NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory contract with Caltech for mission operations totals over $41.9M, primarily for R&D

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $41,958,698 ($42.0M)

Contractor: California Institute of Technology

Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Start Date: 2012-10-01

End Date: 2020-09-30

Contract Duration: 2,921 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.4K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF CLOUDSAT PHASE E MISSION OPERATIONS 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 $42.0 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF CLOUDSAT PHASE E MISSION OPERATIONS 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 R… Key points: 1. Contract supports NASA's Science Mission Directorate across Earth, planetary, and other scientific areas. 2. Operations are managed through task orders issued by the NASA Management Office. 3. The contract establishes JPL as a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC). 4. Performance period spans from October 2012 to September 2020. 5. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, indicating potential for cost overruns. 6. No small business set-asides were utilized for this contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

This contract represents a significant investment in ongoing space exploration and research. As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, it allows for flexibility in research and development but carries inherent risks of cost escalation if not closely managed. Benchmarking value is challenging without specific task order details and comparable FFRDC operational costs. However, the long duration and consistent funding suggest a perceived value by NASA for JPL's unique capabilities.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, as it establishes the operational framework for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) managed by the California Institute of Technology for NASA. FFRDCs are typically awarded on a sole-source basis due to their specialized nature and long-term strategic relationship with the sponsoring agency.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the specialized expertise and infrastructure of JPL, which is maintained through this direct relationship, ensuring continuity for critical research and development initiatives without the overhead of a competitive bidding process for the core operational agreement.

Public Impact

Benefits NASA's Science Mission Directorate by enabling continued operations for key space science missions. Supports scientific research in Earth science, planetary science, and other designated areas. The geographic impact is national, with research potentially influencing global scientific understanding. Workforce implications include continued employment for scientists, engineers, and support staff at JPL.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

• Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure can lead to higher costs than fixed-price contracts if not managed effectively.
• Sole-source nature limits opportunities for other research institutions and potential cost savings through competition.
• Long contract duration without explicit performance metrics in the summary may obscure specific achievements or areas for improvement.

Positive Signals

• Establishes a stable, long-term operational framework for a critical national asset (JPL).
• Supports NASA's strategic science objectives through a dedicated FFRDC.
• The partnership leverages the unique capabilities and expertise of the California Institute of Technology and JPL.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is a major investor in R&D, particularly for space exploration and scientific discovery. FFRDCs like JPL play a crucial role in providing specialized, long-term research capabilities that are often beyond the scope of typical government laboratories or commercial entities. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the unique nature of FFRDCs and their mission-specific operational contracts.

Small Business Impact

This contract did not include small business set-asides, which is typical for agreements establishing the operational framework of an FFRDC. The primary contractor, the California Institute of Technology, is a large educational institution. Subcontracting opportunities may exist within specific task orders, but the core agreement does not directly aim to promote small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is provided by the NASA Management Office (NMO) through the issuance of task orders and ongoing program management. As a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC), JPL is subject to specific oversight requirements designed to ensure its alignment with NASA's strategic goals and efficient use of federal funds. Transparency is facilitated through NASA's reporting mechanisms, though detailed operational data for specific task orders may be less publicly accessible.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

• Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type carries inherent cost overrun risk.
• Sole-source award limits competitive pressure on pricing and innovation.
• Long contract duration without specific performance metrics in summary requires careful ongoing oversight.

Tags

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $42.0 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. IGF::CL::IGF CLOUDSAT PHASE E MISSION OPERATIONS 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 ISS

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 $42.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-10-01. End: 2020-09-30.

What is the historical spending trend for NASA's FFRDC contracts with Caltech/JPL?

Historical spending data for NASA's FFRDC contracts with Caltech/JPL reveals a consistent and significant investment over time. While this specific contract covers $41.9 million from 2012 to 2020, broader trends indicate that NASA relies heavily on JPL for its core space science missions. Annual funding levels for JPL operations have historically fluctuated based on the agency's budget appropriations and the specific mission portfolio being supported. For instance, periods of major mission development or launch campaigns often see increased funding, while operational phases might stabilize or slightly decrease. Analyzing year-over-year spending for JPL's FFRDC agreement would show a pattern of substantial, multi-million dollar annual allocations, reflecting its critical role in NASA's scientific endeavors. This consistent funding underscores the long-term strategic importance NASA places on JPL's capabilities.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure impact the overall cost-effectiveness of this contract compared to other contract types?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract structure, used here for JPL's operations, allows the contractor to recover all allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee. This structure is often chosen for research and development efforts where the scope of work is uncertain or subject to change, providing flexibility. However, it inherently carries a higher risk of cost overruns for the government compared to fixed-price contracts, as the contractor is incentivized to incur costs to maximize their return (though the fee is fixed). Cost-effectiveness is therefore highly dependent on robust government oversight to control allowable costs and prevent scope creep. While CPFF provides necessary flexibility for R&D, it may not be the most cost-effective option if stringent cost controls and clear performance metrics are not rigorously applied and monitored throughout the contract's lifecycle.

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

Specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this particular contract are not detailed in the provided summary. However, for FFRDC contracts, especially those managed by NASA for operational support like JPL, performance is typically evaluated against a range of criteria. These often include the successful execution of assigned task orders, adherence to project timelines and milestones, achievement of scientific objectives, effective management of resources (personnel, budget), and the quality of scientific data and deliverables produced. NASA's Management Office would likely establish specific metrics related to mission success rates, system reliability, anomaly resolution times, and the timely delivery of scientific findings. Regular reviews and reporting by JPL to NASA are standard practice to monitor progress against these implicit or explicit performance expectations.

What is the significance of JPL being designated as an FFRDC in the context of this contract?

The designation of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) as a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) is fundamental to this contract. FFRDCs are unique entities established to meet specific long-term research and development needs of the government that cannot be effectively met by existing government or private sector resources. This designation allows for a stable, strategic, and long-term relationship between NASA and JPL (managed by Caltech). It facilitates access to specialized expertise, facilities, and objective advice, free from the conflicts of interest that might arise in purely commercial relationships. The FFRDC status enables JPL to undertake complex, high-risk, and long-duration projects critical to NASA's scientific exploration goals, ensuring continuity and institutional knowledge.

Are there any known risks associated with the California Institute of Technology's management of JPL under this contract?

Based on the provided data, there are no explicit risks highlighted regarding the California Institute of Technology's (Caltech) management of JPL under this contract. Caltech has a long-standing and successful history of managing JPL for NASA, dating back decades. The FFRDC model itself is designed to foster a stable and effective partnership. Potential risks, common to any large-scale R&D operation, could theoretically include challenges in managing complex projects, budget constraints, or adapting to evolving technological landscapes. However, Caltech's established expertise and NASA's oversight mechanisms are in place to mitigate such risks. The continuity of the relationship suggests a high level of confidence from NASA in Caltech's stewardship of JPL.

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: $86,465,384

Exercised Options: $86,465,384

Current Obligation: $41,958,698

Actual Outlays: $106,564

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: 2020-09-30

Potential End Date: 2020-09-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2022-02-02

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