Interior's $26.5M Mescalaro Detention Center Design-Build Contract Awarded to WALGA ROSS GROUP JV
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $26,538,532 ($26.5M)
Contractor: Walga Ross Group JV
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2021-11-01
End Date: 2025-04-22
Contract Duration: 1,268 days
Daily Burn Rate: $20.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: MESCALARO DETENTION CENTER DESIGN BUILD
Place of Performance
Location: MESCALERO, OTERO County, NEW MEXICO, 88340
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $26.5 million to WALGA ROSS GROUP JV for work described as: MESCALARO DETENTION CENTER DESIGN BUILD Key points: 1. The contract value is $26.5 million for a design-build project. 2. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, suggesting a structured procurement process. 3. The project is in the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector. 4. The award was a delivery order under a larger contract, indicating potential for future task orders.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $26.5 million for a design-build project needs comparison to similar construction contracts. Without specific benchmarks for detention center design-builds, assessing its pricing fairness is difficult.
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 a competitive process but with specific pre-qualification steps. This method aims for fair pricing through competition while ensuring qualified bidders.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process is intended to secure reasonable pricing, thus optimizing taxpayer investment in this infrastructure project.
Public Impact
Construction of a detention center impacts local communities and law enforcement infrastructure. The project's success relies on timely completion and adherence to design specifications. Job creation and economic activity in New Mexico are potential benefits.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific per-unit cost benchmarks for comparison.
- Potential for cost overruns in design-build projects if not managed tightly.
- The 'after exclusion of sources' clause warrants scrutiny to ensure broad competition was not unduly limited.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under a full and open competition framework.
- Firm fixed price contract type helps control costs.
- Project duration is clearly defined.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Commercial and Institutional Building Construction, a sector characterized by significant capital investment and project management complexity. Benchmarks for similar detention facility construction projects are crucial for a thorough value assessment.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates the award was not set-aside for small businesses (sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had opportunities to participate as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education are responsible for oversight. The delivery order structure requires monitoring to ensure adherence to the parent contract's terms and conditions.
Related Government Programs
- Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns in design-build projects.
- Complexity of detention center construction requirements.
- Limited transparency on source exclusion criteria.
- Lack of specific cost benchmarks for comparison.
Tags
commercial-and-institutional-building-co, department-of-the-interior, nm, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $26.5 million to WALGA ROSS GROUP JV. MESCALARO DETENTION CENTER DESIGN BUILD
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is WALGA ROSS GROUP JV.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $26.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-11-01. End: 2025-04-22.
What is the benchmark cost per square foot or per bed for similar detention center design-build projects in the region?
Establishing a benchmark cost per square foot or per bed for similar detention center design-build projects in New Mexico is critical. This data allows for a direct comparison against the $26.5 million award, helping to determine if the pricing is competitive and represents good value for taxpayers. Without this, assessing the contract's financial efficiency remains speculative.
What specific criteria were used to exclude sources prior to the full and open competition?
Understanding the criteria used to exclude sources before the 'full and open competition' is essential for risk assessment. If the exclusion criteria were overly restrictive or subjective, it could limit competition and potentially lead to higher costs or less optimal solutions. Transparency in this process ensures fairness and maximizes the potential for innovative and cost-effective bids.
How effectively has the Bureau of Indian Affairs managed similar design-build projects in terms of cost, schedule, and quality?
Assessing the Bureau of Indian Affairs' past performance on similar design-build projects is key to evaluating the effectiveness of this contract. A track record of successful project delivery, within budget and on schedule, suggests a lower risk profile. Conversely, a history of cost overruns or delays would raise concerns about the agency's project management capabilities and the potential for this project to face similar challenges.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - CONSTRUCTION
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: 140A1621R0062
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3600 NE SARDOU AVE STE 7, TOPEKA, KS, 66616
Business Categories: American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Government, Native American Tribal Government, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $26,538,532
Exercised Options: $26,538,532
Current Obligation: $26,538,532
Actual Outlays: $26,274,048
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 13
Total Subaward Amount: $22,773,773
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 140A1618D0010
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-11-01
Current End Date: 2025-04-22
Potential End Date: 2025-04-22 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-01-22
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