DARPA awards $6.3M R&D contract to Johns Hopkins APL for physical sciences research
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $6,334,362 ($6.3M)
Contractor: THE Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2022-04-15
End Date: 2026-02-28
Contract Duration: 1,415 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: DARPA RESEARCH PROJECT
Place of Performance
Location: LAUREL, HOWARD County, MARYLAND, 20723
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $6.3 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC for work described as: DARPA RESEARCH PROJECT Key points: 1. Contract focuses on advanced physical sciences research, aligning with DARPA's mission to foster innovation. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process. 3. A Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type indicates potential for cost overruns, requiring close monitoring. 4. The contract duration of over three years suggests a significant research undertaking. 5. The specific NAICS code (541715) points to a focus on R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 6. The awardee, Johns Hopkins APL, has a strong track record in defense research and development.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $6.3 million for a multi-year R&D project appears reasonable given the specialized nature of DARPA research. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts in advanced physical sciences is challenging due to the unique scope of such projects. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates careful oversight to ensure costs remain within acceptable parameters and that the fixed fee adequately compensates the contractor for their efforts without excessive profit.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit proposals. The presence of two bids suggests a competitive environment, though the exact number of proposals received is not detailed. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and ensures that the government selects the most capable offeror at a fair price.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best value for their investment in cutting-edge research.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Department of Defense and potentially national security through advancements in physical sciences. The contract will deliver research and development services in specialized areas of physical, engineering, and life sciences. The geographic impact is primarily within Maryland, where the contractor is located, but the research outcomes could have national implications. The contract supports highly skilled researchers and scientists, contributing to the specialized workforce in R&D.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
- The duration of the contract (over 3 years) requires sustained oversight to ensure progress and adherence to objectives.
- The specialized nature of R&D makes direct performance benchmarking difficult.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a fair and transparent selection process.
- The contractor, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, is a reputable institution with extensive experience in defense R&D.
- The contract aligns with DARPA's strategic mission to pursue high-risk, high-reward research.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The market for such specialized R&D is characterized by a limited number of highly capable research institutions and contractors, often with deep ties to government funding. DARPA's spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority and exploring novel scientific frontiers, often involving significant investment in fundamental research that may not have immediate commercial applications.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'ss: false' and 'sb: false'. The focus on highly specialized R&D by a large institution like Johns Hopkins APL typically means that subcontracting opportunities for small businesses might be limited or focused on very niche support services rather than core research activities. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any specific small business subcontracting plan is in place.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), a component of the Department of Defense. As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, rigorous financial oversight and progress monitoring are essential. Accountability measures would include regular reporting from the contractor on research milestones, expenditures, and any deviations from the planned research trajectory. Transparency is typically managed through contract reporting mechanisms and public releases of non-sensitive research findings.
Related Government Programs
- DARPA Research Projects
- Department of Defense R&D Contracts
- Physical Sciences Research
- Advanced Technology Development
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent oversight to manage potential cost escalations.
- The specialized nature of R&D makes performance metrics and benchmarking challenging.
- Long contract duration necessitates sustained monitoring of progress and objectives.
Tags
research-and-development, department-of-defense, darpa, definitive-contract, full-and-open-competition, cost-plus-fixed-fee, physical-sciences, maryland, large-business, r&d-services
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $6.3 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC. DARPA RESEARCH PROJECT
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 $6.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-04-15. End: 2026-02-28.
What is the specific research objective of this DARPA contract awarded to Johns Hopkins APL?
The provided data indicates the contract is for 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)' under NAICS code 541715. While the specific research objective is not detailed in the summary data, DARPA contracts typically aim to explore high-risk, high-reward concepts that could lead to technological breakthroughs. Given the sector, the research likely involves fundamental scientific inquiry or the development of novel technologies within the physical sciences, potentially for defense applications. Further details would be found in the contract's statement of work.
How does the $6.3 million award compare to other R&D contracts in the physical sciences sector?
Benchmarking this $6.3 million award requires context on the scope and duration of comparable R&D projects. DARPA projects are often unique and highly specialized, making direct comparisons difficult. However, for multi-year R&D efforts in advanced physical sciences, this value is within a typical range for foundational research or early-stage technology development. Larger, more applied development contracts or those involving extensive hardware fabrication would naturally command higher values. The 'fair price' aspect is also influenced by the competitive nature of the award and the specific expertise required.
What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for R&D?
The primary risks with a CPFF contract for R&D revolve around cost control and contractor incentive. While the fee is fixed, the 'cost' portion is subject to actual expenditures. If the contractor incurs higher-than-expected costs due to unforeseen research challenges, technical difficulties, or inefficient management, the government bears these costs. This can lead to the total contract value exceeding initial estimates. The fixed fee, however, provides a ceiling on the contractor's profit, but it doesn't inherently incentivize cost reduction as strongly as fixed-price contracts. Close government oversight is crucial to manage these risks.
What is the track record of The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC with government R&D contracts?
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC (JHU APL) has a long and distinguished track record of successfully executing complex research and development contracts for various U.S. government agencies, particularly the Department of Defense and NASA. They are known for their expertise in a wide array of scientific and engineering disciplines, often tackling challenging, mission-critical projects. Their history suggests a high capability to manage large-scale R&D efforts, deliver innovative solutions, and adhere to stringent government requirements, making them a reliable partner for advanced research initiatives like this DARPA award.
How does this contract fit into DARPA's broader strategy for advancing physical sciences?
This contract aligns with DARPA's core mission to invest in breakthrough technologies for national security. By funding R&D in the physical sciences, DARPA aims to explore fundamental scientific principles and develop novel capabilities that could revolutionize defense systems. Contracts like this enable the exploration of high-risk, high-reward concepts that may not be pursued by the private sector due to long timelines or uncertain commercial viability. The focus on physical sciences suggests an interest in areas such as advanced materials, novel energy sources, quantum technologies, or sophisticated sensing and actuation mechanisms.
What are the potential implications of this contract for future technological advancements?
The potential implications of this contract are significant, as DARPA-funded research often leads to transformative technologies. Advancements in physical sciences can underpin breakthroughs in areas critical to national security, such as next-generation computing, advanced materials with unique properties, novel propulsion systems, or enhanced surveillance and communication capabilities. While the specific outcomes are uncertain due to the nature of R&D, successful completion could provide the U.S. with a substantial technological advantage, influencing future military capabilities and potentially seeding innovations with broader societal benefits.
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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH
Solicitation ID: HR001122S0003
Offers Received: 2
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: $6,334,362
Exercised Options: $6,334,362
Current Obligation: $6,334,362
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 5
Total Subaward Amount: $480,759
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-04-15
Current End Date: 2026-02-28
Potential End Date: 2026-02-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-02
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