Army awards $24.4M engineering services contract to Jacobs/Huitt-Zollars for Fort Bliss and White Sands Missile Range support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,380,303 ($24.4M)

Contractor: Jacobs/Huitt-Zollars, a Joint Venture

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2009-09-28

End Date: 2010-09-25

Contract Duration: 362 days

Daily Burn Rate: $67.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: FIELD SUPPORT SERVICES AT FORT BLISS TEXAS AND WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE NM

Place of Performance

Location: FORT BLISS, EL PASO County, TEXAS, 79916

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $24.4 million to JACOBS/HUITT-ZOLLARS, A JOINT VENTURE for work described as: FIELD SUPPORT SERVICES AT FORT BLISS TEXAS AND WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE NM Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract value of $24.4 million is for a duration of 362 days. 3. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 indicates engineering services. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 5. The award was made by the Department of the Army, a component of the Department of Defense. 6. The contract supports operations at Fort Bliss, Texas, and White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. 7. The award was made under the 'Other Defense Activities' (DO) contract vehicle. 8. The contractor is a joint venture, Jacobs/Huitt-Zollars.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract requires more detailed cost breakdowns and comparisons to similar engineering service contracts for military installations. The firm fixed-price nature provides cost certainty for the government, but the specific per-unit costs or labor rates are not detailed in the provided data. Without more granular information on the scope of services and the contractor's proposed pricing structure, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the competitive award process may have contributed to a reasonable price.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through a full and open competition process, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The data shows 10 bids were received, suggesting a healthy level of competition for this requirement. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and can result in more favorable terms for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition and the receipt of 10 bids are positive indicators for taxpayers, as they suggest the government likely received competitive pricing and a range of qualified offers.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Army and its personnel stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas, and White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. The contract delivers essential engineering services required for the operation and maintenance of these critical military facilities. The geographic impact is concentrated in Texas and New Mexico, supporting federal installations in these states. The contract likely supports a workforce of engineers, technicians, and support staff, contributing to local economies in the vicinity of the installations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed cost breakdown makes it difficult to assess true value for money.
The firm fixed-price contract shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor, but the initial pricing is not transparent.
Limited information on the specific engineering services provided hinders a deeper performance analysis.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition with 10 bids received, indicating a competitive market.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Contract supports critical military infrastructure at two major installations.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, a critical component of the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. This sector supports a wide range of government functions, particularly in defense and infrastructure. The market for engineering services supporting federal installations is substantial, with numerous firms capable of providing specialized expertise. This specific award represents a portion of the Department of Defense's overall spending on facility support and engineering.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the contractor is a joint venture. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless the joint venture partners themselves engage small businesses for subcontracted work.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Department of the Army. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is limited by the publicly available data; detailed performance metrics and cost reports are usually internal.

Related Government Programs

Fort Bliss Operations and Maintenance
White Sands Missile Range Support Services
Department of Defense Engineering Contracts
Army Facilities Engineering
Engineering Services for Military Installations

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep if not managed tightly.
Risk of contractor underperformance if cost-cutting measures are implemented.
Dependence on contractor's expertise for critical engineering functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $24.4 million to JACOBS/HUITT-ZOLLARS, A JOINT VENTURE. FIELD SUPPORT SERVICES AT FORT BLISS TEXAS AND WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE NM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JACOBS/HUITT-ZOLLARS, A JOINT VENTURE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $24.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-09-28. End: 2010-09-25.

What specific engineering services were included in this $24.4 million contract?

The provided data identifies the contract as being for 'FIELD SUPPORT SERVICES' at Fort Bliss and White Sands Missile Range, under NAICS code 541330 (Engineering Services). However, the specific breakdown of services is not detailed. Typically, engineering services for military installations can encompass a wide range of activities, including design, planning, construction oversight, environmental engineering, infrastructure assessment, maintenance planning, and technical support for existing systems. Without access to the contract's Statement of Work (SOW), it is impossible to list the precise services rendered under this $24.4 million award.

How does the $24.4 million contract value compare to similar engineering service contracts for military bases?

Comparing this $24.4 million contract value requires access to a database of similar contracts, considering factors like contract duration, scope of services, and specific installation needs. Contracts for large military installations like Fort Bliss or White Sands Missile Range can range from a few million to tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the complexity and duration of the engineering support required. This $24.4 million award for approximately one year of support appears to be a moderate-sized contract for specialized engineering services at major installations. A more precise comparison would necessitate analyzing contracts with similar NAICS codes (541330) awarded to support comparable facilities over similar timeframes.

What is the track record of Jacobs/Huitt-Zollars in performing similar federal contracts?

Jacobs/Huitt-Zollars is a joint venture, and assessing its track record involves looking at the performance history of its constituent entities, Jacobs and Huitt-Zollars, as well as their joint venture performance. Both Jacobs and Huitt-Zollars are established firms with significant experience in engineering and construction, often working on large-scale government and infrastructure projects. Publicly available contract databases often contain past performance information, including contract awards, performance ratings, and any disputes or terminations. A thorough review would involve examining their history with the Department of Defense and other federal agencies to gauge their reliability, quality of work, and ability to manage complex projects within budget and schedule.

What are the potential risks associated with this firm fixed-price contract?

While a firm fixed-price (FFP) contract is generally advantageous for the government by capping costs, it carries certain risks. The primary risk is that the contractor, Jacobs/Huitt-Zollars, may cut corners on quality or scope to maintain profitability if their initial cost estimates were too low or if unforeseen issues arise. This could lead to subpar engineering services or incomplete work. Another risk is that the contractor might be less responsive to changes or modifications, as any deviation from the original scope typically requires a formal contract modification and potentially a price increase, which can be a lengthy process. The government also bears the risk if the contractor goes out of business or fails to perform adequately, potentially leading to delays and the need to re-procure services.

How has federal spending on engineering services for military installations trended in recent years?

Federal spending on engineering services for military installations has generally remained robust, driven by the ongoing need to maintain, modernize, and expand defense infrastructure. While specific trends can fluctuate based on defense budgets, geopolitical priorities, and infrastructure investment cycles, the Department of Defense consistently allocates significant funds to engineering and technical support. Factors such as aging infrastructure, new technology integration, and evolving operational requirements contribute to sustained demand. Analyzing historical spending data for NAICS code 541330, particularly within the Department of Defense, would reveal trends in contract values, types of services procured, and major contracting entities over the past decade.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ARCHITECT-ENGINEER FAR 6.102

Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5822 CROMO DR STE 210, EL PASO, TX, 16

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,380,303

Exercised Options: $24,380,303

Current Obligation: $24,380,303

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W9126G09D0001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline