DoD Awards $503.9M R&D Contract to Johns Hopkins APL for Air Warfare Systems
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $5,039,360 ($5.0M)
Contractor: THE Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2022-02-01
End Date: 2026-01-31
Contract Duration: 1,460 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.5K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: AIR WARFARE SYSTEMS
Place of Performance
Location: LAUREL, HOWARD County, MARYLAND, 20723
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $5.0 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC for work described as: AIR WARFARE SYSTEMS Key points: 1. Significant investment in advanced air warfare research. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and price discovery. 3. Potential for high impact on national security capabilities. 4. Research and Development sector, specifically physical and engineering sciences.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. Benchmarking is difficult without comparable sole-source contracts.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This was a sole-source award, meaning there was no open competition. This limits price discovery and may not result in the most cost-effective outcome for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the lack of competitive bidding.
Public Impact
Enhances national defense capabilities in air warfare. Supports cutting-edge research and development in a critical sector. Potential for technological advancements with broad defense applications.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Cost-plus contract type can inflate costs.
- Lack of transparency in pricing.
Positive Signals
- Addresses critical national security needs.
- Leverages expertise of a reputable research institution.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority but requires careful oversight to ensure value.
Small Business Impact
The awardee is The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC, a large research institution. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific contract.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure the contractor is performing efficiently and that costs are reasonable. Robust monitoring of deliverables and expenditures is essential.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for cost overruns
- Limited transparency in pricing
- Contract type may not incentivize cost control
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, md, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $5.0 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC. AIR WARFARE SYSTEMS
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: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $5.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-02-01. End: 2026-01-31.
What is the justification for the sole-source award, and how was the fixed fee determined to ensure fair pricing?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities or critical national security needs that only one entity can fulfill. The fixed fee in a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract is negotiated upfront and represents the contractor's profit. Determining this fee fairly requires detailed cost analysis, benchmarking against similar services (if available), and negotiation based on the complexity and risk involved in the research and development effort.
What are the potential risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract for advanced R&D, and how are they mitigated?
The primary risk is that the contractor may not be incentivized to control costs rigorously, as the government covers all allowable costs plus a fixed fee. Mitigation strategies include strong government oversight, detailed cost accounting standards, performance metrics, and clear definition of allowable costs. Regular audits and reviews are crucial to ensure efficiency and prevent cost overruns.
How will the effectiveness of the research and development be measured to ensure taxpayer value is achieved?
Effectiveness will be measured through defined milestones, deliverables, technical reviews, and performance metrics outlined in the contract. The Air Force will likely assess the progress towards achieving specific air warfare system capabilities, the novelty of the research, and its potential impact on future defense technologies. Regular reporting and evaluation against these criteria will determine the overall success and value for taxpayers.
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: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D
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: $7,419,476
Exercised Options: $5,041,560
Current Obligation: $5,039,360
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $57,845
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA865620D0005
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-02-01
Current End Date: 2026-01-31
Potential End Date: 2026-01-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-05
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