NASA's $29.2M Lunar Surface Innovation Initiative Awarded to JHU APL for R&D
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $29,196,000 ($29.2M)
Contractor: THE Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2021-03-08
End Date: 2025-01-10
Contract Duration: 1,404 days
Daily Burn Rate: $20.8K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: LUNAR SURFACE INNOVATION INITIATIVE (LSII)
Place of Performance
Location: LAUREL, HOWARD County, MARYLAND, 20723
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $29.2 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC for work described as: LUNAR SURFACE INNOVATION INITIATIVE (LSII) Key points: 1. The award focuses on research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. This is a sole-source contract, indicating limited competition. 3. The contract duration is substantial at 1404 days. 4. The primary agency is NASA, with JHU APL as the contractor.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking is difficult without specific deliverables and comparable contracts.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, meaning there was no open bidding process. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in a higher cost to taxpayers compared to a fully competed contract.
Public Impact
Advancement of lunar surface technologies could support future space exploration missions. Investment in R&D may lead to unforeseen technological breakthroughs with broader applications. The focus on the physical, engineering, and life sciences suggests potential for innovation in materials, energy, and life support systems for space.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
Positive Signals
- Supports critical R&D for space exploration
- Long-term contract duration allows for sustained innovation
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. NASA's R&D spending is significant, often involving large, complex contracts for scientific advancement and technological development.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded to The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC, which is not typically considered a small business. There is no indication of small business subcontracting goals.
Oversight & Accountability
NASA's internal oversight mechanisms and the fixed-fee component of the contract are intended to provide some level of accountability. However, the sole-source nature warrants close monitoring of expenditures and progress.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize cost overruns
- Lack of transparency in R&D specific objectives
- Potential for higher taxpayer cost due to non-competed nature
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, md, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $29.2 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC. LUNAR SURFACE INNOVATION INITIATIVE (LSII)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC.
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 $29.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-03-08. End: 2025-01-10.
What specific lunar surface innovations are being pursued, and how do they align with NASA's long-term strategic goals?
The contract aims to advance technologies for the lunar surface, likely encompassing areas such as power generation, resource utilization, habitat construction, and scientific instrumentation. These innovations are crucial for enabling sustained human presence on the Moon, supporting scientific research, and potentially paving the way for Mars missions. The specific alignment would depend on the detailed project objectives within the LSII.
What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and what steps were taken to ensure fair and reasonable pricing?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, specialized knowledge, or urgent needs that only a specific entity can fulfill. For this contract, it's likely that JHU APL possesses unique expertise or prior work directly relevant to the LSII's objectives. NASA would have conducted a price analysis based on historical data, labor rates, and material costs to ensure the pricing was fair and reasonable, despite the lack of direct competition.
How will the effectiveness of the R&D outcomes be measured, and what are the key performance indicators for this contract?
Effectiveness will likely be measured through the successful development and demonstration of specific lunar surface technologies, adherence to technical milestones, and achievement of defined performance metrics for the innovations. Key performance indicators could include the efficiency of developed systems, durability in simulated lunar environments, and successful integration into broader mission architectures. Regular technical reviews and progress reports will be critical for assessing effectiveness.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and 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: 11100 JOHNS HOPKINS RD, LAUREL, MD, 20723
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $33,760,094
Exercised Options: $33,760,094
Current Obligation: $29,196,000
Actual Outlays: $29,034,245
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 7
Total Subaward Amount: $1,300,915
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80MSFC20D0004
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-03-08
Current End Date: 2025-01-10
Potential End Date: 2025-01-10 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2024-12-12
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