NASA awards $12.35M for Network Development to California Institute of Technology
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $12,354,722 ($12.4M)
Contractor: California Institute of Technology
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2005-05-26
End Date: 2012-09-30
Contract Duration: 2,684 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.6K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 51
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: NASA ENGINEER NETWRK DEV
Place of Performance
Location: PASADENA, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91125
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $12.4 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: NASA ENGINEER NETWRK DEV Key points: 1. Significant contract awarded to a single research institution. 2. Focus on R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 3. Long contract duration (2005-2012) suggests complex, ongoing needs. 4. No small business participation noted.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, which can incentivize performance but may lead to higher costs if not managed carefully. Benchmarking is difficult without specific deliverables and comparable projects.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially reduces competitive pressure, which could impact overall value for money.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may mean taxpayers did not receive the best possible price for the services rendered.
Public Impact
Supports advanced research and development critical for NASA's missions. Investment in specialized scientific and engineering expertise. Potential for technological advancements with broad applications.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost-plus contract type
- Long duration
Positive Signals
- Awarded to a reputable research institution
- Supports critical R&D
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 challenging to benchmark due to the unique nature of R&D projects.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication of small business participation in this contract. Given the specialized nature of the work and the awardee, it's possible small businesses were not a primary focus or capability provider.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded as a sole-source delivery order, suggesting a specific need that NASA determined could only be met by the California Institute of Technology. Oversight would focus on performance against award fee criteria and cost control.
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.
- Cost-plus award fee can lead to higher costs.
- Long contract duration may indicate scope creep or inefficiency.
- No small business participation.
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 $12.4 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. NASA ENGINEER NETWRK DEV
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 $12.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2005-05-26. End: 2012-09-30.
What specific network development capabilities does the California Institute of Technology possess that justified a sole-source award?
The California Institute of Technology likely possesses highly specialized expertise and unique research infrastructure in advanced network development relevant to NASA's specific mission requirements. This could include proprietary technologies, unique simulation environments, or a long-standing collaborative relationship with NASA on critical projects, making them the only viable source.
How was the 'award fee' component structured to ensure value for money in this sole-source R&D contract?
The award fee structure would typically be tied to specific performance metrics, milestones, and technical achievements defined in the contract. NASA would have evaluated Caltech's progress against these criteria to determine the amount of award fee earned, aiming to incentivize desired outcomes and ensure progress aligned with research objectives.
What is the long-term impact of this $12.35M investment on NASA's technological capabilities?
This investment likely contributed to significant advancements in NASA's network infrastructure and capabilities, potentially enabling new scientific discoveries or more efficient space exploration missions. The developed technologies could have spin-off applications in other fields, enhancing national technological competitiveness.
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: $13,689,800
Exercised Options: $13,689,800
Current Obligation: $12,354,722
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NAS703001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2005-05-26
Current End Date: 2012-09-30
Potential End Date: 2012-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-02-18
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