DARPA Awards $12.4M for Research Program Support Services to JHU Applied Physics Laboratory
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $12,458,144 ($12.5M)
Contractor: THE Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2023-03-03
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,307 days
Daily Burn Rate: $9.5K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: DARPA RESEARCH PROGRAM SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: LAUREL, HOWARD County, MARYLAND, 20723
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $12.5 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC for work described as: DARPA RESEARCH PROGRAM SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. JHU Applied Physics Laboratory, a long-standing defense contractor, secured this award. 2. The contract is for R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 3. The award was not competed, raising potential value concerns. 4. This spending falls within the R&D sector, a key area for DARPA's mission.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Without competition, it's difficult to benchmark pricing against similar services.
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 may result in higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition means taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible value for these research support services.
Public Impact
Supports critical research and development for national security. Funding directed to a single, established research institution. Potential for innovation in advanced scientific fields.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost-plus contract type
Positive Signals
- Supports critical DARPA research
- Award to experienced contractor
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences NAICS code. Federal spending in this sector is crucial for technological advancement and national security, with significant investments often made through agencies like DARPA.
Small Business Impact
The awardee, The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC, is a large research institution. There is no indication that small businesses were involved as subcontractors in this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
As a sole-source award, oversight is critical to ensure the fixed fee is reasonable and that the contractor is performing efficiently and effectively to meet DARPA's research objectives.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competitive bidding
- Potential for cost overruns with CPFF contract type
- No indication of small business participation
- Limited transparency on justification for sole-source award
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 $12.5 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC. DARPA RESEARCH PROGRAM SUPPORT SERVICES
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 $12.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-03-03. End: 2026-09-30.
What is the justification for not competing this contract, and how was the fixed fee determined to ensure value?
The justification for not competing this contract is not provided in the data. However, for Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts, the fixed fee is negotiated based on estimated costs and the complexity of the work. Agencies typically aim to set a fee that is fair to the contractor while incentivizing efficient performance. Without competition, the agency must rely on market research and historical data to validate the reasonableness of the fee.
What are the specific research areas being supported, and how do they align with DARPA's strategic goals?
The contract supports 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)'. While specific projects are not detailed, DARPA's mission is to make pivotal investments in breakthrough technologies for national security. This broad category likely encompasses advanced materials, complex systems engineering, novel sensing technologies, or other high-risk, high-reward research areas aligned with DARPA's strategic objectives.
What mechanisms are in place to monitor performance and control costs under this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract?
Under a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, the government monitors performance through regular progress reports, technical reviews, and site visits. Cost control is managed by ensuring that only allowable and allocable costs are reimbursed, and the fixed fee is paid upon achievement of milestones or contract completion. Robust contract management and oversight by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) are essential to ensure the contractor operates efficiently and stays within the negotiated cost ceiling.
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
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)
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $27,496,708
Exercised Options: $24,974,169
Current Obligation: $12,458,144
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HR001122D0001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-03-03
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2026-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-11-12
More Contracts from THE Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC
- Dragonfly Extended Phase B Mission Under 80msfc20d0004 Aerospace Research, Development and Engineering Support (ardes) II — $1.3B (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- Aerospace Research, Design, and Development Tasks for Nasa — $1.1B (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- Solar Probe Plus (SPP) Phase a Activities the Contractor Shall Perform the Work That IS Designated in Task Orders Issued by the Contracting Officer. the Overall Scope of Work to BE Performed Will Support ALL of Nasa's Mission Directorates. These Efforts CAN BE Characterized AS Aerospace Research, Development, and Engineering Support (ardes). the General Nature of the Tasks to BE Developed Will BE to Conduct Supporting Research and Advanced Technology Development Designed to Make Contributions to Space Science and Space Exploration and Assist Nasa in the Formulation and Execution of ITS Programs by Providing Nasa With Technical Advice, Studies, and Reports of Investigations. Efforts Undertaken by the Contractor, in the Performance of the Assigned Tasks, Which Include Technology Transfer, Partnering and Commercialization Activities, Shall Seek to Enhance the Value and Contribution of Technology to the Nation S Technological Competitiveness, Prosperity, Quality of Life, and Other National Priorities. Individual Task Orders Will Fall Within ONE of TWO Broad Categories: 1) Essential Research Capability of Space Systems Engineering, and Related Work in the Supporting Essential Research Capabilities of Systems Test and Evaluation, Information Technology, and Simulation, Modeling and Operations Analysis. Task Orders Within the Category of Essential Research Capabilities ARE Intended to Preserve the Nation S Capabilities to Perform Robotic Space Missions Over the Full Mission Life Cycle From Concept Formulation Through Mission Operations and Data Analysis. Nasa IS Contracting for Support in Several KEY Research, Engineering and Development Competencies That ARE Fundamental to the Performance of These Missions. 2) Other Aerospace Research, Development, and Engineering Support. Task Orders Within the Category of Other Aerospace Research, Development and Engineering Support ARE Intended to Include a Broad Base of Scientific and Technical Capabilities Relevant to Nasa Program Responsibilities and Assignments. Regardless of Category, Task Orders MAY BE Issued Related to Autonomous Deep-Space and Earth-Orbiting Spacecraft or Major Subsystems, Experiments, Instruments or Other Devices That MAY BE Carried AS Payloads on the Space Shuttle or on Other Spacecraft. Task Assignments Will Explicitly Describe a Broad Range of Hardware, Software, Systems Engineering, Scientific Analysis, and Management Efforts Including Program and Project Management and Administration — $894.5M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- SUN Earth Connection Living With a Star Program Letter Contract — $522.1M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (imap) Phase CD — $400.0M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
View all THE Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC federal contracts →
Other Department of Defense Contracts
- Federal Contract — $51.3B (Humana Government Business Inc)
- Lrip LOT 12 Advance Acquisition Contract — $35.1B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- SSN 802 and 803 Long Lead Time Material — $34.7B (Electric Boat Corporation)
- 200204!008532!1700!AF600 !naval AIR Systems Command !N0001902C3002 !A!N! !N! !20011026!20120430!008016958!008016958!834951691!n!lockheed Martin Corporation !lockheed Blvd !fort Worth !tx!76108!27000!439!48!fort Worth !tarrant !texas !+000026000000!n!n!018981928201!ac15!rdte/Aircraft-Eng/Manuf Develop !a1a!airframes and Spares !2ama!jast/Jsf !336411!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !a!n!r!2!002!n!1a!a!n!z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !a!a!a!a!000!a!c!n! ! ! !Y! !N00019!0001! — $34.2B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- KC-X Modernization Program — $32.0B (THE Boeing Company)