NASA's $54.5M Ocean Topography Project Awarded to Caltech, Lacking Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $54,535,735 ($54.5M)
Contractor: California Institute of Technology
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2003-09-30
End Date: 2015-07-14
Contract Duration: 4,305 days
Daily Burn Rate: $12.7K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 51
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: OCEAN SURFACE TOPOGRAPHY
Place of Performance
Location: PASADENA, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91125
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $54.5 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: OCEAN SURFACE TOPOGRAPHY Key points: 1. Significant investment in advanced research and development. 2. Sole-source award to Caltech raises questions about competition. 3. Long contract duration (12+ years) may indicate complex, evolving needs. 4. High value project in the R&D sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The total award value of $54.5M over 12 years suggests a substantial investment. Without competitive benchmarks, assessing pricing efficiency is difficult, especially for a cost-plus award fee contract.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award to the California Institute of Technology. This lack of competition limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition for a contract of this magnitude means taxpayers may not have received the best possible price.
Public Impact
Advancing scientific understanding of ocean topography. Potential for groundbreaking discoveries in Earth science. Long-term commitment to a single research institution.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost-plus contract type
- Long contract duration
Positive Signals
- High value R&D investment
- Award to reputable institution
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is critical for innovation but requires careful oversight to ensure value for money, especially with sole-source awards.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny. NASA's oversight should focus on ensuring the cost-plus award fee structure effectively incentivizes performance and cost control, despite the lack of competition.
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 limits competition and price discovery.
- Cost-plus contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.
- Long contract duration increases exposure to changing requirements and economic factors.
- Lack of transparency regarding specific performance metrics for award fee.
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 $54.5 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. OCEAN SURFACE TOPOGRAPHY
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 $54.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2003-09-30. End: 2015-07-14.
What specific factors justified the sole-source award for this critical ocean topography research?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, specialized knowledge, or critical timing that cannot be met by other sources. For this project, it might relate to Caltech's specific expertise in oceanography, satellite technology, or proprietary data/methodologies developed over prior research phases, making competition impractical or detrimental to project continuity.
How does the cost-plus award fee structure mitigate risks associated with a sole-source R&D contract?
A cost-plus award fee (CPAF) contract allows the contractor to recover allowable costs plus a fee that is composed of a base amount and an award amount. The award amount is determined by the government based on performance against pre-defined criteria. This structure aims to incentivize contractor performance and cost management, mitigating some risks inherent in sole-source R&D where outcomes are uncertain and competition is absent.
What is the long-term scientific and technological impact expected from this $54.5M investment?
This significant investment is expected to yield crucial data and insights into ocean dynamics, sea-level rise, and climate change impacts. The project likely aims to advance our understanding of complex oceanographic processes, improve climate models, and potentially lead to new technologies for Earth observation and data analysis, contributing to scientific knowledge and policy-making.
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: $54,898,500
Exercised Options: $54,898,500
Current Obligation: $54,535,735
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: 2015-07-14
Potential End Date: 2015-07-14 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-02-17
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