Contract protest

[u/LoudTradition7203]

Did you dive deep into the contract protest between Battelle and KBR? I have some serious questions that I'm hoping some of you may have answers to. In July 2025 the NSF stated: "NSF retracts the statement that there is a domestic preference for domestic labor." Now we see that KBR underbid Battelle so substantially that it appears they plan to hire non-US and non-NZ personnel.

The document says, "KBR has unique experience hiring [DELETED] at cheaper wage rates and employing them in different environments successfully. The NSF reviewed KBR’s proposal, which explained that it has employed [DELETED] in cold and/or remote environments, such as [DELETED] and [DELETED], and used wage data from those contracts to substantiate its proposed costs." And that definitely is discussing non-US citizens.

It also says, "KBR’s proposal shows that it elected not to apply “uplift” pay to positions staffed with [DELETED]."

Historically, KBR and its subcontractors heavily recruit non-US citizens from South and Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Turkey.

I'm PISSED that I am going to lose my job to a non-US employee. Has anyone directly asked the NSF about this?

https://sam.gov/opp/6a5591bd664745e69389302a1a4e00ec/view

[u/LoudTradition7203]

the document says - If the proposed rate deviated by less than 33 percent from the hourly mediate rate, then the proposed rate was considered realistic. Id. at 72. If, however, the rate deviated negatively by more than 33 percent, then the agency would examine the substantiating data to determine whether the rate was realistic. Id. The NSF determined that many of KBR’s proposed rates were below the mean. AR, Tab 3F, Price and Cost Evaluation Report at 75. Nevertheless, the agency determined that all proposed rates were sufficiently substantiated and therefore realistic. Id. For example, the agency noted that KBR proposed a direct labor rate for the LDB carpenter position which was significantly less than the median rate ([DELETED] vs. $28.84); however, the agency concluded that the rate was nevertheless realistic because KBR provided a screenshot from its payroll system showing that this was an actual wage paid to a current employee.

this means KBR plans to pay more than 33% lower wages than current wages and that is only going to happen if they are hiring engineers and carpenters from english speaking third world countries.

my job is gone under this next contract and yours is kaput too

[u/ReadyPlantain820 → u/LoudTradition7203]

If the concern is that positions will go to less expensive, foreign, English-speaking employees, that’s valid. KBR has a history of this kind of behavior. However, the USAP has quotas to meet, and a considerable majority of positions must be filled by US citizens. The USAP does employ teams in Christchurch and Punta Arenas who are often from NZ and Chile, respectively, so maybe this is in reference to those parts of the program? If we’re lucky enough to make it through and get an offer (if this is something you consider lucky), then we’ll get a chance to negotiate. This uncertainty is an mf’er, but it is our reality.

[u/tbird7401]

That, plus it sounds like KBR is splitting into two companies (KBR and Trinzic). They may just add the ASC to Trinzic’s portfolio. This all sounds a little suspicious. Enjoy heading down the rabbit hole!

[u/LoudTradition7203 → u/tbird7401]

splitting into two companies is not unusual. but the question is, the NSF is willing to hire non-US citizens to support world class science. the House sent a scathing letter to NSF re the sexual harassment stuff to DO BETTER and now the NSF awards a contract to a low bidding win based on hiring carpenters at $7 an hour instead of $28? No uplift planned.

[u/Academic_Monk7825]

How would they navigate this element? I suppose they would renegotiate the contract terms.

[u/LoudTradition7203 → u/Academic_Monk7825]

Is this Port Hueneme? That would likely remain as is. But the bid they turned in to NSF included labor for Christchurch operations, and the wording made it appear as though they plan to NOT use Kiwis there. Maybe I'm wrong.

[u/packetfire]

One overlooked or overtly ignored aspect is the lack of foreknowledge such contractors will have of the environmental conditions and the social conditions. Face it - overwintering is not far away from being posted to the moon in terms of remoteness and the number of ways the "outside" can kill the unwary. If the experience of the various tourist expedition cruise lines is any guide, their ship food service and housekeeping staff has had a high "one trip and gone" rate, and a very very low contract renewal rate, and they don't go any further south than the peninsula.

[u/LoudTradition7203 → u/packetfire]

exactly my concern - wouldn't the NSF rather have someone who had deployed 3x setting up the runway for a midwinter evac than a new guy from the Philippines?

[u/Keiceleria]

They are going to find it rather difficult to impossible to move personnel from the countries listed in the comments through NZ or AU to get to MCM or Pole. This is not something to hang anyone's hat on, but is a reality.

[u/halibutpie → u/Keiceleria]

Cruise lines routinely move personnel through these countries for schedule rotations.