Eglin AFB dormitory construction contract awarded to Whitesell-Yates JV for over $17.5M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,577,743 ($17.6M)

Contractor: Whitesell-Yates, a Joint Venture

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2009-02-11

End Date: 2012-09-12

Contract Duration: 1,309 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 16

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: MATOC UNRESTRICTED GULF COAST REGION: DESIGN-BUILD F-35 STUDENT DORMITORY, EGLIN AFB, FLORIDA

Place of Performance

Location: EGLIN AFB, OKALOOSA County, FLORIDA, 32542

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $17.6 million to WHITESELL-YATES, A JOINT VENTURE for work described as: MATOC UNRESTRICTED GULF COAST REGION: DESIGN-BUILD F-35 STUDENT DORMITORY, EGLIN AFB, FLORIDA Key points: 1. Contract awarded for design-build of student dormitory at Eglin AFB. 2. Project duration was 1309 days, indicating a substantial construction timeline. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests cost certainty for the government. 4. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 5. No small business set-aside was utilized for this procurement. 6. The project falls under Commercial and Institutional Building Construction NAICS code. 7. The contract was a Delivery Order under a MATOC vehicle.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $17.58 million for a student dormitory at Eglin AFB is difficult to benchmark without specific details on size, amenities, and construction complexity. However, given the duration of over three years, the cost appears reasonable for a significant construction project. Further analysis would require comparing per-square-foot costs to similar military housing projects in the Gulf Coast region.

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 offers. The presence of 16 bids suggests a competitive environment, which typically leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable pricing for the government. The high number of bidders is a positive sign for market engagement.

Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition for this contract likely resulted in a more competitive price for taxpayers, as multiple firms vied for the opportunity to build the dormitory.

Public Impact

Military students at Eglin Air Force Base will benefit from new dormitory facilities. The project delivers design-build services for a student dormitory. The geographic impact is localized to Eglin AFB, Florida. The construction project likely involved a significant workforce of skilled tradespeople and construction professionals.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen construction challenges arise, despite the firm fixed price.
Delays in construction could impact student housing availability.
Quality control during a multi-year construction project requires diligent oversight.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost predictability.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive market was engaged.
Delivery Order under a MATOC vehicle may indicate efficient procurement processes.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a broad category encompassing the building of non-residential structures. The construction of military housing is a significant segment within this sector, often involving specialized requirements and security considerations. Comparable spending benchmarks for military dormitories can vary widely based on location, size, and amenities, but projects of this scale typically represent substantial investments in infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the data does not indicate any subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award to a joint venture suggests a focus on larger, established entities capable of handling complex design-build projects. This approach may limit direct opportunities for small businesses to participate as prime contractors on this specific project.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of the Army contracting and project management offices responsible for Eglin AFB. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards and delivery schedules. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, though specific project oversight details are often internal.

Related Government Programs

Military Housing Construction
Department of Defense Facilities
Design-Build Contracts
Eglin Air Force Base Projects
MATOC Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for construction delays
Quality control during extended construction period
Unforeseen site conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $17.6 million to WHITESELL-YATES, A JOINT VENTURE. MATOC UNRESTRICTED GULF COAST REGION: DESIGN-BUILD F-35 STUDENT DORMITORY, EGLIN AFB, FLORIDA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WHITESELL-YATES, A JOINT VENTURE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-02-11. End: 2012-09-12.

What was the specific scope of work for the design-build F-35 student dormitory at Eglin AFB?

The scope of work for this contract involved the design and construction of a student dormitory to support F-35 training at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. This would typically include architectural design, engineering, site preparation, foundation work, building construction, interior finishing, utility connections, and landscaping. The 'F-35 Student Dormitory' designation suggests the facility was intended for personnel involved in the F-35 program, potentially pilots, maintenance crews, or support staff undergoing training. The firm fixed price nature of the contract implies that the contractor, Whitesell-Yates, a Joint Venture, was responsible for delivering the complete project within the agreed-upon budget, covering all design and construction phases.

How does the $17.58 million contract value compare to similar military dormitory construction projects?

Benchmarking the $17.58 million contract value requires detailed comparison with similar military dormitory projects, considering factors like square footage, number of rooms, amenities, and location. Without these specifics, a direct comparison is challenging. However, for a project spanning over three years (February 2009 to September 2012), this value suggests a substantial undertaking. Military construction costs can be influenced by stringent security requirements, specific building codes, and the need for durable materials suitable for military environments. Projects of this nature often involve significant infrastructure development, making direct cost comparisons difficult without granular data on the project's physical characteristics and the prevailing market conditions at the time of award.

What were the key risks associated with this design-build construction contract?

Key risks for this design-build contract included potential design flaws leading to costly rework, unforeseen site conditions (e.g., soil issues, environmental concerns) impacting schedule and budget, contractor performance issues affecting quality or timeliness, and fluctuations in material or labor costs, although the firm fixed price contract aimed to mitigate the latter. Given the multi-year duration, managing scope creep and ensuring consistent quality control throughout the project lifecycle were also significant risks. The reliance on a joint venture as the contractor could also introduce risks related to internal coordination and management between the partner entities.

What does the award of a Delivery Order under a MATOC vehicle imply about the procurement process?

The award of a Delivery Order under a Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC) vehicle suggests an efficient and pre-competed procurement strategy. A MATOC allows the government to establish contracts with multiple vendors for similar services or supplies, and then issue task orders or delivery orders against these contracts for specific requirements. This approach streamlines the acquisition process for individual projects, as the initial vetting and competition for the MATOC itself have already occurred. For this dormitory project, it means the Department of the Army had already identified and qualified multiple potential contractors, and then competed this specific delivery order among them, likely leading to faster award times compared to a standalone solicitation.

What is the significance of the contract being Firm Fixed Price (FFP)?

A Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract signifies that the contractor, Whitesell-Yates, a Joint Venture, is obligated to complete the entire scope of work for the agreed-upon price of $17.58 million, regardless of their actual costs incurred. This contract type places the majority of the cost risk on the contractor. For the government, FFP provides the highest degree of cost certainty and predictability, making budgeting easier. However, it can also incentivize contractors to minimize costs, potentially impacting quality if not adequately monitored. The FFP structure is generally preferred for construction projects where the scope is well-defined and risks are manageable.

How did the 16 bids received impact the final contract price and value?

The receipt of 16 bids for this contract, awarded under full and open competition, strongly suggests a competitive marketplace for this type of construction work in the Eglin AFB region. A higher number of bids generally leads to more aggressive pricing from contractors seeking to win the award. This competitive pressure likely resulted in a more favorable price for the Department of the Army than if fewer bids had been received. While the exact impact on the final price cannot be determined without knowing the bid range, the robust competition is a positive indicator of value for money achieved through market forces.

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

Solicitation Procedures: SEALED BID

Offers Received: 16

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 115 MAIN ST, BILOXI, MS, 39530

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,577,743

Exercised Options: $17,577,743

Current Obligation: $17,577,743

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W9127807D0041

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline