NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory contract with Caltech for deep space optical communications totals over $23.7 million

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,777,325 ($23.8M)

Contractor: California Institute of Technology

Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Start Date: 2016-10-26

End Date: 2022-09-25

Contract Duration: 2,160 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF DEEP SPACE OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS (DSOC) FLIGHT TERMINAL PROJECT (94-700037) 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 $23.8 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF DEEP SPACE OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS (DSOC) FLIGHT TERMINAL PROJECT (94-700037) THE CONTRACT IS THE SPONSORING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION NASA AND THE CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY-CONTRACTOR, A PRIVATE NONPROFIT EDUCATIONA… Key points: 1. Contract supports NASA's Science Mission Directorate, focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences research. 2. The agreement establishes JPL as a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC). 3. Work is performed under task orders issued by the NASA Management Office. 4. Contract duration spans nearly six years, from October 2016 to September 2022. 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: good

This contract represents a significant investment in advanced space communication technology. While specific performance metrics are not detailed, the FFRDC model implies a long-term strategic partnership. Benchmarking the value is challenging due to the unique nature of FFRDC operations and specialized research. However, the total award of over $23.7 million over six years suggests a substantial commitment to the DSOC project.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, as it establishes the foundational agreement for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to operate as a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) for NASA. JPL, managed by the California Institute of Technology, is a unique entity with a specific charter to support NASA's research objectives. This sole-source nature is typical for FFRDC agreements, which are established through strategic partnerships rather than competitive bidding for specific tasks.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, the sole-source nature means that direct price competition was not leveraged to potentially reduce costs. However, the FFRDC model is intended to provide long-term, dedicated research capabilities that might not be achievable through traditional competitive contracting.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are NASA and the scientific community, through advancements in deep space optical communications. This contract enables critical research and development for future space exploration missions. The work supports NASA's Science Mission Directorate's objectives in physical, engineering, and life sciences. Geographic impact is national, with research conducted at JPL in California, benefiting U.S. space program capabilities. Workforce implications include highly skilled scientists, engineers, and technicians at JPL.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

• Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can incentivize contractors to increase costs to maximize profit if not carefully managed.
• The sole-source nature limits opportunities for broader market engagement and potential cost savings through competition.

Positive Signals

• The contract leverages the established expertise and infrastructure of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a recognized FFRDC.
• The long-term nature of the FFRDC agreement suggests a strategic alignment with NASA's long-range goals.
• The contract directly supports critical scientific research objectives outlined in NASA's Science Mission Directorate plan.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on advanced engineering and physical sciences. The market for specialized deep space communication technology is highly concentrated, with a few key players and research institutions like JPL dominating. NASA's investment in optical communications is part of a broader trend to enhance data transmission rates and capabilities for future missions, moving beyond traditional radio frequencies. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the unique FFRDC structure and the cutting-edge nature of the technology.

Small Business Impact

This contract did not involve small business set-asides, which is typical for FFRDC agreements where the primary contractor is a large, established research institution. There is no indication of subcontracting requirements specifically aimed at small businesses within the provided data. The focus is on leveraging JPL's unique capabilities rather than distributing work through competitive subcontracting mechanisms.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is provided by the NASA Management Office (NMO) through the issuance of task orders. As an FFRDC, JPL operates under specific agreements and oversight from its sponsoring agency (NASA). Accountability is managed through the task order process and the overall FFRDC charter. Transparency is facilitated by NASA's public reporting on its contracts and research initiatives, though specific details of internal JPL operations may be less public.

Related Government Programs

• NASA Science Mission Directorate Programs
• Jet Propulsion Laboratory Operations
• Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs)
• Deep Space Network
• Optical Communications Research

Risk Flags

• Sole-source award
• Cost-plus contract type
• FFRDC management agreement

Tags

research-and-development, nasa, california, sole-source, cost-plus-fixed-fee, ffrdc, space-technology, deep-space-communication, caltech, jpl

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $23.8 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. IGF::CL::IGF DEEP SPACE OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS (DSOC) FLIGHT TERMINAL PROJECT (94-700037) 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 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 $23.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-10-26. End: 2022-09-25.

What is the specific role and track record of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in managing the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) for NASA?

The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) has managed the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) for NASA since its inception in 1943. JPL operates as a unique Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) under NASA's sponsorship. Caltech's track record in this role is extensive, marked by decades of successful management of complex space missions, including planetary exploration, Earth science, and space astronomy. JPL, under Caltech's stewardship, has been responsible for iconic missions like the Voyager probes, the Mars rovers (Spirit, Opportunity, Curiosity, Perseverance), the Hubble Space Telescope servicing missions, and the Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn. This long history demonstrates a deep capability in scientific research, engineering innovation, and project management, making Caltech a trusted partner for NASA's most ambitious endeavors.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract structure compare to other contract types in terms of value for money for R&D projects like this?

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts are common for research and development (R&D) projects where the scope of work can be uncertain or evolve significantly. In this structure, the contractor (JPL) is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a fixed fee representing profit. While CPFF provides flexibility for R&D, it can present challenges for value-for-money assessments compared to fixed-price contracts. The primary risk lies in potential cost overruns, as the contractor is incentivized to incur costs to achieve the project goals, with profit remaining constant. However, for highly specialized R&D like deep space optical communications, where innovation and exploration of unknowns are paramount, CPFF can be more appropriate than fixed-price contracts, which might stifle creativity or lead to unrealistic initial cost estimates. NASA's oversight and rigorous auditing of costs are crucial to ensuring value under a CPFF arrangement.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, considering it's a sole-source FFRDC agreement?

The primary risks associated with this sole-source FFRDC agreement stem from the inherent nature of such arrangements. Firstly, the lack of competition means that taxpayers do not benefit from price discovery through a bidding process, potentially leading to higher costs than if the work were competed. Secondly, sole-source contracts can sometimes lead to complacency or reduced urgency from the contractor, as there is no direct competitive pressure to innovate or improve efficiency. Thirdly, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure, while suitable for R&D, carries the risk of cost overruns if not meticulously managed and overseen by the procuring agency. Finally, the specialized nature of FFRDCs means that if performance issues arise, transitioning the work to another entity could be extremely difficult and costly due to unique knowledge, facilities, and personnel.

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

This contract is instrumental in advancing NASA's strategic goals by focusing on the development of Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC). Optical communications offer significantly higher bandwidth compared to traditional radio frequency systems, which is crucial for transmitting the vast amounts of data generated by increasingly sophisticated scientific instruments on deep space missions. Enhanced communication capabilities enable faster data return, higher-resolution imagery, and more complex scientific analyses, ultimately accelerating the pace of discovery. By investing in DSOC through a dedicated FFRDC like JPL, NASA is positioning itself at the forefront of communication technology, ensuring that future missions to Mars, the outer planets, and beyond will have the necessary infrastructure to support their ambitious scientific objectives and data return requirements.

What are the historical spending patterns for FFRDCs managed by NASA, and how does this contract compare?

NASA's historical spending on FFRDCs, primarily JPL managed by Caltech and the NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) managed by various institutions over time, has been substantial and relatively consistent, reflecting their critical role in supporting agency research and development. JPL, in particular, receives significant annual funding for its operations and mission support, often in the range of billions of dollars when considering all its projects and task orders. This specific contract, totaling over $23.7 million over six years, represents a focused investment within the broader JPL portfolio, specifically targeting the DSOC project. While not a massive standalone figure compared to the total FFRDC budget, it signifies a dedicated allocation towards a key technological advancement. Historical patterns show NASA relies heavily on FFRDCs for specialized, long-term R&D that requires unique expertise and infrastructure not readily available in the commercial sector.

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: $82,620,449

Exercised Options: $82,620,449

Current Obligation: $23,777,325

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: 2016-10-26

Current End Date: 2022-09-25

Potential End Date: 2022-09-25 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2024-09-03

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