NASA's DESDYNI Mission Contract Awarded to Caltech for $36.3M for R&D
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $36,335,589 ($36.3M)
Contractor: California Institute of Technology
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2008-11-07
End Date: 2012-07-09
Contract Duration: 1,340 days
Daily Burn Rate: $27.1K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 51
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: DEFORMATION, ECOSYSTEM STRUCTURE, AND DYNAMICS OF ICE (DESDYNI) MISSION
Place of Performance
Location: PASADENA, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91125
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $36.3 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: DEFORMATION, ECOSYSTEM STRUCTURE, AND DYNAMICS OF ICE (DESDYNI) MISSION Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single entity, Caltech, for specialized R&D. 2. The contract is for research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 3. The mission, DESDYNI, focuses on ice deformation, ecosystem structure, and dynamics. 4. This is a cost-plus award fee contract, indicating potential for cost overruns. 5. The contract was not competed, raising questions about price discovery.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, which can lead to higher costs than fixed-price contracts. Without a competitive bidding process, it's difficult to assess if the $36.3M price is optimal.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded sole-source, meaning it was not competed. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers as there was no market pressure to offer the best price.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in a higher overall cost to taxpayers compared to a competitively bid contract.
Public Impact
Advancement of scientific understanding of ice dynamics and ecosystems. Potential for new insights into climate change and environmental monitoring. Supports advanced research capabilities at the California Institute of Technology. The mission's findings could inform future environmental policy and conservation efforts.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
- Cost-plus award fee contract type can incentivize higher spending.
- Contract duration is substantial (1340 days), increasing risk exposure.
- No small business participation noted.
Positive Signals
- Awarded to a reputable institution (Caltech) for specialized R&D.
- Focus on critical scientific research areas (ice, ecosystems).
- Clear mission objective for the DESDYNI project.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector. Spending in this area is crucial for scientific advancement but requires careful oversight due to its often specialized and non-competitive nature.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates no specific small business participation in this contract. Given the specialized nature of the research, it's possible that larger, specialized institutions were deemed the only capable entities, potentially overlooking opportunities for smaller, innovative firms.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure the cost-plus award fee structure is managed effectively and taxpayer funds are used efficiently for the stated research objectives.
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
- Cost-plus award fee structure
- Potential for cost overruns
- No small business participation
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 $36.3 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. DEFORMATION, ECOSYSTEM STRUCTURE, AND DYNAMICS OF ICE (DESDYNI) 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 $36.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-11-07. End: 2012-07-09.
What specific scientific advancements are expected from the DESDYNI mission that justify a sole-source award?
The DESDYNI mission aims to provide critical data on ice deformation, ecosystem structure, and dynamics, which are vital for understanding climate change impacts, sea-level rise, and polar ecosystem health. The unique expertise required may reside primarily with Caltech, justifying the sole-source award if no other entity could meet the specific scientific and technical requirements.
How will NASA ensure cost control and value for money with a Cost Plus Award Fee contract awarded non-competitively?
NASA will likely implement rigorous oversight mechanisms, including detailed performance metrics and milestone tracking. The 'award fee' component incentivizes performance, but NASA must actively manage the 'cost plus' aspect by scrutinizing expenditures and ensuring they align with the research objectives and are reasonable for the work performed.
What is the long-term impact of awarding such significant R&D contracts non-competitively on the broader scientific research landscape?
While sole-source awards can be necessary for highly specialized research, a pattern of non-competitive awards might stifle innovation from other institutions and limit the development of a diverse research ecosystem. It's important to balance the need for specific expertise with opportunities for broader competition where feasible.
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: $36,995,489
Exercised Options: $36,995,489
Current Obligation: $36,335,589
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NAS703001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-11-07
Current End Date: 2012-07-09
Potential End Date: 2012-07-09 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-02-17
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