NASA awards $42.8M for planetary science instrument development to California Institute of Technology
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $42,821,676 ($42.8M)
Contractor: California Institute of Technology
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2008-05-28
End Date: 2013-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,951 days
Daily Burn Rate: $21.9K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 51
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: PLANETARY SCIENCE INSTRUMENT DEVELOPMENT
Place of Performance
Location: PASADENA, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91125
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $42.8 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: PLANETARY SCIENCE INSTRUMENT DEVELOPMENT Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a cost-plus-award-fee basis, allowing for flexibility but requiring close oversight of costs and performance. 2. The contract duration of 1951 days (over 5 years) suggests a complex, long-term development effort. 3. Awarded to a single entity, raising questions about the extent of competition and potential for price optimization. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541710 indicates a focus on research and development. 5. The contract's value of over $42 million positions it as a significant investment in scientific advancement.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific details on the instruments developed and their complexity. However, the cost-plus-award-fee structure suggests that the final cost could exceed initial estimates, depending on performance. The duration and scope imply a substantial undertaking, and the lack of competitive bidding means direct price comparisons are unavailable. Further analysis would require understanding the specific deliverables and comparing them to similar R&D efforts in planetary science.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This approach is often used when a specific entity possesses unique expertise, technology, or intellectual property essential for the project. While it ensures access to specialized capabilities, it bypasses the potential cost savings and innovation that can arise from a competitive bidding process. The absence of multiple bidders limits the government's ability to negotiate the best possible price.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not benefit from the price discovery that competition typically provides, potentially leading to higher overall costs for the development effort.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA and the scientific community, who will gain advanced instruments for planetary exploration. The contract supports the development of sophisticated scientific instruments crucial for space missions. The geographic impact is centered in California, where the California Institute of Technology is located. This contract likely supports highly skilled researchers, engineers, and technicians within the aerospace and scientific sectors.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition could lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
- Cost-plus-award-fee contracts can sometimes result in cost overruns if not managed diligently.
- Sole-source awards limit transparency in pricing and contractor selection.
Positive Signals
- Awarded to a reputable institution (Caltech) with a strong track record in scientific research.
- The contract supports critical research and development in planetary science, advancing national scientific goals.
- The long-term nature of the contract suggests a commitment to a significant scientific endeavor.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on physical and engineering sciences related to space exploration. The market for developing specialized scientific instruments for space agencies is highly specialized, often dominated by a few key research institutions and aerospace contractors. NASA's spending in this area is critical for maintaining its leadership in space science and exploration, with comparable spending benchmarks often tied to the complexity and novelty of the instruments required for specific missions.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, nor is there information suggesting significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses. The award to a large research institution like Caltech typically means the primary focus is on internal capabilities or partnerships with other large entities. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless specific R&D components are outsourced to specialized small firms.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily rest with NASA's contracting officers and program managers. The cost-plus-award-fee structure necessitates rigorous monitoring of expenditures and performance against defined award criteria. Transparency is dependent on NASA's reporting practices and any public disclosures related to the project's progress. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Planetary Science Division
- Space Science and Technology Research
- Aerospace Instrument Development
- University Research Contracts
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award may limit price competition.
- Cost-plus-award-fee structure requires diligent oversight to manage costs.
Tags
planetary-science, instrument-development, nasa, california-institute-of-technology, research-and-development, sole-source, cost-plus-award-fee, space-exploration, california, delivery-order
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $42.8 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. PLANETARY SCIENCE INSTRUMENT DEVELOPMENT
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 $42.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-05-28. End: 2013-09-30.
What specific planetary science instruments are being developed under this contract, and what are their intended mission applications?
The provided data does not specify the exact planetary science instruments being developed. However, given the contract's focus on 'Planetary Science Instrument Development' and the awardee being the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), it is highly probable that these instruments are intended for use in NASA's robotic exploration missions. These could range from cameras and spectrometers for analyzing planetary surfaces and atmospheres to sensors for detecting magnetic fields or seismic activity on other celestial bodies. The specific applications would be tied to NASA's strategic exploration goals, such as studying Mars, the outer planets, asteroids, or moons within our solar system. Further details would likely be found in NASA's mission planning documents or Caltech's project descriptions.
How does the $42.8 million contract value compare to other similar R&D contracts for space instruments?
Comparing the $42.8 million contract value requires context regarding the complexity, scope, and technological advancement of the instruments. Developing cutting-edge scientific instruments for space missions is inherently expensive due to the stringent requirements for reliability, miniaturization, and performance in harsh environments. Contracts for individual instruments can range from a few million dollars for simpler components to tens or even hundreds of millions for highly complex systems like spectrometers, advanced imagers, or sample analysis instruments. Given the duration of over five years, $42.8 million suggests a significant, multi-faceted development effort, likely encompassing multiple instrument subsystems or a particularly advanced single instrument. Without knowing the specific technical specifications, a precise benchmark is difficult, but it appears to be a substantial investment typical for major scientific instrument development.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and award criteria used in this cost-plus-award-fee contract?
The specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and award criteria for this cost-plus-award-fee (CPAF) contract are not detailed in the provided data. However, for CPAF contracts, these typically revolve around achieving technical milestones, adhering to development schedules, managing costs effectively, and meeting specific performance specifications for the instruments. Award fees are earned based on the contractor's performance exceeding baseline requirements. For planetary science instrument development, KPIs might include factors like instrument sensitivity, resolution, power consumption, mass, data processing efficiency, and successful integration with spacecraft systems. NASA would have established a detailed schedule of performance objectives and the corresponding fee structure to incentivize Caltech to deliver high-quality instruments within budget and on time.
What is the track record of the California Institute of Technology in developing scientific instruments for NASA?
The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) has an extensive and highly distinguished track record in scientific research and development, including a significant history of contributing to NASA missions. Caltech, through its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) – which it manages for NASA – and its academic departments, has been instrumental in designing, building, and operating numerous scientific instruments for spacecraft. These contributions span a wide range of disciplines, from planetary science and astrophysics to Earth observation. Caltech-JPL has been involved in iconic missions such as the Voyager, Cassini, Mars rovers (Spirit, Opportunity, Curiosity, Perseverance), and the James Webb Space Telescope, among many others. Their expertise in instrument design, fabrication, and testing is world-renowned, making them a prime candidate for such sole-source development contracts.
What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for complex R&D projects like this?
Sole-source awards for complex R&D projects carry several potential risks. Firstly, the absence of competition can lead to higher costs for the government, as there is no market pressure to drive down prices. The contractor may have less incentive to be efficient or innovative if they are guaranteed the contract regardless of alternatives. Secondly, there's a risk of complacency; without the threat of losing future business to competitors, the contractor might not prioritize performance or timely delivery as rigorously. Thirdly, the government may not have access to the full spectrum of available technologies or innovative approaches that might have been proposed by other potential bidders. Finally, sole-source awards can sometimes face public scrutiny regarding fairness and the justification for not competing the requirement, potentially impacting transparency.
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: $51,052,878
Exercised Options: $51,052,878
Current Obligation: $42,821,676
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NAS703001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-05-28
Current End Date: 2013-09-30
Potential End Date: 2013-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-02-17
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