Tower replacement contract awarded to International Towers LLC for $2.26M, utilizing full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,257,574 ($2.3M)

Contractor: International Towers LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2025-09-17

End Date: 2026-04-05

Contract Duration: 200 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: CAMP SPRINGS, MD - TOWER REPLACEMENTS IN CAMP SPRINGS, MD IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SPECIFICATIONS AND DRAWINGS.

Place of Performance

Location: FORT WASHINGTON, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20744

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $2.3 million to INTERNATIONAL TOWERS LLC for work described as: CAMP SPRINGS, MD - TOWER REPLACEMENTS IN CAMP SPRINGS, MD IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SPECIFICATIONS AND DRAWINGS. Key points: 1. The contract value of $2.26 million appears reasonable for specialized tower construction services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration of approximately 200 days indicates a focused project timeline. 4. The firm-fixed-price structure shifts cost risk to the contractor. 5. This project falls under the Power and Communication Line Construction category. 6. The award was made by the Federal Aviation Administration, part of the Department of Transportation.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.26 million for tower replacements seems aligned with industry standards for similar construction projects. While specific benchmarking data for this exact scope is limited, the firm-fixed-price nature of the award suggests the contractor has priced competitively to absorb potential cost overruns. The number of bids received (8) further supports the likelihood of a fair market price being established through competition.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating that all responsible prospective contractors were permitted to submit bids. With 8 bids received, the competition level suggests a robust market response. This broad participation is generally favorable for price discovery and achieving competitive pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition with multiple bidders is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of securing the best value and competitive pricing for the services rendered.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Federal Aviation Administration and potentially the public through improved aviation infrastructure. The service delivered is the construction of tower replacements, crucial for maintaining operational capabilities. The geographic impact is localized to Camp Springs, Maryland. Workforce implications include employment for construction labor and specialized technicians.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for unforeseen site conditions impacting cost or schedule.
Reliance on a single contractor for specialized tower construction expertise.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract mitigates cost escalation risk for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive pricing environment.
Defined contract period limits overall expenditure duration.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Construction sector, specifically related to power and communication line infrastructure. The market for specialized tower construction is competitive, with several firms capable of undertaking such projects. The FAA's investment in replacing towers is critical for maintaining the integrity and reliability of its communication and navigation systems, aligning with broader government efforts to modernize infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

The contract details do not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions. Given the specialized nature of tower construction, it is possible that larger firms with specific expertise and bonding capacity were the primary bidders. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses within this project.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is subject to standard federal procurement oversight. The firm-fixed-price structure provides a degree of financial oversight by locking in costs. Accountability will be managed through contract performance monitoring by the Federal Aviation Administration. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of contract awards.

Related Government Programs

FAA Air Traffic Control Tower Modernization
Department of Transportation Infrastructure Projects
Federal Communications Commission Tower Regulations
Construction Services for Government Facilities

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to unforeseen site conditions.
Reliance on specialized contractor expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $2.3 million to INTERNATIONAL TOWERS LLC. CAMP SPRINGS, MD - TOWER REPLACEMENTS IN CAMP SPRINGS, MD IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SPECIFICATIONS AND DRAWINGS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INTERNATIONAL TOWERS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Federal Aviation Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-17. End: 2026-04-05.

What is the track record of International Towers LLC in performing similar federal contracts?

A review of federal contract databases indicates that International Towers LLC has been awarded multiple contracts for tower construction and related services. While specific performance metrics for past contracts are not detailed here, the company's history suggests experience in this specialized field. Further investigation into past performance evaluations and any reported issues on previous federal awards would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability and capability. The current award, being a definitive contract, implies a level of trust based on prior engagements or a thorough vetting process.

How does the awarded price compare to similar tower replacement projects by the FAA or other agencies?

Benchmarking this $2.26 million contract against similar FAA tower replacement projects requires access to detailed cost data for comparable scopes of work, which is not publicly available in this format. However, the fact that 8 bids were received under full and open competition suggests that the pricing is likely competitive within the market for such specialized construction. Factors such as tower height, complexity, location, and specific technical requirements significantly influence cost. Without more granular data on comparable projects, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the competitive bidding process is a positive indicator.

What are the primary risks associated with this tower replacement project?

The primary risks associated with this tower replacement project include potential unforeseen site conditions (e.g., subsurface issues, environmental hazards) that could lead to schedule delays and cost overruns, despite the firm-fixed-price contract. There's also a risk related to the availability of specialized labor and equipment required for tower construction. Furthermore, weather-related delays are a common risk in construction projects, particularly those involving significant outdoor work. Ensuring adherence to stringent safety protocols during construction is also a critical risk area that requires diligent oversight.

What is the expected impact of these tower replacements on aviation operations or communication reliability?

The replacement of towers is critical for ensuring the continued reliability and operational integrity of aviation communication and navigation systems managed by the FAA. Aging infrastructure can lead to increased maintenance needs, potential failures, and reduced performance. By replacing these towers, the FAA aims to mitigate these risks, enhance system stability, and potentially improve the efficiency and safety of air traffic control operations. This investment supports the modernization of the National Airspace System.

What has been the historical spending trend for tower construction and maintenance by the Federal Aviation Administration?

Historical spending data for tower construction and maintenance by the FAA would reveal trends in infrastructure investment. Agencies like the FAA typically allocate significant budgets towards maintaining and upgrading critical infrastructure, including communication towers, radar facilities, and air traffic control structures. Analyzing past spending patterns would indicate whether this $2.26 million contract represents a typical investment, an increase, or a decrease in this specific category of expenditure. Such analysis helps contextualize the current contract within the agency's broader capital improvement strategies.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Utility System Construction › Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 63066 OLD HIGHWAY 93, SAINT IGNATIUS, MT, 59865

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, 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: $2,257,574

Exercised Options: $2,257,574

Current Obligation: $2,257,574

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline