DoD Awards $933M for Advanced Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Engineering and Software to JHU Applied Physics Laboratory
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $9,332,662 ($9.3M)
Contractor: THE Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2023-06-29
End Date: 2026-06-28
Contract Duration: 1,095 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.5K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: ADVANCED UUV ENGINEERING AND SOFTWARE
Place of Performance
Location: LAUREL, HOWARD County, MARYLAND, 20723
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $9.3 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC for work described as: ADVANCED UUV ENGINEERING AND SOFTWARE Key points: 1. Significant investment in advanced UUV technology, indicating a strategic focus on naval capabilities. 2. Sole-source award to a single, highly specialized entity suggests unique expertise is required. 3. Long-term contract (3 years) implies ongoing development and integration needs. 4. Focus on R&D in physical and engineering sciences highlights innovation in a critical defense sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking is difficult without specific performance metrics and comparable contracts for advanced UUV development.
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 competitive pressure to achieve the most cost-effective solution.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being directed to a single contractor without competitive bidding, raising concerns about value for money.
Public Impact
Enhances U.S. naval power projection and intelligence gathering capabilities. Drives innovation in autonomous systems and underwater warfare. Potential for dual-use applications in scientific research and commercial maritime operations.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 85 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost-plus contract type
- Limited transparency on specific deliverables
Positive Signals
- Addresses critical national security needs
- Leverages specialized expertise
- Supports technological advancement
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is crucial for maintaining technological superiority, but often involves high costs and inherent risks due to the nature of innovation.
Small Business Impact
This award does not appear to involve small business participation, as it is a sole-source contract with a large, established research institution.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure the contractor is meeting all performance requirements and that costs are reasonable and allocable.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Navy Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Cost-plus contract type carries risk of cost overruns.
- Lack of detailed public information on deliverables.
- Long duration may not align with rapidly evolving technology.
- Potential for contractor lock-in.
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 $9.3 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC. ADVANCED UUV ENGINEERING AND SOFTWARE
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 $9.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-06-29. End: 2026-06-28.
What specific technological advancements are expected from this $933M investment in UUV engineering and software?
The contract aims to advance UUV capabilities, likely focusing on areas such as improved autonomy, enhanced sensor integration, longer endurance, advanced navigation systems, and potentially new mission profiles. Specific details on the technological advancements would typically be found in the contract's statement of work, which is not publicly available in this data.
What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source, cost-plus fixed fee contract for advanced R&D?
The primary risks include potential cost overruns due to the inherent uncertainties in R&D, lack of competitive pressure leading to suboptimal pricing, and reduced incentive for the contractor to innovate efficiently. Without competition, it's harder to benchmark costs and ensure the government is receiving the best possible value for its investment.
How will the effectiveness of this significant investment in UUV technology be measured and ensured?
Effectiveness will likely be measured through adherence to the contract's technical performance specifications, successful demonstration of new capabilities, and timely delivery of milestones outlined in the statement of work. Robust government oversight, including regular reviews and testing, is crucial to ensure the R&D efforts translate into tangible, effective UUV systems for the Navy.
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: $9,370,028
Exercised Options: $9,370,028
Current Obligation: $9,332,662
Actual Outlays: $556,914
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 2
Total Subaward Amount: $181,076
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: N0002422D6404
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-06-29
Current End Date: 2026-06-28
Potential End Date: 2026-06-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-06
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