# DARPA Awards Laurel APL $499.8M R&D Contract

On October 14, 2026, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) awarded Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) a sole-source, cost-plus-fixed-fee IDIQ contract with a potential ceiling of $499.8 million for engineering, research, and development services. Work will be performed primarily in Laurel, Maryland, and orders may be placed through October 2031. No funds were obligated at award; the minimum guarantee is to be funded with the first task order. Because the prime award was not competed, industry opportunities are more likely to arise through task-order-related subcontracting and specialized supply needs than through a competing prime award.

- The $499.8 million is a contract ceiling, not an amount currently obligated. Contractors should distinguish potential work from funded task orders when assessing the opportunity.
- Companies with relevant engineering, research, and development capabilities can assess potential subcontracting or supply opportunities with APL as task orders are issued.
- The sole-source award and long-running DARPA-APL relationship indicate that the prime contract is not an open competition; firms should focus business development on APL’s potential teaming and task-order support needs.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Topics:** Artificial Intelligence, Contracting Vehicles
**Published:** October 15, 2026

### Government Entities
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)

### Vendors
- Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) (awardee)

### Sources
- [Johns Hopkins APL Lands $500M DARPA R&D, Engineering Deal](https://www.govconwire.com/articles/johns-hopkins-apl-darpa-engineering-rd) - GovCon Wire
- [Johns Hopkins lab gets up to $500M for DARPA research](https://defence-blog.com/johns-hopkins-lab-gets-up-to-500m-for-darpa-research) - The Defence Blog