Department of the Army awards $14.1M contract for Child Development Center construction in Alaska

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,110,503 ($14.1M)

Contractor: Bristol Design Build Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2009-02-20

End Date: 2011-02-25

Contract Duration: 735 days

Daily Burn Rate: $19.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: FTR262 CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER

Place of Performance

Location: FORT WAINWRIGHT, FAIRBANKS NORTH STAR County, ALASKA, 99703

State: Alaska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $14.1 million to BRISTOL DESIGN BUILD SERVICES, LLC for work described as: FTR262 CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Bristol Design Build Services, LLC for construction services. 2. The contract was competed using full and open competition. 3. The project duration was 735 days. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price. 5. The project is located in Alaska. 6. This contract falls under the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction NAICS code.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount of $14.1 million for a child development center is within a reasonable range for such a project, though specific cost breakdowns and comparisons to similar facilities are needed for a definitive value assessment. The firm fixed price structure suggests that the contractor assumed the primary risk for cost overruns. Benchmarking against other federal child development center constructions of similar size and scope would provide a clearer picture of the value for money achieved.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that multiple bidders were likely considered. The presence of two bids suggests a moderate level of competition. While full and open competition is generally preferred, the specific number of bidders can influence price discovery. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it generally drives down costs through market forces, ensuring the government receives competitive pricing for construction services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are military families stationed in Alaska requiring childcare services. The contract delivered a new Child Development Center facility. The geographic impact is localized to the military installation in Alaska where the center is built. The project likely involved construction workforce employment in Alaska.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed cost breakdown makes it difficult to assess value for money comprehensively.
The specific nature of 'Exclusion of Sources' in the competition type warrants further investigation to ensure no viable sources were unduly excluded.
Limited information on the performance of Bristol Design Build Services, LLC on previous federal contracts.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified contractors.
Firm Fixed Price contract type shifts cost risk to the contractor.
Project addresses a critical need for childcare facilities for military personnel.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a significant segment of the construction industry. Federal spending in this area often supports infrastructure development on military bases and other government facilities. The market for such construction is competitive, with numerous firms capable of undertaking projects of this scale. Benchmarking against similar projects would involve comparing costs per square foot or per child capacity.

Small Business Impact

The contract details do not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions. As the contract was competed under full and open competition, there is no explicit requirement for subcontracting to small businesses unless voluntarily pursued by the prime contractor. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether Bristol Design Build Services, LLC engages small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is subject to standard federal procurement oversight. Accountability measures are inherent in the Firm Fixed Price contract type, which penalizes cost overruns by the contractor. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases. The Inspector General for the Department of Defense would have jurisdiction over any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Military Family Housing Construction
Childcare Facility Development
Department of Defense Construction Contracts
Federal Building Construction

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if contractor underestimates project complexity.
Risk of delays impacting childcare service availability.
Need to verify contractor's past performance on similar projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $14.1 million to BRISTOL DESIGN BUILD SERVICES, LLC. FTR262 CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BRISTOL DESIGN BUILD 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 $14.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-02-20. End: 2011-02-25.

What is the track record of Bristol Design Build Services, LLC with federal contracts, particularly in construction?

Information regarding Bristol Design Build Services, LLC's track record with federal contracts is limited in the provided data. A comprehensive review would require accessing the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or similar databases to identify past performance, contract values, and any reported issues or successes. Understanding their experience with similar-sized projects, especially those involving institutional or government facilities, is crucial for assessing their capability and reliability for this specific Child Development Center project. Past performance is a key factor in federal contracting decisions, and a review of their history would shed light on their ability to deliver projects on time and within budget.

How does the $14.1 million cost compare to similar Child Development Center construction projects?

Benchmarking the $14.1 million cost against similar Child Development Center (CDC) construction projects requires access to a broader dataset of federal construction awards. Factors such as square footage, capacity (number of children served), geographic location (which impacts labor and material costs), and specific design requirements significantly influence project costs. Without these comparative metrics, it is difficult to definitively state whether this award represents excellent, fair, or questionable value. However, for a facility of this nature, costs can range widely, and a detailed cost-per-square-foot analysis compared to other recently awarded federal CDCs would be necessary for a robust assessment. The firm fixed price nature suggests the contractor bore the risk of cost escalation.

What are the primary risks associated with this firm fixed-price construction contract?

The primary risks associated with this firm fixed-price (FFP) construction contract are largely borne by the contractor, Bristol Design Build Services, LLC. These include the risk of cost overruns due to unforeseen site conditions, material price fluctuations, labor shortages, or scheduling delays. If the contractor's costs exceed the fixed price, their profit margin will be reduced or they could incur a loss. For the government, the main risk is ensuring the contractor has the capability and financial stability to complete the project to the required specifications and quality standards. Poor contractor performance could lead to delays, defects, and potential disputes, impacting the availability of essential childcare services.

What is the significance of the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' award type?

The award type 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' (FACA) is a specific method used in federal contracting. It implies that the agency initially intended to use full and open competition but then excluded certain sources for reasons specified in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). This could be due to specific capabilities, past performance, or other justifications. While it aims for broad competition, the exclusion of sources means not all potential offerors were considered. The number of bids received (two in this case) suggests that while competition occurred, it was not as broad as a standard unrestricted full and open competition. This could potentially impact price competitiveness compared to a scenario with a larger number of bidders.

What are the potential workforce implications of this construction project in Alaska?

This construction project likely had significant workforce implications for Alaska. Building a Child Development Center requires a range of skilled labor, including carpenters, electricians, plumbers, masons, and general laborers. The duration of 735 days suggests a sustained need for these workers over approximately two years. Depending on the availability of local skilled labor, the project may have created new jobs or drawn workers from other regions. Furthermore, the project could stimulate indirect employment in related sectors such as material supply, equipment rental, and transportation. The economic impact on the local Alaskan community could be substantial through wages paid and local procurement.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: W911KB07R0006

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 111 W 16TH AVE STE 303, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99501

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Emerging Small Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,125,635

Exercised Options: $14,110,503

Current Obligation: $14,110,503

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W911KB08D0008

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline