DoD's National Cyber Range Program awarded $30.2M to JHU APL for cyber operations research and development
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $30,253,905 ($30.3M)
Contractor: THE Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2010-01-08
End Date: 2011-10-31
Contract Duration: 661 days
Daily Burn Rate: $45.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THE NATIONAL CYBER RANGE (NCR) PROGRAM AS SOLICITED UNDER DARPA BAA 08-43 IS TO ENABLE A REVOLUTION IN THE NATION S ABILITY TO CONDUCT CYBER OPERATIONS BY PROVIDING A PERSISTENT CYBER RANGE THAT WILL: CONDUCT UNBIASED, QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF INFORMATION ASSURANCE AND SURVIVABILITY TOOLS IN A REPRESENTATIVE NETWORK ENVIRONMENT; REPLICATE COMPLEX, LARGE-SCALE, HETEROGENEOUS NETWORKS AND USERS IN CURRENT AND FUTURE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DOD) WEAPON SYSTEMS AND OPERATIONS; ENABLE MULTIPLE, INDEPENDENT, SIMULTANEOUS EXPERIMENTS ON THE SAME INFRASTRUCTURE; ENABLE REALISTIC TESTING OF INTERNET/GLOBAL INFORMATION GRID (GIG) SCALE RESEARCH; DEVELOP AND DEPLOY REVOLUTIONARY CYBER TESTING CAPABILITIES; AND ENABLE THE USE OF THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD FOR RIGOROUS CYBER TESTING. THIS EFFORT IS FOR PHASE II OF THE NCR PROGRAM.
Place of Performance
Location: LAUREL, HOWARD County, MARYLAND, 20723
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $30.3 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THE NATIONAL CYBER RANGE (NCR) PROGRAM AS SOLICITED UNDER DARPA BAA 08-43 IS TO ENABLE A REVOLUTION IN THE NATION S ABILITY TO CONDUCT CYBER OPERATIONS BY PROVIDING A PERSISTENT CYBER RANGE THAT WILL: CONDUCT UNBIASED, QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF I… Key points: 1. Contract focuses on developing a persistent cyber range for assessing information assurance tools. 2. Aims to replicate complex, large-scale networks for realistic cyber testing. 3. Enables simultaneous, independent experiments on shared infrastructure. 4. Supports testing of internet-scale research for Department of Defense systems. 5. Contract duration of 661 days suggests a focused, project-based effort. 6. The use of Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) indicates potential for cost overruns if not managed carefully.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $30.2 million for a 661-day research and development effort appears within a reasonable range for specialized cyber range development. However, without specific benchmarks for similar cyber range infrastructure projects or detailed cost breakdowns, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The CPFF contract type introduces some risk, as it allows for cost reimbursement plus a fixed fee, which can sometimes lead to higher final costs than fixed-price contracts if not closely monitored.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under a Full and Open Competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit proposals. The solicitation was a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), which typically attracts a wide range of innovative research proposals. The number of proposals received (7) suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this advanced research area.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to better pricing and more innovative solutions.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense and its various branches, which will gain enhanced capabilities for cyber warfare and defense. The program delivers a persistent cyber range infrastructure for testing and assessment. Geographic impact is primarily national, supporting U.S. cyber defense initiatives. Workforce implications include potential for highly skilled cybersecurity researchers and engineers.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
- The specific performance metrics and deliverables are not detailed in the provided data, making it difficult to assess performance risks.
- Reliance on a single contractor (JHU APL) for this critical capability might pose a long-term risk if alternatives are not developed.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
- The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory has a strong reputation in research and development for defense.
- The project addresses a critical national security need for advanced cyber capabilities.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on cybersecurity capabilities. The market for cyber range development is specialized, driven by government and defense needs for realistic training and testing environments. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the unique nature of cyber ranges, but significant investments are being made across government agencies in cyber defense and R&D.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements for this contract. Given the specialized nature of the National Cyber Range Program and the award to a large research institution like JHU APL, the direct impact on small businesses may be limited unless JHU APL actively engages them for subcontracting.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), a component of the Department of Defense. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's milestones, deliverables, and reporting requirements. Transparency is generally maintained through contract awards databases and program reviews, though specific technical details of the cyber range might be classified.
Related Government Programs
- DARPA Cyber Security Programs
- DoD Cyber Range Initiatives
- Information Assurance Research
- Network Security Testing
Risk Flags
- Cost Overrun Risk (CPFF)
- Performance Measurement Difficulty
- Long-Term Contractor Dependency
Tags
research-and-development, cybersecurity, department-of-defense, darpa, definitive-contract, cost-plus-fixed-fee, full-and-open-competition, maryland, national-cyber-range, simulation-and-modeling, information-assurance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $30.3 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC. THE PURPOSE OF THE NATIONAL CYBER RANGE (NCR) PROGRAM AS SOLICITED UNDER DARPA BAA 08-43 IS TO ENABLE A REVOLUTION IN THE NATION S ABILITY TO CONDUCT CYBER OPERATIONS BY PROVIDING A PERSISTENT CYBER RANGE THAT WILL: CONDUCT UNBIASED, QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF INFORMATION ASSURANCE AND SURVIVABILITY TOOLS IN A REPRESENTATIVE NETWORK ENVIRONMENT; REPLICATE COMPLEX, LARGE-SCALE, HETEROGENEOUS NETWORKS AND USERS IN CURRENT AND FUTURE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DOD) WEAPON SYSTEMS AN
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 (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $30.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2010-01-08. End: 2011-10-31.
What is the specific track record of The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU APL) in developing and managing large-scale cyber range environments?
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU APL) has a well-established history of conducting advanced research and development for the Department of Defense and other government agencies. While specific details on their prior cyber range projects are not publicly itemized in this data, APL is known for its expertise in complex systems engineering, simulation, and modeling, which are foundational to building sophisticated cyber ranges. Their involvement in DARPA programs often signifies a capacity for cutting-edge technological development. A review of APL's broader portfolio would likely reveal extensive experience in areas directly applicable to cyber range development, including network security, threat emulation, and data analysis in complex digital environments. Their long-standing relationship with the DoD suggests a proven ability to meet stringent performance and security requirements.
How does the $30.2 million cost compare to similar cyber range development contracts?
Direct cost comparisons for cyber range development are challenging due to the highly specialized and often classified nature of these projects. The $30.2 million awarded to JHU APL for the National Cyber Range (NCR) Program, spanning approximately 22 months (661 days), represents a significant investment. However, without access to detailed scopes of work, technological sophistication, and duration of comparable projects, it's difficult to definitively benchmark this cost. Cyber ranges can vary immensely in scale, from virtual environments to large physical infrastructures with advanced simulation capabilities. Given that this contract was for R&D under DARPA, it likely focused on foundational research and development of a persistent range capability rather than the full-scale deployment of a mature operational range, which could incur much higher costs. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure also implies that the final cost could fluctuate.
What are the primary risks associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type for this project?
The primary risk associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for the National Cyber Range Program is the potential for cost overruns. In a CPFF structure, the contractor (JHU APL) is reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. While the fee is fixed, the total cost is not. If the project encounters unforeseen technical challenges, requires more resources than initially estimated, or experiences scope creep, the total cost to the government can increase significantly beyond initial projections. This necessitates robust government oversight and cost control measures to ensure the project stays within budget. The risk for the contractor is lower regarding profit, but they must still manage costs effectively to avoid jeopardizing future contracts. For taxpayers, the risk is primarily financial, with the potential for higher-than-expected expenditure.
How effective is the National Cyber Range Program expected to be in enhancing the nation's ability to conduct cyber operations?
The National Cyber Range (NCR) Program, as described, aims to revolutionize the nation's ability to conduct cyber operations by providing a persistent, realistic, and quantitative assessment environment. Its effectiveness hinges on its ability to accurately replicate complex, large-scale, heterogeneous networks found in current and future Department of Defense (DoD) systems. By enabling unbiased assessment of information assurance tools, facilitating multiple simultaneous experiments, and supporting realistic testing of internet-scale research, the NCR is designed to significantly improve cyber defense strategies, tool development, and operational readiness. The program's success will be measured by its contribution to developing and deploying advanced cyber testing capabilities and enabling the application of the scientific method to cyber warfare challenges, ultimately bolstering national cybersecurity posture.
What are the historical spending patterns for similar cyber range development or cyber operations R&D within DARPA or the DoD?
Historical spending patterns for cyber range development and cyber operations R&D within DARPA and the broader DoD show a consistent and increasing trend over the past decade, reflecting the growing importance of cybersecurity. DARPA, in particular, has funded numerous programs aimed at advancing cyber capabilities, often involving the creation of sophisticated testbeds and simulation environments. While specific figures for 'cyber range development' as a distinct category can be difficult to isolate from broader cybersecurity R&D budgets, total DoD spending on cyber-related activities, including research, development, procurement, and operations, runs into the tens of billions of dollars annually. Programs like the NCR are indicative of strategic investments in foundational capabilities that underpin future cyber defenses and offensive operations. Tracking specific contract awards like this $30.2M one provides granular insight into how these larger budgets are allocated for specific technological advancements.
What are the implications of awarding this contract to JHU APL for future competition in the cyber range development market?
Awarding this significant National Cyber Range Program contract to JHU Applied Physics Laboratory, a well-established research institution, has several implications for future competition. Firstly, it validates APL's expertise and potentially positions them as a prime contractor for future, similar large-scale cyber range initiatives. Secondly, the full and open competition nature of this BAA suggests that DARPA actively sought diverse proposals, indicating a willingness to consider other entities. However, the success and subsequent knowledge gained by JHU APL on this project could create a competitive advantage for them in future solicitations. It also highlights the importance of strong R&D capabilities and a proven track record in complex systems for winning such contracts. Smaller, specialized companies might find it challenging to compete directly for the prime contract but could potentially participate as subcontractors, depending on JHU APL's strategy.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH
Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: THE Johns Hopkins University
Address: 11100 JOHNS HOPKINS RD, LAUREL, MD, 20723
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $30,253,905
Exercised Options: $30,253,905
Current Obligation: $30,253,905
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2010-01-08
Current End Date: 2011-10-31
Potential End Date: 2011-10-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2022-04-01
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