NASA's $80.6M Jet Propulsion Laboratory contract with Caltech for orbiting carbon observatory research extended to 2023

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $80,583,888 ($80.6M)

Contractor: California Institute of Technology

Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Start Date: 2012-10-01

End Date: 2023-04-28

Contract Duration: 3,861 days

Daily Burn Rate: $20.9K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF ORBITING CARBON OBSERVATORY-3 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 $80.6 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF ORBITING CARBON OBSERVATORY-3 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 RELATIO… Key points: 1. Contract supports NASA's Science Mission Directorate, focusing on Earth and planetary science. 2. Operates as a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC), indicating specialized, long-term research needs. 3. High contract value suggests significant investment in complex scientific research and development. 4. The FFRDC structure implies limited competition due to specialized expertise and infrastructure.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $80.6 million over approximately 10 years represents a substantial investment. Benchmarking is difficult due to the unique FFRDC nature and specialized research focus.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract is sole-source, awarded to the California Institute of Technology for operating the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) as an FFRDC. This structure is typical for FFRDCs, where competition is limited by design due to the unique capabilities and long-term strategic alignment required.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are directed towards critical scientific research and development, with the FFRDC model intended to ensure dedicated, long-term capabilities for national scientific goals.

Public Impact

Supports critical Earth science research, potentially informing climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. Advances understanding of planetary science, contributing to space exploration and the search for extraterrestrial life. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory's work has broad implications for technological innovation and scientific discovery. Public benefits include enhanced environmental monitoring and a deeper understanding of our solar system.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Sole-source award limits competitive pricing pressure.
  • Long-term nature of FFRDC contracts can reduce flexibility.
  • Reliance on a single entity for critical research infrastructure.

Positive Signals

  • FFRDC structure ensures dedicated, specialized research capabilities.
  • Long-standing relationship fosters deep expertise and efficiency.
  • Focus on high-priority scientific objectives aligned with national goals.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. The $80.6 million over 10 years for an FFRDC is consistent with significant, long-term scientific endeavors in this sector.

Small Business Impact

As a sole-source FFRDC contract with a research institution, there is no direct analysis of small business participation. The focus is on the specialized capabilities of the prime contractor.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC), which operates under specific oversight guidelines. Task orders issued by NASA contracting officers provide a mechanism for monitoring and directing work.

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 award limits price competition.
  • Potential for cost overruns in long-term R&D projects.
  • Dependency on a single entity for critical research capabilities.
  • Risk of technological obsolescence if not actively managed.

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 $80.6 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. IGF::CL::IGF ORBITING CARBON OBSERVATORY-3 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

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 $80.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-10-01. End: 2023-04-28.

What is the long-term value proposition of maintaining the JPL as an FFRDC for NASA's scientific missions?

The FFRDC model provides NASA with a dedicated, long-term research and development partner possessing unique expertise and infrastructure. This structure ensures continuity, fosters innovation, and allows for strategic alignment with NASA's evolving scientific objectives, particularly in complex areas like Earth and planetary science, ultimately delivering significant value through sustained advancements and mission success.

What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source FFRDC contract of this magnitude?

The primary risks include a lack of competitive pressure on pricing and innovation, potential for vendor lock-in, and the challenge of adapting to rapidly changing technological landscapes without external market forces. Ensuring robust oversight and clear performance metrics is crucial to mitigate these risks and maintain accountability for taxpayer investment.

How effectively does this contract enable NASA to achieve its scientific objectives in Earth and planetary science?

The contract's effectiveness is demonstrated by JPL's historical contributions to space exploration and Earth observation. The FFRDC structure allows for sustained focus on complex, long-term scientific goals, providing the specialized capabilities and infrastructure necessary for ambitious missions. Continuous evaluation of task order performance against scientific objectives is key to ensuring ongoing effectiveness.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesScientific Research and Development ServicesResearch and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENTSpace 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: $112,148,563

Exercised Options: $112,148,563

Current Obligation: $80,583,888

Actual Outlays: $507

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: 2023-04-28

Potential End Date: 2023-04-28 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2024-09-04

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