NASA's Herschel Space Observatory Phase E Contract: $47M for JPL Operations
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $47,010,595 ($47.0M)
Contractor: California Institute of Technology
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2012-10-01
End Date: 2018-09-30
Contract Duration: 2,190 days
Daily Burn Rate: $21.5K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF HERSCHEL SPACE OBSERVATORY 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 $47.0 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF HERSCHEL SPACE OBSERVATORY 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 R… Key points: 1. Contract funds the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) for NASA's science mission. 2. Focuses on Earth science, planetary science, and astrophysics research. 3. Operated by the California Institute of Technology, a private nonprofit. 4. No direct competition indicated for the sponsoring agreement.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract is a sponsoring agreement for FFRDC operations, not a typical procurement. Pricing is established through task orders, making direct per-unit cost comparison difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This is a sole-source sponsoring agreement between NASA and Caltech for JPL operations. As an FFRDC, JPL is uniquely positioned to perform this work, limiting traditional competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds support critical scientific research and space exploration through a long-standing partnership.
Public Impact
Supports cutting-edge space exploration and scientific discovery. Enables research in Earth science, planetary science, and astrophysics. Funds operations of the federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Contributes to understanding our planet and the universe.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competitive bidding for the core sponsoring agreement.
- Potential for cost overruns if task orders are not tightly managed.
Positive Signals
- Supports critical national scientific objectives.
- Leverages expertise of a specialized FFRDC (JPL).
- Long-term partnership ensures continuity in research.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. NASA's R&D spending is substantial, with FFRDCs like JPL playing a crucial role in executing complex missions.
Small Business Impact
This contract is a sponsoring agreement with a non-profit educational institution (Caltech) for FFRDC operations, not a direct procurement for goods or services where small business participation is typically tracked.
Oversight & Accountability
NASA's Management Office oversees JPL through task orders. Oversight is critical to ensure that work aligns with NASA's science plan and that funds are used effectively.
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 pressure on pricing.
- Potential for scope creep in task orders if not managed tightly.
- Reliance on a single FFRDC for critical mission operations.
- Performance metrics and oversight are crucial for accountability.
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 $47.0 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. IGF::CL::IGF HERSCHEL SPACE OBSERVATORY 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 ISS
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 $47.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2012-10-01. End: 2018-09-30.
How is the value for money assessed for FFRDC operations compared to traditional R&D contracts?
Value for money in FFRDC operations is assessed differently than traditional contracts. It focuses on the unique capabilities and long-term strategic value FFRDCs provide, such as JPL's expertise in space missions. While direct cost comparisons are difficult, NASA evaluates whether the FFRDC's contributions align with its scientific goals and whether the operational costs are reasonable given the complexity and criticality of the work.
What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source FFRDC sponsoring agreement?
The primary risks include a lack of price competition, potentially leading to higher costs than if multiple vendors were involved. There's also a risk of complacency or reduced innovation if the FFRDC faces no external competitive pressure. Ensuring robust oversight and clear performance metrics within task orders is crucial to mitigate these risks and maintain accountability.
How effective is this type of agreement in achieving NASA's long-term scientific objectives?
This type of agreement is generally highly effective for achieving long-term scientific objectives, especially for complex, multi-year missions requiring specialized expertise. FFRDCs like JPL provide stable, dedicated resources and institutional knowledge that are vital for sustained research and development in areas like space exploration. The continuity offered by such partnerships is essential for the success of ambitious scientific endeavors.
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: $47,327,238
Exercised Options: $47,327,238
Current Obligation: $47,010,595
Actual Outlays: $109,532
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: 2018-09-30
Potential End Date: 2018-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2023-06-08
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