NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory contract with Caltech totals over $235 million for R&D in physical sciences

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $235,149,256 ($235.1M)

Contractor: California Institute of Technology

Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Start Date: 2012-10-01

End Date: 2021-05-31

Contract Duration: 3,164 days

Daily Burn Rate: $74.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF MIRI PHASE C/D 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 $235.1 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF MIRI PHASE C/D 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 O… Key points: 1. Contract supports NASA's Science Mission Directorate across Earth, planetary, and heliophysics. 2. Operates the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) as a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC). 3. Focuses on research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 4. Contract duration spans nearly 9 years, from October 2012 to May 2021. 5. Primarily a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type, indicating cost reimbursement with a set fee. 6. No small business set-aside or subcontracting was reported, suggesting large prime contractor involvement.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of over $235 million over nearly 9 years reflects the significant scope of operating a major FFRDC like JPL. Benchmarking this against other FFRDC management contracts is complex due to unique missions and structures. However, the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure is common for R&D where final costs are uncertain. The fixed fee component provides some cost control for NASA, while allowing flexibility for research. The total obligated amount appears reasonable for the extensive research and development activities undertaken.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed and was awarded sole-source to the California Institute of Technology for the operation of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). JPL is a unique FFRDC managed by Caltech for NASA, making a competitive procurement for its ongoing operation impractical and potentially disruptive to critical research missions. The sole-source nature is justified by the specialized nature of JPL and its established role as an FFRDC.

Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source award means taxpayers did not benefit from potential cost savings that might arise from a competitive bidding process. However, it ensures continuity for a critical national research asset.

Public Impact

Benefits NASA's Science Mission Directorate by enabling cutting-edge research in Earth science, planetary science, and heliophysics. Delivers advanced scientific research and technological development through the operation of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Impacts the scientific community globally by advancing understanding of the universe and our planet. Supports a highly skilled workforce in aerospace engineering, physics, and related scientific fields.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

• Potential for cost overruns inherent in cost-plus contracts if not rigorously managed.
• Sole-source nature limits opportunities for new entrants and potentially reduces competitive pressure on pricing.
• Long-term reliance on a single entity for FFRDC operation could create dependency.

Positive Signals

• Established track record of the California Institute of Technology and JPL in managing complex scientific missions.
• FFRDC structure provides a stable, long-term platform for critical national research and development.
• Clear alignment with NASA's strategic science objectives ensures focused and relevant research.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences (NAICS 541712). This category encompasses a broad range of scientific inquiry and technological innovation. NASA's spending in this area is crucial for maintaining U.S. leadership in space exploration and scientific discovery. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish precisely due to the unique FFRDC nature of JPL, but significant government investment in R&D centers is common across various agencies.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates no small business set-aside (ss=false) and no reported small business participation (sb=false). This is typical for large, complex FFRDC management contracts where the prime contractor is a major research institution. While this contract may not directly benefit small businesses through prime awards, the operational activities at JPL could indirectly create subcontracting opportunities for specialized services or equipment providers, though this is not explicitly detailed in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) through its Management Office at JPL. As a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract, NASA's oversight would focus on ensuring that costs are reasonable and allocable, and that the fixed fee is earned through the achievement of contract objectives. The FFRDC structure itself implies a high degree of government oversight and accountability for the research conducted and the resources utilized.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

• Sole-source award may limit competitive pricing benefits.
• Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts carry inherent risk of cost overruns if not managed tightly.
• FFRDC reliance on a single managing entity requires strong, continuous oversight.

Tags

research-and-development, nasa, california-institute-of-technology, jet-propulsion-laboratory, ffrdc, cost-plus-fixed-fee, sole-source, space-exploration, science, california, large-contract

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $235.1 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. IGF::CL::IGF MIRI PHASE C/D 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 MANAG

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 $235.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-10-01. End: 2021-05-31.

What is the historical spending trend for NASA's contract with Caltech for JPL operations?

The provided data covers the period from October 1, 2012, to May 31, 2021, with a total obligated amount of $235,149,256.23. This represents an average annual spending of approximately $26 million over the contract's duration. Without access to historical contract data prior to 2012 or subsequent contracts, a complete trend analysis is not possible. However, this figure indicates a substantial and consistent investment in the operation of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory as a key FFRDC for NASA's scientific endeavors. Further analysis would require examining annual obligations and task order values within this contract period and comparing them to previous or subsequent agreements.

How does the cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) structure impact the value for money in this contract?

The Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) structure aims to balance flexibility for research with cost control. NASA reimburses Caltech for allowable costs incurred in operating JPL, plus a predetermined fixed fee. This structure is suitable for R&D where project scope and final costs can be uncertain. For value for money, NASA relies on robust oversight to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable, and that the fixed fee is earned. While CPFF can incentivize contractors to manage costs to protect their fee, it carries a risk of cost overruns if not diligently managed. The value is realized through the successful execution of critical scientific missions and technological advancements enabled by JPL's unique capabilities.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used by NASA to assess JPL's performance under this contract?

While specific KPIs are not detailed in the provided contract abstract, NASA's oversight of an FFRDC like JPL typically involves rigorous performance evaluation. Key indicators would likely include the successful completion of research objectives outlined in task orders, adherence to scientific and technical milestones, effective management of project budgets and schedules, and the delivery of high-impact scientific data and technological innovations. NASA's Management Office at JPL would continuously monitor progress against established goals, peer reviews, and mission success rates. The FFRDC charter itself implies a commitment to serving NASA's strategic interests, making mission success and scientific return on investment paramount.

What is the risk profile associated with this sole-source FFRDC contract?

The primary risk associated with this sole-source FFRDC contract is the lack of competitive pressure, which could potentially lead to less cost-efficiency compared to a competed contract. However, this is mitigated by the unique nature of JPL and the established relationship with Caltech, making competition impractical. Other risks include potential cost overruns inherent in CPFF contracts, dependence on a single entity for critical operations, and the possibility of research projects not yielding expected results. NASA's robust oversight mechanisms, including regular reviews and performance monitoring, are designed to manage these risks and ensure the continued success of JPL's mission.

How does this contract contribute to NASA's broader strategic goals in space exploration and scientific discovery?

This contract is fundamental to NASA's strategic goals. By funding the operation of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) through Caltech, NASA ensures the continued execution of its Science Mission Directorate's objectives. JPL is a world-renowned center for robotic space exploration, Earth observation, and fundamental research in planetary science, heliophysics, and astrophysics. The contract enables the development and operation of sophisticated spacecraft, instruments, and scientific missions that expand our knowledge of the cosmos and our own planet. The research conducted under this agreement directly supports NASA's long-term vision for scientific discovery and technological innovation in space.

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: $251,450,362

Exercised Options: $251,450,362

Current Obligation: $235,149,256

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: 2021-05-31

Potential End Date: 2021-05-31 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2024-08-21

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