DoD Awards $74.7M for Naval Air Systems Command IBST Laboratory Support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $74,683,661 ($74.7M)

Contractor: J.F. Taylor, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2019-08-22

End Date: 2024-09-07

Contract Duration: 1,843 days

Daily Burn Rate: $40.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: LABORATORY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND INTEGRATED BATTLESPACE SIMULATION AND TEST (IBST)

Place of Performance

Location: GREAT MILLS, SAINT MARYS County, MARYLAND, 20634

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $74.7 million to J.F. TAYLOR, INC. for work described as: LABORATORY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND INTEGRATED BATTLESPACE SIMULATION AND TEST (IBST) Key points: 1. Contract awarded to J.F. Taylor, Inc. for specialized R&D support. 2. Competition method was 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources', suggesting a specific justification. 3. The contract spans nearly 5 years, indicating a long-term need for these services. 4. Primary sector is R&D, specifically in physical and engineering sciences. 5. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $74.7M over 5 years averages $14.9M annually. Benchmarking this against similar R&D support contracts for complex simulation and testing environments is difficult without more specific service details. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure warrants close monitoring.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The competition was 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources'. This implies that while open to all eligible, specific sources were initially excluded, potentially limiting the competitive pool and impacting price discovery. The rationale for exclusion needs scrutiny.

Taxpayer Impact: The significant value of this contract means taxpayer funds are being utilized for specialized defense research. Ensuring cost-effectiveness and value for money is crucial given the contract type and limited competition.

Public Impact

Supports critical naval aviation simulation and testing capabilities. Impacts the development and readiness of advanced naval air systems. Funds specialized scientific and engineering expertise within the defense sector. Potential for technological advancements stemming from the research.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Positive Signals

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Defense R&D spending is a significant portion of the federal budget, with contracts like this supporting innovation and technological superiority.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Analysis of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses is recommended to ensure broader economic participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) is noted. Continuous monitoring of performance, costs, and adherence to contract terms, especially with a CPFF structure, is essential for accountability.

Related Government Programs

Risk Flags

Tags

research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, md, delivery-order, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $74.7 million to J.F. TAYLOR, INC.. LABORATORY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND INTEGRATED BATTLESPACE SIMULATION AND TEST (IBST)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is J.F. TAYLOR, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $74.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-08-22. End: 2024-09-07.

What was the specific justification for excluding sources in the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' process, and did this limitation impact the final price?

The justification for excluding sources is critical to understanding the competitive landscape. If only a few sources were eligible, it may have limited price negotiation leverage. A thorough review of the source selection documentation is needed to assess if the final price reflects fair market value despite the restricted competition.

How effectively is the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure being managed to control costs and prevent potential overruns, given the long duration of the contract?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type carries inherent risks of cost escalation. Robust oversight by the DCMA is essential to scrutinize incurred costs, ensure efficiency, and manage the fixed fee component. Regular audits and performance reviews are necessary to ensure the government receives value and that costs remain within reasonable bounds.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how is the contractor's performance being measured against them to ensure effective delivery of laboratory support services?

Effective delivery hinges on clearly defined KPIs tied to the IBST mission. These should encompass technical performance, timeliness, and quality of research outputs. The DCMA's oversight should include rigorous tracking of these KPIs to ensure the contractor is meeting objectives and contributing to the readiness and advancement of naval air systems.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesScientific Research and Development ServicesResearch and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENTC – National Defense R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SEALED BID

Solicitation ID: N0042118R0035

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 21610 SOUTH ESSEX DR, LEXINGTON PARK, MD, 20653

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $76,603,981

Exercised Options: $76,603,981

Current Obligation: $74,683,661

Actual Outlays: $302,111

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 75

Total Subaward Amount: $26,394,822

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0042119D0074

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2019-08-22

Current End Date: 2024-09-07

Potential End Date: 2024-09-07 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2026-02-05

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