NASA to Open JPL Operations Contract for Competition for First Time in Nearly 90 Years
Summary: NASA announced on May 22, 2026 that it will open to competitive bidding the contract to operate the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) for the first time in the lab's nearly 90-year history. Caltech's current agreement expires September 30, 2028. NASA also announced a broader agency realignment, including mission directorate restructuring and leadership changes, aimed at accelerating the Artemis lunar return program.
Background on JPL Contract Competition
JPL is a key NASA center managing numerous deep space missions including Mars rovers. As a Federal Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC), JPL plays a central role in NASA's deep space exploration portfolio.
In a statement, NASA said: "As an FFRDC, JPL operates under a special contractual and governance framework designed to ensure that its work is performed in the public interest and aligned with national priorities. Opening the competition will provide NASA with more options to better achieve national space goals."
This marks the first potential change in JPL's governance since its founding in the 1930s. Caltech and JPL have been deeply intertwined, with personnel collaborating across mission management, science, and leadership.
Agency Realignment and Leadership Changes
Beyond the JPL competition, NASA announced a broader set of organizational changes:
- Mission Directorate Restructuring: The Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD) will be streamlined to accelerate Artemis
- New Leadership Appointments:
- John Bailey: Associate Administrator, Mission Support Directorate
- Jamie Dunn: Director, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
- Lori Glaze: Associate Administrator, Planetary Science Division
- Adam Steltzner: Chief Engineer for Special Projects at NASA (previously JPL's Chief Engineer, famed for the Curiosity rover's sky crane landing in 2012)
Implications for Artemis
NASA says the realignment aims to focus resources on the most pressing objectives only NASA can undertake. Artemis III and subsequent missions are expected to benefit from the new structure. However, NASA's simultaneous announcement of cuts to the Lunar Gateway space station budget has raised concerns in the industry.