NASA's $25.8M JPL Contract with Caltech for Astrophysics R&A: A 7-Year Award

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,827,160 ($25.8M)

Contractor: California Institute of Technology

Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Start Date: 2013-04-11

End Date: 2020-09-30

Contract Duration: 2,729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.5K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF SCIENCE MISSION DIRECTORATE, RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS (R&A), FOR ASTROPHYSICS ROSES AWARDS AND GUEST OBSERVER AWARD 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 $25.8 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF SCIENCE MISSION DIRECTORATE, RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS (R&A), FOR ASTROPHYSICS ROSES AWARDS AND GUEST OBSERVER AWARD SUPPORT THE CONTRACT IS THE SPONSORING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA) AND THE CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLO… Key points: 1. The contract supports NASA's Science Mission Directorate for astrophysics research and development. 2. Caltech, operating the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), is the sole contractor. 3. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, indicating potential cost overruns. 4. This award falls under the Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can lead to higher costs than fixed-price agreements. Without detailed cost breakdowns and benchmarks for similar R&D support contracts, assessing value for money is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, being awarded solely to the California Institute of Technology for the operation of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. This lack of competition limits price discovery and potentially increases costs.

Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source nature of this large contract may result in higher taxpayer costs due to the absence of competitive bidding.

Public Impact

Supports critical astrophysics research for NASA's Science Mission Directorate. Ensures continued operation of the renowned Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Funds advanced scientific endeavors with potential for significant discoveries. The long duration (7 years) suggests a stable, ongoing research program.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
  • Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type carries inherent cost overrun risk.
  • Lack of detailed cost data makes value assessment challenging.

Positive Signals

  • Supports critical national science objectives.
  • Leverages the expertise of a leading research institution (Caltech/JPL).
  • Long-term award provides stability for research continuity.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector. Spending in this area is crucial for scientific advancement but can be complex to benchmark due to the unique nature of R&D projects.

Small Business Impact

The data provided does not indicate any specific provisions or allocations for small business participation in this contract. The award is directly to a large non-profit educational institution.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by NASA's Management Office (NMO) Contracting Officers, implying a level of oversight. However, the sole-source nature and cost-plus fee structure warrant close monitoring of expenditures and performance.

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 competition.
  • Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
  • Potential for cost overruns.
  • Lack of transparency in cost breakdown.
  • Long contract duration without explicit performance reviews mentioned.

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 $25.8 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. IGF::CL::IGF SCIENCE MISSION DIRECTORATE, RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS (R&A), FOR ASTROPHYSICS ROSES AWARDS AND GUEST OBSERVER AWARD 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. T

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 $25.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-04-11. End: 2020-09-30.

What specific cost controls and performance metrics are in place to ensure the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure delivers value for taxpayer funds?

The contract specifies a Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, managed by NASA's NMO Contracting Officers. While the fixed fee component provides some cost certainty for the contractor's profit, the 'cost plus' element requires robust oversight. NASA likely employs mechanisms such as regular audits, detailed cost reporting requirements, and performance reviews tied to task orders to ensure efficient use of funds and prevent cost overruns. Specific details on these controls would typically be found within the contract's terms and conditions or associated task orders.

Given the sole-source nature, how does NASA ensure the fixed fee accurately reflects the complexity and risk associated with the R&D work performed by JPL?

In sole-source procurements, especially for specialized R&D, the government relies on historical data, industry benchmarks, and negotiation expertise to determine a fair and reasonable fixed fee. NASA would have assessed JPL's capabilities, the scope of work, and the inherent risks in astrophysics research. The fee is intended to compensate JPL for its management and overhead, plus a reasonable profit, without the benefit of competitive proposals. This requires diligent negotiation and justification by the contracting officers.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the effectiveness of the R&D support provided by JPL under this contract?

Effectiveness in R&D contracts is often measured by milestones achieved, scientific discoveries or publications, successful completion of research objectives outlined in task orders, and adherence to project timelines and budgets. For JPL's astrophysics R&A support, KPIs could include the successful execution of guest observer programs, the quality and impact of research outputs, and contributions to NASA's broader scientific goals. NASA's NMO would monitor these KPIs through regular progress reports and scientific reviews.

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: $34,080,935

Exercised Options: $34,080,935

Current Obligation: $25,827,160

Actual Outlays: $61,885

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: 2013-04-11

Current End Date: 2020-09-30

Potential End Date: 2020-09-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2024-05-13

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