NASA awards $301.7M to Johns Hopkins APL for Precursor Analysis Support, a sole-source contract
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $301,714 ($301.7K)
Contractor: THE Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2007-12-17
End Date: 2010-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,018 days
Daily Burn Rate: $296/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: PRECURSOR ANALYSIS SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: LAUREL, HOWARD County, MARYLAND, 20723
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $301,713.5 to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC for work described as: PRECURSOR ANALYSIS SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single, highly specialized entity, limiting broad market engagement. 2. Significant funding allocated for R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 3. Long contract duration (1018 days) suggests a complex, ongoing research requirement. 4. No small business participation noted, potentially missing opportunities for smaller innovators.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. Benchmarking is difficult without specific deliverables, but the total award suggests a substantial investment in specialized research.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was not competed, indicating a belief that only The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC could perform the required specialized research. This lack of competition limits price discovery and potentially higher costs.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are directed to a single entity for specialized R&D, with the value dependent on the criticality and success of the research outcomes.
Public Impact
Supports advanced scientific research critical to national space exploration goals. Funding directed to a prominent research institution, potentially fostering innovation. Long-term commitment to a specific research area may yield significant scientific breakthroughs.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost-plus contract type
- No small business involvement
Positive Signals
- Award to a reputable research institution
- Focus on critical R&D area
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (NAICS 541710). Spending in this sector is crucial for technological advancement and national security, often involving specialized expertise and long-term projects.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not awarded to any small businesses, nor does it appear to have subcontracting goals. This represents a missed opportunity to engage smaller, agile firms in specialized research and development.
Oversight & Accountability
As a sole-source award, oversight is critical to ensure the fixed fee is justified and that the research progresses efficiently towards defined objectives. NASA's internal review processes will be key.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and potential cost savings.
- Cost-plus contract type carries inherent risk of cost overruns.
- Lack of small business participation.
- Long contract duration requires sustained oversight.
- Specific research outcomes and their broader impact are not detailed.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, md, delivery-order, 100k-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $301,713.5 to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC. PRECURSOR ANALYSIS SUPPORT
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: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $301,713.5.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-12-17. End: 2010-09-30.
What specific precursor analysis tasks are being performed, and how do they align with NASA's strategic objectives?
The contract details are limited, but 'Precursor Analysis Support' likely involves studying data and phenomena that precede major space missions or scientific events. This could range from analyzing astronomical data for mission planning to assessing risks for future exploration endeavors, directly supporting NASA's strategic goals for scientific discovery and operational success.
Given the sole-source nature, what mechanisms are in place to ensure the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure remains fair and prevents contractor inefficiency?
NASA's contracting officers must rigorously monitor costs and performance against the fixed fee. Regular reviews, milestone tracking, and clear performance metrics are essential. The CPFF structure requires strong oversight to ensure the contractor is incentivized to perform efficiently without compromising necessary research quality.
How does this significant investment in a single entity contribute to broader scientific advancement beyond the immediate contract scope?
While focused on specific tasks, such substantial funding for a leading institution like JHUAPL can foster a deep pool of expertise, lead to publications, and potentially spin off new technologies or methodologies. This indirectly benefits the broader scientific community by advancing knowledge and training specialized personnel, though direct broad dissemination isn't guaranteed.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: JOHNS HOPKINS RD 11100, LAUREL, MD, 20723
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $301,717
Exercised Options: $301,717
Current Obligation: $301,714
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NNN06AA01C
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-12-17
Current End Date: 2010-09-30
Potential End Date: 2010-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-07
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