DoD's $5.5M F-35 T-7A East Campus Infrastructure Design Contract Awarded to Michael Baker International & Huitt-Zollars JV

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,509,750 ($5.5M)

Contractor: Michael Baker International & Huitt-Zollars JV

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-12-22

End Date: 2028-01-31

Contract Duration: 1,866 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: PROJECT TITLE AND LOCATION: FY2024 F-35 T-7A EAST CAMPUS INFRASTRUCTURE, HILL AIR FORCE BASE, UTAH (100% DESIGN AND ADVERTISING PHASE SERVICES).

Place of Performance

Location: HILL AFB, DAVIS County, UTAH, 84056

State: Utah Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $5.5 million to MICHAEL BAKER INTERNATIONAL & HUITT-ZOLLARS JV for work described as: PROJECT TITLE AND LOCATION: FY2024 F-35 T-7A EAST CAMPUS INFRASTRUCTURE, HILL AIR FORCE BASE, UTAH (100% DESIGN AND ADVERTISING PHASE SERVICES). Key points: 1. Contract focuses on design and advertising services for critical F-35 infrastructure at Hill Air Force Base. 2. The project is a firm-fixed-price delivery order, indicating a defined scope and cost structure. 3. Competition was full and open, suggesting a robust bidding process. 4. The contract duration extends over 5 years, from late 2022 to early 2028. 5. This award aligns with broader Air Force modernization efforts for fighter jet support facilities. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 points to engineering services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $5.5 million for design and advertising services appears reasonable for a project of this scope and duration, especially considering the specialized nature of military infrastructure. Benchmarking against similar large-scale military design projects would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs for the government, though it places the risk of cost overruns on the contractor.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This approach generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and innovation. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests multiple entities likely participated.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for cost savings through competitive bidding and encourages a wider pool of qualified contractors to offer their services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Air Force and the F-35 program, ensuring adequate infrastructure for aircraft operations and maintenance. Services delivered include comprehensive design and advertising for the East Campus infrastructure. The geographic impact is concentrated at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, a major hub for Air Force logistics and maintenance. Workforce implications include employment for engineers, architects, and support staff within the contracting joint venture and potentially in related construction trades during future phases.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if design requirements evolve significantly during the extended performance period.
Reliance on a joint venture structure could introduce coordination challenges or risks if not managed effectively.
The long duration of the contract (over 5 years) may require ongoing monitoring to ensure continued alignment with evolving Air Force needs.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process that likely yielded fair pricing.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The project supports critical infrastructure for a high-priority defense asset (F-35), indicating strategic importance.
The contractor is a joint venture of established firms (Michael Baker International & Huitt-Zollars), suggesting relevant expertise.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting defense infrastructure. The market for military engineering and design services is substantial, driven by ongoing modernization and maintenance requirements for defense assets. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other large-scale military construction design projects, often awarded by agencies like the Army Corps of Engineers or the Naval Facilities Engineering Command.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside (ss: false, sb: false). While the prime contractor is a joint venture, there is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. Future phases of this project, particularly construction, may offer subcontracting opportunities, but the current award focuses on design services by established firms.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of the Air Force, a component of the Department of Defense. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver the specified design services within the agreed-upon cost. Transparency is facilitated by the contract's public award data, and the Inspector General of the Department of Defense would have jurisdiction over any fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

F-35 Lightning II Program
Hill Air Force Base Infrastructure Projects
Department of Defense Military Construction
Air Force Sustainment Center Contracts
Engineering Services for Federal Government

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may increase risk of scope drift or obsolescence.
Joint venture structure requires careful management to ensure seamless execution.
Lack of specific bidder count limits assessment of competitive intensity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $5.5 million to MICHAEL BAKER INTERNATIONAL & HUITT-ZOLLARS JV. PROJECT TITLE AND LOCATION: FY2024 F-35 T-7A EAST CAMPUS INFRASTRUCTURE, HILL AIR FORCE BASE, UTAH (100% DESIGN AND ADVERTISING PHASE SERVICES).

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MICHAEL BAKER INTERNATIONAL & HUITT-ZOLLARS JV.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-12-22. End: 2028-01-31.

What is the track record of Michael Baker International and Huitt-Zollars JV in performing similar large-scale military infrastructure design contracts?

Michael Baker International and Huitt-Zollars JV, as a joint venture, brings together the expertise of two established firms. Michael Baker International has a significant history of providing engineering, design, and consulting services for federal agencies, including extensive work on military installations and infrastructure projects. Huitt-Zollars is also recognized for its architectural and engineering capabilities, often supporting government and defense clients. While specific performance data for this particular joint venture on similar projects isn't detailed here, the formation of a JV often signifies a strategic approach to leverage combined strengths for complex, large-scale endeavors. Both parent companies have demonstrated experience in managing large federal contracts, navigating regulatory requirements, and delivering complex design solutions, suggesting a capable foundation for this F-35 infrastructure project.

How does the $5.5 million cost for design and advertising services compare to similar F-35 infrastructure projects?

Directly comparing the $5.5 million cost for design and advertising services to other F-35 infrastructure projects is challenging without specific details on the scope, complexity, and location of those comparable projects. However, for a project involving the design and advertising phase for significant infrastructure at a major Air Force base like Hill AFB, supporting a critical asset like the F-35, this figure appears within a reasonable range. Large-scale military infrastructure design contracts can easily run into millions of dollars, especially when encompassing detailed engineering, environmental assessments, and planning for specialized facilities. The firm-fixed-price nature of this award suggests the government sought cost certainty, and the competitive bidding process should have helped ensure value. A more precise benchmark would require analyzing contracts for similar design phases on projects of comparable scale and complexity within the Department of Defense.

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

Key risks for this contract include potential scope creep, as design requirements might evolve over the multi-year performance period, and coordination challenges inherent in a joint venture structure. Schedule delays could also arise if unforeseen issues emerge during the design phase. Mitigation strategies likely include robust project management by the contracting agency (Department of the Air Force), clear communication protocols within the joint venture, and adherence to the firm-fixed-price terms which incentivize the contractor to manage costs and scope effectively. The extended duration necessitates ongoing oversight to ensure the design remains aligned with current and future operational needs of the F-35 program at Hill AFB. The government's role in defining and approving design milestones serves as a critical control point.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' strategy likely to be in ensuring value for this specific project?

The 'full and open competition' strategy is generally considered highly effective in ensuring value for federal contracts, including this one. It allows any responsible source to submit a bid, thereby broadening the pool of potential contractors and fostering a competitive environment. This competition typically drives down prices, encourages innovation, and ensures that the government selects the best overall value, considering both cost and technical merit. For a project like the F-35 T-7A East Campus Infrastructure, which requires specialized engineering expertise, open competition increases the likelihood that highly qualified firms will bid, leading to a more favorable outcome for taxpayers. While the specific number of bidders isn't provided, the process itself is a strong indicator of a commitment to achieving competitive pricing and quality.

What are the historical spending patterns for engineering services related to F-35 infrastructure at Hill Air Force Base?

Historical spending patterns for engineering services related to F-35 infrastructure at Hill Air Force Base would likely show significant investment over time, reflecting the base's role as a major hub for F-35 operations, maintenance, and sustainment. This includes spending on facility upgrades, new construction design, and modifications to support evolving aircraft requirements. Contracts for such services are typically awarded by the Department of the Air Force or related entities like the Air Force Sustainment Center. Analyzing past awards for similar design, construction, and infrastructure support projects at Hill AFB would reveal trends in contract values, types of services procured, and the prime contractors involved. This specific $5.5 million award for design and advertising services represents a portion of the overall lifecycle investment in F-35 support infrastructure at the base.

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: 1501 LBJ FWY STE 650, DALLAS, TX, 75234

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,604,297

Exercised Options: $5,509,750

Current Obligation: $5,509,750

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 6

Total Subaward Amount: $5,078,895

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W912PP21D0004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline