NASA's $36.2M contract with Caltech for Mars rotorcraft tech development, supporting Jet Propulsion Laboratory operations

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $36,202,549 ($36.2M)

Contractor: California Institute of Technology

Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Start Date: 2016-05-23

End Date: 2020-07-31

Contract Duration: 1,530 days

Daily Burn Rate: $23.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF LEONARDO - AUTONOMOUS ROTORCRAFT FLIGHT TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION ON MARS 2020 MISSION 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 $36.2 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF LEONARDO - AUTONOMOUS ROTORCRAFT FLIGHT TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION ON MARS 2020 MISSION THE CONTRACT IS THE SPONSORING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION NASA AND THE CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY-CONTRACTOR, A PRIVATE NONPROFIT E… Key points: 1. Contract supports critical research and development for autonomous flight technology on Mars missions. 2. Value-for-money assessment is challenging due to the unique nature of FFRDC operations and R&D. 3. Competition dynamics are limited as the contract is with a non-profit educational institution managing an FFRDC. 4. Performance context involves supporting NASA's Science Mission Directorate objectives. 5. Sector positioning is within advanced aerospace R&D, specifically for planetary exploration. 6. Risk indicators include the inherent complexities of deep space missions and novel technology development.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

This contract represents a significant investment in cutting-edge aerospace technology. Benchmarking is difficult as it funds an FFRDC (JPL) operated by Caltech, a unique public-private partnership. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure implies that costs are reimbursed, with a fixed fee for profit, which is common for R&D but requires careful oversight to ensure cost efficiency. The total obligated amount of $36.2M over its period of performance suggests a substantial but not excessive investment for the scope of work.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, as it establishes the sponsoring agreement between NASA and the California Institute of Technology for the operation of the federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) known as the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). This structure is typical for FFRDCs, where a specific entity is chosen for its unique capabilities and long-standing relationship with the sponsoring agency.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the specialized expertise and infrastructure that JPL provides, enabling complex scientific missions that might not be feasible through traditional competitive contracting.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are NASA and the scientific community, gaining advanced capabilities for planetary exploration. Services delivered include research, development, and operational support for autonomous rotorcraft flight technology on Mars. Geographic impact is global in terms of scientific discovery, with specific implications for future Mars missions. Workforce implications include supporting highly skilled scientists, engineers, and technicians at JPL and NASA.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

• Potential for cost overruns in complex R&D projects.
• Reliance on a single entity (JPL) for critical FFRDC functions.
• Ensuring continued innovation and efficiency within a sole-source FFRDC relationship.

Positive Signals

• Leverages established expertise and infrastructure of JPL for critical space missions.
• Supports development of groundbreaking technology with high scientific return potential.
• Long-term strategic partnership between NASA and Caltech for space exploration.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The aerospace industry, particularly segments involved in space exploration and advanced technology development, represents a significant market. NASA's spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological leadership and achieving ambitious scientific goals. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the unique FFRDC nature of JPL's operations.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to involve small business set-asides, as it is a direct agreement with the California Institute of Technology for FFRDC operations. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist through JPL's broader procurement activities, but this specific contract's structure does not prioritize them.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is managed by the NASA Management Office (NMO) through contracting officers who issue task orders. The FFRDC structure itself implies a high degree of oversight due to the public funding and strategic importance. Transparency is generally high for NASA contracts, though specific R&D details might be proprietary or subject to national security considerations.

Related Government Programs

• Mars Exploration Program
• NASA Aeronautics Research Mission
• Jet Propulsion Laboratory Operations
• Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs)

Risk Flags

• Sole-source award for FFRDC operations.
• Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type requires diligent cost oversight.
• High-risk, high-reward nature of advanced aerospace R&D.

Tags

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $36.2 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. IGF::CL::IGF LEONARDO - AUTONOMOUS ROTORCRAFT FLIGHT TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION ON MARS 2020 MISSION 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 PERFO

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 $36.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-05-23. End: 2020-07-31.

What is the specific technological advancement targeted by this contract for Mars rotorcraft?

This contract, IGF::CL::IGF LEONARDO - AUTONOMOUS ROTORCRAFT FLIGHT TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION ON MARS 2020 MISSION, specifically aims to develop and demonstrate autonomous rotorcraft flight technology for use on Mars. This includes advancements in navigation, control systems, power management, and communication necessary for a rotorcraft to operate effectively in the thin Martian atmosphere. The goal is to enable capabilities like aerial reconnaissance, sample collection, and deployment of other assets, significantly enhancing the scope and efficiency of Mars exploration missions. The 'Leonardo' designation likely refers to a specific project or phase within this broader objective.

How does the FFRDC structure at JPL influence the cost and efficiency of this contract compared to traditional contracting?

The FFRDC structure, with JPL operated by Caltech, provides NASA with a dedicated, long-term research and development partner possessing specialized expertise and infrastructure. This can lead to greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness for highly complex, long-term R&D projects like advanced Mars technology, as it avoids the overhead and potential knowledge loss associated with repeatedly re-competing such specialized work. However, the 'cost-plus-fixed-fee' (CPFF) payment structure, while common for R&D, requires robust oversight to manage costs effectively. Unlike traditional contracts that might focus on specific deliverables, FFRDCs are designed for ongoing strategic support, making direct cost comparisons challenging.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or milestones associated with this contract?

While the provided data does not detail specific KPIs or milestones, contracts of this nature typically involve phased objectives. These would likely include successful design and simulation of autonomous flight systems, ground-based testing of critical components, integration of systems, and ultimately, demonstration of key flight capabilities in relevant simulated or actual environments. For a Mars mission context, milestones would culminate in the successful execution of flight tests that meet predefined performance criteria for stability, maneuverability, navigation accuracy, and operational duration within the Martian atmospheric conditions. NASA's Science Mission Directorate would set the overarching scientific and technical goals.

What is the historical spending trend for similar R&D contracts related to planetary exploration technology at NASA?

NASA's historical spending on planetary exploration R&D has been substantial and generally increasing, driven by ambitious missions like Mars exploration, outer planet probes, and asteroid sample return. While specific figures for 'autonomous rotorcraft flight technology' are not readily available as a distinct category, overall R&D investments in areas such as advanced propulsion, robotics, materials science, and autonomous systems for space applications have seen significant allocations. The budget for the Mars Exploration Program, for instance, consistently represents a major portion of NASA's science budget. This $36.2M contract is consistent with the scale of investment required for developing novel, high-risk, high-reward technologies essential for future deep-space missions.

What are the potential risks associated with developing autonomous flight technology for Mars, and how are they mitigated?

Developing autonomous flight technology for Mars presents significant risks, including the harsh Martian environment (thin atmosphere, dust storms, extreme temperatures), communication delays (light-time lag), the complexity of autonomous decision-making, and the potential for hardware failures in an environment where repair is impossible. Mitigation strategies involve rigorous testing in simulated Martian conditions, redundancy in critical systems, advanced fault detection and recovery algorithms, robust software verification and validation, and careful design choices to maximize reliability. The FFRDC structure itself, with JPL's extensive experience, aids in identifying and mitigating these risks through iterative design and testing processes.

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: $44,999,999

Exercised Options: $44,999,999

Current Obligation: $36,202,549

Actual Outlays: $-24,659

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: 2016-05-23

Current End Date: 2020-07-31

Potential End Date: 2020-07-31 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2024-09-03

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