NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory FFRDC contract valued at over $3 billion, supporting vital science missions

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,091,438 ($3.1M)

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: $1.4K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF SPACE INTERNETWORKING 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 $3.1 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF SPACE INTERNETWORKING 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 F… Key points: 1. This contract funds a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) crucial for NASA's scientific endeavors. 2. The FFRDC structure allows for long-term strategic research and development aligned with national priorities. 3. Performance is tied to task orders, indicating a flexible approach to evolving scientific objectives. 4. The contractor, California Institute of Technology, is a well-established research institution. 5. The contract's duration and significant value suggest a stable, ongoing commitment to scientific exploration. 6. Focus areas include Earth science, planetary science, and astrophysics, aligning with key scientific frontiers.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of approximately $3.09 billion over six years represents a substantial investment in scientific research and development. As a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for an FFRDC, direct cost comparisons to commercial entities are not applicable. However, the fixed fee component allows for a degree of cost control. The value is consistent with the scale and complexity of operating a major research center like JPL, which undertakes highly specialized and long-term projects.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract is structured as a sole-source agreement, which is typical for FFRDCs. The rationale is that FFRDCs are established to provide long-term, strategic research capabilities that are uniquely suited to the sponsoring agency's needs and are often not available through traditional competitive procurement. The California Institute of Technology's role in operating JPL is a long-standing arrangement, ensuring continuity and specialized expertise.

Taxpayer Impact: While sole-source contracts for FFRDCs are standard, they bypass the competitive process, meaning taxpayers do not benefit from potential cost savings or innovation that might arise from multiple bidders.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are NASA's Science Mission Directorate, which receives support for its scientific objectives. The contract enables the operation of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), a key research institution. Services delivered include research and development in Earth science, planetary science, and astrophysics. The geographic impact is national, with JPL located in California, but its scientific contributions have global implications. Workforce implications include the employment of highly skilled scientists, engineers, and support staff at JPL.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

• Sole-source nature limits competitive pressure on pricing and innovation.
• Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts can incentivize cost overruns if not closely monitored.
• Long-term nature of FFRDCs may reduce agility in responding to rapidly changing technological landscapes.

Positive Signals

• FFRDC model provides stable, long-term strategic research capabilities essential for complex missions.
• Partnership with a reputable institution (Caltech) ensures high-quality scientific and technical expertise.
• Contract structure allows for flexibility in addressing evolving scientific priorities through task orders.

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). FFRDCs like JPL are unique entities designed to provide long-term, objective research and analysis for government sponsors. Spending in this category is critical for advancing scientific knowledge and technological innovation. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve other large-scale R&D contracts or the operational budgets of similar national research laboratories.

Small Business Impact

This contract is not directly subject to small business set-aside provisions as it is a sole-source agreement with a large non-profit educational institution. However, JPL, as an FFRDC, is known to engage small businesses as subcontractors for various goods and services required for its operations and projects. The extent of subcontracting to small businesses would depend on the specific task orders issued under the contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is provided by NASA's Management Office (NMO) through contracting officers who issue task orders and monitor performance. As an FFRDC, JPL operates under specific government regulations and oversight frameworks designed to ensure objectivity and alignment with NASA's strategic goals. Transparency is maintained through regular reporting and reviews, though the specific details of task order execution may not be publicly disseminated.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

• Sole-source procurement
• Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type
• Long-term FFRDC commitment

Tags

research-and-development, nasa, california, sole-source, ffrdc, cost-plus-fixed-fee, science, space-exploration, non-profit, large-contract

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $3.1 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. IGF::CL::IGF SPACE INTERNETWORKING 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 NA

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 $3.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-10-01. End: 2018-09-30.

What is the historical spending trend for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory FFRDC contract with NASA?

The provided data indicates a contract value of approximately $3.09 billion for the period of October 1, 2012, to September 30, 2018. This represents an average annual expenditure of roughly $515 million. To understand the historical trend, one would need to examine prior and subsequent contract periods for JPL. FFRDC contracts are often long-term and may be re-competed or extended, showing a pattern of sustained, significant investment in JPL's capabilities. Analyzing year-over-year spending would reveal any fluctuations related to specific mission funding or programmatic shifts within NASA's Science Mission Directorate.

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

The Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) contract structure for the JPL FFRDC means that NASA reimburses JPL for all allowable costs incurred in performing the work, plus a predetermined fixed fee. This structure is common for R&D efforts where the scope of work can be uncertain or evolve. For value for money, the fixed fee provides some incentive for cost control, as the contractor does not earn more by spending more. However, the primary benefit of an FFRDC is its unique, long-term strategic capability, rather than direct cost competition. NASA's oversight is crucial to ensure that costs are reasonable and allowable, and that the fixed fee adequately compensates the contractor for the services provided without being excessive.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to assess JPL's performance under this contract?

While specific KPIs are not detailed in the provided data, performance for an FFRDC like JPL under NASA contracts typically revolves around achieving scientific objectives, meeting mission milestones, delivering high-quality research and data, and maintaining operational readiness for spacecraft and instruments. NASA's Science Mission Directorate would likely establish metrics related to the success of scientific investigations, the timely completion of research tasks, the development and deployment of new technologies, and adherence to budget and schedule for specific projects managed by JPL. Regular reviews and technical assessments by NASA program managers are standard practice.

What is the risk 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 competitively. However, FFRDCs are established precisely because they offer unique, long-term capabilities that are not readily available in the commercial market and require a stable, trusted relationship. The risk is mitigated by NASA's rigorous oversight, the contractor's established reputation, and the inherent mission-driven nature of the work. The 'risk' is more about ensuring continued value and alignment with NASA's evolving strategic goals rather than a typical procurement risk of contractor underperformance.

How does this contract contribute to NASA's broader strategic goals in space exploration and scientific discovery?

This contract is fundamental to NASA's strategic goals. By funding the operation of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) as an FFRDC, NASA secures a dedicated, world-class research and development center focused on space science. JPL's work directly supports NASA's Science Mission Directorate's objectives in areas like understanding Earth's climate, exploring the solar system and beyond, and advancing astrophysics. The long-term, stable nature of the FFRDC arrangement allows for the planning and execution of ambitious, multi-year missions and research projects that are critical for scientific discovery and maintaining U.S. leadership in space exploration.

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: $3,091,438

Exercised Options: $3,091,438

Current Obligation: $3,091,438

Actual Outlays: $-2,308

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: 2026-02-19

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