NASA's Mars Express Phase E contract awarded to California Institute of Technology for $31.9M
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $31,912,050 ($31.9M)
Contractor: California Institute of Technology
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2003-09-24
End Date: 2012-09-30
Contract Duration: 3,294 days
Daily Burn Rate: $9.7K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 51
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: MARS EXPRESS-PHASE E
Place of Performance
Location: PASADENA, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91125
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $31.9 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: MARS EXPRESS-PHASE E Key points: 1. Contract awarded for research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. Significant duration of 3294 days indicates a long-term project. 3. Cost Plus Award Fee contract type suggests performance incentives. 4. Awarded by NASA, a leading agency in space exploration and scientific research. 5. Contractor has a strong track record in scientific research. 6. Geographic location of the contractor is California.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $31.9 million over its duration appears reasonable for a complex research and development project in space science. Benchmarking against similar NASA R&D contracts for deep space missions would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure allows for flexibility and incentivizes performance, which can be beneficial for long-term, high-risk research endeavors.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. While sole-source awards can be justified for specialized research or unique capabilities, they limit price discovery and potentially increase costs for taxpayers. The absence of competition means there was no direct comparison of offers or pricing from multiple potential providers.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition means taxpayers may not have received the lowest possible price for the services rendered, as there was no market pressure to drive down costs.
Public Impact
Benefits the scientific community through advancements in space exploration and planetary science. Delivers critical research and development services for NASA's Mars exploration program. Geographic impact is primarily within California through the contractor's operations. Workforce implications include employment for scientists, engineers, and support staff at the California Institute of Technology.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition may lead to higher costs than a competed contract.
- Sole-source awards can reduce transparency in pricing and contractor selection.
- Performance metrics and award fee criteria need rigorous oversight to ensure value.
Positive Signals
- Award to a reputable research institution (Caltech) suggests high technical capability.
- Long contract duration indicates a sustained commitment to a critical research area.
- Cost Plus Award Fee structure can align contractor incentives with NASA's objectives.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The aerospace and defense sub-sector is highly relevant, with significant government investment in space exploration. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other NASA R&D contracts for planetary science missions and deep space exploration projects.
Small Business Impact
As a sole-source award to a large research institution, there is no indication of small business set-aside provisions. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses would depend on the specific needs and procurement practices of the California Institute of Technology for this project. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless significant subcontracting occurs.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is primarily managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Accountability measures are embedded within the Cost Plus Award Fee structure, which links a portion of the payment to performance. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, but NASA's internal review processes and reporting requirements would apply.
Related Government Programs
- Mars Science Laboratory
- Mars Exploration Program
- NASA Research and Development Contracts
- Planetary Science Research
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and potential cost savings.
- Cost Plus Award Fee contracts require careful oversight to ensure value.
- Long contract duration increases exposure to potential cost overruns or scope creep.
Tags
research-and-development, nasa, california, sole-source, cost-plus-award-fee, space-exploration, planetary-science, long-term-contract, science-and-technology
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $31.9 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. MARS EXPRESS-PHASE E
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 $31.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2003-09-24. End: 2012-09-30.
What is the track record of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in performing similar NASA research and development contracts?
The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) has a distinguished track record in scientific research and development, particularly in aerospace and space science. As a leading research university, Caltech has been a consistent partner with NASA on numerous high-profile missions and research projects. This includes significant contributions to space telescopes, planetary probes, and fundamental physics research. Their involvement in projects like the Spitzer Space Telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope, and various Mars missions demonstrates a deep expertise and proven capability in managing complex scientific endeavors. Caltech's history suggests a strong capacity to deliver on the technical and scientific objectives of the Mars Express-Phase E contract, aligning well with NASA's research and development needs in physical, engineering, and life sciences.
How does the awarded value of $31.9 million compare to similar NASA R&D contracts for deep space missions?
The awarded value of $31.9 million for the Mars Express-Phase E contract, spanning approximately 9 years, needs to be contextualized within the broader landscape of NASA's deep space mission R&D. While specific comparable contract values are proprietary, R&D for complex space missions, especially those involving planetary exploration and data analysis, can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on scope, duration, and technological complexity. Given that this contract covers research and development for a specific phase of a Mars mission, the value appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized scientific work. However, a definitive comparison would require access to detailed cost breakdowns and benchmarks for similar mission phases across different NASA programs.
What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract for R&D?
Sole-source Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contracts for Research and Development (R&D) present several key risks. The primary risk of a sole-source award is the potential for inflated costs due to the lack of competitive pressure, which can lead to reduced value for taxpayer money. For CPAF contracts, the risk lies in the administration of the award fee structure; if not meticulously defined and objectively assessed, it can lead to contractor overpayment or insufficient incentive for optimal performance. Furthermore, R&D inherently involves uncertainty, and the CPAF structure, while flexible, requires robust oversight to ensure that costs are reasonable and that the contractor is diligently pursuing the research objectives. There's also a risk that the contractor may prioritize activities that maximize award fees over the most critical research outcomes if the criteria are not perfectly aligned.
What is the expected program effectiveness and impact of the Mars Express-Phase E contract?
The Mars Express-Phase E contract is expected to contribute significantly to NASA's ongoing exploration and understanding of Mars. Phase E typically refers to the "Operations" phase of a space mission, implying this contract supports the continued functioning, data collection, and analysis of the Mars Express mission. The program's effectiveness will be measured by the quality and quantity of scientific data returned, the insights gained into Martian geology, atmosphere, and potential for past or present life, and the successful execution of mission objectives within budget and schedule. The impact is substantial, advancing planetary science, informing future mission designs, and contributing to humanity's broader knowledge of the solar system. Success hinges on Caltech's ability to maintain and optimize the spacecraft's operations and scientific payload.
How has NASA's spending on R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences evolved over the past decade, and where does this contract fit?
NASA's spending on Research and Development (R&D) in physical, engineering, and life sciences has remained a significant portion of its overall budget, driven by its ambitious exploration goals. While specific figures fluctuate annually based on program priorities and appropriations, NASA consistently invests billions in R&D across various scientific disciplines. This contract, valued at $31.9 million, represents a specific investment within the broader R&D portfolio, likely focused on a particular mission phase or scientific objective related to Mars exploration. It fits within the agency's strategic focus on planetary science and understanding potentially habitable environments beyond Earth. Analyzing historical spending patterns would reveal trends in funding for different scientific areas, such as astrophysics, Earth science, and heliophysics, providing context for the relative investment in planetary science R&D.
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: $34,997,553
Exercised Options: $34,997,553
Current Obligation: $31,912,050
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NAS703001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2003-09-24
Current End Date: 2012-09-30
Potential End Date: 2012-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2020-10-21
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