NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory contract with Caltech for planetary science support totals over $41 million

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $41,359,033 ($41.4M)

Contractor: California Institute of Technology

Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Start Date: 2012-10-01

End Date: 2022-09-30

Contract Duration: 3,651 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF PLANETARY SCIENCE PROGRAM SUPPORT 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 $41.4 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF PLANETARY SCIENCE PROGRAM SUPPORT 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 REL… Key points: 1. Contract supports NASA's Science Mission Directorate, focusing on Earth and planetary science. 2. Operates the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) as a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC). 3. Work is performed under task orders issued by NASA. 4. Contract duration spans 10 years, from 2012 to 2022. 5. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, indicating potential for cost overruns. 6. JPL is a private nonprofit educational institution. 7. The contract is not competed, raising questions about price discovery.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of over $41 million over 10 years for operating a major FFRDC like JPL suggests a significant investment. However, without comparable FFRDC operational contracts or detailed cost breakdowns, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, while common for R&D, can lead to costs exceeding initial estimates if not closely managed. Benchmarking against similar large-scale research and development support contracts would be necessary for a more robust evaluation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, which is typical for FFRDCs where a specific entity is established to meet unique government needs. The California Institute of Technology operates JPL under this sole-source arrangement. While this ensures continuity and leverages specialized expertise, it limits the opportunity for competitive bidding, which could potentially drive down costs or foster innovation through market forces.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition means taxpayers do not benefit from potential cost savings that might arise from a bidding process. However, the specialized nature of JPL's work may justify a sole-source award to maintain critical capabilities.

Public Impact

Benefits NASA's Science Mission Directorate by enabling research in Earth and planetary sciences. Supports the operation of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a key national asset for space exploration. Facilitates scientific discovery and technological advancement in space science. Impacts the scientific community through research findings and data dissemination. Contributes to the U.S. leadership in space exploration and scientific research.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

• Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure may incentivize cost increases.
• Sole-source nature limits competitive pressure on pricing.
• Long contract duration could mask inefficiencies if not actively managed.

Positive Signals

• Supports a critical national asset (JPL) for scientific research.
• Ensures continuity of operations for vital space science missions.
• Leverages specialized expertise of the California Institute of Technology.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is a major spender in this area, particularly for space exploration and scientific research. FFRDCs like JPL play a unique role, providing long-term, objective research and development capabilities to the government. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve other large-scale R&D support contracts for government-owned, contractor-operated facilities or major research initiatives.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have specific small business set-aside provisions. As a sole-source contract for operating a major FFRDC, the primary focus is on the core capabilities of the prime contractor. Subcontracting opportunities may exist, but they are not explicitly detailed as a set-aside requirement within the provided data. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely indirect, through potential subcontracting by JPL for specific goods or services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is provided by the NASA Management Office (NMO) through the issuance of task orders and contract administration. As JPL is an FFRDC, NASA has significant oversight responsibilities to ensure the contractor fulfills its obligations and operates efficiently. Transparency is facilitated through NASA's reporting requirements and the public nature of scientific research outcomes. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to potential fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

• Sole-source award
• Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
• Long contract duration

Tags

research-and-development, nasa, california, sole-source, cost-plus-fixed-fee, ffrdc, space-exploration, planetary-science, nonprofit, educational-institution

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $41.4 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. IGF::CL::IGF PLANETARY SCIENCE PROGRAM SUPPORT 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 ISSUE

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 $41.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-10-01. End: 2022-09-30.

What is the historical spending trend for NASA's support of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory?

The provided data covers a single contract from 2012 to 2022 with a total value of approximately $41.36 million. This represents the cost for operating JPL under NASA's sponsorship during that period. To understand historical spending trends, one would need to examine prior contracts for JPL operations, as well as subsequent agreements. It's also important to note that the $41.36 million is the total award amount over 10 years, averaging roughly $4.1 million per year. This figure likely represents the fixed fee and potentially some direct costs, but the overall operational budget for JPL, which includes other NASA-funded projects and potentially other agency work, would be significantly higher. Analyzing annual spending, contract modifications, and the scope of work over multiple decades would be necessary to establish a comprehensive spending trend.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure impact the overall cost-effectiveness of this contract?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract structure means the contractor (Caltech/JPL) is reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. While CPFF is common for research and development where the scope of work can be uncertain or evolve, it carries inherent risks for cost-effectiveness. The government bears the risk of cost overruns, as the fee is fixed regardless of the final cost. To ensure cost-effectiveness, NASA must exercise rigorous oversight, closely monitoring incurred costs, ensuring they are reasonable and allocable to the contract, and verifying that the work performed aligns with the objectives. Without strong cost controls and performance management, the CPFF structure can lead to higher overall expenditures compared to fixed-price contracts, where the contractor assumes more cost risk.

What are the specific performance metrics used to evaluate JPL's success under this contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific performance metrics used to evaluate JPL's success under this contract. However, as JPL operates under NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD), performance is likely assessed against the objectives outlined in the SMD Science Plan and specific task orders issued by NASA. These metrics would typically include the successful execution of scientific missions, timely delivery of research findings, adherence to project milestones, technological innovation, and effective management of resources. NASA's contracting officers and program managers would be responsible for monitoring JPL's progress against these defined objectives and ensuring compliance with contractual requirements. Formal performance reviews and milestone achievements would likely form the basis of evaluation.

What is the role of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) as a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC)?

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), operated by the California Institute of Technology under this contract, functions as a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) for NASA. FFRDCs are unique entities established to meet long-term research and development needs of the government that cannot be effectively met by the private sector alone or by government laboratories. They provide objective, independent research, development, and analysis. JPL's role as an FFRDC for NASA involves conducting space exploration missions, developing advanced technologies, and performing scientific research, particularly in planetary science, Earth science, and astrophysics. Its FFRDC status allows for a stable, long-term relationship with NASA, fostering deep expertise and strategic planning capabilities essential for complex, multi-year space missions.

Are there any known risks associated with the sole-source nature of this contract for NASA?

The primary risk associated with the sole-source nature of this contract is the potential lack of competitive pressure, which could lead to less favorable pricing or reduced incentive for innovation compared to a competed contract. Since the California Institute of Technology is the sole provider for operating JPL under this agreement, NASA does not benefit from the price discovery and potential cost reductions that a competitive bidding process might yield. Furthermore, a sole-source award can sometimes indicate a lack of market availability or a highly specialized capability, which, while necessary, means NASA is dependent on a single entity. This dependency could pose a risk if the contractor faces significant operational challenges or if their strategic direction diverges from NASA's long-term goals, although the FFRDC structure is designed to mitigate some of these risks through close government oversight and alignment.

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: $90,895,266

Exercised Options: $90,895,266

Current Obligation: $41,359,033

Actual Outlays: $100,616

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: 2022-09-30

Potential End Date: 2022-09-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2022-02-07

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