NASA awards $28.16M for Advanced Earth Science Mission Studies to California Institute of Technology
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $28,160,925 ($28.2M)
Contractor: California Institute of Technology
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2006-12-08
End Date: 2012-09-30
Contract Duration: 2,123 days
Daily Burn Rate: $13.3K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 51
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: ADVANCED EARTH SCIENCE MISSION STUDIES
Place of Performance
Location: PASADENA, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91125
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $28.2 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: ADVANCED EARTH SCIENCE MISSION STUDIES Key points: 1. The contract focuses on R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. Competition was not utilized for this award. 3. The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, indicating potential for performance-based incentives. 4. The primary agency and the awarding agency are both NASA. 5. The contract was awarded as a Delivery Order.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The Cost Plus Award Fee structure allows for flexibility but can lead to higher costs if not managed tightly. Benchmarking is difficult without specific cost breakdowns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, which limits price discovery and potentially increases costs for taxpayers. The rationale for sole-source is not provided.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in a higher cost to taxpayers than if multiple vendors had been considered.
Public Impact
Supports critical Earth science research, potentially leading to advancements in climate monitoring and prediction. Funding advanced research can spur innovation in scientific instrumentation and data analysis techniques. The long duration of the contract suggests a sustained commitment to the research objectives.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost Plus Award Fee contract type
Positive Signals
- Focus on critical Earth science research
- Potential for scientific innovation
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for scientific advancement and understanding complex systems like Earth's climate.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract award. The focus appears to be on a large research institution.
Oversight & Accountability
Given the sole-source nature and Cost Plus Award Fee structure, robust oversight is crucial to ensure the government receives fair value and that performance 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
- Lack of competition
- Potential for cost overruns with CPAF
- No indication of small business participation
- Limited transparency on justification for sole-source award
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 $28.2 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. ADVANCED EARTH SCIENCE MISSION STUDIES
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 $28.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2006-12-08. End: 2012-09-30.
What was the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and what steps were taken to ensure fair pricing without competition?
The provided data does not include the justification for the sole-source award. Typically, sole-source contracts are used when only one responsible source is available or in cases of urgent need. Without this information, it's impossible to assess the fairness of the pricing or the effectiveness of any price discovery mechanisms employed.
How does the Cost Plus Award Fee structure incentivize performance and manage cost risks for NASA in this advanced research context?
The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure allows the contractor to recover allowable costs plus an award fee based on performance targets. This incentivizes the California Institute of Technology to meet or exceed NASA's objectives. However, it also requires careful monitoring by NASA to ensure the award fee is justified and that costs remain reasonable, as the fee component can increase the total contract value.
What are the expected scientific outcomes or deliverables from this $28.16 million investment in Earth science mission studies?
The data indicates the contract is for 'ADVANCED EARTH SCIENCE MISSION STUDIES,' suggesting the funds are allocated for research and development related to future space missions focused on Earth observation. Expected outcomes likely include feasibility studies, technology development, scientific instrument design, and data analysis methodologies that will inform and enable future NASA Earth science missions.
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: $31,581,171
Exercised Options: $31,581,171
Current Obligation: $28,160,925
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NAS703001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2006-12-08
Current End Date: 2012-09-30
Potential End Date: 2012-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-02-17
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