NASA's JPL UAVSAR Contract: $28.5M for Radar Operations with Caltech
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $28,491,426 ($28.5M)
Contractor: California Institute of Technology
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2012-10-01
End Date: 2023-09-30
Contract Duration: 4,016 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.1K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF UNIHABITED AERIAL VEHICLE SYNTHETIC APERTURE RADAR OPERATIONS (UAVSAR) 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 $28.5 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF UNIHABITED AERIAL VEHICLE SYNTHETIC APERTURE RADAR OPERATIONS (UAVSAR) 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 I… Key points: 1. Contract supports NASA's Science Mission Directorate with radar operations. 2. Sole-source award to California Institute of Technology (JPL). 3. Long-term contract (2012-2023) with significant value. 4. Focus on R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $28.5 million over 11 years suggests a substantial but potentially reasonable investment for specialized research operations. Benchmarking is difficult without specific task order details.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract is sole-source, awarded to the California Institute of Technology for operating the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). This limits price discovery and competition, relying on the established relationship and JPL's unique capabilities.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are directed to a specific research institution for critical scientific objectives, with oversight expected to ensure value.
Public Impact
Supports advanced Earth observation and scientific research through radar technology. Enables NASA's strategic science goals and data collection. Funds critical research infrastructure and expertise at JPL.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 70 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source nature limits competitive pricing.
- Long contract duration may not reflect evolving needs.
Positive Signals
- Supports critical NASA scientific missions.
- Leverages unique FFRDC capabilities.
- Long-term commitment fosters stability in research.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. NASA's R&D spending is significant, and contracts like this support its mission-critical scientific endeavors.
Small Business Impact
The contract is awarded to a large non-profit educational institution (Caltech/JPL) and does not appear to involve small business participation directly. The focus is on specialized research capabilities.
Oversight & Accountability
NASA's oversight is managed through the NASA Management Office (NMO) contracting officers who issue task orders. The FFRDC structure implies a degree of inherent oversight, but specific details on performance monitoring are not provided.
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
- Cost-plus contract type
- Long contract duration
- Lack of detailed cost breakdown publicly available
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 $28.5 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. IGF::CL::IGF UNIHABITED AERIAL VEHICLE SYNTHETIC APERTURE RADAR OPERATIONS (UAVSAR) 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 TH
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 $28.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2012-10-01. End: 2023-09-30.
What is the specific breakdown of costs within the $28.5 million for UAVSAR operations, and how does it align with the scientific objectives?
The contract is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) type, indicating that the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a fixed fee representing profit. A detailed breakdown of costs per task order would be necessary to assess alignment with scientific objectives and ensure efficient use of funds. Without this, it's difficult to definitively state value for money.
What are the risks associated with a sole-source contract for critical research infrastructure like JPL's UAVSAR operations?
The primary risk of a sole-source contract is the lack of competitive pressure, potentially leading to higher costs and reduced innovation. For JPL, a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC), the justification is often its unique capabilities and established infrastructure. However, ongoing oversight is crucial to ensure fair pricing and performance.
How effectively does this contract enable NASA's long-term scientific goals in Earth observation and climate research?
The contract's long duration (2012-2023) and focus on UAVSAR operations suggest a strong alignment with NASA's sustained interest in Earth science. By providing consistent funding and operational support for JPL's radar capabilities, it enables the collection of vital data for understanding environmental changes and advancing scientific knowledge.
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: $67,586,849
Exercised Options: $67,586,849
Current Obligation: $28,491,426
Actual Outlays: $69,312
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: 2023-09-30
Potential End Date: 2023-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2022-02-02
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