DoD's NAVAIR Spends $63.6M on Unmanned Aviation R&D with KBR Wyle Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $63,623,735 ($63.6M)
Contractor: KBR Wyle Services, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2019-12-16
End Date: 2024-12-17
Contract Duration: 1,828 days
Daily Burn Rate: $34.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: NAVAIR UNMANNED AVIATION INTEGRATION, DEMONSTRATION, AND PROTOTYPING, THE NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND PROGRAM EXECUTIVE OFFICE, UNMANNED AVIATION AND STRIKE WEAPONS
Place of Performance
Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35806
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $63.6 million to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC for work described as: NAVAIR UNMANNED AVIATION INTEGRATION, DEMONSTRATION, AND PROTOTYPING, THE NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND PROGRAM EXECUTIVE OFFICE, UNMANNED AVIATION AND STRIKE WEAPONS Key points: 1. Significant investment in advanced unmanned aviation technology. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. Risk is moderate given the R&D nature and fixed-fee contract type. 4. Sector focus is R&D, specifically in physical and engineering sciences.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure for R&D is typical. Benchmarking against similar complex R&D contracts is difficult without more granular cost data, but the total award value appears reasonable for the scope.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which generally promotes competitive pricing. The use of a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type for R&D allows for flexibility while incentivizing the contractor to manage costs within the fixed fee.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition aims to secure the best value for taxpayers by allowing all eligible sources to bid, potentially leading to lower prices and higher quality outcomes.
Public Impact
Enhances U.S. military capabilities in unmanned aerial systems. Supports technological advancement in a critical defense sector. Potential for spin-off technologies benefiting civilian applications. Job creation in research and development roles.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can incentivize cost overruns if not closely monitored.
- R&D projects inherently carry risk of not achieving desired outcomes.
- Dependence on a single contractor for a critical program area.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition is a positive signal for value.
- Focus on advanced unmanned aviation aligns with strategic defense priorities.
- Long-term contract duration allows for sustained development.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority but can be subject to long development cycles and uncertain outcomes.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business. There is no information provided on subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this award.
Oversight & Accountability
The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) is responsible for this contract. Oversight would involve monitoring the contractor's progress, adherence to the contract terms, and management of costs, particularly the fixed fee component.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns in CPFF contracts.
- R&D success is inherently uncertain.
- Lack of small business participation.
- Limited visibility into specific technological advancements.
- Contract duration extends into future fiscal years.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, al, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $63.6 million to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC. NAVAIR UNMANNED AVIATION INTEGRATION, DEMONSTRATION, AND PROTOTYPING, THE NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND PROGRAM EXECUTIVE OFFICE, UNMANNED AVIATION AND STRIKE WEAPONS
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 Air Force).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $63.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2019-12-16. End: 2024-12-17.
What specific unmanned aviation technologies are being developed or demonstrated under this contract?
The contract details are broad, focusing on 'Unmanned Aviation Integration, Demonstration, and Prototyping.' Specific technologies are not detailed in the provided data. Further investigation into NAVAIR's program objectives and KBR Wyle Services' specific task orders would be necessary to identify the precise technological advancements being pursued.
How effectively are the Cost Plus Fixed Fee incentives managing R&D costs and driving innovation?
The effectiveness of the CPFF structure in managing costs and driving innovation is difficult to assess solely from the award data. While it provides a fixed profit margin, it requires robust government oversight to prevent potential cost escalations. The success hinges on clear performance metrics and diligent program management by NAVAIR.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this R&D effort?
Key performance indicators for this R&D contract are not explicitly stated in the provided data. Typically, for such contracts, KPIs would relate to successful demonstration of prototypes, achievement of technical performance milestones, integration capabilities, and adherence to development timelines within the allocated budget and fixed fee.
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 › OTHER RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Brown & Root Industrial Services Holdings, LLC
Address: 22309 EXPLORATION DR, LEXINGTON PARK, MD, 20653
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $64,094,772
Exercised Options: $64,094,772
Current Obligation: $63,623,735
Actual Outlays: $7,759,104
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 12
Total Subaward Amount: $30,874,379
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA807518D0015
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2019-12-16
Current End Date: 2024-12-17
Potential End Date: 2024-12-17 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-10
More Contracts from KBR Wyle Services, LLC
- Bioastronautics Contract-Activities for the Health &productivity of Crews Working and Living in Space — $1.5B (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- Fpds-Ng Mission Systems Operations Contract (msoc) — $1.0B (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- THE Purpose of This Contract IS to Acquire Engineering Services and Related Services to MSD and Related Organizations Throughout Gsfc, AS Required, for the Formulation, Design, Development, Fabrication, Integration, Testing, Verification, and Operations of Space Flight and Ground System Hardware and Software, Including Development and Validation of NEW Technologies to Enable Future Space and Science Missions. the Engineering Areas of Emphasis ARE Multidisciplinary With Concentration in the Mechanical Engineering Areas of Materials, Structural Analysis and Loads, Mechanical Design, Electromechanical Design, Thermal, Contamination and Coatings, Manufacturing and Integration and Test — $728.5M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- 200106!000121!1700!F7004 !marine Corps Logistics Base !M6700499C0002 !a!n!*!n!p00015 !20010228!20080930!041014242!041014242!139691877!n!honeywell Technology Solutions!7000 Columbia Gateway Driv!columbia !md!21046!35000!031!12!jacksonville !duval !florida !+000004292865!n!n!000000000000!j049!maint & Repair of Eq/Maintenance & Repair Shop EQ !a4a!combat Vehicles !2000!NOT Discernable or Classified !811310!*!*!3! ! !C!*!*!*!B!*!*!A! !A !N!J!2!006!B! !C!Y!Z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !a!a!a!a!000!a!d!n! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! — $670.1M (Department of Defense)
- Mission Operations Management Services (moms) — $623.8M (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
Other Department of Defense Contracts
- Federal Contract — $51.3B (Humana Government Business Inc)
- Lrip LOT 12 Advance Acquisition Contract — $35.1B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- SSN 802 and 803 Long Lead Time Material — $34.7B (Electric Boat Corporation)
- 200204!008532!1700!AF600 !naval AIR Systems Command !N0001902C3002 !A!N! !N! !20011026!20120430!008016958!008016958!834951691!n!lockheed Martin Corporation !lockheed Blvd !fort Worth !tx!76108!27000!439!48!fort Worth !tarrant !texas !+000026000000!n!n!018981928201!ac15!rdte/Aircraft-Eng/Manuf Develop !a1a!airframes and Spares !2ama!jast/Jsf !336411!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !a!n!r!2!002!n!1a!a!n!z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !a!a!a!a!000!a!c!n! ! ! !Y! !N00019!0001! — $34.2B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- KC-X Modernization Program — $32.0B (THE Boeing Company)