NASA's JPL contract with Caltech for SMAP mission totals $323.7M, supporting Earth science research

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $323,739,491 ($323.7M)

Contractor: California Institute of Technology

Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Start Date: 2012-10-01

End Date: 2020-09-30

Contract Duration: 2,921 days

Daily Burn Rate: $110.8K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF SMAP (SOIL MOISTURE ACTIVE/PASSIVE) MISSION 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

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $323.7 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF SMAP (SOIL MOISTURE ACTIVE/PASSIVE) MISSION 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 ESTABLISH… Key points: 1. Contract supports the Soil Moisture Active/Passive (SMAP) mission, crucial for Earth science. 2. The contractor is the California Institute of Technology, operating the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). 3. This is a sponsoring agreement for FFRDC operations, not a typical procurement. 4. The contract value is substantial at over $323 million. 5. NASA is the sole agency involved in sponsoring this work.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

This contract is an FFRDC sponsorship agreement, not a standard procurement for goods or services. Therefore, direct pricing comparisons to similar contracts are not applicable. The value reflects the overall funding for JPL's role in the SMAP mission.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract is a sole-source agreement with the California Institute of Technology for the operation of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC). This structure is typical for FFRDCs and limits traditional competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are allocated to a long-term research and development effort through a specialized FFRDC, ensuring dedicated resources for scientific missions like SMAP.

Public Impact

The SMAP mission provides vital data for understanding Earth's water cycle, impacting climate change research. JPL's role as an FFRDC ensures specialized expertise and infrastructure are available for complex scientific endeavors. The long-term nature of the contract suggests a sustained commitment to NASA's Earth science objectives. Publicly funded research through this contract contributes to scientific knowledge and technological advancement.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Lack of traditional competition due to FFRDC structure.
  • Contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) can incentivize cost overruns if not managed tightly.
  • Potential for scope creep in long-term research and development projects.

Positive Signals

  • Supports a critical Earth science mission (SMAP).
  • Leverages the specialized capabilities of a dedicated FFRDC (JPL).
  • Long-term agreement provides stability for research continuity.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (NAICS 541712). Spending in this sector is often characterized by long project timelines, high upfront investment, and specialized expertise, with FFRDCs playing a significant role in government-sponsored R&D.

Small Business Impact

This contract is an FFRDC sponsorship agreement with a university research center (Caltech/JPL) and does not directly involve small business prime contracting. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist within the broader scope of JPL's operations, but are not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is provided by NASA, specifically the NASA Management Office (NMO) contracting officers, who issue task orders for JPL to perform. As an FFRDC, JPL operates under specific government oversight frameworks 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 nature limits competitive benchmarking.
  • Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract requires diligent cost management.
  • FFRDC structure may reduce incentive for cost optimization compared to commercial contracts.
  • Long duration increases exposure to changing technological landscapes and scientific priorities.

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 $323.7 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. IGF::CL::IGF SMAP (SOIL MOISTURE ACTIVE/PASSIVE) MISSION 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 OR

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 $323.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-10-01. End: 2020-09-30.

What is the primary value proposition of using an FFRDC like JPL for the SMAP mission compared to traditional contracting?

Using an FFRDC like JPL offers a unique value proposition by providing a dedicated, government-funded entity with specialized expertise, infrastructure, and a long-term focus on scientific research and development. This structure ensures continuity, deep technical knowledge, and objective analysis tailored to complex missions like SMAP, which might be harder to achieve through standard competitive procurement processes that prioritize short-term deliverables.

What are the key risks associated with a sole-source FFRDC contract for a long-duration science mission?

Key risks include a lack of competitive pressure potentially leading to less cost efficiency over time, and the possibility of mission scope drift or evolving priorities not being addressed optimally without market-based adjustments. Ensuring robust NASA oversight and clear task order definitions are crucial to mitigate these risks and maintain focus on mission objectives and responsible spending.

How effective is this contract structure in ensuring the successful execution of NASA's Earth science objectives?

This contract structure is generally effective for long-term, complex scientific endeavors like the SMAP mission. The FFRDC model provides stability, deep technical expertise, and continuity essential for such projects. NASA's oversight through task orders helps ensure alignment with scientific objectives, making it an effective mechanism for achieving specific, high-level research goals.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesScientific Research and Development ServicesResearch and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENTSpace 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: $343,025,822

Exercised Options: $343,025,822

Current Obligation: $323,739,491

Actual Outlays: $-0

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES 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: 2020-09-30

Potential End Date: 2020-09-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2024-09-04

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