DoD's Advanced ASW Improvement Program awarded $29.6M to JHU APL for R&D, facing limited competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $29,635,399 ($29.6M)
Contractor: THE Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2018-07-18
End Date: 2022-02-28
Contract Duration: 1,321 days
Daily Burn Rate: $22.4K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: ADVANCED ASW IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Place of Performance
Location: LAUREL, HOWARD County, MARYLAND, 20723
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $29.6 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC for work described as: ADVANCED ASW IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM Key points: 1. Significant investment in advanced anti-submarine warfare research. 2. Sole reliance on JHU APL raises questions about competitive pricing. 3. Potential risks associated with single-source R&D contracts. 4. Focus on specialized R&D within the physical and engineering sciences.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract's cost-plus-fixed-fee structure for R&D can lead to cost overruns. Without competitive benchmarking, it's difficult to assess if the $29.6M represents fair value for the advanced ASW research conducted.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award to The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC. This lack of competition limits price discovery and potentially increases costs for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source nature of this award may result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitively bid contract.
Public Impact
Enhances national security through advanced anti-submarine warfare capabilities. Supports critical research and development in a specialized scientific field. Potential for technological advancements that could benefit naval operations. Investment in a key research institution for defense innovation.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost-plus contract type
- Sole-source award
Positive Signals
- Focus on critical defense technology
- Award to a specialized research institution
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is crucial for technological advancement but requires careful oversight due to its specialized nature and often limited competition.
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 to ensure the research objectives are met efficiently and effectively, and that costs remain reasonable despite the lack of competition.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Navy Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Cost-plus contract type can lead to cost growth.
- Lack of clear performance benchmarks in data.
- Potential for R&D to not meet evolving needs without active management.
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 $29.6 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC. ADVANCED ASW IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
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 (Department of the Navy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $29.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2018-07-18. End: 2022-02-28.
What is the justification for the sole-source award, and how was the fixed fee determined to ensure value for money?
Sole-source awards are typically justified when only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services. For cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts, the fixed fee is negotiated based on factors like complexity, risk, and anticipated effort. Without the justification documentation, it's impossible to verify the rationale or the fairness of the fee negotiation process for this specific contract.
What are the specific performance metrics and deliverables for this ASW improvement program, and how are they being tracked?
Performance metrics and deliverables for R&D contracts like this are usually defined in the contract's statement of work. Tracking involves regular progress reports, technical reviews, and milestone achievements. The effectiveness of the program hinges on clearly defined, measurable outcomes and rigorous government oversight to ensure the research is progressing as intended and meeting its objectives.
How does the government ensure that the R&D conducted by JHU APL aligns with current and future ASW needs and avoids duplication of effort?
Alignment with needs is typically ensured through ongoing dialogue between the government sponsor and the research institution, regular reviews of research plans, and comparison with broader defense strategy documents. Avoiding duplication often involves thorough market research and consultation with other research entities. The government must actively manage the relationship and research direction to maximize the value of this investment.
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 › OTHER RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
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, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $35,500,517
Exercised Options: $35,500,517
Current Obligation: $29,635,399
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: N0002413D6400
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2018-07-18
Current End Date: 2022-02-28
Potential End Date: 2022-02-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2023-10-19
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