NASA's $64M Rosetta Project with Caltech for JPL Operations: Research & Development Focus
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $64,385,371 ($64.4M)
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: $25.2K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF US ROSETTA PROJECT, PHASE E 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 $64.4 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF US ROSETTA PROJECT, PHASE E 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 RELATIONS… Key points: 1. Significant investment in advanced research and development through a long-term contract. 2. Sole-source nature raises questions about competitive pricing and potential cost efficiencies. 3. Focus on Earth and Planetary Science aligns with national scientific objectives. 4. Potential for innovation and discovery in space exploration is high.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's cost-plus-fixed-fee structure for R&D can be appropriate for complex, uncertain projects. However, without competitive bidding, it's difficult to benchmark against similar FFRDC operations to ensure optimal value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract is sole-source, awarded to Caltech for operating the JPL FFRDC. This limits price discovery and competitive pressure, potentially leading to higher costs than if multiple entities competed.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are directed to a single entity for critical research, with limited opportunity for cost savings through competition.
Public Impact
Supports critical scientific research in Earth and Planetary Science, advancing national understanding of our solar system and planet. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory's operation is crucial for NASA's space exploration missions and scientific discoveries. Long-term funding commitment ensures continuity for complex, multi-year research endeavors. Potential for technological advancements and spin-offs benefiting various sectors.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee structure may incentivize cost overruns if not closely monitored.
- Long contract duration (8 years) could lead to price escalation without periodic review.
Positive Signals
- Supports a critical Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC).
- Focuses on high-impact scientific research areas.
- Established relationship with a reputable non-profit educational institution.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is vital for innovation but can be complex to benchmark due to the unique nature of R&D projects.
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
NASA's oversight of the JPL FFRDC is crucial, particularly given the sole-source, cost-plus-fixed-fee nature of the contract. Regular performance reviews and cost audits are essential for accountability.
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
- Sole-source award
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type
- Long contract duration
- Lack of explicit small business participation noted
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, ca, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $64.4 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. IGF::CL::IGF US ROSETTA PROJECT, PHASE E 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 T
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 $64.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2012-10-01. End: 2019-09-30.
How does NASA ensure cost-effectiveness and value for money in this sole-source FFRDC contract, given the lack of competitive bidding?
NASA likely relies on robust internal cost analysis, benchmarking against similar FFRDC operations (if available), and strict oversight of JPL's expenditures. The fixed-fee component provides some cost certainty, but continuous monitoring of indirect costs and efficiency metrics is vital to ensure value.
What are the primary risks associated with the sole-source nature of this contract for operating a critical research facility like JPL?
The main risks include potential for inflated costs due to lack of competition, reduced incentive for operational efficiency, and limited opportunities for innovative approaches from other potential contractors. It also concentrates risk with a single entity, making NASA reliant on Caltech's performance and management.
How effectively does this contract structure support NASA's long-term scientific objectives and foster innovation within the specified research areas?
The long-term nature and cost-plus-fixed-fee structure are generally well-suited for supporting ambitious, multi-year scientific endeavors like space exploration, allowing for flexibility and adaptation. However, fostering innovation also depends on NASA's specific task orders and performance incentives beyond the base contract.
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: $67,852,100
Exercised Options: $67,852,100
Current Obligation: $64,385,371
Actual Outlays: $-26
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: 2024-07-10
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