DOT Awards $23.8M Design Contract to Jacobs Engineering for Warrenton, VA Project

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,831,611 ($23.8M)

Contractor: Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2019-09-24

End Date: 2028-09-30

Contract Duration: 3,294 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Engineering Services

Official Description: WARRENTON VA DESIGN PROJECT

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20591

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $23.8 million to JACOBS ENGINEERING GROUP INC. for work described as: WARRENTON VA DESIGN PROJECT Key points: 1. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) awarded a significant contract for engineering services. 2. Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. secured the contract through full and open competition. 3. The project spans nearly 9 years, indicating a long-term need for these services. 4. The contract's fixed-price nature aims to control costs for the government.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $23.8 million over approximately 9 years suggests a substantial project. Benchmarking against similar large-scale engineering design contracts would be necessary for a precise assessment, but the duration and scope appear commensurate with the award amount.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust process for soliciting bids and ensuring fair market pricing. This method generally leads to better price discovery and value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is expected to yield competitive pricing, maximizing the value of taxpayer dollars spent on this critical design project.

Public Impact

Enhances infrastructure planning and design capabilities for the Federal Aviation Administration. Supports regional development and economic activity through engineering services. Ensures compliance with federal standards for transportation projects. Potential for job creation within the engineering and related sectors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 75 / 10

Positive Signals

Full and open competition utilized
Firm fixed price contract type
Long-term project duration indicates sustained need

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting the Federal Aviation Administration's infrastructure needs. Spending in this sector is crucial for maintaining and upgrading national transportation systems, with significant government investment typically seen in design and project management.

Small Business Impact

While the prime contractor is Jacobs Engineering Group Inc., a large firm, the contract details do not specify any small business subcontracting goals or participation. Further investigation would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration. Oversight would involve monitoring project progress, adherence to design specifications, and financial accountability throughout the contract's long duration.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Transportation Contracting
Federal Aviation Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Long contract duration (9 years) increases risk of scope creep or obsolescence.
Lack of specific small business participation details.
Potential for unforeseen challenges in large-scale infrastructure design projects.
Need for ongoing oversight to ensure project stays on track and within budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $23.8 million to JACOBS ENGINEERING GROUP INC.. WARRENTON VA DESIGN PROJECT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JACOBS ENGINEERING GROUP INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Federal Aviation Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $23.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-09-24. End: 2028-09-30.

What specific design elements are included in this Warrenton, VA project, and how do they align with current FAA modernization goals?

The provided data does not detail the specific design elements. However, given the agency (FAA) and location (Warrenton, VA), the project likely involves airport infrastructure, air traffic control facilities, or related aviation support systems. Alignment with FAA modernization goals would depend on whether the design incorporates new technologies, capacity enhancements, or safety improvements relevant to current aviation initiatives.

Are there any potential cost overruns or schedule delays anticipated given the 9-year duration of this contract?

The contract is a firm fixed price, which inherently shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor. However, the extended 9-year duration presents inherent risks for schedule delays due to unforeseen circumstances, regulatory changes, or evolving project requirements. Robust project management and change control processes by the FAA will be critical to mitigate these risks.

How does the awarded amount compare to industry benchmarks for similar large-scale, long-duration engineering design projects for federal agencies?

Without specific details on the project's scope (e.g., airport size, complexity of systems designed), a precise benchmark comparison is difficult. However, $23.8 million over nearly 9 years for a federal engineering design contract suggests a significant undertaking. The firm fixed-price structure and full and open competition are positive indicators for value, but a detailed cost-benefit analysis against comparable projects would provide a clearer picture.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - CONSTRUCTION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ARCHITECT-ENGINEER FAR 6.102

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1100 NORTH GLEBE RD STE 500, ARLINGTON, VA, 22201

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $23,831,611

Exercised Options: $23,831,611

Current Obligation: $23,831,611

Actual Outlays: $16,144,685

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $125,237

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 697DCK19D00002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline