DARPA awards $47M to JHU APL for R&D support, bypassing competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $46,994,259 ($47.0M)
Contractor: THE Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2024-10-25
End Date: 2026-07-28
Contract Duration: 641 days
Daily Burn Rate: $73.3K/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 $47.0 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC for work described as: DARPA RESEARCH PROGRAM SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $46.99M for specialized R&D support. 2. Sole-source award to JHU APL suggests unique capabilities or established relationship. 3. Risk of limited price discovery due to lack of competition. 4. Sector focus on physical, engineering, and life sciences R&D.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if the fixed fee represents a fair price for the services rendered.
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 potentially reduces the government's ability to secure the best value through market competition.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in taxpayers paying a premium for these R&D support services.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may not receive the best value due to the absence of competitive bidding. The award to a single entity raises questions about the availability of alternative providers. The specialized nature of DARPA research could justify a sole-source award, but transparency is key.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost-plus contract type
- Potential for cost overruns
Positive Signals
- Award to a reputable institution (JHU APL)
- Supports critical DARPA research initiatives
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically for physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for innovation but requires careful oversight to ensure efficiency and value.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC, which is not typically considered a small business. There is no indication of small business subcontracting opportunities in the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight from DARPA to ensure cost control and effective performance. Robust internal review processes are essential to justify the lack of competition and validate the pricing.
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 inflated costs
- Limited transparency in pricing
- Risk of vendor lock-in
- Absence of small business participation
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 $47.0 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 $47.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-10-25. End: 2026-07-28.
What specific capabilities does JHU APL possess that justify a sole-source award for DARPA's R&D support?
The justification for a sole-source award typically hinges on unique capabilities, specialized knowledge, or critical infrastructure that only a specific entity possesses. For DARPA, this could involve access to proprietary research facilities, highly specialized scientific expertise, or a long-standing, deeply integrated role in ongoing sensitive projects that would be disrupted by transitioning to a new contractor.
How will DARPA ensure cost-effectiveness and prevent potential overruns with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract awarded without competition?
DARPA must implement rigorous cost monitoring and control mechanisms. This includes detailed reviews of incurred costs, regular performance evaluations against milestones, and strict adherence to the fixed fee. Independent cost estimates and benchmarking against similar, albeit potentially different, R&D support contracts can also provide a basis for assessing reasonableness.
What is the long-term strategic benefit of awarding this R&D support contract solely to JHU APL?
The long-term benefit may lie in fostering a deep, synergistic partnership that accelerates cutting-edge research. A consistent, trusted relationship can reduce ramp-up time for new projects and allow for more agile adaptation to evolving research needs. However, this must be balanced against the risk of complacency and the potential missed opportunities from broader market engagement.
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: $46,994,259
Exercised Options: $46,994,259
Current Obligation: $46,994,259
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 9
Total Subaward Amount: $10,617,527
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: 2024-10-25
Current End Date: 2026-07-28
Potential End Date: 2026-07-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-11-12
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