NASA's EPOXI Mission: $34.5M for R&D, awarded to California Institute of Technology
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $34,541,876 ($34.5M)
Contractor: California Institute of Technology
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2007-01-19
End Date: 2012-09-30
Contract Duration: 2,081 days
Daily Burn Rate: $16.6K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 51
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: EPOXI
Place of Performance
Location: PASADENA, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91125
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $34.5 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: EPOXI Key points: 1. The contract was awarded to a single entity, indicating limited competition. 2. The primary sector is Research and Development, a critical area for innovation. 3. The 'NOT COMPETED' status raises questions about potential cost efficiencies. 4. The contract duration of 2081 days suggests a long-term, complex project.
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 tightly. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts is difficult without more specific cost breakdowns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, meaning NASA directly awarded it to the California Institute of Technology. This limits price discovery and may not yield the best value compared to a competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: Without competition, taxpayers may have paid more than necessary. The value for money depends heavily on the justification for the sole-source award and the negotiated fee structure.
Public Impact
The EPOXI mission aimed to study exoplanets, contributing to scientific understanding. Funding for space exploration and research impacts technological advancement and education. The award to a prominent research institution supports scientific endeavors.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost-plus contract type
- Long duration
Positive Signals
- Award to reputable institution
- Focus on 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 often involves high uncertainty and unique cost structures, making direct benchmarking challenging.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded to the California Institute of Technology, a large research institution, and there is no indication of small business participation. Therefore, this award does not appear to benefit small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'NOT COMPETED' status suggests a need for strong justification and oversight to ensure the award was appropriate and that costs were managed effectively throughout the contract's lifecycle.
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 and price discovery.
- Cost-plus contract type can lead to higher costs if not managed strictly.
- Long contract duration increases risk of cost escalation and scope creep.
- Lack of small business participation.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, ca, do, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $34.5 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. EPOXI
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 $34.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-01-19. End: 2012-09-30.
What was the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and were alternative competitive strategies considered?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, critical urgency, or a lack of viable alternatives. Without detailed documentation, it's difficult to assess if NASA adequately explored competitive options or if the sole-source decision was truly necessary for the EPOXI mission's success.
How effectively was the 'COST PLUS AWARD FEE' structure managed to control costs and incentivize performance for the EPOXI mission?
Cost-plus award fee contracts require diligent oversight to ensure contractor performance aligns with mission objectives and cost constraints. NASA's management of this contract would determine if the fee structure successfully drove desired outcomes without excessive cost overruns, a key factor in assessing value.
What were the key scientific or technological outcomes of the EPOXI mission funded by this contract, and did they justify the investment?
The ultimate value of R&D spending hinges on its results. Assessing the EPOXI mission's success in achieving its scientific goals, such as exoplanet research, and any resulting technological advancements is crucial to determine if the $34.5 million investment yielded sufficient returns for science and the public.
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, 28
Business Categories: Category Business, Government, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $34,899,017
Exercised Options: $34,899,017
Current Obligation: $34,541,876
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NAS703001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-01-19
Current End Date: 2012-09-30
Potential End Date: 2012-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2012-11-07
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