NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory contract with Caltech valued at $56.7M for R&D in physical sciences

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $56,722,446 ($56.7M)

Contractor: California Institute of Technology

Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Start Date: 2015-11-13

End Date: 2020-07-30

Contract Duration: 1,721 days

Daily Burn Rate: $33.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF PSYCHE: JOURNEY TO A METAL WORLD 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: JPLS 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 NASAS 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 $56.7 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF PSYCHE: JOURNEY TO A METAL WORLD 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 RELATIO… Key points: 1. Contract supports NASA's Science Mission Directorate across Earth, planetary, and heliophysics. 2. Focuses on research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 3. Operates as a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC). 4. Contract duration spans over 1700 days. 5. Work is performed in California, a hub for aerospace and technology. 6. Contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, allowing for cost reimbursement plus a fixed fee.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

This contract represents a significant investment in scientific research and development, aligning with NASA's strategic goals. While specific value-for-money metrics are not directly available for FFRDC operations, the sustained funding indicates perceived value. Benchmarking against similar large-scale R&D contracts is challenging due to the unique nature of FFRDCs. The fixed fee component provides some cost control for NASA.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract is sole-source, awarded to the California Institute of Technology for the operation of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), a designated FFRDC. FFRDCs are typically established with a single contractor due to their specialized nature and long-term strategic importance. This approach ensures continuity and deep expertise but limits opportunities for competitive bidding.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards for FFRDCs are common and accepted due to their unique mission and established infrastructure. Taxpayers benefit from the specialized capabilities and long-term research focus that a competitive process might disrupt.

Public Impact

Benefits NASA's Science Mission Directorate by enabling cutting-edge research. Delivers advancements in Earth science, planetary science, and heliophysics. Impacts scientific understanding and technological innovation. Supports a highly skilled workforce in scientific research and engineering. Primarily benefits the scientific community and the public through knowledge advancement.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

• Potential for cost overruns inherent in Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts.
• Reliance on a single entity (JPL) for critical research functions.

Positive Signals

• Long-standing relationship between NASA and Caltech/JPL ensures continuity.
• JPL's established expertise in space exploration and research.
• FFRDC designation provides a stable framework for critical national research.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The aerospace and defense industry, where JPL operates, is characterized by high R&D investment and long development cycles. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the unique FFRDC structure and mission scope, but NASA's overall R&D budget provides a broader context.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have specific small business set-aside provisions. As an FFRDC operated by a large educational institution, the primary focus is on the core research mission. Subcontracting opportunities may exist but are not explicitly detailed in the provided data. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely indirect, through potential innovation spin-offs or partnerships.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) through its Management Office. As an FFRDC, JPL operates under specific government oversight frameworks designed to ensure accountability and alignment with national research objectives. Transparency is facilitated through NASA's reporting requirements and public dissemination of research findings.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

• Cost Overrun Risk (CPFF)
• Limited Competition Risk (Sole Source FFRDC)
• Research Uncertainty Risk

Tags

nasa, caltech, jpl, research-and-development, physical-sciences, engineering, life-sciences, cost-plus-fixed-fee, sole-source, ffrdc, california, space-exploration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $56.7 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. IGF::CL::IGF PSYCHE: JOURNEY TO A METAL WORLD 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 $56.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2015-11-13. End: 2020-07-30.

What is the historical spending trend for this contract or similar FFRDC agreements with JPL?

The provided data reflects a single contract award from 2015 to 2020 with a value of $56.7 million. To assess historical spending trends, one would need to examine prior and subsequent contract periods for JPL's operation as an FFRDC. FFRDCs typically involve long-term, multi-year agreements. Analyzing the total obligated amounts and period of performance across multiple contracts would reveal spending patterns and potential increases or decreases in investment over time. Without access to a broader contract history, a comprehensive trend analysis is not possible from this single data point.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure compare to other contract types used for large-scale R&D projects?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type reimburses the contractor for allowable costs incurred, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. This structure is common for R&D where the scope and final costs are uncertain. Compared to Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contracts, CPFF offers more flexibility for the contractor to adapt to unforeseen technical challenges without jeopardizing project completion, while FFP provides greater cost certainty for the government. Cost-Plus-Incentive-Fee (CPIF) contracts, another alternative, offer shared cost savings or target cost overruns, incentivizing efficiency more directly than CPFF. For long-term, complex R&D like that undertaken by JPL, CPFF provides a balance between flexibility and cost control.

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

Specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract are not detailed in the provided data. However, for FFRDCs like JPL, performance is typically evaluated based on adherence to scientific objectives outlined in task orders, successful completion of research milestones, scientific and technological advancements achieved, timely delivery of research findings, and effective management of resources. NASA's Contracting Officer and the NASA Management Office would monitor JPL's progress against established project plans, scientific goals, and budgetary constraints. Regular reviews, technical assessments, and peer evaluations of research output are standard mechanisms for performance assessment.

What is the risk profile associated with this contract, considering its sole-source nature and R&D focus?

The primary risks associated with this sole-source R&D contract include potential cost overruns, as the CPFF structure allows for reimbursement of actual costs, and the inherent uncertainties in research and development can lead to unexpected expenses. The sole-source nature, while necessary for FFRDC continuity, eliminates competitive pressure that could drive down costs or spur innovation. There's also a risk of technological obsolescence or research not yielding the desired outcomes. Mitigating these risks involves robust government oversight, clear performance metrics, and regular reviews of progress and expenditures to ensure alignment with NASA's strategic objectives.

How does this contract contribute to NASA's broader strategic goals in space exploration and scientific discovery?

This contract is fundamental to NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) and its overarching goals. By funding the operation of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), NASA ensures continued expertise and infrastructure for critical research in Earth science, planetary science, and heliophysics. JPL's work under this agreement directly supports NASA's objectives for understanding our planet, exploring the solar system, and advancing fundamental scientific knowledge. The research conducted contributes to mission planning, technological development for future space missions, and the dissemination of scientific findings that benefit humanity.

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: $125,124,785

Exercised Options: $125,124,785

Current Obligation: $56,722,446

Actual Outlays: $137,991

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: 2015-11-13

Current End Date: 2020-07-30

Potential End Date: 2020-07-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2024-06-07

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