VA awards $2.69M contract for seismic retrofit and renovation of three buildings to Blue Trident, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,689,012 ($2.7M)

Contractor: Blue Trident, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-09-30

End Date: 2028-02-28

Contract Duration: 1,246 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION PERIOD SERVICES FOR SEISMIC RETROFIT AND RENOVATE BUILDINGS 16, 11, AND 13.

Place of Performance

Location: ROSEBURG, DOUGLAS County, OREGON, 97471

State: Oregon Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $2.7 million to BLUE TRIDENT, LLC for work described as: DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION PERIOD SERVICES FOR SEISMIC RETROFIT AND RENOVATE BUILDINGS 16, 11, AND 13. Key points: 1. The contract focuses on architectural services for building retrofits, a critical infrastructure need. 2. Blue Trident, LLC, secured the award under a competitive process. 3. The project duration is over 3 years, indicating a significant scope. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, providing cost certainty.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.69M for architectural services for seismic retrofitting and renovation appears reasonable given the scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar large-scale building renovation projects would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' suggesting a competitive process but with specific limitations. This method aims for competition while potentially excluding certain vendors, which could impact price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of a competitive process, even with exclusions, aims to secure fair pricing for taxpayers. The final cost will reflect the negotiated terms and market conditions for specialized architectural services.

Public Impact

Veterans will benefit from improved and safer facilities due to the seismic retrofitting. The project supports the modernization of critical VA infrastructure. Local economy may see a boost through construction-related activities and employment. Ensures compliance with modern building codes and safety standards.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen structural issues arise during renovation.
Dependence on a single contractor for a multi-year, complex project.
Limited competition may not have yielded the absolute lowest price.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides budget certainty.
Focus on seismic retrofitting addresses critical safety and long-term facility viability.
Awarded to a company with relevant expertise in architectural services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Architectural Services sector (NAICS 541310), which is crucial for public infrastructure development and maintenance. Spending in this sector is often driven by government needs for facility upgrades, repairs, and new construction.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses (sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business set-asides were considered or if the project's scale necessitated larger firm involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is the contracting and awarding agency, implying internal oversight. The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' suggests a structured procurement process, but the specifics of the exclusion warrant review for accountability.

Related Government Programs

Architectural Services
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition may have resulted in a higher price than full and open competition.
Potential for scope creep or unforeseen issues in seismic retrofitting projects.
Contract duration of over 3 years increases exposure to market fluctuations.
Lack of small business participation noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $2.7 million to BLUE TRIDENT, LLC. DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION PERIOD SERVICES FOR SEISMIC RETROFIT AND RENOVATE BUILDINGS 16, 11, AND 13.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BLUE TRIDENT, LLC.

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 $2.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-30. End: 2028-02-28.

What specific criteria led to the exclusion of certain sources in the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' award?

The exclusion of sources typically occurs when specific technical capabilities, past performance on similar projects, or unique certifications are required that only a limited number of firms possess. The agency would have documented these requirements and justified why only certain vendors could meet them, ensuring the exclusion was necessary for project success and not arbitrary.

How does the $2.69M cost compare to industry benchmarks for similar seismic retrofitting and renovation projects of comparable building size and complexity?

Benchmarking requires detailed project specifications, including square footage, building age, structural complexity, and specific renovation scope. Without this granular data, a precise comparison is difficult. However, $2.69M for retrofitting and renovating three buildings over 1246 days suggests a significant undertaking, and its reasonableness hinges on the specific challenges and requirements outlined in the solicitation.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and monitoring mechanisms in place to ensure Blue Trident, LLC delivers the project effectively and on time?

Effective project delivery relies on clearly defined KPIs such as adherence to schedule, quality of architectural designs, budget management, and compliance with safety regulations. The VA likely employs contract officers and project managers to monitor progress, conduct regular reviews, and enforce contractual obligations, including potential penalties for delays or substandard work.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: ARCHITECT-ENGINEER FAR 6.102

Solicitation ID: 36C10F24R50051

Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 900 WINSLOW WAY E, BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA, 98110

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,669,317

Exercised Options: $2,689,012

Current Obligation: $2,689,012

Actual Outlays: $2,579,413

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline