GSA awards $16.3M R&D contract to KBR Wyle Services for C4ISR mission effectiveness

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,341,625 ($16.3M)

Contractor: KBR Wyle Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2025-06-30

End Date: 2026-06-29

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $44.9K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: TO05 RESILIENCE AND ASSURANCE FOR MISSION EFFECTIVENESS AND C4ISR

Place of Performance

Location: DAYTON, GREENE County, OHIO, 45433

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $16.3 million to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC for work described as: TO05 RESILIENCE AND ASSURANCE FOR MISSION EFFECTIVENESS AND C4ISR Key points: 1. Contract focuses on research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. KBR Wyle Services, LLC, a known entity, secured this delivery order. 3. The contract duration is one year, ending June 29, 2026. 4. This award falls under the General Services Administration's Federal Acquisition Service. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541715. 6. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, indicating shared risk. 7. The base award amount is $4,489,500, with a total potential of $16,341,624.63.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of $16.3 million for a one-year R&D effort requires careful benchmarking against similar contracts for C4ISR systems and resilience research. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure means costs are reimbursed plus a fixed fee, which can incentivize efficiency but also carries risk if cost overruns occur. Without specific performance metrics or comparable contract data, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. The base award of $4.5 million suggests an initial scope, with significant potential for growth.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicated as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION'. This suggests a sole-source award, potentially due to specific expertise required, a follow-on to a previous effort, or urgent needs. The lack of competition means that price discovery through market forces was bypassed, and the government relied on negotiation to establish a fair price. The justification for this sole-source award would be critical to understanding the necessity of this procurement approach.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can sometimes lead to higher prices for taxpayers as competitive pressures are absent. Transparency in the justification for sole-sourcing is essential to ensure public funds are used efficiently.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is likely the agency requiring C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) capabilities. The contract aims to enhance mission effectiveness and resilience in these critical systems. Services delivered will involve research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. The geographic impact is primarily within Ohio, where the contractor is located. Workforce implications may include specialized R&D personnel employed by KBR Wyle Services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpricing and reduced innovation.
CPFF contracts can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.
The specific R&D objectives and expected outcomes are not detailed, making performance assessment difficult.
Reliance on a single source may limit access to broader technological advancements in the field.

Positive Signals

KBR Wyle Services is an established contractor with experience in government R&D.
The contract aims to improve critical C4ISR mission effectiveness and resilience.
The General Services Administration (GSA) is a reputable agency overseeing the award.
The one-year duration allows for focused R&D efforts with defined endpoints.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences, excluding nanotechnology and biotechnology. The NAICS code 541715 covers a broad range of scientific research and experimental development services. The C4ISR domain is critical for defense and national security, often involving complex technological integration and innovation. Comparable spending in this sector can vary widely based on the specific research area and technological maturity, but significant government investment is typical for advanced defense-related R&D.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) is not a primary focus of this specific award. There is no indication of a small business set-aside. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not explicitly detailed in the provided information, but are a possibility within the scope of a large R&D contract. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless KBR Wyle Services actively engages small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract terms, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, though detailed justifications for sole-source awards are not always publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

C4ISR Systems Development
Defense Research and Development
Mission Assurance Programs
Federal IT Research
Engineering Services Contracts
Scientific Research Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing pressure.
CPFF contract structure carries risk of cost overruns.
Specific R&D objectives and performance metrics are not detailed.
Limited transparency on the justification for sole-sourcing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $16.3 million to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC. TO05 RESILIENCE AND ASSURANCE FOR MISSION EFFECTIVENESS AND C4ISR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $16.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-06-30. End: 2026-06-29.

What is KBR Wyle Services' track record with similar government R&D contracts, particularly in C4ISR?

KBR Wyle Services, LLC has a significant history of performing government contracts, including those related to research and development and defense systems. While specific details on their C4ISR R&D performance require deeper database analysis, their general profile suggests experience in complex technical services. Examining past performance evaluations, contract modifications, and any past performance issues would provide a clearer picture of their reliability and capability in this specific domain. Their ability to manage Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts effectively, as indicated by this award, is a key factor in assessing their track record for similar future endeavors.

How does the $16.3 million award compare to typical spending for C4ISR resilience R&D contracts?

Benchmarking the $16.3 million award requires comparing it against contracts with similar scope, duration, and technological focus within the C4ISR resilience R&D domain. The provided data indicates a one-year duration with a potential ceiling of $16.3 million. Without access to a comprehensive database of comparable contracts, it's difficult to provide a precise benchmark. However, R&D efforts in advanced defense technologies like C4ISR can range significantly, from a few million to tens or hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the complexity and maturity of the research. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure also influences the total obligated amount. A thorough analysis would involve identifying contracts with similar NAICS codes (541715) and keywords related to C4ISR, resilience, and mission effectiveness.

What are the primary risks associated with this Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract structure for R&D?

The primary risk with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract structure, especially for research and development, is the potential for cost overruns. While the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs, the fixed fee provides a guaranteed profit margin regardless of the final cost. This can reduce the contractor's incentive to control costs rigorously, as they are assured their profit. For the government, the risk lies in paying higher-than-necessary costs if the contractor is not efficient. Effective oversight, detailed cost tracking, and clear performance metrics are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure value for taxpayer money in a CPFF arrangement.

What specific R&D objectives does this contract aim to achieve for C4ISR mission effectiveness?

The provided data indicates the contract's purpose is 'RESILIENCE AND ASSURANCE FOR MISSION EFFECTIVENESS AND C4ISR'. However, the specific R&D objectives are not detailed. These objectives would typically outline the technical challenges to be addressed, the research methodologies to be employed, and the expected outcomes or deliverables. For instance, the research might focus on developing new algorithms for threat detection, enhancing communication network robustness against jamming, improving data fusion for better situational awareness, or creating more resilient hardware components for C4ISR systems. Understanding these specific objectives is crucial for evaluating the contract's potential impact and measuring its success.

How does the sole-source nature of this award impact potential innovation and taxpayer value?

The sole-source nature of this award means that the government did not conduct a competitive bidding process to select KBR Wyle Services, LLC. This bypasses the market forces that typically drive innovation and cost efficiency through competition. While there might be valid justifications for a sole-source award (e.g., unique capabilities, urgent need), it inherently carries a risk of reduced innovation and potentially higher costs for taxpayers. Without competition, there's less pressure on the contractor to offer the most advanced solutions or the most competitive pricing. Taxpayer value is maximized when competition ensures the government receives the best possible solution at the best possible price.

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 › C – National Defense R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 47QFLA25R0012

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Brown & Root Industrial Services Holdings, LLC

Address: 15020 CONFERENCE CENTER DR STE 100, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $58,383,005

Exercised Options: $19,201,937

Current Obligation: $16,341,625

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $621,047

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QFLA21D0018

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline