NASA & Space Contracts Intelligence — April 22, 2026

California Institute of Technology, a tax-exempt nonprofit, received the full $90,812,821 obligation for MAIA project R&D, with no direct public equity exposure despite $60.9M outlayed and potential to $101.5M.

$60,980,603 already outlayed on Caltech's $90.8M NASA MAIA delivery order through 2028-09-30, with low pricing risk but dependency on option exercises for full $101.5M value.

Uncompeted cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order to Caltech signals unknown competition dynamics for MAIA project R&D.

Multi-year NASA funding to California Institute of Technology for MAIA aerosols imaging R&D, with $29.8M remaining obligation and options to $101.5M.

NASA's $90,812,821 uncompeted delivery order to California Institute of Technology supports MAIA project through 2028, with $60.9M outlayed emphasizing stable civilian funding for aerosols imaging under NAICS 541715.

{"entity"=>"California Institute of Technology", "reason"=>"$90.8M NASA MAIA obligation with $60.9M outlayed; tracks remaining funding and full project execution.", "trigger"=>"outlay progress beyond $60,980,603; option exercise to $101,500,658; 2028-09-30 performance"}

{"entity"=>"NASA space R&D sector", "reason"=>"Single uncompeted award highlights JPL reliance on nonprofits for physical/engineering sciences R&D.", "trigger"=>"re-compete post-2028 or similar MAIA follow-ons"}