NASA's ECOSTRESS Project: $45.9M Contract with Caltech for Spaceborne Radiometer Experiments

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $45,911,931 ($45.9M)

Contractor: California Institute of Technology

Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Start Date: 2014-09-30

End Date: 2019-07-31

Contract Duration: 1,765 days

Daily Burn Rate: $26.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF ECOSYSTEMS SPACEBORNE THERMAL RADIOMETER EXPERIMENTS ON SPACE STATION (ECOSTRESS): PHASES A&B 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 $45.9 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF ECOSYSTEMS SPACEBORNE THERMAL RADIOMETER EXPERIMENTS ON SPACE STATION (ECOSTRESS): PHASES A&B THE CONTRACT IS THE SPONSORING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA) AND THE CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (CONTRACTOR), A PRIVATE … Key points: 1. The contract funds research and development at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC). 2. JPL, operated by Caltech, will perform NASA-designated tasks for spaceborne thermal radiometer experiments. 3. The contract is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee type, indicating potential for cost overruns. 4. This is a sole-source contract, raising questions about price discovery and competition.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) type, which can lead to higher costs compared to fixed-price contracts. Without detailed cost breakdowns or benchmarks for similar FFRDC research, assessing value is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, being awarded directly to the California Institute of Technology for operating the JPL FFRDC. This lack of competition limits price discovery and may not ensure the most cost-effective approach.

Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source nature of this contract means taxpayers may not be benefiting from the most competitive pricing available for the research and development services.

Public Impact

Supports NASA's Science Mission Directorate objectives for Earth science research. Funds advanced research in spaceborne thermal radiometry, crucial for climate and environmental monitoring. Leverages the expertise of JPL, a leading institution in space exploration and research.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
  • Sole-source award
  • Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF structure

Positive Signals

  • Utilizes a specialized FFRDC (JPL) for unique research capabilities
  • Supports critical NASA science objectives
  • Long-term operational agreement

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology). Spending in this sector is often characterized by high innovation, long development cycles, and significant upfront investment, with outcomes that can be unpredictable.

Small Business Impact

The contract is with the California Institute of Technology, a large non-profit educational institution, and involves the operation of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). There is no indication of subcontracting to small businesses within the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) through its Management Office. Oversight would involve monitoring task orders, costs, and performance against the FFRDC agreement.

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 and price discovery.
  • Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can lead to higher costs.
  • Lack of transparency on specific cost breakdowns and profit margins.
  • Potential for scope creep or cost overruns without stringent oversight.

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 $45.9 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. IGF::CL::IGF ECOSYSTEMS SPACEBORNE THERMAL RADIOMETER EXPERIMENTS ON SPACE STATION (ECOSTRESS): PHASES A&B 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 REQU

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 $45.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2014-09-30. End: 2019-07-31.

What specific scientific advancements or data products are expected from the ECOSTRESS project, and how do they align with NASA's strategic goals?

The ECOSTRESS project aims to provide high-resolution thermal infrared data from the International Space Station to study land surface temperature and its relationship with vegetation health and water use. Expected advancements include improved drought monitoring, agricultural management, and understanding of climate change impacts on ecosystems. These align with NASA's Earth Science Division goals of understanding Earth as a system and its response to climate variability and change.

Given the sole-source nature and CPFF contract type, what mechanisms are in place to ensure cost control and prevent contractor inefficiencies?

While a sole-source CPFF contract offers less inherent price competition, NASA's oversight through the NASA Management Office (NMO) is critical. Mechanisms likely include detailed review of incurred costs, performance metrics, and adherence to task orders. The FFRDC structure itself implies a level of government oversight and partnership, aiming for mission accomplishment rather than profit maximization, but robust monitoring remains essential.

How does the operational cost of the ECOSTRESS project compare to similar spaceborne Earth observation missions, and is the current funding level justified?

Benchmarking the cost of ECOSTRESS against similar missions is challenging due to unique factors like ISS integration, specific instrument capabilities, and the FFRDC operational model. However, the $45.9 million over approximately five years suggests a significant investment. Justification would depend on the criticality of the data, the uniqueness of the sensor, and the scientific return on investment compared to alternative data acquisition methods.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesScientific Research and Development ServicesResearch and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENTSpace 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: $50,240,963

Exercised Options: $50,240,963

Current Obligation: $45,911,931

Actual Outlays: $174

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: 2014-09-30

Current End Date: 2019-07-31

Potential End Date: 2019-07-31 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2024-07-15

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