NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory contract with Caltech totals $209.8M for R&D, operating under a sole-source agreement

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $209,805,551 ($209.8M)

Contractor: California Institute of Technology

Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Start Date: 2012-10-01

End Date: 2020-09-27

Contract Duration: 2,918 days

Daily Burn Rate: $71.9K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF ADVANCED MULTIMISSION OPERATING SYSTEM (AMMOS) 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 $209.8 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF ADVANCED MULTIMISSION OPERATING SYSTEM (AMMOS) 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 ESTABL… Key points: 1. This contract funds the operation of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) as a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC). 2. The primary focus is supporting NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) across Earth science and other scientific areas. 3. Competition is limited due to the nature of FFRDC operations, with Caltech as the sole contractor. 4. The contract's long duration (2012-2020) suggests a stable, ongoing research and development effort.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract is a cost-plus-fixed-fee agreement for operating an FFRDC. Specific pricing for individual task orders would be needed for a detailed value assessment, but the overall funding level appears consistent with the scope of managing a major research center.

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 JPL. This is typical for FFRDCs, where a specific entity is established for long-term government research needs, limiting traditional price discovery mechanisms.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used to support critical scientific research and development through a dedicated FFRDC, aiming for long-term scientific advancement.

Public Impact

Supports cutting-edge scientific research and space exploration missions. JPL's work contributes to understanding Earth's climate and other planetary sciences. The FFRDC model ensures dedicated resources and expertise for complex, long-term government research objectives.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Sole-source nature limits competitive pricing pressure.
  • Long-term contract duration may not reflect current market efficiencies.
  • FFRDC structure can create unique oversight challenges.

Positive Signals

  • Supports critical national scientific research objectives.
  • Leverages specialized expertise at a renowned research institution.
  • Provides stable funding for long-term R&D projects.

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 project timelines, high upfront investment, and the need for specialized facilities and personnel, making FFRDCs a common model.

Small Business Impact

The contract is with the California Institute of Technology, a large non-profit educational institution, and does not appear to involve significant subcontracting to small businesses based on the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is managed by NASA's Management Office (NMO) through task orders. The FFRDC structure itself implies a close working relationship and oversight framework between NASA and Caltech/JPL.

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

  • Lack of competition may lead to higher costs.
  • Potential for scope creep in long-term research projects.
  • Reliance on a single entity for critical research functions.
  • Ensuring continued alignment with evolving scientific priorities.

Tags

research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, ca, delivery-order, 100m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $209.8 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. IGF::CL::IGF ADVANCED MULTIMISSION OPERATING SYSTEM (AMMOS) 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

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 $209.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-10-01. End: 2020-09-27.

How is the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure applied to task orders, and what mechanisms ensure cost efficiency within the FFRDC?

The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure likely involves NASA defining specific research objectives and budgets for task orders, with Caltech reimbursed for allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee. Efficiency is typically managed through NASA's oversight of JPL's operations, performance metrics, and periodic reviews of the FFRDC's overall cost-effectiveness, ensuring alignment with national research priorities.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate JPL's effectiveness in fulfilling NASA's scientific mission objectives under this contract?

Key performance indicators would likely include the successful completion of research projects and mission milestones, scientific publications and citations, technological advancements and patents, and the ability to attract and retain top scientific talent. NASA's Science Mission Directorate would set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for JPL's contributions.

Given the sole-source nature, how does NASA ensure that the contract continues to represent good value for taxpayer money over its extended duration?

NASA ensures value through rigorous oversight of JPL's operations, regular performance reviews against established scientific and programmatic goals, and benchmarking against similar research institutions or FFRDCs where applicable. The fixed fee component provides some cost certainty, and the long-term nature of FFRDCs is justified by the need for stable, specialized research capabilities essential for national scientific advancement.

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: $298,877,622

Exercised Options: $298,877,622

Current Obligation: $209,805,551

Actual Outlays: $498,691

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: 2020-09-27

Potential End Date: 2020-09-27 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2024-08-21

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