NASA awards $30.8M for UAV-SAR R&D to California Institute of Technology, a sole-source contract
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $30,775,427 ($30.8M)
Contractor: California Institute of Technology
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2004-08-04
End Date: 2009-01-31
Contract Duration: 1,641 days
Daily Burn Rate: $18.8K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: UAV-SAR
Place of Performance
Location: PASADENA, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91125
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $30.8 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: UAV-SAR Key points: 1. Significant investment in advanced UAV-SAR technology development. 2. Sole-source award limits competitive pricing and innovation. 3. High R&D spending in a specialized scientific sector. 4. Potential for long-term technological advancements.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract's Cost Plus Award Fee structure can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. Benchmarking is difficult without comparable sole-source contracts.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was not competed, indicating a potential lack of market research or a belief that only one entity could perform the work. This limits price discovery and may result in a higher cost to the government.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the absence of competition, with funds directed to a single provider without market validation.
Public Impact
Advancement in drone-based synthetic aperture radar technology. Potential applications in Earth science, disaster monitoring, and defense. Investment in cutting-edge research capabilities.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost-plus contract type
- Sole-source award
Positive Signals
- Supports critical R&D
- Partnership with a leading research institution
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical and engineering sciences. Spending benchmarks for specialized UAV-SAR R&D are difficult to establish due to its niche nature, but $30.8M represents a substantial investment.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to the California Institute of Technology, a large research institution. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure the cost-plus award fee structure is managed effectively and that the research objectives are met efficiently.
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 lacks competition.
- Cost-plus contract type can lead to cost overruns.
- Potential for limited price discovery.
- Lack of transparency in award fee determination without detailed metrics.
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 $30.8 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. UAV-SAR
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 $30.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2004-08-04. End: 2009-01-31.
What was the justification for the sole-source award, and were alternative competitive strategies considered?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, critical urgency, or a lack of viable alternatives. For this UAV-SAR contract, NASA likely assessed that the California Institute of Technology possessed specialized expertise or proprietary technology essential for the project. Further investigation into the specific justification documentation would clarify whether other competitive avenues were explored and why they were deemed unsuitable.
How is the 'award fee' component structured, and what metrics are used to determine its payout to ensure value for money?
The 'award fee' component in a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract is designed to incentivize contractor performance beyond basic requirements. NASA would have established specific performance criteria, such as technical milestones, schedule adherence, and innovation. The agency then evaluates the contractor's performance against these metrics to determine the amount of award fee paid. Clear, objective metrics are crucial to ensure this fee drives desired outcomes and represents good value.
What are the long-term implications of this sole-source R&D investment on broader market competition and technological diffusion?
Sole-source R&D investments can concentrate expertise and potentially lead to significant technological breakthroughs. However, they may also stifle broader market competition by limiting other entities' access to foundational research or development opportunities. The long-term impact depends on how NASA manages intellectual property and encourages knowledge sharing post-award to foster wider technological adoption and future competitive efforts.
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: 1
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: $30,860,300
Exercised Options: $30,860,300
Current Obligation: $30,775,427
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NAS703001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2004-08-04
Current End Date: 2009-01-31
Potential End Date: 2009-01-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-02-18
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