DoD Awards $18.5M for Electronic Warfare Engineering to Johns Hopkins APL
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $18,529,127 ($18.5M)
Contractor: THE Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2024-04-20
End Date: 2027-04-29
Contract Duration: 1,104 days
Daily Burn Rate: $16.8K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: ELECTRONIC WARFARE ENGINEERING - BEW18
Place of Performance
Location: LAUREL, HOWARD County, MARYLAND, 20723
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $18.5 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC for work described as: ELECTRONIC WARFARE ENGINEERING - BEW18 Key points: 1. Significant investment in advanced electronic warfare capabilities. 2. Sole-source award to a highly specialized research institution. 3. Potential for technological advancements with national security implications. 4. Focus on R&D in physical and engineering 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 contracts is difficult due to the specialized nature of EW engineering.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded sole-source, indicating a lack of competition. While Johns Hopkins APL is a recognized leader in this field, the absence of competition may limit price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are directed to a single entity for specialized research, with limited opportunity for competitive cost savings.
Public Impact
Enhances national defense capabilities in electronic warfare. Supports advanced research and development in a critical technology area. Potential for spin-off technologies benefiting other sectors. Investment in a leading research institution's expertise.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Cost-plus contract type carries inherent cost risk.
- Specialized nature of work may limit contractor pool.
Positive Signals
- Award to a reputable research institution.
- Focus on critical defense technology.
- Long-term contract duration allows for sustained development.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Federal spending in this sector is substantial, with a significant portion allocated to defense-related R&D for technological superiority.
Small Business Impact
The awardee, The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC, is not a small business. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses in the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be crucial given the sole-source nature and cost-plus contract type. The Department of the Navy will need to ensure rigorous monitoring of costs and performance to maximize value.
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
- Lack of competition
- Cost-plus contract risk
- Potential for cost overruns
- Limited transparency on justification
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 $18.5 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC. ELECTRONIC WARFARE ENGINEERING - BEW18
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 $18.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-04-20. End: 2027-04-29.
What is the justification for the sole-source award, and were alternative competitive approaches considered?
The sole-source justification is critical for understanding why competition was bypassed. While APL is a leader, agencies must demonstrate that no other responsible sources could reasonably satisfy the requirement. Exploring alternatives, even if ultimately deemed unsuitable, is a key aspect of responsible procurement and ensures taxpayers receive the best possible value.
How will the cost-plus fixed fee structure be managed to mitigate potential cost overruns?
Effective management of a CPFF contract requires stringent oversight of direct costs and contractor labor hours. The government contracting officer and technical team must actively monitor expenditures against the fixed fee, ensuring that the contractor operates efficiently and within the defined scope. Regular audits and performance reviews are essential to control costs and prevent scope creep.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will success in electronic warfare engineering be measured?
Success metrics for EW engineering R&D are likely tied to technological milestones, prototype development, and performance testing against specific threat scenarios. KPIs might include successful demonstration of new EW capabilities, achievement of defined performance thresholds (e.g., signal detection range, jamming effectiveness), and timely delivery of research findings and prototypes.
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: $49,979,651
Exercised Options: $49,979,651
Current Obligation: $18,529,127
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 3
Total Subaward Amount: $1,997,567
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: 2024-04-20
Current End Date: 2027-04-29
Potential End Date: 2027-04-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-11-24
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