DoD awards $18.1M for RMQSI to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC, supporting Air National Guard/Air Force Reserve Command Test Center
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $18,111,338 ($18.1M)
Contractor: KBR Wyle Services, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2020-08-31
End Date: 2025-09-10
Contract Duration: 1,836 days
Daily Burn Rate: $9.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: RELIABILITY, MAINTAINABILITY, QUALITY, SUPPORTABILITY, AND INTEROPERABILITY (RMQSI) FOR AIR NATIONAL GUARD/AIR FORCE RESERVE COMMAND TEST CENTER (AATC)
Place of Performance
Location: TUCSON, PIMA County, ARIZONA, 85706
State: Arizona Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $18.1 million to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC for work described as: RELIABILITY, MAINTAINABILITY, QUALITY, SUPPORTABILITY, AND INTEROPERABILITY (RMQSI) FOR AIR NATIONAL GUARD/AIR FORCE RESERVE COMMAND TEST CENTER (AATC) Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical reliability, maintainability, quality, supportability, and interoperability for specialized testing. 2. KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC, a significant player in government contracting, secured this award. 3. The contract duration of 1836 days indicates a long-term need for these specialized services. 4. Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences is a key sector for this expenditure. 5. The contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) suggests potential for cost overruns if not closely managed. 6. This award represents a portion of broader Department of Defense R&D spending.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $18.1 million over approximately five years appears reasonable for specialized R&D services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for RMQSI support within DoD is challenging due to the specific nature of the AATC's mission. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates careful oversight to ensure value for money, as it allows for cost reimbursement plus a fixed fee, which can incentivize efficiency but also carries inherent risk if costs escalate beyond initial projections.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders were likely considered. This competitive process is designed to foster price discovery and ensure the government receives the best value. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down prices through market forces and encouraging a wider pool of capable contractors to bid, potentially leading to more cost-effective solutions.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command, who will receive enhanced testing capabilities. Services delivered include crucial RMQSI assessments for critical Air Force assets. The geographic impact is centered in Arizona, where the AATC is located. This contract supports a specialized workforce of scientists, engineers, and technicians involved in advanced testing and analysis.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can lead to higher costs if not managed diligently.
- The long duration of the contract requires sustained oversight to ensure performance remains aligned with objectives.
- Reliance on a single contractor for RMQSI over an extended period could limit future flexibility or innovation.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment.
- The contract addresses critical support functions for vital military testing operations.
- KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC has a track record in government contracting, implying experience in this domain.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. This is a critical area for defense modernization, enabling the testing and validation of new technologies and systems. The market for such specialized R&D services is competitive, with numerous firms offering expertise. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish precisely due to the unique requirements of military testing centers, but overall DoD R&D spending runs into the tens of billions annually.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside provision. However, the prime contractor, KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC, may engage small businesses as subcontractors based on their own procurement strategies and the availability of specialized services.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract would typically involve the Department of the Air Force contracting officers and program managers. They are responsible for monitoring costs, ensuring performance standards are met, and approving payments. Transparency is generally maintained through contract reporting mechanisms. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Defense Research and Development
- Air Force Test and Evaluation Programs
- Reliability and Maintainability Engineering Services
- Government R&D Contracts
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type carries inherent cost overrun risk.
- Long contract duration requires sustained performance monitoring.
- Specific performance metrics and value-for-money assessments require deeper analysis.
Tags
department-of-defense, air-force, research-and-development, kbr-wyle-services, rmqsi, test-center, full-and-open-competition, cost-plus-fixed-fee, arizona, long-term-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $18.1 million to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC. RELIABILITY, MAINTAINABILITY, QUALITY, SUPPORTABILITY, AND INTEROPERABILITY (RMQSI) FOR AIR NATIONAL GUARD/AIR FORCE RESERVE COMMAND TEST CENTER (AATC)
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 $18.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-08-31. End: 2025-09-10.
What is the historical performance record of KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC with the Department of Defense, particularly in R&D contracts?
KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC, and its predecessors, have a substantial history of performing contracts for the Department of Defense across various domains, including R&D, engineering support, and logistics. Their involvement often spans complex projects requiring specialized technical expertise. While specific performance metrics for individual contracts are not publicly detailed in this summary, their continued success in securing significant awards suggests a generally positive track record. However, a deeper dive into contract performance databases and past performance reviews would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment of their reliability and quality in R&D contexts similar to the AATC requirement.
How does the $18.1 million contract value compare to similar RMQSI support contracts within the DoD?
Directly comparing the $18.1 million value for RMQSI support to similar contracts is challenging due to the highly specialized nature of the Air National Guard/Air Force Reserve Command Test Center's (AATC) mission and the specific requirements outlined. RMQSI services can vary significantly in scope and complexity. Contracts for broader engineering support or less specialized testing might be more numerous but less comparable. The value appears aligned with multi-year, specialized R&D support contracts within the defense sector. A precise benchmark would require identifying contracts with identical service scopes, durations, and customer units, which are not readily available in public summaries.
What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for R&D services?
The primary risk with a CPFF contract, especially for R&D, is the potential for cost overruns. While the contractor's fee is fixed, the government bears the risk of increased costs incurred by the contractor in performing the work. If the R&D effort encounters unforeseen technical challenges or requires more resources than initially estimated, the total cost to the government can escalate significantly beyond initial projections. Effective oversight, clear scope definition, and robust cost tracking are crucial to mitigate this risk and ensure the government receives value for its investment. There's also a risk that the contractor might not be sufficiently incentivized to control costs beyond a certain point, as their profit margin is fixed.
How effective is the AATC in fulfilling its RMQSI testing mandate, and how does this contract contribute to that effectiveness?
The Air National Guard/Air Force Reserve Command Test Center (AATC) plays a vital role in ensuring the reliability, maintainability, quality, supportability, and interoperability of various Air Force and Air National Guard systems and equipment. This contract directly supports that mandate by providing essential technical expertise and services for these critical assessments. By outsourcing these specialized functions to a contractor like KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC, the AATC can leverage external capabilities, potentially enhancing its capacity and efficiency. The effectiveness of the AATC is intrinsically linked to the quality of the RMQSI services it receives, making this contract a crucial enabler of its mission success.
What are the historical spending patterns for RMQSI support at the AATC or similar Air Force testing units?
Historical spending patterns for RMQSI support at the AATC or similar Air Force testing units are not detailed in the provided data. However, the award of an $18.1 million contract over approximately five years suggests a consistent and significant need for these services. Such long-term contracts often indicate that the requirements are ongoing and essential to the unit's operations. Analyzing past contract awards, durations, and values for the AATC or comparable entities would provide a clearer picture of historical spending trends and the typical investment in RMQSI support within the Air Force's testing infrastructure.
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 › OTHER RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 1
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: $26,034,367
Exercised Options: $26,034,367
Current Obligation: $18,111,338
Actual Outlays: $2,220,668
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 25
Total Subaward Amount: $5,021,253
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: 2020-08-31
Current End Date: 2025-09-10
Potential End Date: 2025-09-10 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-10
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