JHU Applied Physics Lab awarded $11.9M for JIAMD advanced development and analysis
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $11,869,920 ($11.9M)
Contractor: THE Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2025-06-24
End Date: 2026-06-23
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $32.6K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: JOINT INTEGRATED AIR AND MISSILE DEFENSE ORGANIZATION ADVANCED DEVELOPMENT AND ANALYSIS
Place of Performance
Location: LAUREL, HOWARD County, MARYLAND, 20723
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $11.9 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC for work described as: JOINT INTEGRATED AIR AND MISSILE DEFENSE ORGANIZATION ADVANCED DEVELOPMENT AND ANALYSIS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single entity, raising questions about competitive pricing. 2. Focus on advanced development and analysis suggests a need for specialized expertise. 3. The contract duration of one year indicates a short-term need or phased approach. 4. Performance is located in Maryland, a hub for defense and research activities. 5. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure incentivizes cost control while allowing for flexibility. 6. This award falls under Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's value of approximately $11.9 million for a one-year period for advanced development and analysis appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the work. However, without comparable contract data for similar advanced development and analysis efforts within the Joint Integrated Air and Missile Defense Organization, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. The cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) contract type allows for flexibility but requires careful oversight to ensure costs remain controlled and that the fixed fee adequately compensates the contractor for their efforts without excessive profit.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one vendor, The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC, was solicited. This approach is typically used when a unique capability or specialized knowledge is required that only a specific entity possesses. While it ensures access to critical expertise, it bypasses the competitive process, which could potentially lead to higher costs and limit innovation from other potential providers.
Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards mean taxpayers do not benefit from the price discovery and potential cost savings that a competitive bidding process can generate.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiary is the Joint Integrated Air and Missile Defense Organization, which will receive advanced development and analysis to enhance its capabilities. The services delivered will likely involve research, technical analysis, and strategic planning related to air and missile defense systems. The geographic impact is concentrated in Maryland, where the contractor is located and likely where the work will be performed. Workforce implications may include the utilization of highly skilled scientists, engineers, and analysts at The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
- Sole-source nature limits opportunities for emerging or alternative solution providers.
- CPFF contract type requires robust oversight to manage costs effectively.
Positive Signals
- Award to a reputable institution (JHU APL) known for defense research.
- Focus on critical national security area (air and missile defense).
- Contract aligns with specific organizational needs for advanced development.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on defense-related technologies. The market for advanced air and missile defense analysis is highly specialized, often dominated by a few key research institutions and defense contractors with deep expertise. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the unique nature of advanced development, but significant government investment is consistently directed towards maintaining technological superiority in this critical defense area.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, nor is there information suggesting significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses. The award to a large research institution like JHU APL typically means prime contract work is performed by the institution's internal staff, limiting direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of Defense contracting officers and program managers within the Joint Integrated Air and Missile Defense Organization. Accountability measures will be tied to the performance metrics outlined in the contract and the successful completion of developmental milestones. Transparency may be limited due to the sole-source nature and the classified or sensitive aspects of air and missile defense research.
Related Government Programs
- Missile Defense Agency Programs
- Air Force Research Laboratory Contracts
- Navy Warfare Systems Command Research
- Army Futures Command Development
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Cost-plus contract type requires strong oversight
Tags
defense, research-and-development, air-and-missile-defense, joint-integrated-air-and-missile-defense-organization, jhu-applied-physics-laboratory-llc, sole-source, cost-plus-fixed-fee, maryland, department-of-defense, washington-headquarters-services, advanced-development, analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $11.9 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC. JOINT INTEGRATED AIR AND MISSILE DEFENSE ORGANIZATION ADVANCED DEVELOPMENT AND ANALYSIS
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 (Washington Headquarters Services).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $11.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-06-24. End: 2026-06-23.
What is the historical spending pattern for JIAMD advanced development and analysis, and how does this award compare?
Analyzing historical spending for the Joint Integrated Air and Missile Defense Organization (JIAMD) specifically on advanced development and analysis is challenging without direct access to detailed historical contract databases. However, the Department of Defense consistently allocates substantial resources to research and development in critical areas like air and missile defense. Awards in this domain often range from several million to hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the scope, duration, and technological complexity. This $11.9 million award for a one-year period appears to be a focused investment, potentially part of a larger, multi-year R&D strategy. Without specific historical data points for JIAMD's advanced development and analysis, it's difficult to definitively state if this award is higher or lower than previous similar efforts, but it aligns with the typical investment scale for specialized R&D tasks within the defense sector.
What is The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC's track record in air and missile defense research?
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC (JHU APL) has a long and distinguished track record in supporting national security, including extensive work in air and missile defense. JHU APL has been instrumental in developing and analyzing various defense systems, often serving as a critical research and development partner for the Department of Defense and other government agencies. Their expertise spans system design, advanced technology research, threat assessment, and performance analysis. They have been involved in numerous high-profile defense initiatives, contributing significantly to the nation's strategic capabilities. This extensive experience and established reputation in the field make them a logical choice for sole-source awards requiring specialized knowledge and proven performance in complex defense research areas like JIAMD.
What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source award for advanced development?
The primary risks associated with a sole-source award for advanced development include potential lack of price competition, which can lead to higher costs for the government compared to a competitively procured contract. There's also a risk of reduced innovation, as the absence of multiple bidders may limit the exploration of diverse technical approaches or solutions. Furthermore, sole-source awards can create a dependency on a single contractor, potentially hindering the development of a broader industrial base capable of addressing future needs. Ensuring adequate oversight and robust performance metrics becomes even more critical to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives the best value and achieves its program objectives.
How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type influence cost control and contractor incentives for this JIAMD contract?
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type aims to balance flexibility for the contractor with cost control for the government. In a CPFF contract, the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing their profit. This structure is often used for research and development efforts where the scope of work may evolve or is not precisely defined at the outset. For JHU APL, the fixed fee provides a clear profit target, incentivizing them to complete the work efficiently to maximize their return on investment. For the government, the fixed fee caps the contractor's profit, offering some cost predictability. However, effective cost control relies heavily on robust government oversight to ensure that all costs claimed by the contractor are reasonable, allocable, and necessary for the contract's performance.
What are the potential performance implications of a one-year contract duration for advanced development?
A one-year contract duration for advanced development, like this JIAMD award, suggests a focused, short-term objective or a specific phase within a larger developmental program. This timeframe allows for rapid initiation and completion of defined tasks, providing timely insights or prototypes. However, it may limit the scope of complex, long-term research that requires sustained effort over multiple years. For the contractor, it necessitates efficient project management to deliver results within the stipulated period. From a program perspective, a one-year term might indicate that the results will be evaluated to inform subsequent, potentially longer-term, development contracts or decisions. It allows for agility in adapting to evolving technological landscapes or strategic priorities.
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
Solicitation ID: HQ003425R0022
Offers Received: 1
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: $58,455,109
Exercised Options: $11,869,920
Current Obligation: $11,869,920
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 2
Total Subaward Amount: $1,200,540
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HQ003425G0001
IDV Type: BOA
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-06-24
Current End Date: 2026-06-23
Potential End Date: 2030-06-23 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-19
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