DoD awards $116M for R&D to JHU APL, a sole-source contract for specialized engineering support
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $115,905,257 ($115.9M)
Contractor: THE Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2012-12-01
End Date: 2019-01-12
Contract Duration: 2,233 days
Daily Burn Rate: $51.9K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: LAUREL, HOWARD County, MARYLAND, 20723
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $115.9 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT Key points: 1. High value contract for critical R&D services. 2. Sole-source award limits competition and potentially price discovery. 3. Long duration suggests complex, ongoing research needs. 4. Contractor is a well-established research institution.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. Benchmarking is difficult without comparable sole-source R&D contracts.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This approach bypasses competitive bidding, potentially leading to higher costs and reduced innovation compared to an open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in taxpayers paying a premium for these specialized R&D services.
Public Impact
Supports critical missile defense research and development. Leverages specialized expertise from a leading research institution. Long-term commitment to a specific research area.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Cost-plus contract type
- Long contract duration
Positive Signals
- Utilizes specialized R&D expertise
- Supports critical national security mission
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is crucial for technological advancement but requires careful oversight due to its specialized nature and potential for cost growth.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded to a large, non-profit research institution and does not appear to involve small business participation. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure fair pricing and effective execution of research objectives. The Missile Defense Agency should monitor costs and performance diligently.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Missile Defense Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Cost-plus contract type increases cost risk.
- Long contract duration may indicate potential for scope creep.
- Lack of small business participation.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, md, delivery-order, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $115.9 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC. IGF::OT::IGF ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL 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: Department of Defense (Missile Defense Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $115.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2012-12-01. End: 2019-01-12.
What specific factors justified the sole-source award for this critical R&D support, and were alternatives explored?
The justification for a sole-source award typically centers on unique capabilities, specialized knowledge, or urgent needs that only a specific entity can fulfill. For R&D, this often involves proprietary research or highly specialized facilities. The agency should have documented why competition was not feasible or advantageous, and explored if any limited competition options existed before resorting to a sole-source determination.
How is the cost-plus fixed fee structure being managed to mitigate risks of cost overruns in this long-term R&D project?
Effective management of a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract involves rigorous cost tracking, regular performance reviews, and clear communication between the government and the contractor. The agency must establish robust oversight mechanisms to monitor expenditures against the estimated cost, ensure that all costs are allowable and allocable, and verify that the fixed fee remains appropriate given the work performed and risks encountered.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the effectiveness and value of the R&D services provided by JHU APL?
Measuring the effectiveness of R&D services can be challenging. KPIs might include the successful completion of research milestones, the development of prototypes or new technologies, the number of patents or publications resulting from the research, and the successful transition of research findings into operational systems. The agency should have clearly defined, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals and KPIs to assess the value and impact of the contract.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except 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: HQ014712R0002
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: THE Johns Hopkins University
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: $121,082,619
Exercised Options: $121,082,619
Current Obligation: $115,905,257
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HQ014712D0004
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2012-12-01
Current End Date: 2019-01-12
Potential End Date: 2019-01-12 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2022-04-01
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