DoD's $55.3M contract for UAS PMO support awarded to KBR Wyle Services, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $55,331,372 ($55.3M)
Contractor: KBR Wyle Services, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2010-11-09
End Date: 2015-11-08
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $30.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT FOR THE UAS PMO
Place of Performance
Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35898
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $55.3 million to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC for work described as: PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT FOR THE UAS PMO Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 1825 days (5 years) indicates a long-term need for these services. 3. The firm-fixed-price contract type aims to control costs by establishing a set price. 4. Services are categorized under Engineering Services (NAICS 541330). 5. The contract was awarded as a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger contract vehicle. 6. The contract was awarded to KBR Wyle Services, LLC, a significant player in government contracting.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The total contract value of $55.3 million over five years averages to approximately $11 million annually. Without specific benchmarks for programmatic support of UAS PMOs, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests an effort to manage costs predictably. Further analysis would require comparing this rate to similar support contracts for other program management offices within the DoD or other agencies.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The open nature of the competition suggests that the agency sought the best possible solution from the market.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining competitive pricing and innovative solutions, maximizing the value of government spending.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Program Management Office (PMO) within the Department of the Army, which receives essential programmatic support. The services delivered likely include project management, technical expertise, administrative support, and strategic planning to ensure the effective development and deployment of UAS. The geographic impact is primarily within Alabama (AL), where the contract was administered. The contract supports a workforce of engineers and program managers, contributing to specialized employment within the defense sector.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific performance metrics or outcome data makes it difficult to assess the true effectiveness and efficiency of the services provided.
- The duration of the contract (5 years) could lead to vendor lock-in if not managed carefully, potentially reducing future competition.
- Reliance on a single contractor for programmatic support over an extended period might limit the introduction of new ideas or technologies from other market participants.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust and fair bidding process.
- Firm-fixed-price contract type helps in budget predictability and cost control for the government.
- The contract supports a critical area of defense technology (UAS), aligning with strategic military objectives.
- The contractor, KBR Wyle Services, LLC, likely possesses relevant experience and expertise in defense program support.
Sector Analysis
The Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) sector within the defense industry is rapidly growing, driven by advancements in technology and increasing military applications. Programmatic support contracts like this are crucial for managing the complex lifecycle of UAS development, acquisition, and sustainment. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large program management support contracts within the DoD, particularly those focused on advanced technology systems, which often run into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars over several years.
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 set-aside provision. However, the prime contractor, KBR Wyle Services, LLC, may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill specific aspects of the contract, depending on their subcontracting plan and the nature of the services required. The absence of a set-aside means the primary competition was open to all business sizes.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program management office within the Department of the Army. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Defense Program Management Support
- Unmanned Aerial Systems Acquisition
- Engineering Services Contracts
- Defense Technology Development
Risk Flags
- Contract duration is long (5 years), requiring careful management to avoid complacency.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes objective assessment difficult.
- Potential for vendor lock-in due to extended contract period.
Tags
defense, department-of-defense, department-of-the-army, uas-program, programmatic-support, engineering-services, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, kbr-wyle-services, alabama, large-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $55.3 million to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC. PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT FOR THE UAS PMO
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $55.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2010-11-09. End: 2015-11-08.
What is the track record of KBR Wyle Services, LLC in providing programmatic support for defense agencies?
KBR Wyle Services, LLC, a subsidiary of KBR, Inc., has a substantial history of supporting U.S. government agencies, including the Department of Defense, NASA, and others. Their expertise often spans engineering, scientific, and technical services, including program management, logistics, and systems engineering. For programmatic support specifically, they have been involved in numerous contracts across various defense platforms and initiatives. Their extensive experience suggests a strong capability to handle complex projects like the UAS PMO support. However, a detailed review of past performance evaluations, past issues, and specific successes related to UAS programs would provide a more granular understanding of their suitability and reliability for this particular contract.
How does the annual cost of this contract compare to similar programmatic support contracts for other major defense systems?
The annual cost for this contract averages approximately $11 million ($55.3M / 5 years). Benchmarking this against similar programmatic support contracts for other major defense systems requires access to detailed data on comparable contracts, which is not fully available here. However, large-scale defense programs often require significant programmatic support. For instance, major aircraft or shipbuilding programs might incur annual support costs ranging from several million to tens of millions of dollars, depending on the program's complexity, maturity, and specific needs. The $11 million annual figure appears within a reasonable range for supporting a significant technology program like UAS, but a precise comparison would necessitate analyzing contracts with similar scope, duration, and technological focus.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of KBR Wyle Services, LLC under this contract?
The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of KBR Wyle Services, LLC under this contract. Typically, for programmatic support contracts, KPIs might include metrics related to schedule adherence for project milestones, budget management (e.g., cost variance), quality of deliverables (e.g., reports, analyses), responsiveness to task orders, and overall satisfaction of the program office. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract implies that meeting defined service requirements within the agreed price is a primary measure of success. Without access to the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS), specific KPIs remain unknown.
What is the historical spending trend for programmatic support of the UAS PMO, and how does this contract fit within that trend?
Historical spending data for the UAS PMO's programmatic support is not provided in the current data extract. To understand the trend, one would need to examine contract awards for this specific PMO over previous years. This contract, awarded in 2010 and ending in 2015, represents a specific period of investment. If the UAS program has been ongoing, subsequent contracts would indicate continued or potentially increased spending, reflecting program growth or evolving needs. Conversely, a decrease in subsequent contract values might suggest program maturation, consolidation, or shifts in acquisition strategy. This $55.3 million, 5-year contract suggests a significant, sustained investment during its term.
Are there any identified risks associated with KBR Wyle Services, LLC's performance on this contract, such as past performance issues or financial instability?
The provided data does not explicitly list any risks associated with KBR Wyle Services, LLC's performance on this specific contract, nor does it detail past performance issues or financial instability. However, standard government contracting practices involve assessing contractor past performance. KBR Wyle Services, LLC is a large, established entity within the defense contracting space, suggesting a generally stable financial footing. Potential risks common to such contracts could include scope creep if not managed tightly, reliance on key personnel, or unforeseen technical challenges. A comprehensive risk assessment would require reviewing contractor performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS) and potentially financial health reports.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: KBR, Inc. (UEI: 784072626)
Address: 100 QUALITY CIR NW, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35806
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $55,331,372
Exercised Options: $55,331,372
Current Obligation: $55,331,372
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W31P4Q05A0024
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2010-11-09
Current End Date: 2015-11-08
Potential End Date: 2015-11-08 12:11:00
Last Modified: 2019-09-30
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