DoD awards $6.6M design contract for P351, with completion expected by late 2027

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,640,507 ($6.6M)

Contractor: Whitman Requardt & Associates LLP

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-12-01

End Date: 2027-12-30

Contract Duration: 759 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS FOR THE FULL DESIGN OF P351.

Place of Performance

Location: CRANE, MARTIN County, INDIANA, 47522

State: Indiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $6.6 million to WHITMAN REQUARDT & ASSOCIATES LLP for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS FOR THE FULL DESIGN OF P351. Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 3. The duration of 759 days indicates a substantial design effort. 4. The contract is for engineering services, a critical component of infrastructure development. 5. The award is a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger contract vehicle.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $6.6 million for a full design task order appears reasonable given the 759-day performance period. Benchmarking against similar large-scale engineering design contracts within the Department of Defense would provide further context on value for money. The firm fixed-price structure helps mitigate cost overrun risks 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 multiple bidders were likely solicited and evaluated. This approach generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The specific number of bids received would offer more insight into the intensity of the competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining the best value through a robust bidding process, potentially driving down costs and improving service quality.

Public Impact

The Department of the Navy benefits from the design services for P351, ensuring infrastructure readiness. The services delivered are engineering design, crucial for the planning and execution of construction or renovation projects. The geographic impact is likely concentrated in Indiana, where the contractor is based, but the ultimate project location is not specified. The contract supports the engineering workforce, requiring specialized skills in design and project management.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the P351 project requirements are not precisely defined in the initial design.
Reliance on a single contractor for the full design phase could pose risks if unforeseen issues arise.
The long performance period necessitates careful monitoring to ensure timely progress and adherence to milestones.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive market for these services.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contractor, Whitman Requardt & Associates LLP, likely has a track record in similar engineering projects.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330), a critical component of the broader construction and defense infrastructure industries. The market for specialized engineering design services is competitive, with numerous firms capable of undertaking complex government projects. The value of this specific award is moderate within the context of large federal engineering contracts, but its significance lies in its role in supporting a specific Department of Defense initiative (P351).

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Whitman Requardt & Associates LLP and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities exist for small business participation in the design or subsequent phases of the P351 project.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of the Navy's contracting and project management offices. As a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, existing oversight mechanisms for that vehicle would apply. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Military Construction
Naval Facilities Engineering Command Contracts
Engineering and Architectural Services
Infrastructure Design Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep due to long performance period.
Reliance on contractor's expertise for full design phase.
Need for clear definition of P351 project requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $6.6 million to WHITMAN REQUARDT & ASSOCIATES LLP. THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS FOR THE FULL DESIGN OF P351.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WHITMAN REQUARDT & ASSOCIATES LLP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-12-01. End: 2027-12-30.

What is the specific nature and scope of the P351 project for which this design contract is being awarded?

The provided data indicates that the purpose of this task order is for the 'full design of P351.' However, the specific nature and scope of P351 itself are not detailed. P351 could refer to a particular facility, a system, a renovation project, or a new construction initiative within the Department of the Navy. Without further context on what P351 entails, it is difficult to assess the adequacy of the $6.6 million budget or the 759-day timeline. Understanding the project's objectives, deliverables, and complexity is crucial for a comprehensive evaluation of the contract's value and risk.

How does the $6.6 million contract value compare to similar engineering design contracts for Department of Defense projects of comparable scale and complexity?

Benchmarking the $6.6 million award against similar Department of Defense engineering design contracts requires access to a broader dataset of federal procurements. However, for a full design effort spanning approximately two years (759 days), this value appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized engineering services. Factors influencing cost include the type of facility or system being designed, the required level of detail, site-specific conditions, and the complexity of engineering disciplines involved (e.g., structural, mechanical, electrical, civil). A detailed comparison would necessitate identifying contracts with similar project scopes, durations, and agencies.

What is the track record of Whitman Requardt & Associates LLP in performing similar large-scale engineering design contracts for the federal government, particularly the Department of the Navy?

Whitman Requardt & Associates LLP (WRA) is a well-established engineering firm with a significant history of federal contracting. While specific details of their past performance on projects analogous to P351 are not provided in this data snippet, WRA typically engages in a wide array of engineering services, including infrastructure design, facility planning, and construction management for various government agencies. Their experience likely includes projects of similar magnitude and complexity. A thorough assessment of their track record would involve reviewing past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), contract history, and any publicly available project portfolios to gauge their reliability, quality of work, and adherence to schedules and budgets on prior federal engagements.

What are the potential risks associated with the firm fixed-price contract type for this design task order, and how are they being mitigated?

The primary risk with a firm fixed-price (FFP) contract is that the contractor assumes most of the risk for cost overruns. If WRA underestimates the effort required for the P351 design, they may incur losses. Conversely, if the government's requirements change significantly after the contract is awarded, it could lead to costly change orders or disputes. Mitigation strategies typically involve a clearly defined Statement of Work (SOW), robust negotiation of the price based on realistic cost estimates, and diligent contract administration by the government to monitor progress, manage scope changes effectively, and ensure the contractor is meeting all requirements. The long duration of this contract (759 days) increases the potential for scope changes or unforeseen technical challenges, making proactive contract management critical.

Given the 'full and open competition' award, how many bids were received, and what does this indicate about the competitive landscape for this type of engineering service?

The data states the contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' which implies that the solicitation was broadly advertised, and any responsible source could submit an offer. However, the exact number of bids received is not specified. A high number of bids would strongly suggest a competitive market for these engineering services, potentially leading to better pricing and innovation. A low number of bids, even under full and open competition, might indicate a more specialized niche, limited qualified contractors, or perhaps a lack of aggressive marketing by the agency. Understanding the number of bidders provides crucial insight into the effectiveness of the competition in driving value for the government.

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: 801 S CAROLINE ST, BALTIMORE, MD, 21231

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $7,484,913

Exercised Options: $6,640,507

Current Obligation: $6,640,507

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N4008524D0009

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline