NASA's $23.2M R&D Contract with Caltech: A Decade of Physical Science Research
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $23,230,940 ($23.2M)
Contractor: California Institute of Technology
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2004-07-22
End Date: 2012-09-30
Contract Duration: 2,992 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.8K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 51
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: SMD R&A REASON PRGM
Place of Performance
Location: PASADENA, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91125
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $23.2 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: SMD R&A REASON PRGM Key points: 1. Significant long-term investment in specialized R&D. 2. Sole-source award to a single academic institution. 3. Potential for high scientific impact but limited market competition. 4. Focus on physical, engineering, and life sciences research.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's Cost Plus Award Fee structure suggests performance incentives. However, without comparable contracts for similar specialized R&D, assessing pricing efficiency is difficult. The long duration and sole-source nature may limit opportunities for competitive pricing.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, indicating a belief that only the California Institute of Technology could perform the required research. This lack of competition likely resulted in higher costs than a competitive procurement might have achieved.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds were directed to a single entity without exploring alternative providers, potentially missing cost savings.
Public Impact
Supports advanced scientific research with potential for groundbreaking discoveries. Long-term funding stability for a specific research program. Concentrates federal research dollars within a single academic institution.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 77 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Cost-plus contract type can incentivize spending.
- Long contract duration may obscure current market value.
Positive Signals
- Supports critical R&D in physical sciences.
- Long-term commitment fosters research continuity.
- Partnership with a leading research institution.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (NAICS 541710) sector. Spending in this area is often characterized by specialized expertise and long-term projects, making sole-source awards more common.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to the California Institute of Technology, a large research university, and there is no indication of small business subcontracting. This award does not appear to benefit small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny to ensure the justification for not competing was robust. Long-term contracts require ongoing oversight to ensure funds are used effectively and align with evolving research needs.
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
- Sole-source award
- Cost-plus contract type
- Long contract duration
- Lack of small business participation
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 $23.2 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. SMD R&A REASON PRGM
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 $23.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2004-07-22. End: 2012-09-30.
Was the sole-source justification for this contract thoroughly documented and reviewed to ensure no other entities could have performed the specialized R&D?
Sole-source awards require a strong justification, typically citing unique capabilities or critical needs. Without access to the specific justification documents, it's impossible to definitively assess its thoroughness. However, the long duration and specialized nature of the research suggest a potential rationale for a sole-source award, though a review would be necessary to confirm adequate justification and explore any potential for future competition.
How does the Cost Plus Award Fee structure compare to industry standards for similar long-term R&D contracts, and what was the actual award fee paid?
Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contracts are common in R&D, allowing for cost reimbursement plus an incentive fee based on performance. Benchmarking CPAF rates and award fee payouts for similar long-term, specialized R&D projects is challenging without access to proprietary data. The actual award fee paid would be crucial to understanding the contractor's performance and the overall value realized by the government.
What tangible scientific or technological advancements resulted from this $23.2 million investment over its 8-year duration?
The primary measure of success for this contract would be the scientific and technological advancements achieved in physical, engineering, and life sciences research. Evaluating the return on investment requires analyzing publications, patents, technological prototypes, or other deliverables stemming from the research. Without specific reporting on these outcomes, it's difficult to quantify the tangible impact of this significant federal investment.
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: $25,639,763
Exercised Options: $25,639,763
Current Obligation: $23,230,940
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NAS703001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2004-07-22
Current End Date: 2012-09-30
Potential End Date: 2012-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2020-10-27
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