KBR WYLE SERVICES awarded $27.6M for R&D in Air Force Life Cycle Management, with 2 bidders
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $27,560,670 ($27.6M)
Contractor: KBR Wyle Services, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2021-10-01
End Date: 2026-09-29
Contract Duration: 1,824 days
Daily Burn Rate: $15.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: AIR FORCE LIFE CYCLE MANAGEMENT CENTER ENGINEERING COMMUNICATION AND NETWORK BRANCH
Place of Performance
Location: WARNER ROBINS, HOUSTON County, GEORGIA, 31098
State: Georgia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $27.6 million to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC for work described as: AIR FORCE LIFE CYCLE MANAGEMENT CENTER ENGINEERING COMMUNICATION AND NETWORK BRANCH Key points: 1. Contract value of $27.6M for R&D services represents a significant investment in engineering and network capabilities. 2. Full and open competition suggests a robust market for these specialized services. 3. The contract's duration of 1824 days indicates a long-term need for sustained research and development. 4. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type may allow for flexibility but requires careful oversight of costs. 5. The primary NAICS code (541715) points to a focus on physical, engineering, and life sciences research. 6. Awarded by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, this contract supports critical defense infrastructure.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $27.6 million for a period of nearly five years appears reasonable for specialized R&D services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for engineering and network research within the Department of Defense would provide a more precise value assessment. The CPFF structure necessitates close monitoring to ensure costs remain aligned with the fixed fee and project scope.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors were eligible to bid. With two bidders identified, the competition level suggests a healthy market for these services, likely leading to competitive pricing. The agency's decision to use full and open competition implies confidence in the availability of qualified sources.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition as it generally drives down prices and encourages innovation, ensuring the government receives the best value for its investment.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Air Force and its Life Cycle Management Center, receiving advanced research and development support. Services delivered include research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences, specifically focusing on communication and network systems. The geographic impact is primarily within the United States, supporting defense operations and technological advancement. Workforce implications include the potential for highly skilled engineers, scientists, and researchers to be engaged in critical defense projects.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
- The long duration of the contract requires sustained oversight to ensure performance remains on track.
- Reliance on a single awardee for specialized R&D could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process.
- The contract supports critical research and development for the Air Force, aligning with strategic defense goals.
- The contractor, KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC, likely possesses specialized expertise required for this complex R&D.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS code 541715, which covers R&D in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. This sector is characterized by innovation and specialized expertise. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale R&D contracts awarded by defense agencies for similar technological advancements.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'sb': false. However, the prime contractor may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill specific aspects of the research and development work, contributing to the broader small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures would include performance reviews, milestone tracking, and adherence to the Cost Plus Fixed Fee terms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, with potential oversight from the Inspector General for significant issues.
Related Government Programs
- Air Force Research Laboratory Contracts
- Department of Defense Research and Development Programs
- Advanced Technology Development Contracts
- Engineering Services Contracts
Risk Flags
- Cost Overrun Risk (CPFF)
- Performance Risk (Long Duration)
- Technical Challenge Risk (R&D)
Tags
research-and-development, department-of-defense, air-force, kbr-wyle-services, full-and-open-competition, cost-plus-fixed-fee, engineering-services, network-systems, georgia, large-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $27.6 million to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC. AIR FORCE LIFE CYCLE MANAGEMENT CENTER ENGINEERING COMMUNICATION AND NETWORK BRANCH
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 $27.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-10-01. End: 2026-09-29.
What is the track record of KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC with the Department of Defense, particularly in R&D contracts?
KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC has a significant history of performing contracts with the Department of Defense across various service areas, including R&D, engineering, and technical support. Their experience often involves complex projects requiring specialized scientific and technical expertise. Analyzing their past performance on similar CPFF contracts would reveal their ability to manage costs effectively and deliver on technical objectives. Past performance reviews and contract close-out data would provide insights into their reliability and adherence to contract terms. Specific details on their performance on previous Air Force R&D contracts would be particularly relevant for assessing their suitability for this award.
How does the awarded amount of $27.6 million compare to similar R&D contracts for communication and network systems within the DoD?
The awarded amount of $27.6 million for a nearly five-year contract for R&D in communication and network systems is within a typical range for specialized defense research. However, a precise comparison requires access to a database of similar contracts, considering factors like the specific technological focus, contract type (e.g., CPFF), and the scope of work. Contracts for cutting-edge research in areas like cybersecurity, advanced networking protocols, or resilient communication systems can vary significantly in cost. Benchmarking against contracts awarded by entities like the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) or other Air Force research wings for comparable technological advancements would offer a more robust comparison.
What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for R&D, and how are they mitigated?
The primary risk with a CPFF contract is that the contractor may incur costs exceeding the estimated cost, while the government is obligated to pay the fixed fee regardless. This can lead to cost overruns if the contractor is not efficient or if unforeseen technical challenges arise. Mitigation strategies include robust government oversight, detailed cost tracking, regular performance reviews, and clear definition of the scope of work. The government's contracting officer must actively manage the contract, ensuring that the contractor's expenditures are reasonable and allocable to the contract. Strong communication and collaboration between the government and contractor are crucial for identifying and addressing potential cost issues early.
What is the expected impact of this contract on the advancement of Air Force communication and network technologies?
This contract is expected to significantly advance Air Force communication and network technologies by funding research and development in critical areas. The focus on physical, engineering, and life sciences research suggests efforts to enhance the robustness, security, and efficiency of Air Force networks. This could lead to the development of new communication protocols, improved hardware, or innovative network architectures that are more resilient to threats and capable of supporting future operational demands. The long-term nature of the contract allows for in-depth exploration and maturation of technologies, potentially resulting in deployable solutions that enhance warfighter capabilities.
How has spending on R&D for communication and network systems by the Air Force evolved over the past five years?
Analyzing historical spending patterns for R&D in communication and network systems by the Air Force over the past five years would reveal trends in investment priorities and technological focus. This data, typically available through public contract databases and budget reports, would show whether spending has increased, decreased, or remained stable. It would also highlight shifts in the types of R&D being funded, such as a greater emphasis on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence integration, or satellite communications. Understanding these historical trends provides context for the current $27.6 million award and its alignment with the Air Force's strategic objectives and evolving technological landscape.
What are the implications of awarding this contract to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC in terms of market concentration for defense R&D services?
The award to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC, a known entity in the defense contracting space, contributes to the existing market structure for defense R&D services. While this specific award is for a single contract, the broader landscape involves several large contractors capable of undertaking such complex R&D. The fact that this was a full and open competition with two bidders suggests that the market, while potentially concentrated among a few major players, does allow for competitive opportunities. Continued monitoring of awards to major contractors like KBR WYLE SERVICES is important to understand market dynamics and ensure fair competition.
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: 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: $41,461,073
Exercised Options: $41,461,073
Current Obligation: $27,560,670
Actual Outlays: $273,553
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $989,971
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: 2021-10-01
Current End Date: 2026-09-29
Potential End Date: 2026-09-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-31
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