DoD's $15.6M Contract for MOKV System Engineering Awarded to Johns Hopkins APL
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $15,594,679 ($15.6M)
Contractor: THE Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2018-02-28
End Date: 2026-07-31
Contract Duration: 3,075 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.1K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: MOKV_ SYSTEM ENGINEERING&ANALYSIS
Place of Performance
Location: LAUREL, HOWARD County, MARYLAND, 20723
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $15.6 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC for work described as: MOKV_ SYSTEM ENGINEERING&ANALYSIS Key points: 1. The contract focuses on research and development in physical and engineering sciences. 2. Awarded to a single entity, raising questions about competition. 3. Significant taxpayer investment in advanced defense systems. 4. The sector is critical for national security and technological advancement.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $15.6 million over approximately 8.5 years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking is difficult without specific deliverables, but the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure requires careful monitoring to ensure value.
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 potentially increases costs for taxpayers compared to a competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may lead to higher costs than necessary, impacting the efficient use of taxpayer funds for critical defense research.
Public Impact
Supports advanced research and development in missile defense. Potential for technological breakthroughs with national security implications. Investment in a specialized research institution with a history of defense work.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type
- Long duration
Positive Signals
- Award to a reputable research institution
- Focus on critical defense technology
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical and engineering sciences for missile defense. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority but requires rigorous oversight.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to a large research institution and does not indicate any specific provisions or set-asides for small businesses.
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 Missile Defense Agency should actively monitor progress and expenditures.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Missile Defense Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts can incentivize cost overruns if not managed tightly.
- Long contract duration increases risk of scope creep and changing requirements.
- Lack 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 $15.6 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC. MOKV_ SYSTEM ENGINEERING&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 (Missile Defense Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $15.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2018-02-28. End: 2026-07-31.
What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and what steps are being taken to ensure fair pricing?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities or a lack of viable alternatives. The agency should have documented this rationale. For fair pricing, the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure requires detailed cost proposals and ongoing audits to verify allowable costs and ensure the fixed fee remains appropriate for the effort.
How will the effectiveness of the research and development be measured, given the long-term nature of the contract?
Effectiveness will likely be measured through a series of milestones, deliverables, and technical reviews throughout the contract's duration. Key performance indicators (KPIs) related to technological advancements, system performance improvements, and successful integration into broader defense systems should be established and tracked.
What is the potential long-term impact on national security if the research and development objectives are not met?
Failure to meet R&D objectives could leave critical gaps in missile defense capabilities, potentially increasing vulnerability to evolving threats. This could necessitate costly re-work, alternative research paths, or reliance on less effective existing systems, impacting national security posture and requiring additional future investments.
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: HQ014717R0041
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: $20,601,647
Exercised Options: $20,601,647
Current Obligation: $15,594,679
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 8
Total Subaward Amount: $885,134
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HQ014718D0004
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2018-02-28
Current End Date: 2026-07-31
Potential End Date: 2026-07-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-05
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