NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory contract with Caltech totals $60.8M for R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $60,781,149 ($60.8M)
Contractor: California Institute of Technology
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2012-10-01
End Date: 2019-03-31
Contract Duration: 2,372 days
Daily Burn Rate: $25.6K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF DAWN-A JOURNEY TO THE BEGINING OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM, PHASE E THE CONTRACT IS THE SPONSORING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA) AND THE CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (CONTRACTOR), A PRIVATE NONPROFIT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION, WHICH ESTABLISHES THE RELATIONSHIP FOR THE OPERATION OF THE FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER (FFRDC) KNOWN AS THE JET PROPULSION LABORATORY. THE CONTRACTOR, JPL, IS REQUIRED TO PERFORM WORK THAT IS DESIGNATED IN TASK ORDERS ISSUED BY THE NASA MANAGEMENT OFFICE (NMO) CONTRACTING OFFICERS. NASA SPONSORED WORK: JPL S PRIMARY MISSION IS TO SUPPORT THE NASA SCIENCE MISSION DIRECTORATE (SMD) IN CARRYING OUT THE SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES IDENTIFIED IN THE SMD SCIENCE PLAN. THE FOUR BROAD SCIENTIFIC AREAS ARE: EARTH SCIENCE, PLANETARY SCIENCE, HELIOPHYSICS, AND ASTROPHYSICS. IN PERFORMANCE OF THIS CONTRACT, JPL SHALL: 1) SUPPLY A BROAD BASE OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES RELEVANT TO NASA PROGRAM AND PROJECT RESPONSIBILITIES AND ASSIGNMENTS. 2) FOSTER ITS UNIQUE RELATIONSHIP WITH A TOP-TIER UNIVERSITY TO FACILITATE THE INVOLVEMENT OF SCIENTISTS, ENGINEERS, AND STUDENTS FROM THE UNIVERSITY AND RESEARCH COMMUNITIES IN NASA MISSION AND IN SUPPORTING OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. 3) SUPPORT NASA IN ENABLING PROGRAM AND INSTITUTIONAL CAPABILITIES. 4) DEVELOP SPACECRAFT AND INSTRUMENTS THAT ARE SENT TO VARIOUS DESTINATIONS WITH OUR SOLAR SYSTEM, INCLUDING EARTH ORBIT, PLANETS, PLANETARY SATELLITES, ASTEROIDS, AND COMETS. THESE MISSIONS MAY BE ORBITERS, LANDERS, OR ROVERS, AND TYPICALLY INCLUDE CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGIES REQUIRED TO MEET SCIENTIFIC REQUIREMENTS. 5) PERFORM PROJECT TASKS INVOLVING: (I) AUTONOMOUS DEEP-SPACE, INNER-SPACE AND EARTH-ORBITING SPACECRAFT OR MAJOR SUBSYSTEMS, (II) EXPERIMENTS, INSTRUMENTS, OR OTHER DEVICES WHICH MAY BE CARRIED AS PAYLOAD ON SPACECRAFTS IN MISSIONS MANAGED BY OTHERS, AND/OR (III) GROUND-BASED SYSTEMS. 6) BEYOND ITS PRIMARY MISSION, JPL MAY PERFORM WORK FOR OTHER NASA MISSION DIRECTORATES OR OFFICES. 7) JPL IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OPERATION, RESEARCH, TECHNOLOGY INSERTION, AND MANAGEMENT OF NASA S DEEP SPACE NETWORK TO PROVIDE TELECOMMUNICATION AND OPERATION SERVICES, INCLUDING DATA ACQUISITION AND DATA DELIVERY REQUIRED TO MEET ESTABLISHED AGENCY OBJECTIVES. 8) JPL IS ALSO REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN AND CONDUCT AN EDUCATION PROGRAM IN CLOSE COORDINATION WITH THE NASA HEADQUARTERS EDUCATION OFFICE, THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY AT LARGE, AND IN SUPPORT TO NASA STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES TO IMPROVE STUDENT RETENTION IN THE SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS (STEM) DISCIPLINES. WORK FOR NON-NASA SPONSORS: JPL MAY PERFORM WORK FOR NON-NASA SPONSORS. THIS WORK WILL BE DESIGNATED IN TASK ORDERS ISSUED BY NMO CONTRACTING OFFICERS BASED ON TASK PLANS INITIATED BY THE CONTRACTOR.
Place of Performance
Location: PASADENA, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91109
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $60.8 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF DAWN-A JOURNEY TO THE BEGINING OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM, PHASE E THE CONTRACT IS THE SPONSORING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA) AND THE CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (CONTRACTOR), A PRIVATE NONPROFIT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION,… Key points: 1. Contract supports NASA's Science Mission Directorate objectives, focusing on four broad scientific areas. 2. The agreement establishes JPL as a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC). 3. Work is performed under task orders issued by the NASA Management Office. 4. The contract spans over six years, from October 2012 to March 2019.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee type, which allows for cost reimbursement plus a fixed fee. This structure can be appropriate for R&D where costs are uncertain, but requires careful oversight to manage fee accrual.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award to the California Institute of Technology for operating the JPL FFRDC. This approach is common for FFRDCs due to their specialized nature and established infrastructure.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are directed towards critical scientific research and development managed through a long-standing partnership, ensuring continuity in space exploration initiatives.
Public Impact
Supports cutting-edge scientific research and development in space exploration. Funds advanced engineering and technological innovation for NASA missions. Contributes to the understanding of the solar system and beyond. Maintains the operational capabilities of a key national research facility.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition may limit price discovery.
- Cost-plus contracts can incentivize spending if not closely monitored.
Positive Signals
- Supports critical national research and development.
- Established partnership with a reputable institution.
- Clear alignment with NASA's scientific objectives.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology). Spending in this sector is crucial for technological advancement and scientific discovery, often involving long-term, complex projects.
Small Business Impact
The contract is awarded to a large educational institution (California Institute of Technology) and does not appear to involve significant subcontracting to small businesses based on the provided data. FFRDCs typically operate with dedicated internal resources.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is managed by the NASA Management Office, which issues task orders and monitors performance. The FFRDC structure itself implies a level of government oversight to ensure alignment with federal objectives.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competitive pricing.
- Cost-plus contract type requires diligent oversight to control costs.
- Potential for scope creep in R&D projects.
- Long contract duration may not reflect current market conditions.
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 $60.8 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. IGF::CL::IGF DAWN-A JOURNEY TO THE BEGINING OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM, PHASE E THE CONTRACT IS THE SPONSORING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA) AND THE CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (CONTRACTOR), A PRIVATE NONPROFIT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION, WHICH ESTABLISHES THE RELATIONSHIP FOR THE OPERATION OF THE FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER (FFRDC) KNOWN AS THE JET PROPULSION LABORATORY. THE CONTRACTOR, JPL, IS REQUIRED TO PERFORM WORK THAT IS DESIG
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 $60.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2012-10-01. End: 2019-03-31.
What specific scientific objectives were prioritized under this contract, and how were they measured for success?
The contract supports NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) objectives, focusing on four broad scientific areas. Success metrics would likely be tied to milestones within specific task orders, such as mission readiness, data acquisition, or research publication, as defined by the SMD Science Plan and subsequent NASA Management Office directives.
Given the sole-source nature, what mechanisms were in place to ensure the fixed fee was fair and reasonable?
For sole-source Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts, fairness of the fixed fee is typically determined through pre-negotiation analysis and benchmarking against similar services or historical data. NASA's contracting officers would have assessed the complexity, risk, and required expertise to establish a reasonable fee that incentivizes performance without excessive profit.
How does the operational cost of JPL as an FFRDC compare to similar research institutions or potential alternatives?
Benchmarking JPL's operational costs requires detailed financial data and comparison with other FFRDCs or large research institutions performing similar scope work. Factors like specialized facilities, unique expertise, and long-term mission focus contribute to its cost structure, making direct comparisons challenging without specific data on overhead and program management.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 4800 OAK GROVE DR, PASADENA, CA, 91109
Business Categories: Category Business, Federally Funded Research and Development Corp, Government, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $65,499,527
Exercised Options: $65,499,527
Current Obligation: $60,781,149
Actual Outlays: $152,401
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NNN12AA01C
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2012-10-01
Current End Date: 2019-03-31
Potential End Date: 2019-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-07-06
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