NASA's DART Phase A Study: $222M for Asteroid Impact Research by Johns Hopkins University
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $222,014,203 ($222.0M)
Contractor: THE Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2015-09-25
End Date: 2022-08-15
Contract Duration: 2,516 days
Daily Burn Rate: $88.2K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF ASTERIOD IMPACT AND DEFLECTION ASSESSMENT (AIDA) - DOUBLE ASTERIOD REDIRECTION TEST (DART) PHASE A STUDY THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PERFORM THE WORK THAT IS DESIGNATED IN TASK ORDERS ISSUED BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER. THE OVERALL SCOPE OF WORK TO BE PERFORMED WILL SUPPORT ALL OF NASA'S MISSION DIRECTORATES. THESE EFFORTS CAN BE CHARACTERIZED AS AEROSPACE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT (ARDES). THE GENERAL NATURE OF THE TASKS TO BE DEVELOPED WILL BE TO CONDUCT SUPPORTING RESEARCH AND ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT DESIGNED TO MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS TO SPACE SCIENCE AND SPACE EXPLORATION AND ASSIST NASA IN THE FORMULATION AND EXECUTION OF ITS PROGRAMS BY PROVIDING NASA WITH TECHNICAL ADVICE, STUDIES, AND REPORTS OF INVESTIGATIONS. EFFORTS UNDERTAKEN BY THE CONTRACTOR, IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE ASSIGNED TASKS, WHICH INCLUDE TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER, PARTNERING AND COMMERCIALIZATION ACTIVITIES, SHALL SEEK TO ENHANCE THE VALUE AND CONTRIBUTION OF TECHNOLOGY TO THE NATION IS TECHNOLOGICAL COMPETITIVENESS, PROSPERITY, QUALITY OF LIFE, AND OTHER NATIONAL PRIORITIES. INDIVIDUAL TASK ORDERS WILL FALL WITHIN ONE OF TWO BROAD CATEGORIES: 1) ESSENTIAL RESEARCH CAPABILITY OF SPACE SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, AND RELATED WORK IN THE SUPPORTING ESSENTIAL RESEARCH CAPABILITIES OF SYSTEMS TEST AND EVALUATION, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, AND SIMULATION, MODELING AND OPERATIONS ANALYSIS. TASK ORDERS WITHIN THE CATEGORY OF ESSENTIAL RESEARCH CAPABILITIES ARE INTENDED TO PRESERVE THE NATION IS CAPABILITIES TO PERFORM ROBOTIC SPACE MISSIONS OVER THE FULL MISSION LIFE CYCLE FROM CONCEPT FORMULATION THROUGH MISSION OPERATIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS. NASA IS CONTRACTING FOR SUPPORT IN SEVERAL KEY RESEARCH, ENGINEERING AND DEVELOPMENT COMPETENCIES THAT ARE FUNDAMENTAL TO THE PERFORMANCE OF THESE MISSIONS. 2) OTHER AEROSPACE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT. TASK ORDERS WITHIN THE CATEGORY OF OTHER AEROSPACE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT ARE INTENDED TO INCLUDE A BROAD BASE OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES RELEVANT TO NASA PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITIES AND ASSIGNMENTS. REGARDLESS OF CATEGORY, TASK ORDERS MAY BE ISSUED RELATED TO AUTONOMOUS DEEP-SPACE AND EARTH-ORBITING SPACECRAFT OR MAJOR SUBSYSTEMS, EXPERIMENTS, INSTRUMENTS OR OTHER DEVICES THAT MAY BE CARRIED AS PAYLOADS ON THE SPACE SHUTTLE OR ON OTHER SPACECRAFT. TASK ASSIGNMENTS WILL EXPLICITLY DESCRIBE A BROAD RANGE OF HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS, AND MANAGEMENT EFFORTS INCLUDING PROGRAM AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION.
Place of Performance
Location: LAUREL, HOWARD County, MARYLAND, 20723
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $222.0 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF ASTERIOD IMPACT AND DEFLECTION ASSESSMENT (AIDA) - DOUBLE ASTERIOD REDIRECTION TEST (DART) PHASE A STUDY THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PERFORM THE WORK THAT IS DESIGNATED IN TASK ORDERS ISSUED BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER. THE OVERALL SCOPE OF WORK TO BE PERFORMED WILL … Key points: 1. Significant investment in fundamental aerospace research and development. 2. Sole-source award to a specialized research institution. 3. Potential for groundbreaking discoveries in planetary defense. 4. Focus on space science and exploration aligns with NASA's core mission.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $222M over approximately 7 years for a Phase A study is substantial, reflecting the complexity of aerospace research. Benchmarking is difficult without specific task order details, but it appears reasonable for advanced R&D.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was awarded sole-source, likely due to the specialized expertise of The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in this specific area of research. This limits price discovery through competition but may be justified by unique capabilities.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are directed towards critical scientific research with potential long-term benefits for planetary defense and space exploration.
Public Impact
Advancing understanding of asteroid impact risks and mitigation strategies. Contributing to NASA's broader goals in space science and exploration. Potential for technological advancements with dual-use applications. Supporting high-level scientific research and development in the US.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 88 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competitive pricing.
- Long duration may increase cost uncertainty.
Positive Signals
- Addresses a critical scientific and potential safety concern.
- Leverages specialized expertise for advanced research.
- Supports NASA's strategic mission objectives.
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 competitiveness, with NASA being a major funder of such R&D.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not awarded to a small business. The nature of this specialized aerospace research often requires large, established institutions with extensive facilities and expertise, which may limit opportunities for small businesses in this specific instance.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by NASA, with task orders defining specific work. Oversight would focus on the technical execution of research tasks and adherence to the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure to ensure responsible use of funds.
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 competitive scrutiny.
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts can incentivize cost overruns if not closely monitored.
- Long contract duration increases exposure to changing research needs or economic conditions.
- Complexity of aerospace R&D introduces inherent technical risks.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, md, delivery-order, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $222.0 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC. IGF::CL::IGF ASTERIOD IMPACT AND DEFLECTION ASSESSMENT (AIDA) - DOUBLE ASTERIOD REDIRECTION TEST (DART) PHASE A STUDY THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PERFORM THE WORK THAT IS DESIGNATED IN TASK ORDERS ISSUED BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER. THE OVERALL SCOPE OF WORK TO BE PERFORMED WILL SUPPORT ALL OF NASA'S MISSION DIRECTORATES. THESE EFFORTS CAN BE CHARACTERIZED AS AEROSPACE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT (ARDES). THE GENERAL NATURE OF THE TASKS TO BE DEVELOPED WILL BE TO CONDUCT SUPPO
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 $222.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2015-09-25. End: 2022-08-15.
What specific deliverables are expected under this Phase A study, and how do they contribute to the overall DART mission's success?
Phase A studies typically involve preliminary research, feasibility assessments, and conceptual designs. For the DART mission, this likely includes defining the mission architecture, identifying key technical challenges, and developing initial scientific objectives related to asteroid redirection. The deliverables would inform subsequent phases, ensuring the mission is scientifically sound and technically achievable.
Given the sole-source nature, what mechanisms are in place to ensure the contractor's costs are reasonable and reflect fair market value for the specialized research provided?
While competitive bidding is absent, NASA likely employs rigorous cost analysis and negotiation processes. This includes reviewing the contractor's proposed budget, historical cost data, and industry benchmarks for similar specialized research. Audits and regular performance reviews also help ensure cost reasonableness and accountability throughout the contract's lifecycle.
How will the outcomes of this research phase be integrated into future NASA missions or planetary defense strategies?
The findings from this Phase A study are foundational. They will inform the detailed design and execution of subsequent DART mission phases, potentially leading to a full-scale demonstration. Furthermore, the knowledge gained about asteroid characteristics and redirection techniques will contribute to NASA's broader planetary defense strategy, informing future threat assessments and mitigation planning.
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
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: $228,072,692
Exercised Options: $228,072,692
Current Obligation: $222,014,203
Actual Outlays: $119,220,557
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NNN06AA01C
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2015-09-25
Current End Date: 2022-08-15
Potential End Date: 2022-08-15 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-13
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