NASA's $27.7M ILN Support Contract Awarded to JHU APL Without Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $27,683,123 ($27.7M)
Contractor: THE Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2008-05-05
End Date: 2013-02-28
Contract Duration: 1,760 days
Daily Burn Rate: $15.7K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: INTERNATIONAL LUNAR NETWORK (ILN) SUPPORT (MSFC)
Place of Performance
Location: LAUREL, HOWARD County, MARYLAND, 20723
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $27.7 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC for work described as: INTERNATIONAL LUNAR NETWORK (ILN) SUPPORT (MSFC) Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single entity, raising questions about competition. 2. Significant funding allocated for research and development in physical sciences. 3. Long contract duration (1760 days) suggests a complex, ongoing project. 4. No small business participation noted, potentially limiting broader economic impact.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $27.7 million over approximately 4.8 years is substantial for R&D support. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this represents fair market value compared to similar research support contracts.
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 may result in higher costs for taxpayers as there was no market pressure to offer the best price.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition on a $27.7 million contract means potential savings from a competitive process were not realized, impacting taxpayer value.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be paying more than necessary due to the absence of competitive bidding. Limited opportunity for other qualified research institutions to contribute to the ILN project. Potential for reduced innovation if alternative approaches were not considered through competition.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Sole-source award
- No small business participation
Positive Signals
- Supports critical R&D for the International Lunar Network
- Long-term engagement with a single, potentially specialized provider
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 scientific advancement but requires careful oversight to ensure efficiency and value.
Small Business Impact
The contract explicitly states no small business participation (SB=false). This means opportunities for small businesses to contribute to this significant R&D effort were not pursued, potentially missing out on innovative solutions and economic benefits.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory is delivering on the contract objectives efficiently and at a reasonable cost, despite the lack of competitive pressure.
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
- Lack of competition
- Sole-source award
- Potential for inflated costs
- No small business participation
- Cost-plus contract type can increase government risk
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, md, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $27.7 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC. INTERNATIONAL LUNAR NETWORK (ILN) SUPPORT (MSFC)
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 $27.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-05-05. End: 2013-02-28.
What justification was provided for the sole-source award of this significant R&D contract?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves demonstrating that only one responsible source can provide the required services or that a compelling urgency exists. For R&D contracts, this might relate to unique expertise or proprietary technology. Without specific documentation, it's difficult to ascertain the precise rationale, but it's a critical point for ensuring taxpayer value.
How does the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure impact risk and cost control for this contract?
A Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract allows the contractor to recover all allowable costs plus a fixed fee representing profit. While it incentivizes the contractor to control costs to maximize their fixed profit, it shifts much of the financial risk to the government. This structure is often used when the scope is not well-defined, but it requires robust government oversight to prevent cost overruns.
What are the long-term implications of awarding this contract without competition for future lunar research initiatives?
Awarding this contract without competition may set a precedent, potentially discouraging future competitive bidding for related projects if the incumbent is perceived as the only viable option. It could also limit the government's ability to leverage new technologies or cost-saving approaches that might emerge from a competitive marketplace.
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
Parent Company: THE Johns Hopkins University
Address: JOHNS HOPKINS RD 11100, LAUREL, MD, 20723
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $27,683,123
Exercised Options: $27,683,123
Current Obligation: $27,683,123
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NNN06AA01C
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-05-05
Current End Date: 2013-02-28
Potential End Date: 2013-02-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2022-04-01
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