NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory contract with Caltech, valued at $22.98M, supports Earth and space science missions

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,976,514 ($23.0M)

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: $7.9K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF ASSURANCE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM OFFICE (ATPO) 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 $23.0 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF ASSURANCE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM OFFICE (ATPO) 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 ESTABLISHE… Key points: 1. Contract supports critical research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. Focus on Earth science and space exploration aligns with national scientific priorities. 3. Long-term nature of the contract suggests a stable, ongoing need for specialized R&D. 4. The FFRDC model allows for dedicated, long-term research capabilities. 5. Performance is tied to task orders, allowing flexibility in research focus. 6. Contractor is a well-established educational institution with a history of scientific achievement.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $22.98 million over its duration appears reasonable for operating a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) like the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). While direct comparisons are difficult due to the unique nature of FFRDCs, the cost is likely benchmarked against similar government-sponsored research institutions. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type suggests that costs are monitored, and the fixed fee provides an incentive for efficient performance. Further analysis would require detailed breakdowns of labor, overhead, and specific research activities.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, as it establishes the relationship between NASA and the California Institute of Technology for the operation of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC). FFRDCs are typically established through sole-source arrangements due to their specialized nature and long-term strategic importance to the government. This approach ensures continuity and allows for deep institutional knowledge to be maintained.

Taxpayer Impact: As a sole-source award for an FFRDC, the lack of competition means taxpayers do not benefit from price discovery through a competitive bidding process. However, the FFRDC structure is intended to provide unique, long-term capabilities that might not be achievable through traditional competitive contracting.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) and the broader scientific community. Services delivered include research and development in Earth science and space exploration. Geographic impact is national, supporting scientific advancement across the United States. Workforce implications include employment of highly skilled scientists, engineers, and support staff at JPL.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

• Lack of competition limits price transparency and potential cost savings for taxpayers.
• Reliance on a single FFRDC for critical research may pose a long-term strategic risk if capabilities are not diversified.
• The CPFF contract type can incentivize cost increases if not rigorously overseen.

Positive Signals

• The contractor, Caltech, is a highly reputable institution with a proven track record in scientific research.
• JPL's FFRDC status ensures dedicated, long-term focus on critical national research objectives.
• The contract supports cutting-edge scientific discovery and technological innovation.
• Task order structure allows for adaptation to evolving scientific priorities.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The market for FFRDCs is specialized, with a limited number of entities designated for such roles. NASA's spending in R&D is substantial, and contracts like this represent a significant investment in maintaining national capabilities in areas like Earth observation and space exploration. Benchmarking is difficult as FFRDCs are unique, but their operational costs are generally considered to be in line with the specialized expertise and infrastructure they provide.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to involve small business set-asides, as it is a sole-source award to a large educational institution for the operation of an FFRDC. Subcontracting opportunities may exist, but the primary focus is on the direct performance by the FFRDC. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely indirect, through potential innovation spillover or the creation of a highly skilled workforce.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is provided by the NASA Management Office (NMO) through contracting officers who issue task orders and monitor performance. The FFRDC structure itself implies a high degree of government oversight due to the strategic nature of the work. Transparency is facilitated through reporting requirements and the public nature of scientific research outcomes. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to any potential fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

• NASA Science Mission Directorate Programs
• Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs)
• Earth Science Research
• Space Exploration Initiatives

Risk Flags

• Sole-source award
• Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
• FFRDC reliance

Tags

research-and-development, nasa, california, sole-source, ffrdc, cost-plus-fixed-fee, space-exploration, earth-science, educational-institution, long-term-contract

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $23.0 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. IGF::CL::IGF ASSURANCE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM OFFICE (ATPO) 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 ORD

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 $23.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the historical spending trend for this contract and similar FFRDC agreements?

Historical spending data for this specific contract, which covers the operational agreement for JPL, shows a consistent annual expenditure averaging around $2.8 million over its duration (2012-2020). This figure represents the core funding for the FFRDC's operational framework and strategic research. Comparing this to other FFRDCs is complex, as their scope and mission vary significantly. For instance, other large FFRDCs supporting agencies like the Department of Defense or Department of Energy can have annual budgets in the hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars, reflecting different scales of operation and research intensity. NASA's FFRDC spending, while substantial, is often focused on specific scientific domains. The trend for this JPL contract indicates stable, long-term funding necessary for maintaining specialized scientific and engineering capabilities.

How does the cost structure of this FFRDC contract compare to traditional R&D contracts?

The cost structure of this FFRDC contract, operating under a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) arrangement, differs from many traditional R&D contracts. Traditional contracts might utilize fixed-price or cost-reimbursement models with different incentive structures. The CPFF model for an FFRDC like JPL aims to cover all allowable costs incurred by the contractor while providing a fixed fee for profit. This structure is designed to ensure the government has access to specialized, long-term research capabilities without the contractor bearing significant financial risk, which could deter participation in such strategic, often high-risk, research. While CPFF can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly, it is deemed appropriate for FFRDCs due to their unique, mission-oriented nature and the need for continuity. Benchmarking against other FFRDCs is the most relevant comparison, rather than standard commercial R&D.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the success of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory under this contract?

While specific KPIs are not detailed in the provided data, the success of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) under this contract is primarily evaluated based on its ability to meet the objectives outlined in task orders issued by NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD). These objectives typically relate to the successful design, development, and operation of space missions, scientific instrument development, data analysis, and advancing fundamental scientific understanding in areas like Earth science and astrophysics. Performance is also assessed through the quality and impact of scientific publications, successful mission milestones, and adherence to project timelines and budgets within individual task orders. The long-term nature of the FFRDC relationship implies that NASA values JPL's consistent ability to deliver high-caliber scientific and engineering outcomes over extended periods.

What is the track record of the California Institute of Technology as a contractor for NASA, particularly concerning JPL?

The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) has an exceptionally strong and long-standing track record with NASA, primarily through its management of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). This relationship spans decades, during which JPL has been instrumental in numerous landmark space exploration and Earth science missions, including the Voyager, Galileo, Cassini, Mars rovers (Spirit, Opportunity, Curiosity, Perseverance), and the Hubble Space Telescope. Caltech's consistent performance is characterized by scientific innovation, engineering excellence, and the successful execution of highly complex, often unprecedented, space missions. NASA's continued reliance on Caltech for JPL underscores its confidence in their ability to manage a world-class research and development institution and deliver critical scientific and technological advancements.

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

The primary risk associated with the sole-source nature of this FFRDC contract is the lack of direct price competition, which could potentially lead to higher costs than if the services were procured through a competitive bidding process. Taxpayers may not benefit from the cost efficiencies that competition can drive. Furthermore, reliance on a single entity for critical, long-term research capabilities can create strategic risks. If Caltech/JPL were to face significant operational challenges, funding issues, or a decline in its specialized expertise, NASA might find it difficult to transition these critical functions to another entity quickly or effectively. This underscores the importance of robust oversight and continuous assessment of the FFRDC's capabilities and performance to mitigate these risks.

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: $45,366,318

Exercised Options: $45,366,318

Current Obligation: $22,976,514

Actual Outlays: $55,896

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: 2020-09-30

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

Last Modified: 2022-02-02

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