NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory contract with Caltech, valued at $50.9M, funds critical R&D for space exploration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $50,887,409 ($50.9M)

Contractor: California Institute of Technology

Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Start Date: 2012-10-01

End Date: 2019-09-30

Contract Duration: 2,555 days

Daily Burn Rate: $19.9K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF EXOPLANET EXPLORATION PROGRAM (EXEP) OFFICE 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 $50.9 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF EXOPLANET EXPLORATION PROGRAM (EXEP) OFFICE 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 ESTABLISH… Key points: 1. Contract supports NASA's Science Mission Directorate, focusing on Earth Science and other key scientific areas. 2. Operates as a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC), ensuring specialized research capabilities. 3. Long-term relationship between NASA and Caltech highlights stability in critical research areas. 4. Contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, common for complex R&D requiring flexibility. 5. Performance period spans nearly 8 years, indicating sustained investment in research objectives. 6. Geographic concentration in California for a significant portion of federal R&D spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of approximately $50.9 million over nearly 8 years represents a sustained investment in specialized research. As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract for R&D, it allows for flexibility in addressing evolving scientific challenges. Benchmarking against similar FFRDC agreements managed by NASA would provide further context on value for money, but the long-standing partnership suggests a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract is sole-source, awarded to the California Institute of Technology for the operation of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). JPL functions as a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC), a designation that typically leads to sole-source arrangements due to the unique capabilities and infrastructure required. This structure is common for FFRDCs.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards for FFRDCs like JPL are generally accepted as necessary for maintaining specialized national capabilities, though they limit direct price competition.

Public Impact

Benefits NASA's Science Mission Directorate by providing essential research and development capabilities. Delivers scientific research and technological advancements crucial for space exploration and Earth science. Primarily impacts the scientific research community and the advancement of space technology. Workforce implications include highly skilled scientists, engineers, and technicians at JPL.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

• Sole-source nature limits competitive pressure on pricing.
• Cost-plus contracts can incentivize higher spending if not closely monitored.
• Long duration may lead to cost overruns if scope creep is not managed.

Positive Signals

• FFRDC designation ensures access to unique, specialized research capabilities.
• Long-term partnership with a reputable institution like Caltech provides stability and expertise.
• Focus on critical scientific areas like Earth science and space exploration aligns with national priorities.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is a world-renowned institution for space exploration and Earth science research. Its role as an FFRDC positions it uniquely to undertake complex, long-term projects for government agencies like NASA. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve other FFRDC contracts or large-scale R&D grants within the aerospace and scientific research industries.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to involve small business set-asides, as it is a sole-source award to a large non-profit educational institution (Caltech) for operating an FFRDC. Subcontracting opportunities may exist, but the primary focus is on the direct relationship between NASA and the FFRDC. The impact on the broader small business ecosystem is likely indirect, through potential innovation spillover or the development of technologies that could later be commercialized.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is provided by the NASA Management Office (NMO) through contracting officers who issue task orders. As an FFRDC, JPL operates under specific government oversight frameworks designed to ensure alignment with federal objectives and responsible use of funds. Transparency is facilitated through the task order process and NASA's reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to any potential fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

• Sole-source award limits competitive benchmarking.
• Cost-plus contract type requires diligent oversight to manage costs.
• FFRDC status implies unique capabilities, potentially limiting alternative sourcing options.

Tags

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $50.9 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. IGF::CL::IGF EXOPLANET EXPLORATION PROGRAM (EXEP) OFFICE 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 OR

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 $50.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-10-01. End: 2019-09-30.

What is the historical spending trend for NASA's FFRDC contracts with Caltech?

While this specific contract data covers $50.9 million from late 2012 to late 2019, NASA's relationship with Caltech for JPL operations spans decades and involves significantly larger cumulative funding. Historical data indicates a consistent and substantial investment in JPL's capabilities, reflecting its critical role in national space and science missions. Annual spending can fluctuate based on specific mission needs and task order priorities, but the overall trend demonstrates a long-term commitment. Analyzing year-over-year expenditures would reveal patterns related to major project milestones and research cycles.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure impact cost control for this FFRDC contract?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract structure allows NASA to reimburse the contractor (Caltech/JPL) for all allowable costs incurred, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. This structure is often used for research and development where the scope of work can be uncertain or evolve. While it provides flexibility for JPL to adapt to scientific discoveries and technical challenges, it places a strong emphasis on NASA's oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and allocable to the contract's objectives. Effective cost control relies on robust auditing, clear task order definitions, and proactive management of any potential scope creep to prevent cost overruns beyond the anticipated fixed fee.

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

Specific KPIs for this contract are not detailed in the provided data but are typically established within the task orders issued by NASA. Generally, for FFRDCs like JPL, performance is evaluated based on the successful completion of scientific objectives, timely delivery of research findings and mission milestones, technological innovations developed, and adherence to budget and schedule constraints. NASA's Science Mission Directorate would likely assess JPL's contributions against its strategic science plan and specific mission goals. Peer reviews, scientific publications, and the successful deployment of space missions are indirect but significant indicators of performance.

What is the risk profile associated with operating a sole-source FFRDC like JPL?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source FFRDC like JPL is the potential lack of competitive pressure on pricing and innovation, which could lead to inefficiencies or higher costs compared to a competed contract. However, FFRDCs are established to provide unique, long-term capabilities that often cannot be replicated or competed effectively in the open market. Risks are mitigated through rigorous government oversight, defined performance standards, and the FFRDC's own institutional commitment to scientific excellence and fiscal responsibility. The specialized nature of JPL's work means that risks are often technical and programmatic rather than purely financial.

How does this contract contribute to NASA's broader strategic goals in Earth Science and Space Exploration?

This contract is fundamental to NASA's strategic goals by enabling the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to conduct cutting-edge research and development. In Earth Science, JPL contributes to understanding climate change, natural hazards, and environmental sustainability through advanced observation technologies and data analysis. In space exploration, JPL is instrumental in designing, building, and operating robotic missions to planets, moons, asteroids, and comets, furthering our knowledge of the solar system and the universe. The contract ensures JPL has the resources and framework to pursue innovative scientific inquiries and technological advancements aligned with NASA's long-term vision.

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: $55,423,912

Exercised Options: $55,423,912

Current Obligation: $50,887,409

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: 2019-09-30

Potential End Date: 2019-09-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2019-05-06

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