NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory contract with Caltech for instrument support valued at over $28 million
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $27,990,128 ($28.0M)
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: $11.0K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF MULTIANGLE IMAGING SPECTRORADIOMETER (MISR) INSTRUMENT SUPPORT AND GEOPHYSICAL DATA PRODUCT VERIFICATION, REFINEMENT AND VALIDATION 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 $28.0 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF MULTIANGLE IMAGING SPECTRORADIOMETER (MISR) INSTRUMENT SUPPORT AND GEOPHYSICAL DATA PRODUCT VERIFICATION, REFINEMENT AND VALIDATION THE CONTRACT IS THE SPONSORING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA) AND THE CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE … Key points: 1. Contract supports critical geophysical data product verification and validation for NASA's MISR instrument. 2. Focuses on the operation of a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC). 3. Work is directed through task orders issued by NASA. 4. Long-term commitment to scientific research and development. 5. Contract involves complex scientific and technical expertise. 6. Ensures the integrity and accuracy of scientific data products.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
This contract represents a significant investment in maintaining the operational integrity of a key NASA scientific instrument. While direct comparisons are difficult due to the unique nature of FFRDC operations and specialized scientific support, the cost appears reasonable for the long-term, high-level scientific and technical services provided. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure allows for flexibility while maintaining cost control for NASA.
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), which is designated as a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC). FFRDCs are typically established with specific institutions to provide long-term, specialized research and development capabilities that are in the public interest and are not readily available from the private sector. The nature of FFRDCs necessitates a sole-source relationship.
Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards for FFRDCs are generally accepted as necessary for specialized, long-term research needs. Taxpayers benefit from the unique, stable capabilities provided by JPL, which are crucial for complex space missions and scientific data analysis.
Public Impact
Benefits NASA's Science Mission Directorate by ensuring the quality of scientific data. Supports the ongoing operation and scientific output of the MISR instrument. Contributes to advancements in Earth science and climate research. Maintains critical scientific infrastructure and expertise within the United States. Facilitates the dissemination of accurate geophysical data to the scientific community.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns inherent in cost-plus contracts if not closely managed.
- Reliance on a single entity (JPL/Caltech) for critical instrument support.
- Scope creep could increase costs beyond initial projections without rigorous oversight.
Positive Signals
- Long-standing relationship and proven track record of JPL/Caltech in space exploration.
- FFRDC designation implies a high level of trust and specialized capability.
- Clear task order structure provides a degree of control over work performed.
- Focus on data verification and validation ensures scientific integrity.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The market for specialized FFRDC operations and advanced scientific instrument support is highly concentrated, with institutions like JPL being unique entities. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the specialized nature of FFRDCs, which are designed to provide unique, long-term capabilities to the government.
Small Business Impact
As this contract is a sole-source award to a university research center (Caltech operating JPL), there are no direct small business set-aside provisions. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses would likely be indirect, potentially through the procurement of goods or services by JPL for its operations, rather than direct contract set-asides. The primary focus is on the specialized R&D capabilities of the FFRDC.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is primarily conducted by the NASA Management Office (NMO) through the issuance of task orders and regular performance reviews. The FFRDC structure itself implies a level of government oversight and accountability. Transparency is maintained through reporting requirements and the public nature of NASA's scientific endeavors. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to any potential fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Earth Science Division Programs
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory Operations
- Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs)
- Geophysical Data Analysis
- Space Instrument Support
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award to FFRDC
- Cost-plus contract type
- Long contract duration
Tags
research-and-development, nasa, california-institute-of-technology, jet-propulsion-laboratory, ffrdc, sole-source, cost-plus-fixed-fee, earth-science, instrument-support, data-verification, california, scientific-research
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $28.0 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. IGF::CL::IGF MULTIANGLE IMAGING SPECTRORADIOMETER (MISR) INSTRUMENT SUPPORT AND GEOPHYSICAL DATA PRODUCT VERIFICATION, REFINEMENT AND VALIDATION 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 LA
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 $28.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2012-10-01. End: 2019-09-30.
What is the historical spending trend for this specific contract or similar FFRDC support at NASA?
Historical spending data for this specific contract, identified as IGF::CL::IGF MULTIANGLE IMAGING SPECTRORADIOMETER (MISR) INSTRUMENT SUPPORT AND GEOPHYSICAL DATA PRODUCT VERIFICATION, REFINEMENT AND VALIDATION, shows a total value of $27,990,127.53 over its duration from October 1, 2012, to September 30, 2019. This represents an average annual expenditure of approximately $3.99 million. Direct historical spending trends for FFRDC support at NASA can vary significantly based on the specific FFRDC and the mission requirements at the time. However, NASA's overall budget for research and development, particularly in Earth science and space exploration, has seen fluctuations. Contracts supporting long-term scientific instruments and data validation are typically stable but can increase with new mission phases or data processing demands. Without access to a broader database of NASA FFRDC contracts, a precise trend analysis is limited to the data provided for this specific agreement.
How does the cost of this contract compare to other NASA FFRDC support contracts?
Comparing the total value of this contract ($27.99 million over 7 years, averaging ~$4 million annually) to other NASA FFRDC support contracts is challenging due to the unique nature and scope of each FFRDC's mission. NASA operates multiple FFRDCs, including JPL (managed by Caltech) and the MIT Lincoln Laboratory. The cost of supporting these centers is influenced by factors such as the number of personnel, the complexity of research and development activities, the scale of infrastructure, and the specific scientific or engineering objectives. JPL's role in deep space missions and planetary science often involves extensive R&D and complex instrument operations, which can command significant funding. While this contract's value is substantial, it reflects the specialized, long-term, and critical nature of the support provided to NASA's scientific endeavors, particularly for instruments like MISR.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?
The primary risks associated with this contract include potential cost overruns due to the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure, although CPFF aims to provide a degree of cost certainty compared to pure cost-plus contracts. Another risk is the reliance on a single entity, the California Institute of Technology (operating JPL), for critical scientific support, which could lead to disruptions if unforeseen issues arise with the contractor. Mitigation strategies include NASA's oversight through task orders, which define specific work and deliverables, and regular performance reviews. The FFRDC designation itself implies a strong, established relationship and a high level of trust, reducing some risks associated with contractor performance. Furthermore, the long-term nature of the contract allows for continuity in scientific operations and data validation, minimizing risks related to knowledge transfer or project discontinuity.
How effective is the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in fulfilling its contract obligations for NASA's scientific missions?
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), operated by the California Institute of Technology, has a long and distinguished track record of successfully fulfilling its contract obligations for NASA's scientific missions. JPL is renowned for its expertise in designing, building, and operating robotic spacecraft for planetary exploration, Earth observation, and space astronomy. Its role in supporting instruments like the Multiangle Imaging Spectroradiometer (MISR) by verifying, refining, and validating geophysical data products is crucial for the scientific integrity of NASA's Earth science endeavors. The consistent performance and groundbreaking discoveries attributed to JPL missions over decades suggest a high level of effectiveness in meeting its contractual responsibilities. The FFRDC structure further institutionalizes this effectiveness by providing a stable, government-focused research environment.
What is the significance of the MISR instrument and its data products to NASA's scientific goals?
The Multiangle Imaging Spectroradiometer (MISR) instrument, aboard NASA's Terra satellite, plays a vital role in NASA's Earth science goals by providing global data on cloud and aerosol properties, as well as surface characteristics. MISR's unique capability to view the Earth at multiple angles simultaneously allows for the retrieval of detailed information about the three-dimensional structure of clouds and aerosols, their optical properties, and their interactions with solar radiation. The geophysical data products generated by MISR are essential for improving climate models, understanding atmospheric processes, monitoring air quality, and assessing land surface changes. The contract's focus on verifying, refining, and validating these data products ensures their accuracy and reliability, making them suitable for critical scientific research and policy-relevant assessments, directly supporting NASA's mission to understand Earth as a system.
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: $81,375,462
Exercised Options: $81,375,462
Current Obligation: $27,990,128
Actual Outlays: $15,433
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: 2019-09-30
Potential End Date: 2019-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2024-07-15
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