DoD Awards $1.24B Contract for UMCS Upgrade in Germany to Dewberry Design-Builders Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,834,801 ($16.8M)

Contractor: Dewberry Design-Builders Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2023-09-30

End Date: 2027-06-23

Contract Duration: 1,362 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL UPGRADE THE UMCS AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN USAG BAVARIA, GERMANY.

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $16.8 million to DEWBERRY DESIGN-BUILDERS INC for work described as: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL UPGRADE THE UMCS AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN USAG BAVARIA, GERMANY. Key points: 1. The contract focuses on upgrading the UMCS system across multiple locations in USAG Bavaria, Germany. 2. Dewberry Design-Builders Inc. secured this significant contract, indicating strong capabilities in design-build services. 3. The project duration of 1362 days suggests a complex and extensive upgrade process. 4. This contract falls under Computer Systems Design Services, a critical area for military infrastructure.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award amount of $1.24 billion for a 1362-day duration suggests a substantial investment. Benchmarking against similar large-scale infrastructure design-build projects would be necessary for a precise value assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. This method typically leads to competitive pricing and ensures the best value is sought.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is expected to yield fair pricing, maximizing the value of taxpayer funds for this critical infrastructure upgrade.

Public Impact

Enhances military operational capabilities through upgraded communication systems. Supports U.S. Army operations in Germany by modernizing essential infrastructure. Potential for job creation in design, construction, and IT sectors. Ensures secure and reliable communication networks for deployed forces.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to the long duration and international location.
Scope creep could impact final costs and timelines.
Dependency on a single contractor for a large-scale, critical upgrade.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing.
Firm Fixed Price contract type limits cost uncertainty for the government.
Modernization of critical infrastructure enhances operational readiness.

Sector Analysis

This contract is within the IT and Construction sectors, specifically focusing on design-build services for military communication systems. Spending benchmarks for similar large-scale military infrastructure projects are typically in the hundreds of millions to billions of dollars.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and was awarded under full and open competition. Therefore, direct small business participation is not explicitly detailed, though they may participate as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the Department of the Army, a component of the Department of Defense. Oversight will likely involve program managers ensuring adherence to scope, schedule, and budget, with potential for audits and reviews.

Related Government Programs

Computer Systems Design Services
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to international location and long duration.
Risk of scope creep impacting budget and timeline.
Dependency on a single contractor for a critical system upgrade.
Cybersecurity risks associated with upgrading communication systems.
Logistical challenges in executing work across multiple sites in Germany.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $16.8 million to DEWBERRY DESIGN-BUILDERS INC. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL UPGRADE THE UMCS AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN USAG BAVARIA, GERMANY.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DEWBERRY DESIGN-BUILDERS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $16.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-30. End: 2027-06-23.

What is the specific scope of the UMCS upgrade and how does it align with current and future military communication needs?

The specific scope involves upgrading the Unified Military Communication System (UMCS) at various locations in USAG Bavaria, Germany. This likely entails modernizing hardware, software, and network infrastructure to enhance security, reliability, and bandwidth. The alignment with future needs would depend on the system's architecture and its ability to integrate with evolving communication technologies and protocols required for modern military operations.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract and how will success be measured?

Key performance indicators would likely include system uptime, data transfer speeds, network latency, security compliance, and successful integration of new components. Success measurement would involve regular performance reviews, testing, and user feedback to ensure the upgraded UMCS meets or exceeds specified operational requirements and enhances communication effectiveness for U.S. forces in Germany.

What risk mitigation strategies are in place to address potential challenges with international deployment and long-term project management?

Risk mitigation strategies would likely include detailed logistical planning for equipment and personnel in Germany, robust cybersecurity measures, contingency planning for unforeseen technical issues, and strong contract management with clear communication channels. The firm fixed price contract type helps mitigate financial risk, while the long duration necessitates proactive project management to control scope and schedule.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services

Product/Service Code: INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT › INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: W912DY17R0014

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2610 WYCLIFF RD STE 410, RALEIGH, NC, 27607

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,834,801

Exercised Options: $16,834,801

Current Obligation: $16,834,801

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W912DY20D0029

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline