NASA's Project Prometheus Program Support Contract Exceeds $49.9M, Awarded to Caltech
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $49,944,059 ($49.9M)
Contractor: California Institute of Technology
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2003-09-18
End Date: 2012-09-30
Contract Duration: 3,300 days
Daily Burn Rate: $15.1K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 51
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: PROJECT PROMETHEUS PROGRAM SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: PASADENA, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91125
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $49.9 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: PROJECT PROMETHEUS PROGRAM SUPPORT Key points: 1. Significant investment in R&D for advanced physical sciences. 2. Sole-source award to a research institution suggests specialized expertise. 3. Long contract duration (2003-2012) indicates sustained program needs. 4. Cost-plus award fee structure incentivizes performance but requires robust oversight.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $49.9M over nearly a decade is substantial. Without specific benchmarks for similar large-scale R&D support contracts, assessing its value is difficult. The cost-plus award fee structure can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was not competed, indicating NASA likely identified Caltech as the sole source with the necessary capabilities for Project Prometheus. This limits price discovery and potentially higher costs compared to a competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are directed towards a specific research institution without competitive bidding, raising questions about cost-effectiveness and potential for better pricing through competition.
Public Impact
Supports advanced research and development in physical sciences, potentially leading to technological breakthroughs. Long-term funding for a specific program (Project Prometheus) demonstrates commitment to its objectives. Award to a prominent research institution like Caltech suggests a focus on high-level scientific inquiry.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost-plus award fee structure
- Long contract duration
- Limited transparency on specific deliverables
Positive Signals
- Award to a reputable research institution
- Focus on critical R&D area
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (NAICS 541710). Spending in this sector is crucial for innovation but can be complex to benchmark due to the unique nature of R&D projects.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to the California Institute of Technology, a large research institution, not a small business. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
The cost-plus award fee structure necessitates strong oversight from NASA to ensure performance objectives are met and costs are controlled. The long duration of the contract requires sustained monitoring and accountability.
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 potentially increases costs.
- Cost-plus award fee structure can lead to cost overruns if not managed properly.
- Long contract duration (9 years) increases the risk of scope creep and evolving requirements.
- Lack of transparency on specific performance metrics and deliverables.
- Significant financial commitment without clear competitive benchmarks.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, ca, do, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $49.9 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. PROJECT PROMETHEUS PROGRAM SUPPORT
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 $49.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2003-09-18. End: 2012-09-30.
What were the specific technical objectives of Project Prometheus, and how did Caltech's unique capabilities justify a sole-source award?
Project Prometheus aimed to develop advanced nuclear systems for NASA's deep space exploration missions. Caltech's extensive expertise in areas like nuclear engineering, plasma physics, and advanced materials, coupled with its established research infrastructure, likely made it the only entity capable of meeting the program's highly specialized and complex requirements, thus justifying a sole-source award.
How effectively did NASA manage the cost-plus award fee structure to ensure value for money and prevent cost overruns?
The effectiveness of NASA's management of the cost-plus award fee structure is difficult to ascertain without detailed performance reports and cost audits. While this structure incentivizes performance, it also carries inherent risks of cost escalation if oversight is insufficient. Regular reviews of performance metrics against award fees and rigorous cost controls would be critical to ensuring value.
What are the long-term implications of this significant R&D investment for NASA's future space exploration capabilities?
This substantial investment in Project Prometheus, focused on advanced nuclear propulsion and power systems, has the potential to significantly enhance NASA's capabilities for deep space exploration. Successful development could enable faster transit times, longer mission durations, and greater power availability for scientific instruments, opening up new frontiers for human and robotic exploration.
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, 28
Business Categories: Category Business, Government, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $168,472,000
Exercised Options: $168,472,000
Current Obligation: $49,944,059
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NAS703001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2003-09-18
Current End Date: 2012-09-30
Potential End Date: 2012-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2014-06-18
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