NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory contract with Caltech for Earth science research exceeds $140 million

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $140,420,172 ($140.4M)

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: $35.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF ORBITING CARBON OBSERVATORY (OCO-2) TAILORED FORMULATION 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 $140.4 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF ORBITING CARBON OBSERVATORY (OCO-2) TAILORED FORMULATION 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, WH… Key points: 1. Contract supports critical Earth science research, aligning with NASA's strategic goals. 2. Long-term nature of the contract (over 10 years) suggests a stable, ongoing research partnership. 3. FFRDC structure implies a unique, government-sponsored research capability not easily replicated. 4. Focus on Earth observation is vital for understanding climate change and environmental impacts. 5. The contract's value indicates significant investment in advanced scientific inquiry and data collection.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

This contract represents a significant, long-term investment in scientific research, specifically for the operation of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) as a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC). While direct comparisons to similar contracts are difficult due to the unique FFRDC nature of JPL, the sustained funding over a decade suggests a recognized value and effectiveness in achieving NASA's scientific objectives. The cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) contract type allows for flexibility in research while maintaining cost control, though it requires careful oversight to ensure value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract is structured as a sole-source award to the California Institute of Technology for the operation of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), which functions as a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC). FFRDCs are established to meet specific long-term research and development needs of the government that cannot be met effectively by the private sector alone. Therefore, the sole-source nature is inherent to the FFRDC model, ensuring a dedicated and specialized research entity.

Taxpayer Impact: While not competed, the sole-source nature of FFRDCs like JPL is intended to provide unique, long-term scientific capabilities essential for national interests, justifying the direct award to a specialized institution.

Public Impact

Benefits NASA's Science Mission Directorate by enabling advanced Earth observation and climate research. Delivers critical scientific data and insights into Earth's systems, supporting environmental policy and understanding. Geographic impact is global, as Earth observation data has worldwide relevance. Workforce implications include supporting highly skilled scientists, engineers, and researchers at JPL.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

• Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts require diligent oversight to manage potential cost overruns and ensure efficient resource allocation.
• The long duration of the contract necessitates ongoing performance monitoring to ensure continued alignment with NASA's evolving scientific priorities.

Positive Signals

• The FFRDC designation ensures a stable, long-term research capability dedicated to national scientific goals.
• The sustained partnership between NASA and Caltech/JPL indicates a successful and productive research relationship.
• Focus on Earth science addresses critical global challenges like climate change, demonstrating significant societal impact.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is a world-renowned institution for space exploration and Earth science. Its role as an FFRDC positions it uniquely within the R&D landscape, providing specialized capabilities for NASA. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the unique FFRDC structure, but NASA's overall investment in Earth science research is substantial, reflecting the importance of this field.

Small Business Impact

As this contract is a sole-source award to a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) operated by the California Institute of Technology, it does not involve small business set-asides or direct subcontracting opportunities in the traditional sense. The focus is on the core research mission of JPL. While JPL may engage with small businesses for specific supplies or services, this contract itself is not structured to promote small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is managed by the NASA Management Office (NMO) through contracting officers who issue task orders and monitor performance. As an FFRDC, JPL operates under specific agreements that include oversight mechanisms designed to ensure accountability and alignment with government objectives. Transparency is maintained through regular reporting and reviews, with NASA retaining ultimate responsibility for the program's direction and effectiveness.

Related Government Programs

• NASA Earth Science Division Programs
• Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs)
• Climate Change Research Initiatives
• Satellite and Remote Sensing Programs

Risk Flags

• Long-term nature of CPFF contracts requires sustained oversight.
• Sole-source award necessitates justification based on unique FFRDC capabilities.

Tags

research-and-development, earth-science, nasa, caltech, jpl, ffrdc, cost-plus-fixed-fee, sole-source, california, long-term-contract, climate-change

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $140.4 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. IGF::CL::IGF ORBITING CARBON OBSERVATORY (OCO-2) TAILORED FORMULATION 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 DESIGNAT

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 $140.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-10-01. End: 2023-09-30.

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

The provided data indicates a total award amount of $140,420,172.24 for this specific contract, spanning from October 1, 2012, to September 30, 2023, a duration of over 10 years. This suggests a consistent and significant level of investment in the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) as an FFRDC. While specific historical spending trends for this exact contract are not detailed beyond the total, FFRDC agreements are typically long-term and involve substantial, ongoing funding to maintain specialized research capabilities. NASA's overall budget for Earth science research also provides context; for instance, NASA's Earth Science Division budget has seen fluctuations but generally represents billions of dollars annually, with FFRDCs like JPL being key components of executing this research.

How does the cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) structure impact the value for money in this research contract?

The Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) contract structure allows NASA to reimburse the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) for all allowable costs incurred in operating the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), plus a predetermined fixed fee. This structure is often used for research and development where the scope of work can be uncertain or evolve. For value for money, it relies heavily on NASA's robust oversight to ensure that costs are reasonable and allocable, and that the fixed fee adequately compensates the contractor for their efforts without being excessive. While CPFF provides flexibility for complex research, it carries a higher risk of cost overruns compared to fixed-price contracts if not managed diligently. NASA's role in defining clear objectives and monitoring expenditures is crucial for maximizing value.

What are the primary scientific objectives funded by this contract, and how are they measured?

This contract primarily funds the operation of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to support NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) in carrying out objectives related to Earth science. Key areas include understanding Earth's climate, weather, and environment through observation and data analysis. Specific scientific objectives are typically detailed within the task orders issued by the NASA Management Office (NMO) and align with NASA's broader Earth science strategic plan. Measurement of success is multifaceted, involving the successful acquisition and analysis of scientific data (e.g., from orbiting observatories like OCO-2), the publication of research findings in peer-reviewed journals, the development of new scientific models, and the contribution to policy-relevant information regarding climate change and environmental sustainability.

What is the track record of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and JPL in managing large-scale NASA research contracts?

The California Institute of Technology (Caltech), through its management of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), has an exceptionally long and distinguished track record with NASA, dating back to the early days of space exploration. JPL has been instrumental in numerous groundbreaking missions, including the Voyager, Galileo, Cassini, Mars rovers (Spirit, Opportunity, Curiosity, Perseverance), and the Hubble Space Telescope, among many others. This extensive history demonstrates a proven capability in managing complex, large-scale scientific and engineering projects, often under challenging conditions and with significant technological innovation. Their consistent performance and ability to deliver on ambitious scientific goals have made them a trusted partner for NASA, underpinning the sole-source nature of this FFRDC contract.

Are there any specific performance risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Performance risks associated with this contract are primarily related to the inherent complexities of advanced scientific research and space-based observation. These can include technical challenges in developing and operating sophisticated instruments, potential delays in mission timelines, and the scientific uncertainty inherent in R&D. Furthermore, as a CPFF contract, there's a risk of cost escalation if not managed tightly. Mitigation strategies employed by NASA include rigorous project management, phased reviews, clear definition of milestones and deliverables within task orders, strong technical oversight by the NASA Management Office, and maintaining open communication channels with JPL. The FFRDC structure itself, with its dedicated focus and expertise, also serves as a risk mitigation factor by ensuring specialized knowledge is applied to NASA's objectives.

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: $195,278,404

Exercised Options: $195,278,404

Current Obligation: $140,420,172

Actual Outlays: $79,565

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: 2023-09-30

Potential End Date: 2023-09-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2024-08-13

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