DoD Awards $90M for Physics-Based Modeling & Simulation R&D to JHU APL
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $89,874,207 ($89.9M)
Contractor: THE Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2020-05-11
End Date: 2025-05-10
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $49.2K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: DEVELOPMENT OF A CAPABILITY THAT LEVERAGES PHYSICS-BASED MODELING, SIMULATION, AND ANALYSIS
Place of Performance
Location: LAUREL, HOWARD County, MARYLAND, 20723
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $89.9 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC for work described as: DEVELOPMENT OF A CAPABILITY THAT LEVERAGES PHYSICS-BASED MODELING, SIMULATION, AND ANALYSIS Key points: 1. Significant investment in advanced R&D for defense capabilities. 2. Sole-source award to a highly specialized research institution. 3. Potential for high-impact technological advancements. 4. Focus on complex physics modeling and simulation.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. The total award amount is substantial, and without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this represents fair value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award to The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC. This limits price discovery and may result in a higher cost than a competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being allocated without a competitive process, potentially leading to a less cost-effective outcome.
Public Impact
Enhances national security through advanced simulation capabilities. Supports cutting-edge research in physics and engineering. Potential for dual-use technologies benefiting civilian sectors. Invests in a critical area of scientific development.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost-plus contract type
- High dollar value
Positive Signals
- Specialized research capability
- Potential for technological advancement
- Long-term development effort
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. The $90M award is significant for this sector, particularly for a sole-source R&D effort.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded directly to a large university-affiliated laboratory and does not appear to involve small business participation as prime contractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure the funds are used efficiently and effectively towards the stated research objectives.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competitive bidding
- Potential for cost overruns with CPFF
- Limited transparency on specific technical requirements
- Dependency on a single entity for critical capability
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, md, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $89.9 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC. DEVELOPMENT OF A CAPABILITY THAT LEVERAGES PHYSICS-BASED MODELING, SIMULATION, AND ANALYSIS
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 Air Force).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $89.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-05-11. End: 2025-05-10.
What is the justification for the sole-source award, and what specific capabilities does JHU APL possess that preclude competition?
The justification for a sole-source award typically rests on unique capabilities, specialized knowledge, or proprietary technology held by a single entity. For JHU APL, this often relates to their long-standing role in national security research, access to unique facilities, or specific expertise developed over decades of government-sponsored work that cannot be replicated by other organizations within the required timeframe.
How will the cost-plus fixed fee structure be managed to mitigate risks of cost overruns and ensure value for money?
Effective management of a CPFF contract involves stringent oversight of direct costs, regular audits, and clear performance metrics. The government contracting officer and technical team must actively monitor expenditures, review progress reports, and ensure that JHU APL adheres to the established fixed fee and project scope. Robust communication channels and defined milestones are crucial for controlling costs and ensuring the project stays within budget.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will the success of the physics-based modeling and simulation capability be measured?
Success will likely be measured by the successful development and validation of the physics-based models and simulations, their accuracy against empirical data, and their ability to provide actionable insights for the Department of the Air Force. KPIs could include the fidelity of the simulations, the speed of analysis, the successful integration of the capability into existing workflows, and the achievement of specific technical milestones outlined in the contract's statement of work.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
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: $89,900,272
Exercised Options: $89,900,272
Current Obligation: $89,874,207
Actual Outlays: $21,181,681
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 7
Total Subaward Amount: $701,491
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA881918D0009
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-05-11
Current End Date: 2025-05-10
Potential End Date: 2025-05-10 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-08-25
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