DoD Awards $16.8M to JHU/APL for Space Warfighting Analysis Support
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $16,812,184 ($16.8M)
Contractor: THE Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2025-04-15
End Date: 2029-04-14
Contract Duration: 1,460 days
Daily Burn Rate: $11.5K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: JHU/APL SHALL PROVIDE A BROAD RANGE OF EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE TO ACCOMPLISH TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND ADVISORY SERVICES TO ASSIST THE SPACE WARFIGHTING ANALYSIS CENTER AND ITS MISSION AREAS.
Place of Performance
Location: LAUREL, HOWARD County, MARYLAND, 20723
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $16.8 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC for work described as: JHU/APL SHALL PROVIDE A BROAD RANGE OF EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE TO ACCOMPLISH TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND ADVISORY SERVICES TO ASSIST THE SPACE WARFIGHTING ANALYSIS CENTER AND ITS MISSION AREAS. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical Space Warfighting Analysis Center support. 2. JHU/APL, a well-established research institution, is the awardee. 3. High risk due to sole-source nature and potential for cost overruns. 4. Spending falls within the R&D sector, specifically physical and engineering sciences.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type for R&D services can lead to higher costs if not carefully managed. Benchmarking is difficult without specific task details, but the award amount suggests a significant scope.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, raising concerns about price discovery and whether the government received the best possible value. A sole-source award limits opportunities for other qualified contractors to compete.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for these specialized services.
Public Impact
Enhances critical space warfighting capabilities for national security. Supports advanced research and development in a key strategic domain. Potential for innovation in space-based defense technologies. Long-term contract (4 years) indicates sustained need for expertise.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and price negotiation.
- Cost-plus contract type can incentivize higher spending.
- Lack of detailed tasking makes value assessment difficult.
- Potential for scope creep in R&D services.
Positive Signals
- Award to a reputable institution (JHU/APL) with relevant expertise.
- Addresses a critical national security need in space warfare.
- Long-term engagement allows for deep understanding of mission requirements.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is crucial for maintaining technological superiority, but often involves higher risk and less predictable outcomes compared to other sectors.
Small Business Impact
The awardee, JHU/APL, is a large research institution. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses in the provided data, which is common for sole-source R&D contracts.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure the contractor is performing efficiently and that costs are reasonable. The Department of Defense should actively monitor task execution and expenditures.
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
- Sole-source award
- Cost-plus contract type
- Lack of detailed tasking
- Potential for cost overruns
- Limited transparency on pricing justification
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 $16.8 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC. JHU/APL SHALL PROVIDE A BROAD RANGE OF EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE TO ACCOMPLISH TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND ADVISORY SERVICES TO ASSIST THE SPACE WARFIGHTING ANALYSIS CENTER AND ITS MISSION AREAS.
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 $16.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-04-15. End: 2029-04-14.
What specific technical support and advisory services will JHU/APL provide to the Space Warfighting Analysis Center, and how do these align with the center's core mission objectives?
The contract broadly states 'technical support and advisory services' for the Space Warfighting Analysis Center's mission areas. Specific deliverables and the precise nature of the advisory role are not detailed. This support likely involves strategic analysis, threat assessment, and technology evaluation related to space-based military operations, aiming to enhance decision-making and operational effectiveness in the space domain.
Given the sole-source nature of this award, what mechanisms are in place to ensure JHU/APL's pricing remains competitive and represents fair value for the taxpayer?
While a sole-source award bypasses traditional competitive bidding, the government should still employ robust price analysis techniques. This includes reviewing JHU/APL's cost proposals, comparing them to historical data for similar services, and potentially negotiating profit margins. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure means the government pays costs plus a predetermined fee, requiring careful monitoring of incurred costs to prevent overruns.
How will the effectiveness of JHU/APL's contributions to the Space Warfighting Analysis Center be measured, particularly given the R&D focus and the long-term nature of the contract?
Effectiveness will likely be measured through performance metrics tied to specific deliverables, milestones, and the impact of their analyses on strategic decisions. For R&D, success can be harder to quantify than for product delivery. Key performance indicators might include the quality and timeliness of advisory reports, the successful development of analytical tools, and demonstrable improvements in the Space Warfighting Analysis Center's understanding and capabilities.
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 › C – National Defense 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, Educational Institution, Higher Education, Limited Liability Corporation, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Private), Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $71,999,871
Exercised Options: $34,506,765
Current Obligation: $16,812,184
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA881924DB002
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-04-15
Current End Date: 2029-04-14
Potential End Date: 2029-04-14 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-13
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