NASA's Van Allen Probe Mission Extended: $57.4M Contract Awarded to Johns Hopkins University for Aerospace Research
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $57,409,869 ($57.4M)
Contractor: THE Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2016-07-15
End Date: 2021-11-30
Contract Duration: 1,964 days
Daily Burn Rate: $29.2K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF VAN ALLEN PROBE PHASE E EXTENDED MISSION 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 $57.4 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF VAN ALLEN PROBE PHASE E EXTENDED MISSION 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… Key points: 1. Contract supports NASA's mission directorates with aerospace research, development, and engineering. 2. Focus on space science and exploration through advanced technology development and research. 3. Contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, indicating potential for cost overruns. 4. The sector is R&D, specifically Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 5. No small business participation noted.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) type, which can lead to higher costs if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, suggesting a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in a higher overall cost to taxpayers for the research and development services provided.
Public Impact
Supports critical NASA missions in space science and exploration. Funds advanced research and technology development with potential for future breakthroughs. Contract duration of nearly 2 years ensures continuity of essential support services. Geographic concentration in Maryland for contract performance.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type carries inherent cost escalation risks.
- No small business participation.
Positive Signals
- Supports vital NASA space science and exploration objectives.
- Contract provides continuity for critical research and development efforts.
- Long contract duration indicates sustained need for services.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector (NAICS 541710). Spending in this sector is crucial for technological advancement and scientific discovery, often involving complex, long-term projects.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates no small business participation in this contract. This is common for highly specialized R&D efforts, but it represents a missed opportunity to foster small business growth in the aerospace sector.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by NASA's National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Oversight would focus on ensuring the contractor meets research objectives and manages costs effectively under the CPFF structure.
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 competition.
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can lead to cost overruns.
- Lack of small business participation.
- Limited transparency on cost reasonableness without further detail.
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 $57.4 million to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC. IGF::CL::IGF VAN ALLEN PROBE PHASE E EXTENDED MISSION 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 M
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 $57.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2016-07-15. End: 2021-11-30.
What is the specific breakdown of costs within the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, and how does the fixed fee compare to industry standards for similar R&D services?
A detailed breakdown of costs within the CPFF structure is not provided in the available data. The fixed fee component represents the contractor's profit. Without industry benchmarks for comparable aerospace R&D contracts, it is difficult to assess if this fee is reasonable or excessive, highlighting a potential area for further audit.
Given the sole-source nature of this award, what steps were taken to ensure the price was fair and reasonable, and what is the justification for not competing this requirement?
The justification for a sole-source award is not detailed in the provided information. Typically, such awards require a strong justification, such as unique capabilities or urgent need. Without this justification, it's difficult to assess the fairness of the price or the necessity of avoiding competition, which is a key aspect of taxpayer value.
How effectively has the contractor, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, contributed to NASA's mission directorates and advanced technology development under this contract?
The effectiveness of the contractor's contribution is not directly quantifiable from the provided contract data. Success would be measured by the scientific and technological advancements achieved, the quality of research reports, and the impact on NASA's space science and exploration programs. Further review of NASA's program performance metrics would be needed.
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
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: $57,814,837
Exercised Options: $57,814,837
Current Obligation: $57,409,869
Actual Outlays: $17,444,806
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NNN06AA01C
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2016-07-15
Current End Date: 2021-11-30
Potential End Date: 2021-11-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2023-12-12
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