VA awards $4.98M contract for cemetery development, highlighting engineering services for national burial sites

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,981,966 ($5.0M)

Contractor: Calibre Engineering Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2020-06-30

End Date: 2029-06-30

Contract Duration: 3,287 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.5K/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: FT. LOGAN NATIONAL CEMETERY - PHASE 1 - DEVELOPMENT ON NEW LAND

Place of Performance

Location: DENVER, DENVER County, COLORADO, 80236

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $5.0 million to CALIBRE ENGINEERING INC for work described as: FT. LOGAN NATIONAL CEMETERY - PHASE 1 - DEVELOPMENT ON NEW LAND Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential engineering services for cemetery expansion, a critical need for veteran services. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration is substantial, spanning nearly 9 years, indicating a long-term project. 4. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide budget certainty. 5. The project is located in Colorado, serving a specific geographic need for veteran burial. 6. Engineering services are crucial for planning and executing large-scale infrastructure projects like this.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $4.98 million for engineering services related to cemetery development appears reasonable given the nearly 9-year duration and the scope of work implied by developing new land for a national cemetery. Benchmarking against similar large-scale civil engineering projects for government infrastructure would provide a more precise value assessment. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract suggests an effort to manage costs effectively.

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,' which typically means that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of two bids (implied by 'no': 2) indicates some level of competition, though the exact number of bidders is not explicitly stated beyond the fact that it was competed openly. This suggests a reasonable opportunity for price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging lower prices and better service offerings from contractors.

Public Impact

Veterans and their families in Colorado will benefit from the expansion of burial space at Fort Logan National Cemetery. The contract will facilitate the development of new land, ensuring future availability of interment sites. The project supports the Department of Veterans Affairs' mission to provide dignified burial services. The engineering services will contribute to the long-term infrastructure planning and execution for national cemeteries.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration could lead to scope creep or unforeseen cost increases if not managed diligently.
Reliance on a single engineering firm for such a long-term project may limit future opportunities for other firms.
Potential for changes in engineering requirements over the 9-year period could impact final costs.

Positive Signals

The fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for the VA.
Full and open competition suggests a fair process and potential for competitive pricing.
The project addresses a critical need for veteran burial services, ensuring long-term capacity.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting civil engineering and infrastructure development for government facilities. The market for engineering services supporting federal construction and land development is substantial, with significant spending allocated annually to projects like cemetery expansions, military base improvements, and other public works. This contract represents a portion of that broader spending aimed at maintaining and expanding national infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any small business set-aside provisions for this contract, nor does it mention subcontracting goals. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is not evident from this award alone. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved as subcontractors or if the prime contractor has a history of engaging with small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, which obligates the contractor to deliver services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific oversight activities are not detailed here.

Related Government Programs

National Cemetery Administration Projects
Department of Veterans Affairs Infrastructure Development
Federal Civil Engineering Services
Public Land Development Contracts

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may increase risk of cost escalation or scope creep.
Limited competition (2 bidders) could indicate potential for suboptimal pricing.
Dependence on a single firm for nearly a decade warrants close performance monitoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $5.0 million to CALIBRE ENGINEERING INC. FT. LOGAN NATIONAL CEMETERY - PHASE 1 - DEVELOPMENT ON NEW LAND

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CALIBRE ENGINEERING INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (Department of Veterans Affairs).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-06-30. End: 2029-06-30.

What is the track record of Calibre Engineering Inc. with the Department of Veterans Affairs and similar federal agencies?

A review of Calibre Engineering Inc.'s contract history with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other federal agencies would be necessary to assess their track record. This would involve examining past performance evaluations, any history of contract disputes or terminations, and their experience with projects of similar scale and complexity. A strong performance history with the VA or other agencies would indicate a lower risk for this current project. Conversely, a history of issues could raise concerns about their ability to deliver on this significant, long-term contract for cemetery development.

How does the awarded amount compare to the estimated cost or budget for this cemetery development project?

The provided data shows the awarded amount ($4.98 million) but does not include the initial estimated cost or the allocated budget for the Fort Logan National Cemetery development. To assess value for money, a comparison between the awarded price and the government's estimate is crucial. If the awarded amount is significantly lower than the estimate, it suggests successful price competition. If it is close to or exceeds the estimate, further scrutiny of the bidding process and the scope of work would be warranted to ensure taxpayer funds are being used efficiently.

What are the specific engineering services required under this contract, and what are the key performance indicators?

The contract specifies 'Engineering Services' (NAICS 541330) for the development of new land at Fort Logan National Cemetery. While the exact scope is not detailed, it likely includes site assessment, surveying, design, planning, environmental impact studies, and potentially construction oversight. Key performance indicators (KPIs) would typically be defined in the contract's statement of work and could include adherence to project timelines, quality of engineering designs, compliance with regulations, and successful completion of project milestones. Without the detailed statement of work, a precise assessment of performance expectations is not possible.

What is the historical spending trend for engineering services at national cemeteries, and how does this award fit within that trend?

Historical spending on engineering services for national cemeteries varies significantly based on the number and scale of expansion projects undertaken by the National Cemetery Administration (NCA). Major land acquisitions and development phases, like the one potentially initiated by this contract, represent substantial investments. To contextualize this $4.98 million award, one would need to analyze NCA's capital expenditures over the past decade, identifying similar land development or expansion projects and their associated engineering costs. This contract appears to be a significant, long-term investment focused on ensuring future burial capacity, aligning with the NCA's ongoing mission.

Are there any identified risks associated with the contractor or the nature of the project that could impact delivery?

Potential risks for this contract include the long duration (nearly 9 years), which can introduce uncertainties related to changing requirements, inflation, or contractor performance over time. The nature of developing new land for a cemetery also carries risks such as unforeseen environmental conditions, archaeological discoveries, or permitting challenges. The contractor's specific risk profile would depend on their past performance, financial stability, and experience with similar large-scale, long-term government infrastructure projects. A thorough risk assessment would involve reviewing these factors and the mitigation strategies outlined in the contract.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

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

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Calibre Engineering, Inc.

Address: 9090 RIDGELINE BLVD, HIGHLANDS RANCH, CO, 80129

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,488,414

Exercised Options: $4,981,966

Current Obligation: $4,981,966

Actual Outlays: $979,034

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: PRODUCTS OR SERVICES PURSUANT TO FAR 12.102(F)

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: VA101F17D2827

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline