASA with the California Institute of Technology for R&D services?
The provided data covers a specific contract from FY03-FY08 (though the award dates extend to 2013, suggesting a longer period of performance). This single contract represents $26.4 million awarded to Caltech for R&D. To understand the broader historical spending pattern, one would need to examine all contracts awarded by NASA to Caltech over a longer period. Caltech, particularly through its management of JPL, is a long-standing and critical partner for NASA. Historical data would likely show consistent, significant funding for various research and development projects, reflecting their deep integration into NASA's mission and capabilities.
Given the sole-source nature, what is the risk of contractor lock-in or complacency, and how might NASA mitigate this?
The primary risk of a sole-source award is contractor lock-in, where the government becomes dependent on a single provider, potentially leading to reduced innovation, higher prices, and less flexibility. Complacency is also a risk if the contractor perceives little threat of losing the business. NASA can mitigate these risks through several mechanisms. Firstly, robust contract management and oversight are essential, ensuring performance standards are met and costs are controlled. Secondly, NASA can actively engage in market research to identify potential alternative sources or technologies that could be incorporated in the future. Thirdly, structuring the contract with clear performance incentives and phased funding can encourage continued high performance. Finally, NASA could plan for future procurements to be competed, even if this specific award is sole-source, to foster competition down the line.
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: $28,563,890
Exercised Options: $28,563,890
Current Obligation: $26,400,995
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NAS703001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2003-09-30
Current End Date: 2013-09-26
Potential End Date: 2013-09-26 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2018-07-27
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