DOJ's $2.36M vocational training renovation contract awarded to Blasco Construction Corp

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,358,992 ($2.4M)

Contractor: Blasco Construction Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2023-10-20

End Date: 2026-06-23

Contract Duration: 977 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.4K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: B&F 23Z2AT5 RENOVATE VOCATIONAL TRAINING- FCI SCHUYLKILL

Place of Performance

Location: MIAMI, MIAMI-DADE County, FLORIDA, 33142

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $2.4 million to BLASCO CONSTRUCTION CORP for work described as: B&F 23Z2AT5 RENOVATE VOCATIONAL TRAINING- FCI SCHUYLKILL Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for a building renovation project of this scope. 2. Limited competition raises concerns about potential overpricing and reduced value for taxpayers. 3. Project duration of 977 days suggests a complex or lengthy renovation process. 4. Fixed-price contract type offers cost certainty but may limit flexibility. 5. The contract is for commercial and institutional building construction, a common sector for federal spending. 6. No indication of small business set-aside or subcontracting requirements.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.36 million for renovating vocational training facilities at FCI Schuylkill seems within a reasonable range for commercial construction projects of this nature. However, without specific details on the scope of work, materials, and labor involved, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar federal or state correctional facility renovation projects would provide a clearer picture of whether the pricing is competitive.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This lack of competition limits the government's ability to explore various pricing structures and potentially secure a more favorable deal. While sole-source awards can be justified in specific circumstances, they generally lead to higher costs and reduced innovation compared to open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition means taxpayers may not have received the best possible price for this renovation. Without bids from other qualified contractors, the government had less leverage to negotiate down costs, potentially leading to an expenditure that is higher than it would have been under a competitive bidding process.

Public Impact

Inmates at FCI Schuylkill will benefit from improved vocational training facilities, potentially enhancing their skills and post-release employment prospects. The renovation services will be delivered at FCI Schuylkill, located in Pennsylvania. The project is expected to create temporary employment opportunities for construction workers and related trades. The improved facilities could support a wider range of vocational programs, benefiting a larger number of inmates.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits price discovery and potentially increases costs for taxpayers.
Lack of transparency in the justification for a sole-source award.
Long project duration could indicate potential for delays or cost overruns, despite fixed-price contract.
No small business participation requirements noted, potentially limiting opportunities for smaller firms.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded for a necessary facility improvement to support inmate rehabilitation.
Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Project aims to enhance vocational training, a key component of correctional programming.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a significant area of federal spending. The federal government frequently procures construction services for its facilities, including correctional institutions. Benchmarks for similar projects can vary widely based on location, scope, and specific requirements, but projects in the multi-million dollar range are common for substantial renovations or new construction.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor is there any indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific project may be limited, potentially impacting the broader small business ecosystem involved in federal construction contracts.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Justice's Bureau of Prisons. Accountability measures would be managed through contract administration, performance monitoring, and adherence to the fixed-price terms. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases, but the justification for sole-source awards can sometimes be less detailed in public-facing summaries.

Related Government Programs

Federal Bureau of Prisons Construction Projects
Department of Justice Facility Renovations
Vocational Training Program Support

Risk Flags

Sole-source award raises concerns about competition and potential value.
Long project duration increases risk of delays and unforeseen issues.
Lack of small business participation noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $2.4 million to BLASCO CONSTRUCTION CORP. B&F 23Z2AT5 RENOVATE VOCATIONAL TRAINING- FCI SCHUYLKILL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BLASCO CONSTRUCTION CORP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-10-20. End: 2026-06-23.

What specific vocational training programs will be supported or enhanced by this renovation, and what is the expected impact on inmate rehabilitation and recidivism rates?

The provided data does not specify the exact vocational training programs to be supported by the renovation of facilities at FCI Schuylkill. However, the general aim of such renovations is to modernize and expand the capacity for vocational training within correctional institutions. Improved facilities can lead to a wider array of training opportunities, potentially equipping inmates with more marketable skills. Enhanced skills are often correlated with lower recidivism rates upon release, as individuals are better prepared for employment. The Bureau of Prisons typically tracks program participation and post-release outcomes, but this specific contract's direct impact on recidivism would require a dedicated study linking facility upgrades to inmate success metrics.

What was the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and were any efforts made to explore competitive options?

The justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis is not detailed in the provided data. Federal procurement regulations allow for sole-source awards under specific circumstances, such as when only one responsible source is available or when the agency determines that a competitive process is not in the government's best interest. Without further information from the Department of Justice, it is impossible to ascertain the precise rationale. Typically, agencies must document extensive market research and justification to support a sole-source award, demonstrating why competition was not feasible or advantageous. The absence of this detail in the summary raises questions about the thoroughness of the procurement process.

How does the cost per square foot or per training station for this renovation compare to similar projects in federal correctional facilities?

A precise cost comparison per square foot or per training station is not possible with the current data, as the total square footage of the renovated area and the number of training stations are not specified. The total contract value is $2.36 million. To benchmark effectively, one would need to know the scope of work, the specific areas being renovated (e.g., classrooms, workshops), and the total area involved. Comparing this to other Bureau of Prisons or similar correctional facility renovation projects would require access to detailed cost breakdowns and project specifications for those comparable contracts. Without such granular data, any cost comparison would be speculative.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) that will be used to measure the success of this renovation project, and who is responsible for monitoring them?

The provided data does not explicitly list the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this renovation project. However, typical KPIs for construction contracts include adherence to schedule, budget compliance (though this is a fixed-price contract, change orders could impact final cost), quality of workmanship, safety compliance, and timely completion of milestones. The Bureau of Prisons' contract administration staff would be responsible for monitoring these KPIs. Performance would likely be assessed through site inspections, progress reports from the contractor, and final acceptance of the completed work according to the contract specifications.

What is the track record of Blasco Construction Corp. in completing federal construction projects, particularly those involving institutional or correctional facilities?

Information regarding the specific track record of Blasco Construction Corp. in completing federal construction projects, especially those involving institutional or correctional facilities, is not included in the provided data summary. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes on previous government contracts. Federal procurement systems often maintain performance records that could shed light on their reliability, experience, and quality of work. Without this historical data, it is difficult to assess their suitability and past performance for this specific project.

Given the 977-day duration, what are the primary risks associated with project delays or cost escalations, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

The 977-day duration (approximately 2.7 years) for this renovation project presents inherent risks of delays and potential cost escalations, even under a fixed-price contract. Primary risks include unforeseen site conditions, material shortages, labor disputes, weather impacts, and changes in regulatory requirements. While the fixed-price nature of the contract aims to cap costs, significant delays could still impact the government's ability to utilize the facilities as intended, leading to indirect costs. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust project management, clear communication channels, contingency planning, and potentially liquidated damages clauses for significant delays, though these are not specified here.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR NONBUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 15BFA023R00000026

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4265 NW 37TH AVE, MIAMI, FL, 33142

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,358,992

Exercised Options: $2,358,992

Current Obligation: $2,358,992

Actual Outlays: $1,999,242

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline