NASA's $291M GRAIL Contract with Caltech: R&D for Lunar Mapping
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $290,990,423 ($291.0M)
Contractor: California Institute of Technology
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2007-12-27
End Date: 2012-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,739 days
Daily Burn Rate: $167.3K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 51
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: GRAIL
Place of Performance
Location: PASADENA, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91125
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $291.0 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: GRAIL Key points: 1. Significant investment in lunar exploration technology. 2. Sole-source award to a leading research institution. 3. Potential for high scientific return, but limited competition raises cost concerns. 4. Focus on R&D in physical and engineering sciences.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract's Cost Plus Award Fee structure can incentivize performance but may lead to higher costs than fixed-price contracts. Without competitive benchmarks, assessing value for money is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The sole-source nature of this award to Caltech suggests a unique capability or established relationship. This limits price discovery and competitive pressure, potentially increasing the overall cost to taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are directed to a single entity without competitive bidding, potentially leading to a higher price than if multiple firms had competed.
Public Impact
Advanced lunar mapping technology developed for scientific understanding. Potential for spin-off technologies benefiting other fields. Enhances national capabilities in space exploration and research.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Cost-plus contract type can lead to cost overruns.
- Lack of clear performance metrics for award fee.
Positive Signals
- Awarded to a reputable research institution.
- Supports critical scientific research.
- Long-term project duration allows for thorough development.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is crucial for innovation but often involves higher risk and less predictable outcomes compared to established service contracts.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not awarded to small businesses, indicating a focus on large research institutions with specialized capabilities for this complex project.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is expected. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure implies performance monitoring, but the effectiveness of this oversight in controlling costs needs careful review.
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 procurement limits competition.
- Cost-plus contract type may inflate costs.
- Potential for subjective award fee determination.
- Long contract duration increases exposure to unforeseen issues.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, ca, do, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $291.0 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. GRAIL
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 $291.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-12-27. End: 2012-09-30.
What was the justification for the sole-source award to Caltech for the GRAIL mission?
The sole-source justification likely stemmed from Caltech's unique expertise and established role in managing complex space missions, particularly those involving advanced scientific instrumentation and data analysis. NASA may have determined that Caltech possessed the specific capabilities and infrastructure required, making a competitive procurement impractical or less efficient for achieving the mission's scientific objectives.
How effectively did the Cost Plus Award Fee structure manage project risks and ensure value for money?
The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure aims to balance cost control with performance incentives. While CPAF allows for flexibility in R&D projects, it can also lead to higher costs if not rigorously managed. The effectiveness in ensuring value for money depends heavily on the clarity of performance metrics and the diligence of NASA's oversight in determining award fees, which can be subjective.
What are the long-term scientific and technological impacts of the GRAIL mission funded by this contract?
The GRAIL mission significantly advanced our understanding of the Moon's composition, internal structure, and thermal evolution by creating high-resolution gravitational and topographic maps. These detailed datasets are invaluable for future lunar exploration, resource utilization planning, and comparative planetology. Technologically, the mission likely pushed advancements in spacecraft navigation, instrument calibration, and data processing for remote sensing.
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: $306,569,448
Exercised Options: $306,569,448
Current Obligation: $290,990,423
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NAS703001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-12-27
Current End Date: 2012-09-30
Potential End Date: 2012-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2012-11-08
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