DoD awards $6.5M for engineering services at Misawa AB, Japan, with a 729-day duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,556,289 ($6.6M)

Contractor: Baker-Stanley-Cardno JV

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-09-30

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: OTHER A-E SERVICES, PROGRAM MANAGEMENT OF PLANNING, DESIGN, AND CONSTRUCTION EFFORTS IN SUPPORT OF MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND FACILITY SUSTAINMENT, RESTORATION AND MODERNIZATION PROGRAMS AT MISAWA AB, JAPAN

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $6.6 million to BAKER-STANLEY-CARDNO JV for work described as: OTHER A-E SERVICES, PROGRAM MANAGEMENT OF PLANNING, DESIGN, AND CONSTRUCTION EFFORTS IN SUPPORT OF MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND FACILITY SUSTAINMENT, RESTORATION AND MODERNIZATION PROGRAMS AT MISAWA AB, JAPAN Key points: 1. Contract focuses on program management for military construction and facility sustainment, restoration, and modernization. 2. Services are critical for maintaining and upgrading infrastructure at a key Air Force installation. 3. The contract is a delivery order under a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle. 4. Firm-fixed-price contract type suggests clear scope and risk allocation. 5. The awardee, BAKER-STANLEY-CARDNO JV, will manage planning, design, and construction efforts. 6. Geographic focus on Japan highlights the strategic importance of the base. 7. No small business set-aside was utilized for this specific award.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $6.56 million for engineering services over approximately two years appears reasonable given the scope of managing military construction and facility sustainment, restoration, and modernization programs. Benchmarking against similar large-scale engineering support contracts for Department of Defense facilities, especially those in overseas locations requiring complex logistical and security considerations, suggests this pricing is within expected ranges. The firm-fixed-price structure also provides cost certainty for the government, assuming the scope is well-defined.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. While the specific number of bidders for this delivery order is not detailed, the full and open nature of the parent IDIQ contract suggests a competitive environment. This approach is generally favored for ensuring the government receives the best value by allowing a broad range of qualified contractors to participate.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition maximizes the potential for cost savings and ensures that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by fostering a competitive marketplace for essential engineering services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Air Force personnel and operations at Misawa Air Base, Japan, through improved and maintained facilities. Services delivered include program management for planning, design, and construction efforts. The geographic impact is concentrated at Misawa Air Base, Japan, a critical strategic installation. The contract supports the sustainment, restoration, and modernization of military infrastructure, ensuring operational readiness.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if initial planning or design phases are not meticulously managed.
Geopolitical risks associated with operating in an overseas location could impact project timelines and costs.
Reliance on a joint venture may introduce coordination challenges between partners.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Award to a joint venture suggests a combination of specialized expertise.
Full and open competition likely led to selection of a highly qualified contractor.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330), which encompasses firms providing engineering consulting and design services. The market for these services supporting military construction and facility management is substantial, driven by ongoing modernization and sustainment needs of defense infrastructure globally. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar large-scale facility management and construction program support contracts within the Department of Defense often run into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars over multiple years, making this $6.56 million award a component of a larger, ongoing investment in military infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

This specific award was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it indicate any specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. The parent IDIQ vehicle, under which this delivery order was issued, may have different small business considerations, but for this particular task order, the focus was on full and open competition. This means opportunities for small businesses would likely be through subcontracting with the prime awardee or by competing on other task orders issued under the same IDIQ if those have different set-aside provisions.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the contracting officer and the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Department of the Air Force, responsible for ensuring performance meets contract requirements. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability for the contractor to deliver within the agreed-upon cost. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics are typically internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Military Construction
Facility Sustainment, Restoration, and Modernization (FSRM)
Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) Contracts
Engineering Consulting Services
Department of Defense Infrastructure Projects

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if scope is not tightly managed.
Risk of schedule delays due to overseas operational complexities.
Dependency on contractor's joint venture coordination.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $6.6 million to BAKER-STANLEY-CARDNO JV. OTHER A-E SERVICES, PROGRAM MANAGEMENT OF PLANNING, DESIGN, AND CONSTRUCTION EFFORTS IN SUPPORT OF MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND FACILITY SUSTAINMENT, RESTORATION AND MODERNIZATION PROGRAMS AT MISAWA AB, JAPAN

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BAKER-STANLEY-CARDNO JV.

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 $6.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-30. End: 2026-09-29.

What is the track record of BAKER-STANLEY-CARDNO JV in managing similar overseas military construction projects?

Assessing the track record of BAKER-STANLEY-CARDNO JV requires examining past performance on contracts of similar scope, size, and geographic complexity. While the joint venture structure suggests a pooling of resources and expertise, individual performance histories of BAKER, STANLEY, and CARDNO, as well as their prior collaborations, are crucial. Federal procurement databases and past performance reviews would typically detail their success in managing planning, design, and construction efforts for military facilities, adherence to schedules and budgets, and overall client satisfaction. Specific experience in Japan or similar overseas environments, including navigating local regulations, logistics, and security protocols, would be a key indicator of their capability to successfully execute this contract.

How does the $6.56 million value compare to similar engineering services contracts for overseas military bases?

The $6.56 million value for approximately two years of program management for military construction and facility sustainment, restoration, and modernization at Misawa AB, Japan, appears to be within a reasonable range for such specialized services in an overseas location. Contracts supporting large military installations often involve significant infrastructure investments. For context, similar contracts for base operations support, facility upgrades, or new construction management in the Pacific region can range from several million to tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the scale and duration. Factors like the complexity of the projects managed, the level of security required, and logistical challenges inherent in overseas operations contribute to higher costs compared to domestic projects. This specific award seems to represent a focused scope of program management rather than a large-scale construction effort itself.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Primary risks for this contract include potential delays due to unforeseen site conditions, changes in project scope, logistical challenges in Japan, and geopolitical factors affecting base operations. The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type inherently shifts some cost risk to the contractor, incentivizing efficient management. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust project planning and scheduling by the contractor, clear communication channels with the Air Force, adherence to strict quality control measures, and contingency planning for logistical or geopolitical disruptions. The joint venture structure may also serve as a mitigation by combining diverse expertise to address complex challenges. The government's role includes diligent oversight and prompt decision-making to prevent scope creep and resolve issues efficiently.

What is the expected effectiveness of the awarded services in supporting Misawa AB's infrastructure goals?

The effectiveness of the awarded services hinges on the contractor's ability to expertly manage planning, design, and construction efforts for facility sustainment, restoration, and modernization. Successful execution will directly contribute to maintaining and improving the operational readiness and living conditions at Misawa AB. This includes ensuring that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to required specifications, thereby enhancing the longevity and functionality of critical infrastructure. The contractor's program management capabilities are key to coordinating multiple sub-projects, managing resources, and ensuring compliance with environmental and safety standards, ultimately supporting the Air Force's long-term infrastructure investment strategy.

How does this contract fit into the broader historical spending patterns for facility management at Misawa AB?

This $6.56 million contract represents a specific, targeted investment in program management for facility sustainment, restoration, and modernization at Misawa AB. Historical spending patterns for such bases typically show consistent, significant allocations towards infrastructure maintenance and upgrades, often managed through a combination of IDIQ vehicles and specific project awards. This contract likely complements larger, multi-year FSRM programs and potentially other construction contracts. Analyzing broader spending would involve looking at total FSRM budgets for the Air Force in the Pacific theater, previous contracts awarded at Misawa AB for similar services, and the overall lifecycle costs associated with maintaining aging military infrastructure. This award suggests a continued commitment to ensuring the base's facilities remain functional and modern.

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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 100 AIRSIDE DR, MOON TOWNSHIP, PA, 15108

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,641,373

Exercised Options: $6,556,289

Current Obligation: $6,556,289

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA890321D0004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline