DOD's $11.9M child development center contract awarded to Caman Construction Company Inc. JV

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,880,891 ($11.9M)

Contractor: Caman Construction Company Inc 8 (A)/ Strickland Construction CO Inc a Missouri JV

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2007-08-07

End Date: 2008-12-20

Contract Duration: 501 days

Daily Burn Rate: $23.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS (FORSYTH, WHITSIDE)

Place of Performance

Location: FORT RILEY, GEARY County, KANSAS, 66442

State: Kansas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $11.9 million to CAMAN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY INC 8 (A)/ STRICKLAND CONSTRUCTION CO INC A MISSOURI JV for work described as: CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS (FORSYTH, WHITSIDE) Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in military family support infrastructure. 2. Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 3. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide budget certainty. 4. Performance period spanned over a year, indicating a substantial construction project. 5. The contract falls within the broad category of commercial and institutional building construction. 6. The award was made by the Department of the Army, a major component of the DOD.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $11.9 million for two child development centers appears to be within a reasonable range for such projects, though specific benchmarks are difficult to ascertain without detailed project scopes and regional cost data. The fixed-price nature of the contract suggests an effort to manage costs, but the final expenditure relative to initial estimates would be a key indicator of value. Comparing this to similar DOD construction projects of comparable size and complexity would provide a clearer picture of value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of two bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this project. While two bidders are better than one, a higher number of bids typically leads to more competitive pricing and potentially better value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple companies to vie for the contract, which can drive down prices and improve the quality of services offered.

Public Impact

Military families stationed at Forsyth and Whitside will benefit from improved child development facilities. The contract delivered construction services for essential community infrastructure on military bases. The geographic impact is localized to the military installations where the centers were built. The project likely supported construction jobs in the local Kansas economy during its execution.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen issues arose during construction, despite fixed-price contract.
Ensuring timely completion within the awarded duration to avoid impacting military family services.
Quality of construction to meet long-term durability and safety standards for child facilities.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a fair and transparent procurement process.
Fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The project addresses a critical need for family support services on military installations.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a broad category encompassing the building of non-residential structures like schools, government facilities, and community centers. The Department of Defense is a significant investor in construction projects to maintain and upgrade its infrastructure, including family support facilities. Benchmarks for similar projects can vary widely based on location, specific requirements, and market conditions.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem appears limited based on the provided information. Further investigation into the prime contractor's subcontracting plan would be necessary to fully assess any indirect benefits to small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant Department of the Army contracting command. Quality assurance personnel would likely monitor construction progress and adherence to specifications. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS, though detailed project-specific oversight reports are not always publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Military Construction, Army
Family Housing Construction
Child Care Services
Department of Defense Facilities Management

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns on fixed-price contracts if unforeseen issues arise.
Ensuring timely completion to meet the needs of military families.
Quality assurance for long-term durability and safety of child facilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $11.9 million to CAMAN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY INC 8 (A)/ STRICKLAND CONSTRUCTION CO INC A MISSOURI JV. CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS (FORSYTH, WHITSIDE)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CAMAN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY INC 8 (A)/ STRICKLAND CONSTRUCTION CO INC A MISSOURI 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 $11.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-08-07. End: 2008-12-20.

What was the specific scope of work for the two child development centers?

The provided data does not detail the specific scope of work for the two child development centers. However, as a contract for 'Commercial and Institutional Building Construction' awarded by the Department of the Army, it is reasonable to infer that the scope included the design (if not already completed) and physical construction of buildings intended for use as child development centers. This would encompass site preparation, foundation work, structural erection, interior finishing, installation of utilities, and potentially landscaping. The total contract value of $11.9 million suggests substantial facilities, likely accommodating a significant number of children and staff, with associated amenities and safety features compliant with military and child care standards.

How does the awarded amount of $11.9 million compare to similar DOD child development center construction projects?

Directly comparing the $11.9 million award to similar Department of Defense (DOD) child development center construction projects is challenging without access to a comprehensive database of comparable contracts with detailed project scopes, locations, and completion dates. However, the value suggests a significant undertaking, potentially involving the construction of two sizable facilities or one very large one. DOD construction projects, especially those on military bases, can be subject to higher costs due to security requirements, specialized infrastructure, and prevailing wage laws. A preliminary assessment suggests the amount is substantial but not necessarily outside the expected range for major military family support infrastructure projects of this nature.

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

For a fixed-price construction contract like this, the primary risks typically lie with the contractor, who assumes responsibility for cost overruns. Key risks include unforeseen site conditions (e.g., soil issues, underground utilities), material price fluctuations, labor shortages or disputes, weather delays, and design errors or omissions. The government's risk is primarily related to the contractor's ability to deliver the project on time and to the required quality standards. If the contractor underbids or encounters significant unexpected costs, they might cut corners on quality or face financial distress, potentially leading to project delays or disputes. The government's oversight is crucial to mitigate these risks.

What is the track record of Caman Construction Company Inc. and Strickland Construction Co. Inc. with federal contracts?

The provided data indicates the award was made to 'CAMAN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY INC 8 (A)/ STRICKLAND CONSTRUCTION CO INC A MISSOURI JV'. To assess their track record, one would need to examine historical federal contract data for both Caman Construction Company Inc. and Strickland Construction Co. Inc. individually, as well as any joint ventures they have participated in. This would involve looking at the number of contracts awarded, their values, performance history (if available through contract databases), types of services provided, and any past performance issues or disputes. Without this specific historical data, a definitive assessment of their track record cannot be made based solely on this single award.

How does the duration of 501 days (approximately 16.5 months) impact the assessment of this contract?

A duration of 501 days for a construction project valued at $11.9 million suggests a moderately complex and substantial undertaking. This timeframe allows for significant construction activities, including potential site development, building erection, and interior finishing. For a fixed-price contract, a longer duration can sometimes increase the contractor's exposure to market fluctuations in material costs and labor availability. From the government's perspective, a well-managed schedule is crucial to ensure that the child development centers become operational as planned, providing essential services to military families without undue delay. The duration appears reasonable for the scale of work implied by the contract value.

What does the 'AW: DO' designation signify for this contract?

The 'AW: DO' designation in federal procurement data typically signifies 'Awarded' and 'Department of Defense'. In this context, 'DO' specifically refers to the Department of the Army, which is a component agency within the Department of Defense. Therefore, 'AW: DO' confirms that the contract was officially awarded and that the awarding agency was the Department of the Army. This provides clarity on which branch of the military was responsible for the procurement and execution of this construction project for the child development centers.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCT NONBUILDING FACILITIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W912DQ06R0050

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5004 BRIGHTON AVE, KANSAS CITY, MO, 05

Business Categories: Category Business, Emerging Small Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,880,891

Exercised Options: $11,880,891

Current Obligation: $11,880,891

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W912DQ07D0046

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline