Over $28 million awarded for engineering services at NAS Whiting Field, with LB & B Associates Inc. securing the contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,179,027 ($28.2M)

Contractor: LB & B Associates Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2007-03-08

End Date: 2020-10-31

Contract Duration: 4,986 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: COMS AT NAS WHITING FIELD

Place of Performance

Location: COLUMBIA, HOWARD County, MARYLAND, 21045, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $28.2 million to LB & B ASSOCIATES INC for work described as: COMS AT NAS WHITING FIELD Key points: 1. The contract value of $28.18 million represents a significant investment in engineering support. 2. LB & B Associates Inc. was awarded this contract, indicating their capability in providing specialized engineering services. 3. The contract duration of approximately 13.6 years suggests a long-term need for these services. 4. The 'Firm Fixed Price' contract type implies predictable costs for the government, mitigating cost overrun risks. 5. Awarded under full and open competition, this contract likely benefited from a competitive bidding process. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 points to a focus on engineering services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $28.18 million for engineering services over nearly 14 years appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar long-term, comprehensive engineering support contracts for naval facilities would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure helps control costs, but the absence of specific performance metrics makes a detailed value comparison challenging without further data.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The presence of 7 bidders (as indicated by 'no': 7) signifies a healthy level of competition for this requirement. This broad competition is generally expected to drive down prices and ensure the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process for this contract likely resulted in a more favorable price for taxpayers compared to a sole-source or limited competition award. The multiple bidders indicate that taxpayer funds were used efficiently to secure the best possible engineering services.

Public Impact

Naval Air Station Whiting Field benefits from essential engineering services to maintain and improve its facilities. The contract supports the operational readiness and infrastructure development of a key naval aviation training base. The services provided likely contribute to the safety and efficiency of flight operations and base infrastructure. The contract supports jobs within the engineering services sector, potentially benefiting the local and national workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration (nearly 14 years) could lead to potential complacency or reduced agility in adapting to evolving needs.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the contractor's ongoing performance quality.
The fixed-price nature, while good for cost certainty, might disincentivize the contractor from seeking innovative or cost-saving solutions beyond the contract scope.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process and likely competitive pricing.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government, minimizing budget risks.
The contractor, LB & B Associates Inc., has secured a significant, long-term contract, suggesting a level of trust and proven capability.

Sector Analysis

The engineering services sector is a critical component of government contracting, supporting a wide range of infrastructure and operational needs across various agencies. This contract falls within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. Spending in this sector is often driven by infrastructure upgrades, modernization efforts, and ongoing maintenance requirements for federal facilities. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other large-scale engineering support contracts awarded to private firms for military installations or similar government properties.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a small business set-aside. The primary contractor, LB & B Associates Inc., would be responsible for managing the entire scope of work. Analysis of their subcontracting plans, if any, would be necessary to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the Department of the Navy, with specific program managers responsible for monitoring performance and ensuring compliance. Contract administration offices would oversee financial aspects and adherence to terms. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Contracts
Department of Defense Engineering Services
Military Base Infrastructure Support
Base Operations Support Contracts
Long-Term Engineering Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may present risks related to adaptability and evolving requirements.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes ongoing assessment challenging.
Fixed-price contract could limit incentives for innovation beyond the defined scope.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $28.2 million to LB & B ASSOCIATES INC. COMS AT NAS WHITING FIELD

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LB & B ASSOCIATES INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $28.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-03-08. End: 2020-10-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for engineering services at NAS Whiting Field prior to this contract?

Analyzing historical spending for engineering services at NAS Whiting Field prior to this contract (awarded March 8, 2007, ending October 31, 2020) would require accessing historical contract data for the base. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to provide precise figures. However, it's reasonable to assume that NAS Whiting Field, as an active naval aviation training base, would have had recurring needs for engineering support, potentially through various smaller contracts or task orders under larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicles. The $28.18 million awarded over its duration suggests a substantial and consistent requirement for these services, likely encompassing design, planning, and potentially oversight of construction or maintenance projects.

How does the awarded amount compare to the estimated value or ceiling of the contract?

The provided data shows an 'awarded' amount of $28,179,027.18. However, the data does not explicitly state the 'estimated value' or 'ceiling' of the contract at the time of award or throughout its life. For a firm-fixed-price contract, the awarded amount typically represents the total commitment. If this was an IDIQ contract with a ceiling, the awarded amount would be the total spent against that ceiling. Without the ceiling or estimated value, a direct comparison is not possible. Generally, for fixed-price contracts, the awarded amount is the definitive value. If this contract had a ceiling, and the awarded amount is significantly below it, it could indicate efficient utilization of funds or a scope that didn't reach its maximum potential.

What specific types of engineering services were included under this contract?

The NAICS code 541330 indicates 'Engineering Services.' This broad category typically encompasses a wide range of activities, including architectural and engineering services, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, structural engineering, and potentially specialized areas like aerospace or environmental engineering, depending on the specific requirements of NAS Whiting Field. Given the nature of a naval air station, services likely included design and planning for infrastructure projects (e.g., runways, hangars, support buildings), maintenance and repair assessments, environmental compliance engineering, and potentially project management support for construction or renovation activities.

What is LB & B Associates Inc.'s track record with similar government contracts?

LB & B Associates Inc. has a history of securing government contracts, particularly within the defense sector. Their portfolio includes various engineering and technical support services for military installations. A review of their contract history would reveal the types of agencies they have served (e.g., Navy, Air Force, Army), the scale and duration of previous contracts, and their performance ratings, if publicly available. Securing a nearly 14-year, multi-million dollar contract like this one suggests a demonstrated capability and reliability in meeting the complex demands of military engineering requirements, likely indicating a positive track record with the Department of Defense.

Were there any performance issues or contract modifications during the contract's lifecycle?

The provided data does not include details on contract modifications, performance issues, or disputes related to this contract. To assess performance issues or modifications, one would need to consult the contract's official file or contract modification history within government procurement databases. Significant modifications could indicate changes in scope, unforeseen challenges, or adjustments to pricing. The absence of readily available information on issues does not guarantee a flawless execution, but it also doesn't point to major, publicly documented problems. Further investigation into contract modification logs would be necessary for a comprehensive understanding.

What is the geographic scope of the services provided by this contract?

The contract is specifically for services at 'COMS AT NAS WHITING FIELD,' which stands for Communications at Naval Air Station Whiting Field. NAS Whiting Field is located in Milton, Florida. Therefore, the geographic scope of the engineering services provided under this contract is limited to the physical boundaries and operational areas of Naval Air Station Whiting Field. This includes all facilities, infrastructure, and potentially surrounding areas directly managed or utilized by the base for its aviation training and support missions.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 9891 BROKENLAND PKWY, COLUMBIA, MD, 21046

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $28,704,558

Exercised Options: $28,179,027

Current Obligation: $28,179,027

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N6133905D6008

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline