DoD Awards $26.75M for R&D to Johns Hopkins APL, Lacking Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $26,750,000 ($26.8M)
Contractor: THE Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2021-08-31
End Date: 2025-05-10
Contract Duration: 1,348 days
Daily Burn Rate: $19.8K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: PROGRAM TECHNICAL DIRECTION AGENT II
Place of Performance
Location: LAUREL, HOWARD County, MARYLAND, 20723
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $26.8 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC for work described as: PROGRAM TECHNICAL DIRECTION AGENT II Key points: 1. Significant R&D investment in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. Sole-source award to a well-established research institution. 3. Long contract duration raises questions about ongoing need and flexibility. 4. Potential for cost overruns given the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $26.75M over approximately 3.7 years is substantial. Without competitive benchmarking, it's difficult to assess if this represents fair pricing for the services provided, especially given the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and may result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitive procurement.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for a contract of this size means taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible value, potentially leading to inflated costs.
Public Impact
Supports advanced research and development critical to national security. Investment in a single, highly specialized research institution. Potential for breakthroughs in physical, engineering, and life sciences. Long-term commitment may indicate a critical, ongoing need for these specific R&D capabilities.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
- Long contract duration
Positive Signals
- Award to a reputable research institution
- Supports critical R&D
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Federal R&D spending is a significant portion of the budget, with specific benchmarks varying widely by agency and research area.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC, which is not a small business. There is no indication of small business subcontracting goals or participation in this award.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure the contractor is performing effectively and that costs are reasonable and allocable. The long duration also necessitates regular reviews.
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 competitive bidding
- Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF structure
- Limited transparency on sole-source justification
- Long contract duration may not reflect evolving needs
- No indication of small business participation
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, md, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $26.8 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC. PROGRAM TECHNICAL DIRECTION AGENT II
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 $26.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-08-31. End: 2025-05-10.
What specific R&D objectives does this contract aim to achieve, and how do they align with current DoD priorities?
The contract is for 'PROGRAM TECHNICAL DIRECTION AGENT II' and falls under R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences. Without further details on the specific program, it's challenging to assess its alignment with current DoD priorities. However, the long duration and sole-source award suggest a critical, ongoing need for specialized technical direction in these fields, likely supporting advanced defense capabilities or scientific exploration.
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 is not provided in the data. Typically, sole-source procurements are used when only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services. Steps to ensure fair and reasonable pricing in such cases often involve detailed cost analyses, comparison to historical data, or independent government cost estimates, though the effectiveness of these measures is harder to verify without competition.
How will the effectiveness of the R&D outcomes be measured, and what mechanisms are in place to ensure accountability for taxpayer funds?
Effectiveness is typically measured through defined milestones, deliverables, and performance metrics outlined in the contract's Statement of Work. Accountability for taxpayer funds under a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract relies on robust government oversight, auditing of costs, and performance reviews to ensure the contractor is meeting objectives and managing resources efficiently. The long duration necessitates continuous monitoring.
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: $26,750,000
Exercised Options: $26,750,000
Current Obligation: $26,750,000
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 8
Total Subaward Amount: $673,770
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA881918D0009
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-08-31
Current End Date: 2025-05-10
Potential End Date: 2025-05-10 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2024-05-01
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