Dod's $24.3M R&D Contract for Multiple Systems Awarded to KBR Wyle Services, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $24,353,565 ($24.4M)
Contractor: KBR Wyle Services, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2007-09-28
End Date: 2009-09-29
Contract Duration: 732 days
Daily Burn Rate: $33.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COMBINATION (TWO OR MORE)
Sector: R&D
Official Description: MULTIPLE SYSTEMS
Place of Performance
Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35801
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $24.4 million to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC for work described as: MULTIPLE SYSTEMS Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in physical and engineering research. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a robust market for specialized R&D services. 3. Performance risk appears moderate given the R&D nature of the work. 4. This contract falls within the broader category of scientific research and development. 5. The award to a single entity indicates a focus on specific expertise. 6. The duration of the contract suggests a long-term research objective.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $24.3 million for R&D services is substantial. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' is challenging without more specific details on the 'MULTIPLE SYSTEMS' involved. However, the award amount appears to be within a reasonable range for complex, multi-year research projects. The absence of detailed performance metrics makes a definitive value-for-money assessment difficult at this stage.
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 proposals. This suggests a competitive bidding process, which typically leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government. The fact that it was fully competed is a positive sign for market engagement.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by ensuring that the government receives the best possible value through a wide range of offers and competitive pricing.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of Defense and its operational units, which will receive the outcomes of the research. The services delivered are focused on advancing physical and engineering sciences for 'MULTIPLE SYSTEMS'. The geographic impact is primarily linked to the contractor's location in Alabama, though the research outcomes may have broader national security implications. Workforce implications include employment for scientists, engineers, and support staff at KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific details on 'MULTIPLE SYSTEMS' hinders a precise understanding of the R&D scope and potential risks.
- The R&D nature inherently carries a risk of not achieving desired outcomes within the projected timeline or budget.
- Limited information on performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the contractor's historical success in similar R&D endeavors.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process that likely yielded a fair price.
- The contractor, KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC, is a known entity in government contracting, implying some level of established capability.
- The contract duration of 732 days (2 years) indicates a commitment to a defined research objective.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical and engineering sciences. This sector is characterized by innovation, long-term investment, and often involves specialized expertise. The market size for R&D services supporting the Department of Defense is substantial, with numerous firms competing for these high-value contracts. This specific award contributes to the broader ecosystem of defense-related technological advancement.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates that this was not a small business set-aside (ss=false, sb=false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications specifically mandated for small businesses through this award. The primary focus was on full and open competition, which may or may not have involved small business participation as subcontractors to the prime contractor.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program office within the Department of the Army. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's statement of work and performance requirements. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though specific R&D details may be sensitive. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Defense Research and Development Programs
- Advanced Technology Development Contracts
- Engineering Services Contracts
- Physical Sciences Research Grants
- Aerospace R&D
Risk Flags
- Lack of specific system details
- Inherent R&D uncertainty
- Potential for scope creep in research projects
Tags
department-of-defense, research-and-development, physical-sciences, engineering-sciences, kbr-wyle-services-llc, full-and-open-competition, alabama, multi-year-contract, scientific-research, defense-contracting
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $24.4 million to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC. MULTIPLE SYSTEMS
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 Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $24.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-09-28. End: 2009-09-29.
What specific 'MULTIPLE SYSTEMS' are covered under this R&D contract?
The provided data abbreviates the subject as 'MULTIPLE SYSTEMS' without further specification. This lack of detail is common for R&D contracts where the exact nature of the systems under development might be sensitive or still evolving. To understand the specific systems, one would need to consult the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or related technical documentation. These documents would outline the research objectives, technical requirements, and the types of physical or engineering systems the contractor is tasked with investigating, developing, or improving. Without access to these details, the scope remains broad, encompassing a wide range of potential applications within the physical and engineering sciences.
How does the $24.3 million contract value compare to typical R&D spending in this category?
The $24.3 million contract value for 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)' is a significant sum, indicative of a substantial, multi-year research effort. Benchmarking this precisely requires access to a database of comparable contracts, detailing scope, duration, and specific R&D focus. However, for complex defense-related R&D, contract values can range from a few million to hundreds of millions of dollars. This award appears to be in the mid-to-high range for a single contract of this nature, suggesting a project of considerable technical depth and potential impact. The duration of 732 days (approximately two years) also supports the idea of a significant research undertaking rather than a short-term study.
What is the track record of KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC in performing similar R&D contracts for the DoD?
KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC is a known entity in the federal contracting space, often involved in large-scale engineering, scientific, and technical support services. While the provided data confirms their award for this specific R&D contract, a comprehensive assessment of their track record would require examining their past performance on similar contracts. This would involve reviewing contract histories, performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS reports), and any documented successes or failures in delivering R&D outcomes for the Department of Defense or other agencies. Their established presence suggests they possess the necessary infrastructure and expertise, but specific R&D project success rates would need further investigation.
What are the potential risks associated with this R&D contract?
Research and Development contracts inherently carry risks, primarily related to technical feasibility and achieving desired outcomes. For this contract, risks include the possibility that the 'MULTIPLE SYSTEMS' under investigation may prove more complex than anticipated, leading to cost overruns or schedule delays. There's also the risk that the research may not yield the expected breakthroughs or practical applications. Furthermore, the contractor's ability to manage such a complex R&D project effectively, including personnel retention and resource allocation, presents another layer of risk. The government's risk is also tied to the potential for the research to become obsolete before completion or deployment.
How does the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION' award mechanism impact the value received by the government?
Awarding a contract through 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION' is generally considered the most advantageous method for the government in terms of value. It allows any responsible source to submit a bid, maximizing the number of potential offerors. This broad competition drives down prices as contractors vie for the award. It also ensures that the government has access to the widest possible range of innovative solutions and technical capabilities. For taxpayers, this mechanism increases the likelihood that the government is securing the best possible price and quality for the R&D services, minimizing the risk of paying inflated prices due to limited competition.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COMBINATION (TWO OR MORE) (2)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Court Square Capital Partners, L.P. (UEI: 610537735)
Address: 100 QUALITY CIRCLE, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 05
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $24,353,565
Exercised Options: $24,353,565
Current Obligation: $24,353,565
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS23F0002L
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-09-28
Current End Date: 2009-09-29
Potential End Date: 2009-09-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2008-11-12
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