FAA Awards $2.28M Contract to Guardian Construction for HVAC Upgrades at ZAU ARTCC, Aurora, IL

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,276,483 ($2.3M)

Contractor: Guardian Construction, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2024-02-23

End Date: 2026-04-08

Contract Duration: 775 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.9K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: REPLACE AHUS AND RTUS AT ZAU ARTCC, AURORA, IL

Place of Performance

Location: AURORA, KANE County, ILLINOIS, 60506

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $2.3 million to GUARDIAN CONSTRUCTION, INC. for work described as: REPLACE AHUS AND RTUS AT ZAU ARTCC, AURORA, IL Key points: 1. Contract awarded for critical infrastructure upgrades at an Air Route Traffic Control Center. 2. Guardian Construction, Inc. secured the award. 3. The contract is for plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning services. 4. The project duration is 775 days. 5. The contract value is approximately $2.28 million.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.28 million for HVAC and plumbing upgrades appears reasonable for a federal facility of this nature. However, without specific details on the scope of work and comparable projects, a precise valuation is difficult. The fixed-price nature provides cost certainty.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not available for competition, indicating a limited competition approach. This could be due to specific requirements, existing relationships, or a lack of available qualified bidders. The absence of full and open competition may limit price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may bear a higher cost due to the limited competition. However, the investment is necessary for maintaining critical air traffic control infrastructure.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation of vital air traffic control services by maintaining essential building systems. Supports federal infrastructure modernization efforts. Potential for localized economic impact through construction activities in Illinois.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition raises concerns about potential overpricing.
Lack of detailed scope of work makes independent cost verification challenging.

Positive Signals

Addresses critical infrastructure needs for air traffic control.
Fixed-price contract provides budget predictability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the construction and facilities maintenance sector, specifically for specialized HVAC and plumbing services. Federal spending in this area is substantial, driven by the need to maintain aging infrastructure and ensure operational readiness across various agencies.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a definitive contract awarded by the Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration. Oversight would typically involve contract management by the FAA to ensure timely completion and adherence to specifications. The limited competition aspect warrants closer scrutiny.

Related Government Programs

Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors
Department of Transportation Contracting
Federal Aviation Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Potential for cost overruns due to lack of competition
Lack of transparency in the procurement process
No clear indication of small business participation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $2.3 million to GUARDIAN CONSTRUCTION, INC.. REPLACE AHUS AND RTUS AT ZAU ARTCC, AURORA, IL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GUARDIAN CONSTRUCTION, INC..

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: 2024-02-23. End: 2026-04-08.

What specific factors led to the determination that this contract was not available for full and open competition?

The determination that a contract is not available for full and open competition usually stems from specific circumstances such as urgent and compelling needs, the existence of only one responsible source, or requirements for specialized capabilities or compatibility with existing systems. Without further documentation from the agency, the precise justification remains unclear.

How does the $2.28 million price compare to similar HVAC and plumbing upgrade projects at other federal air traffic control facilities?

Benchmarking this contract's value requires access to a database of similar federal contracts for HVAC and plumbing upgrades at Air Route Traffic Control Centers. Factors like facility size, age, specific system requirements, and geographic location significantly influence costs. A direct comparison without this data is speculative, but the price appears within a plausible range for such specialized infrastructure work.

What are the potential risks associated with Guardian Construction, Inc. being the sole provider for this project?

The primary risk is the potential for inflated pricing due to the lack of competitive bidding. Additionally, there's a risk of reduced incentive for the contractor to innovate or optimize costs if they perceive less market pressure. Ensuring rigorous contract oversight and performance monitoring becomes crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure value for taxpayer money.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Building Equipment Contractors › Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 697DCK-23-R-00572

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 360 SOUTH FORT LANE BLDG #1 , STE D, LAYTON, UT, 84041

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,283,263

Exercised Options: $2,276,483

Current Obligation: $2,276,483

Actual Outlays: $2,261,402

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline