NASA's $13.6M contract for Infrared Science Archive services awarded to California Institute of Technology shows long-term engagement
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $13,652,392 ($13.7M)
Contractor: California Institute of Technology
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2003-09-30
End Date: 2012-09-30
Contract Duration: 3,288 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.2K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 51
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: INFRARED SCIENCE ARCHIVE
Place of Performance
Location: PASADENA, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91125
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $13.7 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: INFRARED SCIENCE ARCHIVE Key points: 1. Contract duration of over 9 years suggests sustained need and successful performance. 2. Sole-source award indicates potential lack of market alternatives or specific expertise required. 3. Cost Plus Award Fee contract type allows for performance incentives but requires careful oversight. 4. High number of delivery orders (51) points to a dynamic and evolving project scope. 5. Focus on research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences highlights specialized nature of the work.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to its specialized nature and sole-source award. The total value of $13.6 million over nearly a decade suggests a moderate annual spend. Without comparable contracts for similar scientific data archives, assessing price reasonableness is difficult. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure implies that the final cost could vary based on performance, making direct comparison to fixed-price contracts less meaningful. Further analysis would require understanding the specific services rendered and the performance metrics tied to the award fee.
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 typically occurs when a specific entity possesses unique capabilities, intellectual property, or is the only responsible source capable of fulfilling the requirement. The lack of competition means that price discovery through market forces was not utilized, potentially leading to higher costs than if multiple bids were solicited.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the benefit of competitive pricing, as the government did not have multiple offers to choose from. This necessitates robust oversight to ensure the awarded contractor is providing services at a fair and reasonable price.
Public Impact
Scientists and researchers benefit from access to the Infrared Science Archive, facilitating astronomical research. The contract supports the development and maintenance of critical scientific data infrastructure for NASA. Geographic impact is national, supporting researchers across the United States. Workforce implications include specialized roles in data management, software engineering, and scientific support.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competitive pressure on pricing.
- Cost Plus Award Fee structure requires diligent monitoring of performance and fee allocation.
- Long contract duration could lead to complacency if not actively managed.
Positive Signals
- Contract awarded to a reputable institution (Caltech) with a strong track record in scientific research.
- Sustained award over 9+ years suggests consistent delivery of value and meeting NASA's needs.
- High number of delivery orders indicates adaptability to evolving scientific requirements.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on scientific data management and archiving. The market for specialized scientific data archives is often niche, with a limited number of institutions possessing the required expertise and infrastructure. NASA's spending in this area supports its mission-critical scientific endeavors, ensuring long-term accessibility and usability of valuable research data. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the unique nature of scientific archives.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, nor is there information suggesting significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses. The award to a large research institution like Caltech typically means the primary work is performed in-house or by other large entities. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal for this specific contract.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this Cost Plus Award Fee contract would primarily reside with NASA's contracting officers and program managers. They are responsible for monitoring contractor performance against established award criteria, ensuring costs are reasonable, and approving fee payments. Transparency is facilitated through contract reporting requirements, though detailed public access to performance metrics and fee justifications may be limited. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Science Mission Directorate
- Astrophysics Data System
- Planetary Data System
- Earth Observing System Data and Information System
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award requires justification and careful price analysis.
- Cost Plus Award Fee requires robust performance monitoring and fee determination.
- Long contract duration necessitates ongoing vigilance against complacency and price creep.
Tags
nasa, california-institute-of-technology, research-and-development, sole-source, cost-plus-award-fee, delivery-order, science-data-archive, california, long-term-contract, r&d
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $13.7 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. INFRARED SCIENCE ARCHIVE
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 $13.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2003-09-30. End: 2012-09-30.
What specific scientific data does the Infrared Science Archive manage, and how is it utilized by researchers?
The Infrared Science Archive (IRSA) is a crucial NASA resource that archives and provides access to a vast collection of infrared and submillimeter astronomical data. This includes data from missions like the Spitzer Space Telescope, WISE (Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer), and Herschel Space Observatory. Researchers utilize this data for a wide range of astrophysical studies, including the formation of stars and galaxies, the study of exoplanets, and understanding the early universe. The archive ensures that this valuable scientific data remains accessible for current and future research, enabling new discoveries and validating theoretical models. Its services include data browsing, querying, and downloading capabilities, often with sophisticated tools for data analysis.
How does the Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure influence contractor performance and cost control for this contract?
The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure incentivizes the contractor, California Institute of Technology, to perform exceptionally well by offering potential award fees based on achieving specific performance objectives defined by NASA. This structure allows for flexibility in cost reimbursement while providing a mechanism to reward superior performance. For cost control, NASA must meticulously define the performance criteria and rigorously evaluate the contractor's achievements against these metrics. The 'award fee' portion is discretionary and determined by NASA's subjective evaluation of performance, meaning the contractor does not automatically receive it. This requires active and informed oversight from NASA to ensure that award fees are only granted for truly exceptional service and that overall costs remain reasonable and justified.
Given the sole-source nature, what mechanisms are in place to ensure the California Institute of Technology is providing services at a fair and reasonable price?
Even with a sole-source award, NASA is obligated to ensure fair and reasonable pricing. This typically involves thorough price analysis, which may include reviewing the contractor's cost proposals, historical pricing data (if available from previous contracts or similar services), and market research on the cost of labor, materials, and overhead relevant to the services. NASA may also negotiate profit margins and utilize cost accounting standards. For a sole-source contract, the contracting officer must document the justification for the price determination, often relying on certified cost or pricing data from the contractor. Regular reviews and audits can also be employed to monitor costs throughout the contract's performance period.
What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source contract of this duration (over 9 years)?
A significant risk of a long-term sole-source contract is the potential for reduced innovation and efficiency over time, as the contractor may face less pressure to improve processes or adopt new technologies compared to a competitive environment. There's also a risk of price creep if robust cost oversight is not maintained. Furthermore, if the contractor's circumstances change (e.g., financial instability, loss of key personnel), it could significantly disrupt the program due to the lack of readily available alternative providers. Dependence on a single source can also create vulnerabilities if that source encounters unforeseen challenges.
How does the high number of delivery orders (51) impact the management and oversight of this contract?
The high number of delivery orders (51) suggests that the contract likely involves a series of distinct tasks, projects, or phases rather than a single, monolithic service. This modular approach can offer flexibility, allowing NASA to adapt to evolving scientific needs and priorities. However, it also increases the administrative burden for contract management and oversight. Each delivery order may require individual review, approval, and tracking. NASA must ensure that the cumulative scope and cost of these orders remain within the overall contract ceiling and that each order is still aligned with the original contract's objectives. It necessitates diligent record-keeping and consistent communication between NASA and the contractor.
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: $15,279,745
Exercised Options: $15,279,745
Current Obligation: $13,652,392
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: 2012-09-30
Potential End Date: 2012-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-02-17
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