NASA's $28.7M Moon Mineralogy Mapper contract awarded to Caltech for R&D services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $28,670,953 ($28.7M)
Contractor: California Institute of Technology
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2005-04-26
End Date: 2008-11-30
Contract Duration: 1,314 days
Daily Burn Rate: $21.8K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: MOON MINERALOGY MAPPER
Place of Performance
Location: PASADENA, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91125
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $28.7 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: MOON MINERALOGY MAPPER Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single entity, raising questions about competition and potential cost efficiencies. 2. The contract's duration of over three years suggests a significant, long-term research and development effort. 3. Focus on physical, engineering, and life sciences R&D indicates a specialized scientific undertaking. 4. The 'Cost Plus Award Fee' structure incentivizes performance but requires careful oversight to manage costs. 5. Awarded to a research institution, suggesting a focus on scientific advancement rather than commercial product development. 6. The contract's value, while substantial, needs to be benchmarked against similar large-scale scientific research projects.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's value of approximately $28.7 million over three years for a specialized R&D project is difficult to benchmark without more comparable data. The 'Cost Plus Award Fee' (CPAF) pricing structure allows for cost reimbursement plus a fee that can be adjusted based on performance. While this can incentivize contractor efficiency, it also necessitates robust oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and that the award fee is justified by actual performance. Without specific performance metrics or comparisons to similar scientific instrument development contracts, assessing the overall value for money is challenging.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning there was no open competition. This typically occurs when a specific entity possesses unique capabilities or expertise essential for the project. In this case, the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) was likely selected due to its specialized knowledge and resources relevant to the Moon Mineralogy Mapper project. The lack of competition means that price discovery through bidding was not a factor, and the government relied on negotiation and cost analysis to determine a fair price.
Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers compared to competitively bid contracts, as the absence of multiple bidders reduces downward price pressure.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA and the scientific community, gaining valuable data about lunar mineral composition. The contract directly supports the development and operation of the Moon Mineralogy Mapper instrument, crucial for lunar exploration. Geographic impact is primarily within the scientific research sector, with data potentially benefiting researchers globally. Workforce implications include specialized scientific and engineering roles at Caltech and supporting NASA personnel.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competitive pressure, potentially impacting cost-effectiveness.
- CPAF structure requires diligent oversight to prevent cost overruns and ensure performance targets are met.
- Lack of public details on performance metrics makes it hard to assess the 'award' portion of the fee.
Positive Signals
- Award to a reputable research institution like Caltech suggests high technical capability.
- Focus on scientific R&D aligns with NASA's mission objectives for lunar exploration.
- The contract duration indicates a commitment to a significant scientific endeavor.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on physical sciences and engineering for space exploration. The market for developing specialized scientific instruments for space missions is highly specialized, often dominated by a few key research institutions and aerospace companies. NASA's spending in this area is critical for advancing scientific understanding and technological capabilities. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve other large-scale instrument development contracts for space agencies, which are typically awarded through competitive processes or to institutions with unique expertise.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, nor are there explicit indications of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. As a sole-source award to a large research institution, the primary focus is likely on leveraging Caltech's internal capabilities. This means that opportunities for small businesses to participate directly through this specific contract may be limited, unless Caltech voluntarily engages them for specific support services.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under NASA's contracting and program management offices. The 'Cost Plus Award Fee' structure necessitates rigorous monitoring of expenditures and performance against defined milestones. NASA's Inspector General would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse. Transparency would be enhanced through regular reporting requirements from the contractor and potential public dissemination of scientific findings derived from the instrument.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Lunar Exploration Programs
- Space Science Instrument Development
- Planetary Science Research
- Federal Research and Development Funding
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award may limit cost savings.
- CPAF requires robust oversight to manage costs and ensure performance.
- Limited public information on specific performance metrics.
Tags
research-and-development, nasa, california, sole-source, cost-plus-award-fee, space-exploration, scientific-instrument, physical-sciences, engineering, life-sciences, delivery-order
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $28.7 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. MOON MINERALOGY MAPPER
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 $28.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2005-04-26. End: 2008-11-30.
What was the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis to the California Institute of Technology?
The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED,' suggesting a sole-source award. The justification for sole-sourcing typically rests on the unique capabilities, specialized knowledge, or proprietary technology possessed by the selected contractor that are essential for fulfilling the contract requirements. In the context of the 'MOON MINERALOGY MAPPER' project, Caltech likely demonstrated unparalleled expertise in developing the specific scientific instrumentation, data analysis techniques, or theoretical frameworks required for this mission. NASA would have conducted a thorough review to ensure no other source could meet the requirements as effectively or efficiently, often documented in a Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC).
How does the 'Cost Plus Award Fee' (CPAF) structure influence contractor performance and cost management for this R&D contract?
The CPAF structure is designed to incentivize high performance by reimbursing the contractor's allowable costs plus a base fee, with the potential for an additional award fee based on achieving specific performance objectives. For the Moon Mineralogy Mapper contract, this means Caltech is reimbursed for its expenses related to the project, such as personnel, materials, and overhead. Additionally, NASA evaluates Caltech's performance against pre-defined criteria (e.g., instrument accuracy, data quality, adherence to schedule). If performance exceeds expectations, Caltech receives a higher award fee. This structure encourages the contractor to go beyond minimum requirements to achieve superior outcomes, while NASA retains control over the total fee paid, contingent on successful performance, thus balancing cost and quality.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or milestones used to assess Caltech's performance under this contract?
While the specific KPIs for the Moon Mineralogy Mapper contract are not detailed in the provided data, typical performance indicators for such R&D projects awarded under a CPAF structure would include the successful design, fabrication, testing, and calibration of the mineralogy mapper instrument. Milestones might encompass critical design reviews, prototype completion, integration with spacecraft systems, and initial data acquisition and analysis capabilities. The award fee would likely be tied to the achievement of these milestones, the quality and accuracy of the scientific data produced, adherence to project timelines and budget constraints, and the overall contribution to NASA's lunar science objectives. NASA's contracting officer would monitor progress against these metrics.
What is the expected scientific return or impact from the data generated by the Moon Mineralogy Mapper?
The Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) instrument, developed under this contract, was designed to map the mineral composition of the lunar surface at high spatial and spectral resolution. The scientific return is expected to be significant, providing crucial data for understanding the Moon's geological evolution, the processes that shaped its surface, and the distribution of resources like water ice. This data helps scientists identify different rock types, mineral deposits, and potentially volatile compounds across the lunar surface. The findings contribute to broader planetary science, informing future lunar exploration missions, resource utilization strategies, and our understanding of planetary formation and differentiation in the solar system.
How does the contract's duration (1314 days) and value ($28.7M) compare to similar NASA R&D instrument development contracts?
A contract duration of approximately 3.6 years (1314 days) and a value of $28.7 million are substantial for a specialized scientific instrument development project. NASA frequently awards contracts in this range for complex instruments destined for space missions. However, direct comparisons are challenging without knowing the specific technological complexity, novelty, and scope of work. Instruments requiring advanced sensor technology, extensive testing in simulated space environments, and sophisticated data processing capabilities often command higher values and longer development cycles. While $28.7M is a significant investment, it may be within the expected range for a mission-critical instrument like the M3, especially considering the sole-source nature which bypasses competitive cost reductions.
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: $28,921,500
Exercised Options: $28,921,500
Current Obligation: $28,670,953
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NAS703001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2005-04-26
Current End Date: 2008-11-30
Potential End Date: 2008-11-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-02-18
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