NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter contract awarded to Caltech for $242M, focused on R&D
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $242,172,079 ($242.2M)
Contractor: California Institute of Technology
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2005-08-03
End Date: 2012-09-30
Contract Duration: 2,615 days
Daily Burn Rate: $92.6K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 51
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: MARS RECONNAISSANCE ORB
Place of Performance
Location: PASADENA, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91125
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $242.2 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: MARS RECONNAISSANCE ORB Key points: 1. High R&D spending on a complex space mission. 2. Sole-source award to a single research institution. 3. Long-duration project with significant taxpayer investment. 4. Potential for scientific breakthroughs and technological advancements.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract structure can lead to cost overruns if not tightly managed. The total award amount is substantial, but the value is tied to scientific and technological outcomes which are inherently uncertain.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was not competed, likely due to the specialized nature of the research and the unique capabilities of the California Institute of Technology for this specific mission. This lack of competition limits price discovery and potentially increases costs.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers are funding a high-risk, high-reward scientific endeavor with a significant upfront investment, the ultimate return of which is dependent on mission success and scientific findings.
Public Impact
Advancement of space exploration and planetary science. Potential for new discoveries about Mars. Development of cutting-edge aerospace technology. Inspiration for future generations in STEM fields.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost-plus contract type
- Long project duration
Positive Signals
- Significant scientific objective
- Potential for groundbreaking discoveries
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is often characterized by high upfront costs, long development cycles, and uncertain outcomes, but can lead to significant technological and scientific advancements.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to involve small businesses, as it is a sole-source award to a large research institution. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is crucial for cost-plus contracts, especially those awarded sole-source. NASA's internal oversight mechanisms and the award fee structure are intended to ensure performance and manage costs, but transparency on oversight effectiveness is limited.
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 contract type can lead to cost overruns.
- Long project duration increases risk exposure.
- High upfront investment with uncertain scientific returns.
- Lack of transparency on specific oversight activities.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, ca, delivery-order, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $242.2 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. MARS RECONNAISSANCE ORB
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 $242.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2005-08-03. End: 2012-09-30.
What specific scientific or technological advancements justify the significant sole-source investment in the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter?
The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) was designed to provide high-resolution imagery and data to support future Mars missions and understand Martian climate. Its scientific goals include searching for evidence of past or present water, studying Martian geology and atmosphere, and scouting landing sites. The investment is justified by the potential for groundbreaking discoveries about Mars' habitability and history, advancing planetary science.
Given the sole-source nature and cost-plus structure, what are the primary risks to taxpayer value for this contract?
The primary risks to taxpayer value stem from the lack of competitive bidding, which can lead to inflated pricing, and the cost-plus award fee structure, which incentivizes spending rather than cost efficiency. Without strong oversight, there's a risk of cost overruns and a failure to achieve mission objectives within the allocated budget, diminishing the return on investment.
How effectively has the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter mission achieved its scientific objectives, and does this justify the total expenditure?
The MRO has been highly successful, exceeding many of its initial scientific objectives. It has provided unprecedented data and imagery, significantly advancing our understanding of Mars' geology, climate, and potential for past life. While the total expenditure is substantial, the mission's scientific return and its role in paving the way for future exploration are widely considered to justify the investment.
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: $260,784,000
Exercised Options: $260,784,000
Current Obligation: $242,172,079
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NAS703001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2005-08-03
Current End Date: 2012-09-30
Potential End Date: 2012-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-02-17
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