NASA's $27M JPL Contract for IGF JASON-3 Mission Formulation and Design
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $27,031,237 ($27.0M)
Contractor: California Institute of Technology
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2012-10-01
End Date: 2019-03-31
Contract Duration: 2,372 days
Daily Burn Rate: $11.4K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF JASON-3 MISSION PROJECT FORMULATION AND PRELIMINARY DESIGN PHASES 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 $27.0 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF JASON-3 MISSION PROJECT FORMULATION AND PRELIMINARY DESIGN PHASES 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 INSTIT… Key points: 1. Contract awarded to California Institute of Technology for Jet Propulsion Laboratory operations. 2. Focuses on supporting NASA's Science Mission Directorate objectives. 3. Significant funding allocated for research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 4. Contract duration spans over 6 years, indicating a long-term project.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's cost-plus-fixed-fee structure is common for R&D projects. Benchmarking against similar NASA R&D contracts would provide a clearer picture of its value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract is a sole-source award to the California Institute of Technology for JPL operations. This limits price discovery and competition, relying on NASA's oversight for cost control.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are directed towards a specialized research institution for critical space science missions.
Public Impact
Supports vital space exploration and scientific research. Funds advanced technological development at a leading research institution. Ensures continued operation of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a key NASA asset.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competitive pricing.
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee can incentivize cost overruns if not managed tightly.
Positive Signals
- Supports critical scientific research and development.
- Leverages expertise of a renowned research institution (Caltech/JPL).
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. NASA's R&D spending is substantial, with contracts like this supporting long-term scientific goals and technological advancements.
Small Business Impact
The contract is awarded to a large educational institution (California Institute of Technology) and does not appear to involve small business participation directly in this award.
Oversight & Accountability
NASA's Management Office oversees task orders issued to JPL. The FFRDC structure implies a high level of government oversight and accountability for the work performed.
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 limits competition.
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type requires strong oversight.
- Potential for scope creep in long-term R&D projects.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical FFRDC operations.
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 $27.0 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. IGF::CL::IGF JASON-3 MISSION PROJECT FORMULATION AND PRELIMINARY DESIGN PHASES 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
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 $27.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2012-10-01. End: 2019-03-31.
What is the specific breakdown of the $27 million cost across different phases and research areas within the IGF JASON-3 mission?
The provided data indicates a total award of $27,031,237.1 for the formulation and preliminary design phases. A detailed breakdown by specific research areas or project milestones is not available in this summary. Further analysis would require access to the detailed task orders and financial reports associated with the contract to understand cost allocation for different scientific objectives and engineering efforts.
How does NASA ensure cost-effectiveness and prevent potential overruns in this sole-source, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract with JPL?
NASA employs rigorous oversight through its Management Office, which issues task orders and monitors progress. For cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts, NASA typically establishes detailed cost accounting standards and conducts regular audits. Performance metrics and milestone reviews are crucial for controlling costs and ensuring the contractor remains within the fixed fee parameters while achieving project objectives.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success and effectiveness of the IGF JASON-3 mission formulation and design phases under this contract?
While specific KPIs are not detailed here, NASA generally measures the success of R&D contracts by adherence to technical specifications, timely completion of design phases, achievement of scientific objectives outlined in the Science Plan, and successful integration of new technologies. For JPL, performance is also assessed based on its FFRDC mission to support NASA's strategic goals.
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: $30,199,259
Exercised Options: $30,199,259
Current Obligation: $27,031,237
Actual Outlays: $65,737
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: 2019-03-31
Potential End Date: 2019-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-11-08
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