DARPA Awards $7.19M for Research Program Support to Johns Hopkins APL
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $7,188,629 ($7.2M)
Contractor: THE Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2024-08-31
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 760 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 $7.2 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC for work described as: DARPA RESEARCH PROGRAM SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. This contract focuses on R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. The award is a delivery order under a previously awarded contract. 3. The primary risk is the lack of competition for this specific order. 4. The sector is Research and Development, specifically applied sciences.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar R&D support contracts is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This award was not competed, indicating a sole-source or limited competition scenario. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for this delivery order may result in a higher cost to taxpayers than if it had been openly competed.
Public Impact
Supports critical research and development for national security. The awardee, Johns Hopkins APL, has a strong track record with DARPA. Potential for advancements in physical, engineering, and life sciences. Lack of competition raises concerns about optimal use of funds.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Cost-plus contract type
Positive Signals
- Awardee has established relationship with agency
- Supports critical R&D mission
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically applied physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for innovation but requires careful oversight due to its specialized nature and potential for cost growth.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this specific delivery order, as it was awarded to a large university-affiliated research center.
Oversight & Accountability
As a sole-source delivery order, oversight is critical to ensure the fixed fee is reasonable and costs are controlled. DARPA's internal review processes are key to accountability.
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 competition
- Potential for cost overruns with Cost Plus Fixed Fee
- Limited transparency on pricing justification
- No small business participation noted
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, md, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $7.2 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 $7.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-08-31. End: 2026-09-30.
What specific research objectives does this support, and how do they align with DARPA's strategic goals?
This contract supports DARPA's research program, likely focusing on advanced technological capabilities. The specific objectives would align with DARPA's mission to invest in breakthrough technologies for national security. A detailed review of the statement of work and DARPA's current research priorities would clarify the strategic alignment and expected outcomes.
What is the justification for not competing this delivery order, and what steps were taken to ensure fair pricing?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, urgency, or prior investment in a specific contractor. Without a competitive process, ensuring fair pricing relies heavily on the agency's negotiation skills and independent cost analysis. DARPA must have documented the rationale and performed due diligence to validate the proposed costs against market rates or historical data.
How will the effectiveness of the research supported by this contract be measured and evaluated?
Effectiveness will be measured through technical reviews, milestone achievements, and the delivery of research outcomes as defined in the contract's statement of work. DARPA's program managers will likely conduct regular assessments of progress against research objectives and evaluate the quality and impact of the findings. Final evaluation may involve peer review or demonstration of developed technologies.
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: $8,750,238
Exercised Options: $8,750,238
Current Obligation: $7,188,629
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 3
Total Subaward Amount: $260,460
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: 2024-08-31
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2026-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-07
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)