DoD's $17M Applied Physics Lab Contract for Missile Defense RDTE Faces Scrutiny Over Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $17,066,705 ($17.1M)
Contractor: THE Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2018-08-30
End Date: 2026-03-30
Contract Duration: 2,769 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.2K/day
Sector: R&D
Official Description: ENGINEERING AND TECH SUPPORT RDTE FUNDS
Place of Performance
Location: Maryland, 20723
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $17.1 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC for work described as: ENGINEERING AND TECH SUPPORT RDTE FUNDS Key points: 1. Significant funding allocated to a single entity for advanced research. 2. Potential for limited competition due to specialized nature of work. 3. Risk of cost overruns or suboptimal solutions without robust oversight. 4. Focus on R&D within the defense sector, specifically missile defense.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $17.07 million for RDTE funds is substantial. Without comparable contract data for similar specialized R&D efforts, assessing its pricing against benchmarks is difficult. The lack of readily available cost breakdowns or comparisons makes a definitive value assessment challenging.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: unknown
The contract type is a delivery order, but the initial award mechanism is not specified. If awarded through a sole-source or limited competition process, it could restrict price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers. Further information on the original solicitation is needed.
Taxpayer Impact: The impact on taxpayers is uncertain without knowing the competition method. If competition was limited, taxpayers may be paying a premium for the services rendered.
Public Impact
Taxpayer funds are supporting advanced research and development in missile defense. The contract duration extends over several years, indicating a long-term commitment. The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC is a key contractor for the Department of Defense.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of transparency in competition method
- Potential for limited price discovery
- Difficulty in benchmarking specialized R&D costs
Positive Signals
- Supports critical national security mission (missile defense)
- Leverages expertise of a well-established research institution
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research & Development sector, specifically focusing on missile defense technologies. Defense R&D spending is a significant portion of the federal budget, often characterized by long development cycles and specialized expertise requirements.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this specific contract award. The nature of specialized R&D often leads to contracts being awarded to large, established research institutions or defense contractors.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight of this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Defense and the Missile Defense Agency. Ensuring accountability for RDTE funds requires rigorous performance monitoring, milestone tracking, and independent technical reviews to validate progress and cost-effectiveness.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Missile Defense Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of clear competition justification
- Potential for cost creep in specialized R&D
- Difficulty in establishing performance benchmarks for novel technologies
- Limited visibility into subcontractor performance (if applicable)
Tags
department-of-defense, md, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $17.1 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC. ENGINEERING AND TECH SUPPORT RDTE FUNDS
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 $17.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2018-08-30. End: 2026-03-30.
What was the justification for the competition method used for this contract, and how was fair and reasonable pricing ensured?
The justification for the competition method is crucial for understanding potential price impacts. If the contract was sole-source or limited, the agency must demonstrate why full and open competition was not feasible. Ensuring fair and reasonable pricing in such scenarios typically involves detailed cost analysis, comparison with historical data (if available), and negotiation with the contractor based on established cost principles.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and milestones for this RDTE contract, and how is progress being measured against them?
Effective oversight requires clearly defined KPIs and milestones tied to the research and development objectives. The Missile Defense Agency should be tracking progress against these specific targets, including technical achievements, prototype development, and testing outcomes. Regular reporting and independent reviews are essential to ensure the contractor is meeting expectations and that funds are being utilized efficiently towards the program's goals.
How does the cost of this contract compare to similar RDTE efforts within the missile defense domain, and what is the projected return on investment?
Benchmarking this contract against similar RDTE efforts is challenging due to the specialized nature of missile defense. However, the agency should conduct internal comparisons or consult industry data where possible. A projected return on investment is difficult to quantify for R&D, but success would be measured by the development of effective technologies that enhance national security and deter threats, ultimately justifying the expenditure.
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