NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory contract with Caltech totals $217M for Earth Science R&D
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $21,688,961 ($21.7M)
Contractor: California Institute of Technology
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2013-04-18
End Date: 2020-09-30
Contract Duration: 2,722 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.0K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS (R&A), EARTH SCIENCE, CLIMATE VARIABILITY AND CHANGE 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
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $21.7 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS (R&A), EARTH SCIENCE, CLIMATE VARIABILITY AND CHANGE THE CONTRACT IS THE SPONSORING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA) AND THE CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (CONTRACTOR), A PRIVATE NONPROFIT EDUCATION… Key points: 1. This contract funds critical Earth Science research, focusing on climate variability and change. 2. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), operated by Caltech, is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC). 3. The contract is structured as a Cost Plus Fixed Fee, indicating potential for cost overruns. 4. NASA is the sole sponsor, highlighting the importance of this research to the agency's science mission.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract's Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, while common for R&D, can lead to costs exceeding initial estimates. Benchmarking is difficult due to the unique nature of FFRDC operations and specialized research.
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). This limits price discovery and competition, relying on NASA's oversight for cost control.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are directed towards critical scientific research, but the lack of competition warrants close monitoring of expenditures to ensure value.
Public Impact
Supports vital climate change research, informing policy and public understanding. Funds advanced scientific exploration and technological development at JPL. Ensures continued operation of a key national research facility. Contributes to NASA's broader scientific mission and data collection efforts.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competitive pricing.
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract may not incentivize cost efficiency.
- FFRDC operations can be complex to benchmark against commercial entities.
Positive Signals
- Supports critical Earth science and climate research.
- Leverages unique capabilities of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
- Long-term relationship ensures continuity of research.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is often characterized by long-term investments and unique, specialized facilities like JPL, making direct cost comparisons challenging.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to involve small business participation, as it is a direct agreement with a large non-profit educational institution for specialized research operations.
Oversight & Accountability
NASA's oversight is crucial for managing this sole-source FFRDC contract. Regular reviews of task orders and cost reports are necessary to ensure accountability and efficient use of taxpayer funds.
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
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee pricing structure
- Potential for scope creep in R&D projects
- Reliance on FFRDC's internal controls
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 $21.7 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. IGF::CL::IGF RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS (R&A), EARTH SCIENCE, CLIMATE VARIABILITY AND CHANGE 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 WOR
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 $21.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2013-04-18. End: 2020-09-30.
How does NASA ensure the cost-effectiveness of research conducted by JPL under this sole-source contract, given the lack of competitive bidding?
NASA employs rigorous oversight mechanisms, including detailed review of task orders, performance metrics, and financial reporting. They also conduct periodic cost analyses and rely on the FFRDC's established management structure and accountability to the government to ensure value for money in research outcomes.
What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for advanced scientific research like that conducted at JPL?
The primary risks include potential cost overruns if project scopes expand or unforeseen challenges arise, and a lack of competitive pressure to drive down costs or foster innovation. There's also a risk that the fixed fee might not adequately incentivize maximum efficiency if not carefully structured and monitored.
How effectively does this contract support NASA's strategic goals in Earth science and climate variability research?
This contract is fundamental to NASA's Earth science mission, directly funding research at JPL, a world-renowned center for planetary exploration and Earth observation. The long-term nature and substantial funding indicate a strong alignment with NASA's strategic objectives in understanding climate change and Earth systems.
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: $27,507,746
Exercised Options: $27,507,746
Current Obligation: $21,688,961
Actual Outlays: $52,547
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: 2013-04-18
Current End Date: 2020-09-30
Potential End Date: 2020-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2024-06-07
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