DARPA Awards $24.2M Contract to SPA for Janus Program Research and Development
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $24,205,426 ($24.2M)
Contractor: Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2022-12-06
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,394 days
Daily Burn Rate: $17.4K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: DARPA JANUS PROGRAM
Place of Performance
Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22311
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $24.2 million to SYSTEMS PLANNING AND ANALYSIS, INC. for work described as: DARPA JANUS PROGRAM Key points: 1. The contract is for Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 2. Awarded by the Department of the Navy, this is a definitive contract. 3. The contract was not competed, raising potential concerns about price discovery. 4. The sector is Research and Development, a key area for technological advancement.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to higher costs if not managed carefully. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to benchmark pricing against similar contracts.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and may result in a higher price than if competition were present.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition could lead to taxpayers paying more than necessary for the research and development services.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be overpaying due to the absence of competitive bidding. The Janus Program's specific objectives and potential impact are not detailed, making public assessment difficult. The long duration of the contract (nearly 4 years) warrants close monitoring of progress and spending.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost-plus contract type
- Limited public information on program goals
Positive Signals
- Supports critical R&D for the Department of Defense
- Long-term contract allows for sustained research efforts
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS code 541715. Spending in this sector is crucial for innovation but requires careful oversight to ensure value for money.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award necessitates robust oversight from the Department of the Navy to ensure the contractor is performing effectively and costs are reasonable.
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 competitive bidding may lead to inflated costs.
- Cost-plus contract type can incentivize higher spending.
- Limited transparency regarding program objectives and expected outcomes.
- Potential for contractor lock-in due to sole-source nature.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, va, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $24.2 million to SYSTEMS PLANNING AND ANALYSIS, INC.. DARPA JANUS PROGRAM
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SYSTEMS PLANNING AND ANALYSIS, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $24.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-12-06. End: 2026-09-30.
What specific research objectives does the DARPA Janus Program aim to achieve, and how will success be measured?
The provided data does not specify the research objectives of the DARPA Janus Program. Further investigation into DARPA's program announcements or related documentation would be required to understand the specific goals and the metrics for success. Without this information, it's challenging to assess the program's potential value or effectiveness.
Given the sole-source award, what mechanisms are in place to ensure the fixed fee is reasonable and reflects fair market value?
In sole-source Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts, the government typically relies on pre-negotiated rates, historical cost data, and independent cost estimates to establish a reasonable fixed fee. However, the absence of competition means there's no direct market comparison. Robust auditing and negotiation by the contracting officer are critical to mitigate potential overpricing.
How does the R&D conducted under the Janus Program align with broader national security or technological advancement priorities?
The alignment of the Janus Program's R&D with national priorities is not explicitly stated in the provided data. DARPA's mission is generally to make pivotal investments in breakthrough technologies for national security. Understanding the specific focus of the Janus Program would be necessary to determine its contribution to these broader objectives and assess its overall effectiveness.
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
Solicitation ID: HR001122S0042
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2001 N BEAUREGARD ST., SUITE 100, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22311
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $59,344,326
Exercised Options: $59,344,326
Current Obligation: $24,205,426
Actual Outlays: $3,969,344
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $5,964,997
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-12-06
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2026-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-08
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