Air Force awards $8.25M design services contract for F-16 program beddown in Argentina

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,253,528 ($8.3M)

Contractor: Baker-Stanley-Cardno JV

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-12-15

End Date: 2027-03-02

Contract Duration: 442 days

Daily Burn Rate: $18.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: TITLE I / DESIGN SERVICES FOR THE F-16 FAA BEDDOWN PROGRAM ARGENTINA AIR FORCE TANDIL AB - AE NEXT POOL 4 TASK ORDER TITLE I ARCHITECT-ENGINEERING (A- E)

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $8.3 million to BAKER-STANLEY-CARDNO JV for work described as: TITLE I / DESIGN SERVICES FOR THE F-16 FAA BEDDOWN PROGRAM ARGENTINA AIR FORCE TANDIL AB - AE NEXT POOL 4 TASK ORDER TITLE I ARCHITECT-ENGINEERING (A- E) Key points: 1. Contract awarded to BAKER-STANLEY-CARDNO JV for architectural and engineering services. 2. Services support the F-16 program beddown at Tandil Air Base, Argentina. 3. Contract duration is approximately 442 days, ending March 2, 2027. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, indicating defined costs. 5. This is a delivery order under an existing contract. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541330 (Engineering Services).

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $8.25 million for architectural and engineering design services appears reasonable for a project supporting a significant military aircraft beddown. Benchmarking against similar international military infrastructure projects would provide further context, but the scope suggests a substantial undertaking. The firm fixed-price structure helps manage cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The presence of two bidders suggests a competitive environment, which typically leads to better pricing and value for the government. The specific details of the bidding process and the evaluation criteria would further illuminate the effectiveness of the competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive marketplace that drives down costs and encourages innovation, leading to more efficient use of public funds.

Public Impact

The Argentine Air Force will benefit from the necessary design services to bed down F-16 aircraft. This contract facilitates the operational readiness and basing of advanced military aircraft. The project has a geographic impact in Tandil, Argentina, supporting U.S. foreign military cooperation. The contract supports the engineering and design workforce, potentially including specialized technical personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if initial design requirements are not clearly defined.
Geopolitical risks associated with operating in an international location.
Dependency on the contractor's ability to navigate foreign regulations and logistics.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty.
Supports a critical national defense initiative (F-16 program).

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting defense infrastructure development. The market for A-E services supporting military basing and modernization is significant, with numerous firms capable of undertaking such projects. This specific contract is a component of a larger international defense cooperation effort, likely involving substantial overall investment in aircraft acquisition and support infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract involved small business set-asides or subcontracting goals. The nature of large-scale international defense infrastructure projects often involves prime contractors with specialized capabilities, and the direct awardee is a joint venture, suggesting a focus on established prime contractors rather than small business participation at the prime level.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of the Air Force contracting and project management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract structure, requiring the contractor to deliver specified design services within the agreed-upon cost. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed project-specific oversight mechanisms are internal to the agency.

Related Government Programs

F-16 Fighter Jet Program
Foreign Military Sales (FMS)
International Defense Infrastructure Projects
Architectural and Engineering Services Contracts

Risk Flags

International Operations Risk
Foreign Regulatory Compliance
Scope Creep Potential

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $8.3 million to BAKER-STANLEY-CARDNO JV. TITLE I / DESIGN SERVICES FOR THE F-16 FAA BEDDOWN PROGRAM ARGENTINA AIR FORCE TANDIL AB - AE NEXT POOL 4 TASK ORDER TITLE I ARCHITECT-ENGINEERING (A- E)

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 $8.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-12-15. End: 2027-03-02.

What is the track record of BAKER-STANLEY-CARDNO JV in delivering similar architectural and engineering services for international defense projects?

Assessing the track record of BAKER-STANLEY-CARDNO JV requires a review of their past performance on contracts with similar scope, complexity, and geographic location. Information on their experience with U.S. Department of Defense projects, particularly those involving foreign military basing or aircraft beddowns, would be crucial. A detailed performance history, including client satisfaction, adherence to schedule and budget, and any past performance issues, would provide insight into their capability to successfully execute this F-16 program beddown design services contract. Without specific past performance data readily available in this context, a comprehensive assessment is limited, but the joint venture structure suggests a pooling of resources and expertise from its constituent firms.

How does the awarded value of $8.25 million compare to similar international military infrastructure design contracts?

Benchmarking this $8.25 million contract against similar international military infrastructure design contracts is challenging without access to a comprehensive database of comparable projects. However, the scope of work, which involves design services for the beddown of F-16 aircraft at an air base in Argentina, suggests a significant undertaking. Factors influencing cost include the complexity of the required facilities, the specific environmental and regulatory requirements of Argentina, and the level of detail needed for the design. Generally, projects of this nature can range from several million to tens of millions of dollars, depending on scale. The firm fixed-price nature of this award implies that the government has a clear understanding of the costs involved, and the competitive bidding process should have ensured a reasonable price relative to the market.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are likely in place?

Primary risks for this contract include potential geopolitical instability in the region, challenges in navigating foreign regulations and logistics, and the possibility of scope creep if initial design requirements are not precisely defined. Technical risks related to integrating new infrastructure with existing base facilities could also arise. Mitigation strategies likely involve thorough due diligence on the political and economic climate, close collaboration with local authorities, robust contract management by the Air Force to control scope changes, and detailed technical reviews of the contractor's designs. The firm fixed-price contract also incentivizes the contractor to manage costs effectively. The contractor's joint venture structure may also mitigate risks by leveraging diverse expertise.

How effective is the full and open competition process likely to be in ensuring value for money for this specific contract?

The full and open competition process is generally effective in ensuring value for money by encouraging multiple bidders to offer their best pricing and technical solutions. With two bidders participating, there was a degree of competition, which should have driven down costs and improved the quality of proposals. The effectiveness is further enhanced by the firm fixed-price contract type, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. However, the ultimate value for money also depends on the clarity of the government's requirements, the evaluation criteria used, and the contractor's ability to execute the design efficiently and effectively throughout the contract duration.

What is the historical spending pattern for architectural and engineering services related to international F-16 basing or similar military aircraft programs?

Historical spending on architectural and engineering (A-E) services for international military aircraft basing, particularly for programs like the F-16, can vary significantly based on the number of aircraft, the scope of infrastructure upgrades required, and the specific host nation's contributions and regulations. Such projects often involve substantial investment, with A-E services representing a fraction of the total program cost. Spending can range from a few million dollars for smaller upgrades to tens or even hundreds of millions for entirely new base constructions or major overhauls. The U.S. Air Force and other branches have consistently funded A-E services for global basing requirements, reflecting the ongoing need to maintain and modernize facilities to support airpower projection and international partnerships.

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: 2

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: $8,253,528

Exercised Options: $8,253,528

Current Obligation: $8,253,528

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