Nearly $12.2M awarded for Leesburg, VA underground utility project to WIIPICA QRI JV LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,215,910 ($12.2M)

Contractor: Wiipica QRI JV LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2024-07-18

End Date: 2026-11-01

Contract Duration: 836 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.6K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: BIL FUNDED WASHINGTON UNDERGROUND UTILITY PROJECT, AT THE ARTCC, LEESBURG, VA

Place of Performance

Location: LEESBURG, LOUDOUN County, VIRGINIA, 20176

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $12.2 million to WIIPICA QRI JV LLC for work described as: BIL FUNDED WASHINGTON UNDERGROUND UTILITY PROJECT, AT THE ARTCC, LEESBURG, VA Key points: 1. Project aims to upgrade critical underground utilities at the Leesburg Air Route Traffic Control Center. 2. Contract awarded to WIIPICA QRI JV LLC, a joint venture. 3. The contract is a firm-fixed-price definitive contract. 4. Funding is allocated for construction of water and sewer lines and related structures. 5. Project duration is estimated at 836 days. 6. The contract was competed under simplified acquisition procedures.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $12.2 million for a significant underground utility project appears reasonable given the scope of work. While specific benchmarks for this exact type of project in Leesburg, VA are not readily available, similar large-scale utility infrastructure projects can range from several million to tens of millions of dollars depending on complexity and location. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract helps manage cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involve a limited number of bidders compared to full and open competition. While the exact number of bids received is not specified, SAP is designed for procurements under the simplified acquisition threshold, aiming for efficiency. The limited competition may suggest a less robust price discovery process than a broader solicitation.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, limited competition under SAP can sometimes lead to prices that are not as aggressively negotiated as in a full and open competition, though it also allows for faster project initiation.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the users of the air traffic control services managed at the Leesburg ARTCC. The project will deliver essential upgrades to water and sewer infrastructure, ensuring operational continuity and safety. The geographic impact is localized to Leesburg, Virginia, specifically at the ARTCC facility. The project will likely involve construction workforce, including skilled trades and laborers, contributing to local employment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions are encountered during excavation.
Dependence on the performance and capacity of the joint venture, WIIPICA QRI JV LLC.
Risk of project delays due to weather or supply chain issues affecting construction materials.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Project addresses critical infrastructure needs for a vital federal facility.
Award to a joint venture may indicate capacity to handle complex projects.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Construction sector, specifically focusing on utility infrastructure. The market for such projects is driven by government and private sector needs for maintaining and upgrading essential services. Comparable spending benchmarks for underground utility construction vary widely based on project scale, location, and specific requirements, but projects of this magnitude are common for federal facilities requiring robust infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (sb) is false and the contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss is false). This suggests that the procurement was likely awarded to larger firms or a joint venture not specifically structured as a small business set-aside. There are no explicit indications of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a division of the Department of Transportation. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, which obligates the contractor to complete the work for the agreed-upon price. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, though specific project oversight details are not provided.

Related Government Programs

Federal Aviation Administration Facilities and Equipment
Department of Transportation Infrastructure Projects
Underground Utility Construction Contracts
Air Traffic Control Center Operations

Risk Flags

Potential for unforeseen site conditions impacting cost and schedule.
Contract awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, potentially limiting competition.
Joint venture structure requires assessment of individual member capabilities and past performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $12.2 million to WIIPICA QRI JV LLC. BIL FUNDED WASHINGTON UNDERGROUND UTILITY PROJECT, AT THE ARTCC, LEESBURG, VA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WIIPICA QRI JV LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $12.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-07-18. End: 2026-11-01.

What is the track record of WIIPICA QRI JV LLC in performing similar federal construction contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of WIIPICA QRI JV LLC is not detailed in the provided data. As a joint venture, its performance history would be a composite of its member companies' experiences or its own operational history if it has been previously awarded contracts. A thorough review would require examining past performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS) for this entity or its constituent members on similar federal projects, particularly those involving underground utility construction for critical infrastructure.

How does the awarded price compare to similar underground utility projects at federal facilities?

Benchmarking this $12.2 million contract against similar federal underground utility projects is challenging without more specific project details and location-based cost data. However, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) often undertakes significant infrastructure upgrades at its facilities. The price appears within a reasonable range for substantial utility work, but a detailed comparison would necessitate analyzing the scope (e.g., linear feet of pipe, depth, soil conditions, specific materials) and location of comparable projects, considering regional construction cost indices.

What are the primary risks associated with this underground utility construction project?

Key risks for this project include unforeseen subsurface conditions (e.g., encountering unexpected rock formations, contaminated soil, or existing undocumented utilities) which could lead to delays and cost increases, despite the firm-fixed-price contract. Other risks involve potential environmental impacts during excavation and construction, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations. Furthermore, the performance and financial stability of the contractor, WIIPICA QRI JV LLC, represent a risk, as does the potential for supply chain disruptions affecting materials and equipment needed for the project.

How effective is the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) competition in ensuring value for this project?

Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are designed for efficiency and speed in procuring goods and services below a certain dollar threshold. While effective for smaller procurements, the competition level under SAP is typically limited, potentially involving fewer bidders than full and open competition. This can impact price discovery and potentially lead to less aggressive negotiation. For a project valued at nearly $12.2 million, which is substantial, the effectiveness of SAP competition in ensuring optimal value for taxpayers depends heavily on the specific market conditions and the number of qualified vendors able to respond within the SAP framework.

What is the historical spending pattern for underground utility projects at the Leesburg ARTCC or similar FAA facilities?

Historical spending data for underground utility projects specifically at the Leesburg ARTCC is not provided. However, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) consistently invests in maintaining and upgrading its facilities, including critical infrastructure like utilities. Spending patterns for such projects can fluctuate based on the age of facilities, technological upgrades, and regulatory requirements. Analyzing broader FAA infrastructure spending or similar projects at other Air Route Traffic Control Centers would provide context, but specific historical data for Leesburg is needed for a precise comparison.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Utility System Construction › Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 697DCK-24-R-00296

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1950 ROLAND CLARKE PL STE 210O, RESTON, VA, 20191

Business Categories: American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,215,910

Exercised Options: $12,215,910

Current Obligation: $12,215,910

Actual Outlays: $6,435,563

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline