NASA's $32.8M Planetary Program Support contract to Caltech awarded without competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $32,819,204 ($32.8M)
Contractor: California Institute of Technology
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2003-09-30
End Date: 2011-02-22
Contract Duration: 2,702 days
Daily Burn Rate: $12.1K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 51
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: PLANETARY PRGRM SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: PASADENA, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91125
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $32.8 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: PLANETARY PRGRM SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single entity, raising questions about competitive pricing. 2. Long duration of 2702 days suggests a stable, long-term need for services. 3. Research and Development focus aligns with NASA's core mission objectives. 4. High value indicates significant scope and importance of planetary program support. 5. Sole-source award limits opportunities for other qualified research institutions. 6. California location may indicate regional concentration of specialized expertise.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract's value of over $32.8 million for planetary program support, awarded to the California Institute of Technology, lacks direct comparable contract data due to its sole-source nature. Without competition, it is difficult to benchmark pricing or assess if the awarded cost represents optimal value for money. The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPA) structure suggests performance incentives, but the absence of competitive bids makes a definitive value-for-money assessment challenging.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one vendor, the California Institute of Technology, was solicited. This approach bypasses the standard competitive bidding process, which typically involves multiple proposals and evaluations. While sole-source awards can be justified for unique capabilities or urgent needs, they limit price discovery and may not yield the most cost-effective outcome compared to a fully competed contract.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not benefit from the potential cost savings that could arise from a competitive bidding process. The lack of competition means there was no pressure on vendors to offer their lowest possible price.
Public Impact
Benefits NASA's scientific research and exploration initiatives. Supports the advancement of knowledge in planetary science. Services delivered likely include research, analysis, and technical support for space missions. Geographic impact is concentrated in California, where Caltech is located. Workforce implications include employment of scientists, engineers, and support staff at Caltech.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competitive pressure on pricing.
- Lack of transparency in the selection process for a sole-source contract.
- Potential for cost overruns in Cost Plus Award Fee contracts without strong oversight.
Positive Signals
- Award to a reputable institution (Caltech) with a strong track record in scientific research.
- Long contract duration suggests a stable and critical need for these services.
- Focus on planetary science aligns with national space exploration goals.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The market for planetary program support is highly specialized, often dominated by academic institutions and a few select aerospace contractors with unique expertise. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the niche nature of planetary science support and the prevalence of sole-source or limited competition awards for such specialized R&D.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. As a sole-source award to a large research institution, there are likely no subcontracting opportunities for small businesses directly mandated by this contract. The impact on the small business ecosystem is minimal, as the primary awardee is not structured to facilitate small business participation in this specific context.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under NASA's program management and contracting offices. The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPA) structure necessitates robust performance monitoring to ensure award fees are justified. Transparency may be limited due to the sole-source nature. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Planetary Science Division Programs
- NASA Research and Technology Contracts
- Aerospace Research and Development
- University Research Grants
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award may limit cost-effectiveness.
- Lack of competitive bidding reduces transparency in pricing.
- Cost Plus Award Fee contracts require diligent oversight to control costs.
Tags
research-and-development, nasa, california, sole-source, large-contract, planetary-science, cost-plus-award-fee, long-duration, science-and-technology
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $32.8 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. PLANETARY PRGRM 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 $32.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2003-09-30. End: 2011-02-22.
What is the specific nature of the 'Planetary Program Support' services provided under this contract?
The provided data indicates the contract is for 'PLANETARY PRGRM SUPPORT' and falls under NAICS code 541710 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences). While specific details are not in the summary data, such support typically encompasses a wide range of activities crucial for NASA's planetary exploration missions. This can include scientific research, data analysis, mission planning, technology development, systems engineering, and technical consultation related to robotic and human missions to planets, moons, asteroids, and comets within our solar system and beyond. The services are vital for the success of ongoing and future space exploration endeavors.
Why was this contract awarded on a sole-source basis to the California Institute of Technology?
The provided data explicitly states the contract type as 'NOT COMPETED,' indicating a sole-source award. While the specific justification is not detailed in the summary data, sole-source awards are typically granted when a particular entity possesses unique capabilities, specialized knowledge, or critical infrastructure essential for the contract's requirements that cannot be replicated by other sources. For a prominent research institution like Caltech, this could be due to their established expertise, ongoing research relevant to specific planetary programs, unique facilities, or a long-standing collaborative relationship with NASA on critical projects that make competition impractical or detrimental to program continuity.
How does the Cost Plus Award Fee (CPA) contract type influence the cost and performance?
The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPA) contract type allows the contractor (Caltech) to be reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred, plus a fixed fee that is subject to an award amount based on performance against pre-defined criteria. This structure aims to incentivize high performance by offering additional profit (the award fee) for exceeding expectations. However, it also places a significant burden on the government to establish clear, measurable performance metrics and to diligently oversee the contractor's work to ensure that award fees are earned appropriately. Without strong oversight, CPA contracts can lead to cost overruns if performance targets are not rigorously managed or if the base fee is not adequately negotiated.
What is the significance of the contract's long duration (2702 days)?
The contract duration of 2702 days, approximately 7.4 years, is substantial and indicates a long-term, stable requirement for the planetary program support services. Such extended periods are common in research and development contracts, especially those tied to multi-year scientific missions or foundational research initiatives. This longevity suggests that the services provided are critical and ongoing, likely supporting a continuous pipeline of research, analysis, and planning necessary for NASA's sustained presence and advancement in planetary science. It also implies a deep integration of the contractor's capabilities with NASA's program objectives.
What is the historical spending pattern for planetary program support at NASA?
The provided data only pertains to this single contract awarded in 2003. To assess historical spending patterns for planetary program support at NASA, a broader analysis of historical contract databases would be required. This would involve identifying all contracts related to planetary science, research and development, and program support across various NASA centers and divisions over multiple fiscal years. Such an analysis would reveal trends in contract values, types of services procured, dominant contractors, and the overall budget allocation towards planetary exploration and research support, highlighting whether this $32.8 million contract represents a typical investment or an outlier.
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: $35,101,200
Exercised Options: $35,101,200
Current Obligation: $32,819,204
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: 2011-02-22
Potential End Date: 2011-02-22 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-02-17
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