NASA's SMAP Mission: $315.5M Spent on R&D for Soil Moisture Sensing
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $315,513,620 ($315.5M)
Contractor: California Institute of Technology
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2008-03-13
End Date: 2012-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,662 days
Daily Burn Rate: $189.8K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 51
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: SMAP (SOIL MOISTURE ACTIVE/PASSIVE) MISSION
Place of Performance
Location: PASADENA, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91125
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $315.5 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: SMAP (SOIL MOISTURE ACTIVE/PASSIVE) MISSION Key points: 1. Significant investment in Earth science research and development. 2. Sole-source contract awarded to California Institute of Technology. 3. Potential for cost overruns given the Cost Plus Award Fee structure. 4. Focus on physical, engineering, and life sciences R&D.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, which can lead to higher costs than fixed-price contracts. The total award amount is substantial, and the final cost relative to the initial estimate is not provided, making a precise value assessment difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially reduces competitive pressure to achieve the lowest possible cost.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are directed to a single entity without competitive bidding, raising questions about cost-effectiveness.
Public Impact
Advancement of scientific understanding of soil moisture globally. Potential applications in agriculture, water resource management, and climate modeling. Contribution to NASA's Earth observation capabilities.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Cost Plus Award Fee contract type can incentivize higher spending.
- Lack of competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
Positive Signals
- Supports critical Earth science research.
- Potential for significant scientific and societal benefits.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. NASA's R&D spending is crucial for scientific advancement, but requires careful oversight to ensure value for money, especially in sole-source scenarios.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, as it was awarded solely to the California Institute of Technology.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure the contractor is meeting objectives efficiently and that costs are reasonable. Award fee structures require clear performance metrics.
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
- Cost Plus Award Fee contract type
- Lack of competition may lead to higher costs
- Potential for cost overruns
- No indication of small business participation
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 $315.5 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. SMAP (SOIL MOISTURE ACTIVE/PASSIVE) MISSION
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 $315.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-03-13. End: 2012-09-30.
What was the final cost of the SMAP mission compared to the initial estimates, and how did performance metrics influence the award fee?
The provided data does not include the final cost or details on performance metrics and their impact on the award fee. To assess the mission's value, a comparison of the final expenditure against initial projections and an analysis of the contractor's performance against defined objectives would be necessary. Understanding the award fee structure's application is key to evaluating cost-effectiveness.
Were there any attempts to explore competitive options or justify the sole-source award for the SMAP mission?
The data explicitly states the contract was 'NOT COMPETED,' indicating a sole-source award. Without further documentation, the rationale for bypassing competition is unclear. Agencies typically must justify sole-source awards based on specific criteria, such as unique capabilities or urgent needs, to ensure fair and reasonable pricing.
What are the long-term scientific and practical benefits derived from the SMAP mission's $315.5 million investment?
The SMAP mission aims to provide unprecedented global measurements of soil moisture, crucial for understanding water cycles, climate change, and improving weather forecasting and agricultural practices. Its data contributes to enhanced drought monitoring, flood prediction, and optimized water resource management, offering significant long-term benefits to scientific research and societal applications.
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: $344,344,021
Exercised Options: $344,344,021
Current Obligation: $315,513,620
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NAS703001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-03-13
Current End Date: 2012-09-30
Potential End Date: 2012-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-02-17
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