NASA's SMAP Mission Contract Awarded to Caltech for $63.9M for R&D Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $63,912,415 ($63.9M)
Contractor: California Institute of Technology
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2009-09-28
End Date: 2011-07-31
Contract Duration: 671 days
Daily Burn Rate: $95.3K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 51
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: TAS::80 0119::TAS SOIL MOISTURE ACTIVE AND PASSIVE (SMAP) MISSION
Place of Performance
Location: PASADENA, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91125
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $63.9 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: TAS::80 0119::TAS SOIL MOISTURE ACTIVE AND PASSIVE (SMAP) MISSION Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single entity, California Institute of Technology. 2. Focuses on Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 3. Significant taxpayer investment of $63.9 million. 4. Potential for innovation in soil moisture sensing technology.
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 carefully. The total award amount is substantial.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially reduces competitive pressure to achieve the best value for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source nature of this award means taxpayers may not have received the most cost-effective solution available on the market.
Public Impact
Advancement of scientific understanding of soil moisture. Potential applications in agriculture, climate modeling, and disaster management. Supports a major NASA research initiative.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost-plus contract type
- Sole-source award
Positive Signals
- Supports critical NASA R&D
- Potential for significant scientific advancement
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 requires careful oversight due to its often specialized nature and limited competition.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, as it was awarded directly to a large research institution.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure the funds are used efficiently and effectively towards 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 competitive bidding
- Potential for cost overruns with Cost Plus Award Fee structure
- Limited transparency on performance metrics and award fee decisions
- No clear indication of 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 $63.9 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. TAS::80 0119::TAS SOIL MOISTURE ACTIVE AND PASSIVE (SMAP) 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 $63.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2009-09-28. End: 2011-07-31.
What specific scientific advancements are expected from the SMAP mission funded by this contract, and how will their value be measured?
The SMAP mission aims to provide global measurements of soil moisture and freeze/thaw states. Expected advancements include improved weather forecasting, enhanced agricultural water management, better understanding of drought conditions, and refined climate models. Value will be measured through the quality and utility of the data products generated, their adoption by the scientific community, and their impact on downstream applications like water resource management and climate change research.
Given the sole-source nature, what mechanisms are in place to mitigate the risk of cost overruns and ensure Caltech remains focused on achieving mission objectives?
As a Cost Plus Award Fee contract, NASA likely has performance metrics and award fee criteria tied to specific milestones and deliverables. Regular progress reviews, technical evaluations, and financial audits are crucial. NASA's contracting officers must actively manage the contract, ensuring clear communication, scope control, and justification for any cost increases, while the award fee structure incentivizes efficient performance.
How does the $63.9 million investment in the SMAP mission compare to similar R&D efforts in Earth science or remote sensing, and is it considered an effective use of taxpayer funds?
Benchmarking this specific contract is challenging without more data on comparable sole-source R&D efforts in specialized Earth science missions. However, large-scale scientific missions often require substantial investment. The effectiveness hinges on the scientific return on investment, the uniqueness of the data provided by SMAP, and its contribution to NASA's broader strategic goals compared to alternative research avenues or potential competitive bids.
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: $64,000,000
Exercised Options: $64,000,000
Current Obligation: $63,912,415
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NAS703001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2009-09-28
Current End Date: 2011-07-31
Potential End Date: 2011-07-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-04-02
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