NASA awards $470M for Technology Support to California Institute of Technology, a sole-source R&D contract
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $469,571,204 ($469.6M)
Contractor: California Institute of Technology
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2007-02-07
End Date: 2012-09-30
Contract Duration: 2,062 days
Daily Burn Rate: $227.7K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 51
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT (AGA)
Place of Performance
Location: PASADENA, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91125
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $469.6 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT (AGA) Key points: 1. Significant R&D investment in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. Sole-source award to a single, highly specialized institution. 3. Long contract duration (2007-2012) suggests complex, ongoing research needs. 4. High contract value indicates critical technological advancements are being pursued.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF), which allows for performance-based incentives. Without specific award fee data, it's difficult to assess if the full potential value was realized or if pricing was optimized.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and competition, potentially leading to higher costs than if multiple vendors had bid.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in taxpayers paying a premium for the technology support services provided.
Public Impact
Advancements in physical, engineering, and life sciences research could lead to significant technological breakthroughs. The long-term nature of the contract suggests a sustained focus on critical research areas. Funding a single institution for such a large sum raises questions about broader economic impact and potential for wider innovation.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Sole-source award
- Cost Plus Award Fee contract type
Positive Signals
- Award to a reputable research institution
- Focus on critical R&D areas
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for innovation but requires careful oversight to ensure value for money.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to the California Institute of Technology, a large research institution, and there is no indication of small business participation. This suggests the focus was on specialized capabilities rather than broad market engagement.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure the contractor is meeting performance objectives and that costs are reasonable. NASA's internal review processes would be critical here.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Cost Plus Award Fee can lead to cost escalation if not managed tightly.
- Long contract duration may indicate potential for scope creep.
- Lack of small business participation.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, ca, delivery-order, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $469.6 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT (AGA)
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 $469.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-02-07. End: 2012-09-30.
What specific technological advancements were achieved through this $470M investment, and how did they benefit NASA's mission?
The contract focused on Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Specific advancements would likely be proprietary or mission-specific, detailed in NASA's internal project reports. The benefit would be measured by the successful application of these advancements to NASA's scientific and operational goals, such as improved space exploration technologies, new materials, or enhanced understanding of complex systems.
Given the sole-source nature, what mechanisms were in place to ensure cost control and prevent potential overruns?
As a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract, NASA would have established specific performance metrics and award fee criteria. The 'cost plus' element means NASA reimburses allowable costs, while the 'award fee' provides an incentive for exceeding performance expectations. NASA's oversight would focus on ensuring costs were reasonable and allocable, and that the award fee structure effectively motivated the contractor.
How does the $470M expenditure compare to similar R&D investments in physical, engineering, and life sciences at other federal agencies or institutions?
Benchmarking this $470M expenditure requires comparing it to other large-scale R&D contracts within similar scientific domains across agencies like NSF, NIH, or DoD. Factors like the specific research focus, duration, and institutional overhead would influence comparability. Without detailed project scope, a direct comparison is challenging, but the amount suggests a significant, long-term strategic investment.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 51
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 4800 OAK GROVE DR, PASADENA, CA, 91109
Business Categories: Category Business, Government, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $493,926,045
Exercised Options: $493,926,045
Current Obligation: $469,571,204
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NAS703001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-02-07
Current End Date: 2012-09-30
Potential End Date: 2012-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-08-05
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