NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory contract with Caltech for planetary science instrument development totals over $28.5M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,572,277 ($28.6M)

Contractor: California Institute of Technology

Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Start Date: 2012-10-01

End Date: 2019-09-30

Contract Duration: 2,555 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.2K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF SMD, RNA, PLANETARY SCIENCE INSTRUMENT DEVELOPMENT 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 $28.6 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF SMD, RNA, PLANETARY SCIENCE INSTRUMENT DEVELOPMENT 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 E… Key points: 1. Contract supports NASA's Science Mission Directorate objectives in Earth, planetary science, and astrophysics. 2. Operates as a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) managed by Caltech. 3. Work is performed under task orders issued by NASA. 4. Contract duration spans nearly 7 years, from October 2012 to September 2019. 5. Focuses on research and development in physical and engineering sciences. 6. Contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, indicating potential for cost overruns.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

This contract funds a critical FFRDC, making direct value-for-money comparisons difficult. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, while common for R&D, carries inherent risks of cost escalation. Benchmarking is challenging due to the specialized nature of FFRDC work and the lack of direct competition. However, the long-term nature of the agreement suggests a recognized value in JPL's capabilities for NASA's scientific endeavors.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, as it establishes the operational relationship between NASA and the California Institute of Technology for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), a designated FFRDC. FFRDCs are typically established with a single entity due to their unique, long-term strategic research and development roles, which are not readily available through traditional competitive procurement.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers fund a specialized research institution without the benefit of competitive pricing, relying on NASA's oversight to ensure fair value.

Public Impact

Benefits NASA's Science Mission Directorate by enabling the development of advanced scientific instruments. Supports research in Earth science, planetary science, and astrophysics. Geographic impact is primarily in California through JPL's operations. Workforce implications include highly skilled scientists, engineers, and technicians at JPL.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

• Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can lead to higher costs if not managed tightly.
• Sole-source nature limits price discovery and potential savings through competition.
• FFRDC designation means specialized capabilities, but also less transparency in cost compared to commercial services.

Positive Signals

• Long-standing relationship between NASA and Caltech/JPL indicates a proven track record and institutional knowledge.
• FFRDC status ensures dedicated resources for critical national research and development objectives.
• Contract supports vital scientific research aligned with national priorities.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS code 541712 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences). This category encompasses a wide range of scientific exploration and technological advancement. The FFRDC model, as exemplified by JPL, is a unique construct within this sector, designed for long-term, strategic research that often requires specialized facilities and expertise not readily available in the commercial market. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the unique nature of FFRDCs and their mission-oriented work.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to involve small business set-asides, as it is a direct agreement with a large educational institution (Caltech) to operate an FFRDC. Subcontracting opportunities may exist, but the primary focus is on the direct research and development activities performed by JPL. The impact on the small business ecosystem is indirect, potentially through research advancements that could spin off into commercial applications.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is provided by the NASA Management Office (NMO) through contracting officers who issue task orders and monitor performance. As an FFRDC, JPL operates under specific government oversight agreements designed to ensure that its work aligns with federal objectives and that public funds are used appropriately. Transparency is facilitated through regular reporting requirements and the inherent accountability of operating a federally sponsored center.

Related Government Programs

• NASA Science Mission Directorate Programs
• Jet Propulsion Laboratory Operations
• Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs)
• Planetary Science Research
• Astrophysics Instrument Development

Risk Flags

• Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type carries inherent risk of cost overruns.
• Sole-source procurement limits price discovery and competitive pressure.
• FFRDC operations require diligent government oversight to ensure value and alignment with strategic goals.

Tags

research-and-development, nasa, caltech, jet-propulsion-laboratory, california, cost-plus-fixed-fee, sole-source, ffrdc, science-instruments, planetary-science, space-exploration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $28.6 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. IGF::CL::IGF SMD, RNA, PLANETARY SCIENCE INSTRUMENT DEVELOPMENT 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

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 $28.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-10-01. End: 2019-09-30.

What is the historical spending trend for this contract or similar FFRDC agreements with NASA?

Detailed historical spending data for this specific contract (NASA and Caltech for JPL) is not fully available in the provided snippet, which focuses on a single award period from 2012-2019 totaling $28.57M. However, FFRDC agreements are typically long-term and involve substantial, often multi-year funding cycles. NASA's overall budget for R&D, particularly in space science and exploration, has historically seen significant investment. For instance, NASA's Science Mission Directorate budget fluctuates annually but generally represents a substantial portion of the agency's total funding. Contracts with FFRDCs like JPL are crucial for executing long-term strategic goals, implying consistent, albeit potentially variable, funding streams over many years. To understand the trend, one would need to examine NASA's appropriations and contract awards to JPL across multiple fiscal years and compare them to the agency's strategic priorities and scientific objectives during those periods.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure impact the overall cost-effectiveness compared to other contract types for R&D?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type is often used for research and development (R&D) where the scope of work is not precisely defined at the outset, or where innovation and exploration are primary goals. In this structure, the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. While CPFF provides flexibility for evolving R&D projects, it carries a higher risk of cost overruns for the government compared to fixed-price contracts. If costs exceed estimates, the government still reimburses them, while the contractor's fee remains fixed. This can lead to less cost certainty and potentially higher final costs than anticipated. For cost-effectiveness, rigorous oversight, clear task order definitions, and strong negotiation of the fee are crucial. Alternative contract types like Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) offer more cost certainty but are less suitable for highly uncertain R&D. Cost-Plus-Incentive-Fee (CPIF) could offer better cost control by incentivizing the contractor to stay within budget.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of JPL's work under this contract?

Specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this particular contract are not detailed in the provided data. However, for an FFRDC like JPL operating under NASA's Science Mission Directorate, performance is typically measured against a set of criteria aligned with NASA's strategic goals and the specific objectives outlined in task orders. These KPIs would likely include: successful development and delivery of scientific instruments meeting technical specifications and performance requirements; adherence to project timelines and milestones; effective management of project budgets; scientific return on investment, measured by the quality and impact of research enabled by the instruments; and overall contribution to NASA's scientific exploration objectives. NASA's oversight would involve regular reviews, technical assessments, and milestone achievements to ensure JPL is meeting its contractual obligations and advancing scientific knowledge.

What is the track record of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) as a contractor for NASA, particularly concerning FFRDC management?

The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) has a long and distinguished track record of managing the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) for NASA, dating back to its inception. JPL is a unique FFRDC that has been instrumental in many of NASA's most significant space exploration missions, including the Voyager, Cassini, Mars rovers (Spirit, Opportunity, Curiosity, Perseverance), and the Hubble Space Telescope servicing missions. Caltech's stewardship of JPL is widely recognized for its scientific and engineering excellence, innovation, and successful execution of complex, high-stakes projects. The sustained relationship, spanning decades, underscores NASA's confidence in Caltech's ability to manage this critical research and development center, ensuring it remains at the forefront of space science and technology.

Are there any specific risks associated with the sole-source nature of this FFRDC contract?

The sole-source nature of this FFRDC contract, while necessary for establishing a dedicated, long-term research capability like JPL, does present certain risks. Primarily, the absence of competition means there is no direct market pressure to drive down costs or incentivize greater efficiency. The government relies heavily on robust internal oversight, negotiation of fair fees, and performance monitoring to ensure value. There's also a risk of complacency or a lack of external innovation if the FFRDC becomes too insular. However, the FFRDC model is designed to mitigate some of these risks through specific government oversight frameworks and by ensuring the FFRDC's focus remains on national strategic objectives rather than commercial profit motives. The long-standing success and critical role of JPL suggest that NASA has effectively managed these risks over time.

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: $28,942,116

Exercised Options: $28,942,116

Current Obligation: $28,572,277

Actual Outlays: $88,752

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: 2019-09-30

Potential End Date: 2019-09-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2022-09-27

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