Naval Air Warfare Center contract for engineering services awarded to Jacobs Technology Inc. for over $10.3 million

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,389,142 ($10.4M)

Contractor: Jacobs Technology Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2004-09-16

End Date: 2011-10-31

Contract Duration: 2,601 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: 200412!000201!1700!A8452 !NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER, WEAPON!N6893604D0019 !A!N! !N!0001 ! !20040916!20070512!037305646!037305646!037305646!N!TYBRIN CORPORATION !1030 TITAN COURT !FORT WALTON BE !FL!32547!13154!029!06!CHINA LAKE NWC !KERN !CALIFORNIA!+000000509257!N!N!000000000000!K058!MODIFICATION OF EQ/COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT !C9E!ALL OTHER SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT !000 !* !541330!E! !5!B!M! !A!C!20070512!B! ! !A! !A!N!R!2!001!B! !C!N!Z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !A!C!A!A!000!A!B!N! ! ! !Y! ! !0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: RIDGECREST, KERN County, CALIFORNIA, 93555, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $10.4 million to JACOBS TECHNOLOGY INC for work described as: 200412!000201!1700!A8452 !NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER, WEAPON!N6893604D0019 !A!N! !N!0001 ! !20040916!20070512!037305646!037305646!037305646!N!TYBRIN CORPORATION !1030 TITAN COURT !FORT WALTON BE !FL!32547!13154!029!06!CHINA LAKE NWC !KERN… Key points: 1. Contract awarded for engineering services, specifically modification of equipment and communication systems. 2. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration was substantial, spanning over 2600 days, indicating a long-term need for these services. 4. The primary place of performance was China Lake NWC in California, a key naval weapons facility. 5. The contract type was Cost Plus Award Fee, which incentivizes contractor performance through award incentives. 6. The award was made to Jacobs Technology Inc., a significant player in the engineering and technical services sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of over $10.3 million for engineering services appears reasonable given the long duration and the nature of the work involving modification of specialized equipment. Benchmarking against similar long-term, complex engineering support contracts for defense agencies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure suggests an effort to ensure performance and value, but the final cost is dependent on achieved performance metrics.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. This suggests a robust competitive environment, which typically leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government. The number of bidders is not specified, but the designation implies multiple bids were likely received and evaluated.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down costs and improve the quality of services received.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Navy and its personnel, who receive enhanced communication and modified equipment essential for naval operations. Services delivered include the modification and potentially the development of communication equipment, crucial for maintaining technological superiority. The geographic impact is centered around the China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station in California, a major hub for research, development, and testing. The contract supports a workforce of engineers, technicians, and support staff, contributing to specialized employment within the defense sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Award Fee contracts can sometimes lead to higher costs if award criteria are not tightly defined or if performance targets are not challenging enough.
The long duration of the contract (over 7 years) could introduce risks related to technological obsolescence or changing requirements.
Reliance on a single contractor for an extended period might limit flexibility in adopting new technologies or approaches.

Positive Signals

The 'full and open competition' award method suggests a competitive process that likely secured a fair price.
The Cost Plus Award Fee structure incentivizes contractor performance, aiming for high-quality service delivery.
The contract supports critical naval operations, indicating a strategic importance and alignment with defense objectives.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, a critical component of the broader aerospace and defense industry. The market for defense engineering services is substantial, driven by the continuous need for modernization, maintenance, and development of advanced military systems. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale engineering support contracts awarded by the Department of Defense to similar entities for specialized equipment modification and development.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a large contract awarded through full and open competition, it is unlikely to have significant direct subcontracting opportunities specifically for small businesses unless mandated by the prime contractor. The focus is on large-scale engineering solutions rather than broad small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, which awarded and managed the contract. Accountability measures are embedded in the Cost Plus Award Fee structure, linking payment to performance. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance details and cost breakdowns may be subject to proprietary or security considerations. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Contracts
Department of Defense Engineering Services
Weapons Systems Development and Modification
Communication Equipment Procurement
Defense Research and Development

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may increase risk of technological obsolescence.
Cost Plus Award Fee structure requires careful monitoring of performance metrics to ensure value.
Lack of specific detail on 'modification' could mask scope creep or evolving requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $10.4 million to JACOBS TECHNOLOGY INC. 200412!000201!1700!A8452 !NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER, WEAPON!N6893604D0019 !A!N! !N!0001 ! !20040916!20070512!037305646!037305646!037305646!N!TYBRIN CORPORATION !1030 TITAN COURT !FORT WALTON BE !FL!32547!13154!029!06!CHINA LAKE NWC !KERN !CALIFORNIA!+000000509257!N!N!000000000000!K058!MODIFICATION OF EQ/COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT !C9E!ALL OTHER SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT !000 !* !541330!E! !5!B!M! !A!C!200

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JACOBS TECHNOLOGY INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2004-09-16. End: 2011-10-31.

What was the specific nature of the 'modification of equipment/communication equipment'?

The provided data indicates the contract's purpose was 'MODIFICATION OF EQ/COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT'. While the exact nature of these modifications is not detailed, it typically involves upgrading, repairing, or adapting existing communication systems and related equipment to meet evolving operational requirements, enhance performance, or integrate new technologies. For the Naval Air Warfare Center, this could range from enhancing radio systems for aircraft to modifying radar or electronic warfare components. The specific details would likely be found in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW), which is not included in this data extract.

How did Jacobs Technology Inc. perform under this contract, and were award fees consistently achieved?

The contract type is 'COST PLUS AWARD FEE' (pt: COST PLUS AWARD FEE), which means the contractor receives cost reimbursement plus a fee that can be adjusted based on performance against specific criteria. The data indicates the contract was awarded to JACOBS TECHNOLOGY INC (co: JACOBS TECHNOLOGY INC). To assess performance and award fee achievement, one would need access to contract performance reports, award fee evaluations, and potentially program management reviews conducted by the Naval Air Warfare Center. Without these specific performance metrics and evaluations, it's impossible to definitively state how well Jacobs Technology Inc. performed or the extent to which award fees were achieved.

What is the significance of the place of performance being China Lake NWC, Kern, California?

China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station (NWS) in Kern County, California, is a primary facility for the Navy's research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E) of weapons systems. Having the place of performance (st: CA, sn: CALIFORNIA, na: CHINA LAKE NWC) at China Lake signifies that the engineering services provided under this contract were directly supporting the core mission activities of this critical naval installation. This includes work on advanced ordnance, electronic warfare, and aviation systems, underscoring the specialized and high-stakes nature of the engineering support required.

How does the contract's duration of 2601 days impact its overall value and risk?

A duration of 2601 days, approximately 7.1 years, indicates a long-term commitment for engineering services. This extended period suggests a stable, ongoing need for the contractor's expertise, potentially related to the lifecycle support of specific naval systems. From a value perspective, it allows for deeper integration and understanding of the systems being supported, potentially leading to efficiencies. However, it also introduces risks such as technological obsolescence, potential shifts in program priorities, and the challenge of maintaining consistent performance over such a long timeframe. The government's ability to adapt to changing needs within such a long contract would be a key consideration.

What does the 'AWARDED BY DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE' and 'AWARDING AGENCY: DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY' tell us about the contract's context?

The contract was awarded by the Department of the Navy (sa: Department of the Navy), which is a component of the larger Department of Defense (ag: Department of Defense). This context places the contract firmly within the military and national security sphere. The Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division (NAWCWD), which is part of the Navy, would have been the direct contracting activity. This signifies that the services procured were essential for naval aviation capabilities, research, and development, aligning with the Navy's strategic objectives and operational requirements.

What is the Public Service Code (PSC) '541330' and its relevance to this contract?

The Public Service Code (PSC) '541330' corresponds to 'Engineering Services'. This code is used by the federal government to classify the type of goods or services being procured. Its presence confirms that the primary focus of this contract was on providing professional engineering expertise, analysis, design, and technical support, rather than the manufacturing or direct supply of hardware. This aligns with the contract's description as 'MODIFICATION OF EQ/COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT' and the award to Jacobs Technology Inc., a known provider of engineering solutions.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MODIFICATION OF EQUIPMENT › MODIFICATION OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Jacobs Engineering Group Inc (UEI: 074103508)

Address: 1030 TITAN COURT, FORT WALTON BEACH, FL, 32547

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

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N6893604D0019

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline