Trending Now - NASA Seeks Bidders for Jet Propulsion Laboratory Management
WHO:
Los Angeles Times - Caltech President Thomas F. Rosenbaum and JPL Director Dave Gallagher stated that they have a team in place “to ensure we are positioned for success” in the bidding process.
Engadget - NASA is seeking bidders for the management of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).
NASA - The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) has managed the JPL since its inception.
WHAT:
Los Angeles Times - The contract for management and operation of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory will be opened up to a competitive bidding process for the first time in its history.
NASA - The current contract with Caltech began Oct. 1, 2018, and runs through Sept. 30, 2028, with a potential maximum value of $30 billion, if all options are exercised.
NASA - NASA has initiated the procurement process to compete the contract, allowing sufficient time for a comprehensive competition and award cycle while maintaining continuity for ongoing missions and laboratory operations.
NASA - NASA announced plans to compete the next contract for managing and operating the JPL.
NASA - The current contract with Caltech ends in 2028.
WHERE:
NASA - The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is located in Southern California.
WHEN:
NASA - The next contract for JPL management is set to be competed before the current contract ends in 2028.
WHY:
Los Angeles Times - NASA stated that the rapid growth of the U.S. space economy indicates there may now be a viable competitive market for programmatic and institutional elements.
NASA - The decision to compete this contract reflects NASA’s commitment to strong stewardship of taxpayer resources and positions Jet Propulsion Laboratory to continue driving world-changing scientific discovery and technological innovation for decades to come.
NASA - The competition for the contract aims to ensure continued accountability and strong value for U.S. taxpayers.
HOW:
NASA Watch - NASA's decision to compete the contract is part of a broader governmentwide and agency effort to find efficiencies, strengthen performance, and drive mission outcomes faster and more affordably.
NASA - NASA is opening up bids for the management of the federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) at JPL.
(UPDATED May 23, 2026 06:01 UTC)
NASA is opening the contract for the management and operation of its Jet Propulsion Laboratory to a competitive bidding process for the first time in history. Caltech President Thomas F. Rosenbaum and JPL Director Dave Gallagher have announced that they have assembled a team to ensure they are well-positioned for success in this bidding process. This decision comes as part of a broader effort by the government to find efficiencies and strengthen performance in light of the rapid growth of the U.S. space economy.
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(UPDATED May 22, 2026 23:20 UTC)
NASA has kicked off the procurement process to compete a significant contract with Caltech, which began on October 1, 2018, and runs through September 30, 2028, potentially worth up to $30 billion if all options are exercised. This move is aimed at ensuring a thorough competition while maintaining continuity for ongoing missions and laboratory operations. The decision underscores NASA's dedication to responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources and aims to keep the Jet Propulsion Laboratory at the forefront of scientific discovery and technological innovation for years to come.
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(UPDATED May 22, 2026 19:31 UTC)
NASA is opening up bids for the management of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which has been under the oversight of the California Institute of Technology since it was established. The current contract with Caltech is set to expire in 2028, and NASA plans to complete the bidding process before that deadline to ensure continued accountability and value for U.S. taxpayers. This federally funded research and development center is located in Southern California and plays a crucial role in NASA's mission.