DoD Awards $15.7M Contract for Lidar System Maintenance to Johns Hopkins APL
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $15,665,494 ($15.7M)
Contractor: THE Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2018-03-06
End Date: 2023-07-20
Contract Duration: 1,962 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.0K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: AWARD OF CONTRACT TO PROVIDE MAINTENANCE, REPAIR, AND UPGRADE SERVICES FOR THE LIGHT DETECTION AND RANGING (LIDAR) SYSTEM
Place of Performance
Location: LAUREL, HOWARD County, MARYLAND, 20723
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $15.7 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC for work described as: AWARD OF CONTRACT TO PROVIDE MAINTENANCE, REPAIR, AND UPGRADE SERVICES FOR THE LIGHT DETECTION AND RANGING (LIDAR) SYSTEM Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single, non-competitive source. 2. Significant duration of contract (nearly 5 years). 3. Focus on specialized engineering services for critical Lidar systems. 4. Potential for cost overruns given Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $15.7M over nearly 5 years for specialized Lidar maintenance is difficult to benchmark without more specific service details. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) pricing structure inherently carries risk of cost escalation.
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 potentially leads to higher costs compared to a competitive environment. The justification for sole-source is not provided.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are utilized for this contract. The lack of competition may result in a less efficient use of these funds.
Public Impact
Ensures continued operation of critical Lidar systems for national security or research purposes. Supports advanced technological capabilities within the Department of Defense. Potential impact on research and development if system maintenance is delayed or inadequate.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can lead to cost overruns.
- Long contract duration increases exposure to price changes and scope creep.
Positive Signals
- Maintains critical Lidar system functionality.
- Award to a reputable research institution (JHU APL).
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Engineering Services, a sector often characterized by specialized expertise and high barriers to entry. Spending in this area is critical for maintaining complex technological systems.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC, which is not a small business. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure fair pricing and effective service delivery. Accountability for performance and cost management is crucial given the contract type and duration.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
- Long contract duration
- Lack of competition
- Potential for cost escalation
Tags
engineering-services, department-of-defense, md, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $15.7 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC. AWARD OF CONTRACT TO PROVIDE MAINTENANCE, REPAIR, AND UPGRADE SERVICES FOR THE LIGHT DETECTION AND RANGING (LIDAR) SYSTEM
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 Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $15.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2018-03-06. End: 2023-07-20.
What was the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and were any alternatives considered?
The provided data does not include the justification for the sole-source award. Typically, sole-source contracts are awarded when only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services. Investigating the specific circumstances and ensuring this was the only viable option is crucial for accountability.
How will the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure be managed to mitigate the risk of cost overruns for this specialized Lidar system maintenance?
Effective management of a CPFF contract requires robust oversight, detailed cost tracking, and clear performance metrics. The agency should implement stringent review processes for all incurred costs and ensure that the fixed fee remains appropriate for the defined scope of work throughout the contract's lifecycle.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will the effectiveness of the Lidar system maintenance be measured?
The effectiveness of the maintenance will likely be measured by system uptime, response times to repair requests, and successful completion of scheduled upgrades. Specific KPIs should be clearly defined in the contract's statement of work to ensure accountability and successful performance outcomes.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: W56KGY17R0015
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 11100 JOHNS HOPKINS RD, LAUREL, MD, 20723
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $21,421,267
Exercised Options: $17,495,192
Current Obligation: $15,665,494
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2018-03-06
Current End Date: 2023-07-20
Potential End Date: 2023-07-20 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-11
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