NASA awards $275M to Caltech for Jet Propulsion Laboratory operations, spanning over a decade

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $27,505,952 ($27.5M)

Contractor: California Institute of Technology

Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Start Date: 2012-10-01

End Date: 2024-09-30

Contract Duration: 4,382 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF INFRARED SCIENCE ARCHIVE (IRSA) 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 $27.5 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF INFRARED SCIENCE ARCHIVE (IRSA) 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 RELAT… Key points: 1. Contract supports critical research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. Long-term nature of the contract suggests a stable, ongoing need for JPL's expertise. 3. Sole-source award indicates a unique capability or relationship with the contractor. 4. Performance period extends over 12 years, highlighting a significant commitment. 5. Focus on Earth science, planetary science, and other scientific objectives. 6. Contract value of $275M reflects substantial investment in advanced research.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $275 million over 12 years represents a significant investment in scientific research and development. While a direct comparison to similar FFRDC contracts is complex due to their unique nature, the sustained funding indicates NASA's satisfaction with JPL's performance and value. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure allows for flexibility while maintaining cost control. Benchmarking against other large-scale R&D contracts suggests this is a substantial but not necessarily excessive award for the scope of work.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis to the California Institute of Technology for the operation of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). JPL is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) with a unique relationship and established infrastructure for supporting NASA's scientific missions. The sole-source nature is typical for FFRDCs, reflecting their specialized capabilities and long-standing partnerships.

Taxpayer Impact: A sole-source award means that competitive bidding was not utilized, which can sometimes lead to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a fully competed contract. However, for specialized FFRDC operations, the unique capabilities and established efficiencies may offset potential cost increases.

Public Impact

Benefits NASA's Science Mission Directorate by enabling advanced research in Earth science, planetary science, and other critical areas. Delivers cutting-edge scientific research and technological development through the operation of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Geographic impact is national, with research findings contributing to global scientific understanding. Workforce implications include continued employment for highly skilled scientists, engineers, and support staff at JPL. Supports the advancement of space exploration and scientific discovery for the benefit of the public.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

• Sole-source award limits competitive pressure, potentially impacting cost-effectiveness.
• Long contract duration may reduce flexibility for NASA to adapt to changing research priorities without modification.
• Reliance on a single FFRDC for critical operations could pose a risk if capabilities are not maintained or expanded.

Positive Signals

• Established relationship and proven track record of JPL in supporting NASA missions.
• Long-term funding provides stability for critical research infrastructure and personnel.
• FFRDC designation ensures a dedicated resource aligned with government objectives.
• Focus on core scientific missions suggests a clear strategic alignment.

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. Comparable spending benchmarks in this sector are difficult to establish precisely due to the unique FFRDC model, but NASA's overall R&D budget is substantial, with significant portions allocated to mission-critical operations like those managed by JPL. This contract represents a significant portion of NASA's investment in fundamental scientific inquiry and technological advancement.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to involve small business set-asides, as it is a sole-source award to a large research institution. Subcontracting opportunities may exist for small businesses to provide specialized goods or services to JPL, but the primary award is not directed towards small business participation. The impact on the small business ecosystem is indirect, relying on JPL's procurement practices for any set-aside or subcontracting initiatives.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) through its management office. As a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC), JPL operates under specific agreements that include oversight mechanisms to ensure alignment with NASA's strategic goals and responsible use of federal funds. Transparency is facilitated through regular reporting requirements and NASA's public dissemination of research outcomes. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to any allegations of 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
• Planetary Science Research Programs

Risk Flags

• Sole-source award may limit cost competition.
• Long-term contract duration requires careful management of evolving requirements.
• Dependence on a single FFRDC for critical functions.

Tags

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $27.5 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. IGF::CL::IGF INFRARED SCIENCE ARCHIVE (IRSA) 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

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 $27.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-10-01. End: 2024-09-30.

What is the historical spending trend for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory operations contract with NASA?

The provided data indicates a contract value of $275,059,517.17 with a start date of 2012-10-01 and an end date of 2024-09-30, spanning approximately 12 years. While specific annual spending figures are not detailed in this summary, the total value suggests an average annual expenditure of roughly $23 million. To understand the historical trend, one would need to examine prior contracts and task orders issued to JPL for its FFRDC operations. This would reveal whether the current funding level represents an increase, decrease, or stable investment compared to previous periods. Analyzing these historical patterns is crucial for assessing the long-term financial commitment and the evolution of NASA's reliance on JPL.

How does the cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) contract type influence the financial risk for NASA and the contractor?

The Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) contract type means that NASA reimburses the contractor (California Institute of Technology/JPL) for all allowable costs incurred, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. This structure shifts much of the financial risk to NASA, as the total cost is not capped upfront. If costs escalate beyond initial projections, NASA bears the burden. However, the fixed fee provides the contractor with a predictable profit margin, incentivizing efficient cost management to avoid overruns that could strain the relationship, even if the fee itself is fixed. For NASA, the benefit is access to specialized capabilities where precise cost estimation is difficult, but the risk lies in potential cost growth.

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

While specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are not detailed in the provided summary, contracts for FFRDC operations like this typically include metrics tied to mission success, scientific output, technological innovation, adherence to schedules and budgets for specific projects, and operational efficiency. NASA's Management Office would likely monitor JPL's progress against its Science Plan objectives, the successful execution of task orders, the development and deployment of scientific instruments, and the timely dissemination of research findings. Performance evaluations would also consider JPL's ability to maintain its unique scientific and engineering capabilities and its responsiveness to NASA's evolving strategic needs.

What is the significance of JPL being designated as a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC)?

JPL's designation as an FFRDC signifies a unique, long-term strategic relationship between NASA and the California Institute of Technology. FFRDCs are established to meet specific long-term research and development needs of the government that cannot be met as effectively by the private sector or government laboratories alone. They operate in the public interest, free from conflicts of interest, and provide objective advice and analysis. This designation allows NASA to leverage JPL's specialized expertise, infrastructure, and workforce for critical missions, ensuring continuity and deep institutional knowledge in areas like space exploration and Earth science, which are vital for national interests.

Are there any specific task orders or projects that constitute the majority of the contract's value?

The provided data summarizes the overarching sponsorship agreement for the operation of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) as an FFRDC. It does not detail individual task orders or specific projects that comprise the $275 million contract value. NASA issues task orders under this umbrella agreement to direct JPL's work, which is primarily focused on supporting the Science Mission Directorate's objectives in areas like Earth science and planetary science. To identify the projects constituting the majority of the value, one would need to access and analyze the specific task orders issued against this contract, which are typically detailed in NASA's contract databases or procurement records.

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: $34,286,222

Exercised Options: $34,286,222

Current Obligation: $27,505,952

Actual Outlays: $66,915

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: 2024-09-30

Potential End Date: 2024-09-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2022-02-09

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