DoD awards $2.4M engineering services contract to CDM - AECOM Multimedia Joint Venture for MCAS Beaufort studies

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,399,874 ($2.4M)

Contractor: CDM - AECOM Multimedia Joint Venture

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2018-11-15

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 2,968 days

Daily Burn Rate: $809/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF X028 MCAS BEAUFORT STUDIES

Place of Performance

Location: BEAUFORT, BEAUFORT County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29907

State: South Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $2.4 million to CDM - AECOM MULTIMEDIA JOINT VENTURE for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF X028 MCAS BEAUFORT STUDIES Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of nearly 8 years indicates a long-term need for these engineering services. 3. The firm-fixed-price contract type shifts cost risk to the contractor. 4. Awarded by the Department of the Navy, this contract supports military infrastructure. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 points to specialized engineering services. 6. The contract is a delivery order, likely part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.4 million over nearly 8 years suggests a moderate annual spend for specialized engineering studies. Benchmarking against similar large-scale engineering service contracts for military installations would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The firm-fixed-price nature of the award is generally favorable for the government, as it caps potential cost overruns.

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 bids. The number of bidders is not specified, but this method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is the most advantageous for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for cost savings through a robust bidding process.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, receiving essential engineering studies. Services delivered likely include environmental assessments, structural analyses, or infrastructure planning critical for base operations and future development. The geographic impact is concentrated at MCAS Beaufort in South Carolina. The contract supports specialized engineering jobs, potentially benefiting the local economy around the base.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if initial study parameters are not clearly defined.
Long contract duration could lead to contractor complacency if not actively managed.
Reliance on a single delivery order under a potentially larger IDIQ could limit future flexibility if needs change significantly.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive pricing structure.
Award to a joint venture (CDM - AECOM) may indicate a broad range of expertise and capacity.

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 various government functions, including infrastructure development, environmental management, and defense readiness. Spending in this area is often driven by the need for specialized expertise that government agencies may not possess internally. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large engineering contracts awarded by the Department of Defense or other federal agencies for similar military installation support.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, small businesses are unlikely to be direct prime contractors. However, the prime contractor, CDM - AECOM Multimedia Joint Venture, may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill specific aspects of the engineering studies, contributing to the broader small business ecosystem.

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 Navy. Performance monitoring, adherence to contract terms, and quality assurance are key oversight functions. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Military Construction
Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Support
Environmental Consulting Services
Defense Infrastructure Projects

Risk Flags

Long contract duration requires sustained oversight.
Potential for scope definition issues in initial SOW.
Delivery order structure may limit future flexibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $2.4 million to CDM - AECOM MULTIMEDIA JOINT VENTURE. IGF::OT::IGF X028 MCAS BEAUFORT STUDIES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CDM - AECOM MULTIMEDIA JOINT VENTURE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-11-15. End: 2026-12-31.

What is the specific nature of the engineering studies to be performed at MCAS Beaufort?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'Engineering Services' under NAICS code 541330 and is associated with 'MCAS BEAUFORT STUDIES'. While the exact nature of the studies is not detailed, this classification typically encompasses a wide range of activities. These could include, but are not limited to, architectural and engineering design, feasibility studies, environmental impact assessments, infrastructure planning and analysis, structural integrity assessments, and support for construction or renovation projects. Given the military context, studies might focus on operational efficiency, safety compliance, environmental remediation, or future base development and modernization efforts. Further details would likely be found in the contract's statement of work (SOW).

How does the $2.4 million contract value compare to similar engineering service contracts for military bases?

The $2.4 million value over a period of nearly 8 years translates to an average annual spend of approximately $300,000. This figure is moderate for large-scale engineering support contracts at major military installations. Contracts for significant infrastructure projects, base-wide master planning, or extensive environmental remediation efforts can easily reach tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. Conversely, smaller, specialized studies or task orders under larger IDIQs might fall within this range. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to analyze contracts with similar scope, duration, and geographic focus awarded by the Department of Defense or other federal agencies to engineering firms.

What are the potential risks associated with a nearly 8-year contract duration for engineering studies?

A long contract duration like this presents several potential risks. Firstly, there's the risk of scope creep, where the initial requirements may evolve or expand over time, potentially leading to cost increases if not managed strictly through contract modifications. Secondly, contractor performance could degrade over such an extended period if oversight is not consistently rigorous; complacency can set in. Thirdly, technological advancements or changes in regulatory requirements could make the initial scope of work or methodologies outdated before the contract concludes. Finally, if the contract is a delivery order under a larger IDIQ, the government might be locked into a specific provider for an extended period, potentially missing out on more competitive offerings that emerge later.

What does the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION' designation imply for the contractor selection and pricing?

The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION' designation signifies that the Department of the Navy sought bids from all responsible sources capable of meeting the contract requirements. This process is designed to maximize competition, which theoretically leads to the best possible pricing and technical solutions for the government. It implies that the agency did not restrict the bidding pool through set-asides or other limitations. While the number of bidders isn't specified, this approach generally provides a strong basis for price discovery and ensures that the selected contractor, CDM - AECOM Multimedia Joint Venture, was chosen from a pool of potentially many qualified offerors, suggesting their proposal was deemed the most advantageous.

How does the firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type benefit the government in this scenario?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally advantageous for the government, especially for services where the scope of work can be clearly defined. Under an FFP contract, the contractor, CDM - AECOM Multimedia Joint Venture, assumes the primary responsibility for all costs incurred and is only entitled to the agreed-upon price. This shifts the risk of cost overruns from the government to the contractor. For the government, this provides budget certainty and predictability, as the final cost is fixed regardless of the contractor's actual expenses. This is particularly beneficial for studies where the scope is well-understood, minimizing the potential for unexpected cost escalations.

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

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3201 JERMANTOWN RD, STE 400, FAIRFAX, VA, 22030

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,399,874

Exercised Options: $2,399,874

Current Obligation: $2,399,874

Actual Outlays: $-372,907

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 8

Total Subaward Amount: $438,635

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N6247014D9016

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline