NASA's $52.5M R&D Contract with Caltech for Communications & Tracking Shows Limited Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $52,505,856 ($52.5M)
Contractor: California Institute of Technology
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2005-09-16
End Date: 2010-12-31
Contract Duration: 1,932 days
Daily Burn Rate: $27.2K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 51
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: COMMUNICATIONS &TRACKING
Place of Performance
Location: PASADENA, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91125
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $52.5 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: COMMUNICATIONS &TRACKING Key points: 1. Significant R&D investment in communications and tracking technology. 2. Sole reliance on Caltech suggests potential for limited market exploration. 3. Cost-plus award fee structure may incentivize performance but requires careful oversight. 4. Long contract duration (2005-2010) indicates a sustained need for these services.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's cost-plus award fee structure makes direct price comparison difficult without detailed performance metrics. The benchmark of $27.17M in obligated funds suggests a substantial investment, but value is contingent on the successful development and application of the R&D.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was not competed, indicating a limited approach to competition. This likely occurred due to specialized research needs or a pre-existing relationship with Caltech, potentially impacting price discovery and overall cost-effectiveness.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may have resulted in higher costs than a fully competed contract. Taxpayers bear the cost of this specialized R&D, with value realized through technological advancements.
Public Impact
Advancements in space communications and tracking technology benefit future NASA missions. Investment supports cutting-edge scientific research at a leading institution. Potential for spin-off technologies with broader applications.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition raises concerns about cost efficiency.
- Cost-plus award fee requires robust performance monitoring.
- Long contract duration may not reflect current market conditions.
Positive Signals
- Supports critical R&D in a specialized field.
- Leverages expertise of a renowned research institution.
- Potential for significant technological breakthroughs.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is often characterized by long development cycles and high upfront investment, with outcomes that can be unpredictable but potentially transformative.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates no specific allocation or consideration for small businesses in this contract. The nature of the specialized R&D likely favored a large, established research institution like Caltech.
Oversight & Accountability
The cost-plus award fee structure necessitates strong oversight from NASA to ensure performance targets are met and costs are managed effectively. Tracking deliverables and milestones is crucial for accountability.
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
- Lack of competition
- Cost-plus award fee structure
- Long contract duration
- Potential for cost overruns
- Limited transparency on specific R&D outcomes
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 $52.5 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. COMMUNICATIONS &TRACKING
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 $52.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2005-09-16. End: 2010-12-31.
What specific technological advancements were achieved through this $52.5M R&D investment, and how do they compare to the initial objectives?
The contract focused on research and development in communications and tracking. Without specific project reports or outcome assessments, it's difficult to quantify the exact technological advancements. A review of NASA's internal project evaluations would be necessary to determine if the initial objectives were met and to assess the value derived from the $52.5M expenditure.
Given the limited competition, what measures were in place to mitigate the risk of cost overruns and ensure fair pricing?
The cost-plus award fee (CPAF) structure was employed, which allows for reimbursement of costs plus a fixed fee that can be adjusted based on performance. NASA's oversight would have been critical in monitoring expenditures, evaluating Caltech's performance against defined criteria, and adjusting the award fee accordingly to incentivize efficiency and mitigate cost overrun risks.
How effective has the R&D funded by this contract been in improving NASA's operational capabilities or enabling future missions?
The effectiveness of this R&D is best measured by its contribution to subsequent NASA missions and technological advancements. Evaluating its impact requires analyzing whether the developed communications and tracking systems were successfully integrated, improved mission success rates, or led to cost savings in future operations. Publicly available mission success reports or technology transfer documentation could provide insights.
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: $55,445,000
Exercised Options: $55,445,000
Current Obligation: $52,505,856
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NAS703001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2005-09-16
Current End Date: 2010-12-31
Potential End Date: 2010-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-02-18
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