Transportation contract for Browns Canyon NM Access Road Construction awarded to Cooley & Sons Excavating for $2.39M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,390,070 ($2.4M)

Contractor: Cooley & Sons Excavating, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2024-05-28

End Date: 2025-05-14

Contract Duration: 351 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: CO FLAP CHA CR300(1) BROWNS CANYON NM ACCESS ROAD CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT

Place of Performance

Location: SALIDA, CHAFFEE County, COLORADO, 81201

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $2.4 million to COOLEY & SONS EXCAVATING, INC. for work described as: CO FLAP CHA CR300(1) BROWNS CANYON NM ACCESS ROAD CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for a road construction project of this scope. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Project duration of 351 days is within typical ranges for similar infrastructure work. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks. 5. Awarded to a single contractor, indicating a focused selection process. 6. Geographic focus on Colorado for this specific infrastructure project.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $2.39 million for the Browns Canyon National Monument Access Road Construction is within a reasonable range for highway, street, and bridge construction projects. Benchmarking against similar federal contracts for road construction of comparable size and complexity would provide further validation. The firm fixed-price structure suggests that the initial pricing was deemed acceptable and aims to control costs.

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 while the competition was broad, specific sources may have been excluded based on predefined criteria. Three bids were received, which suggests a moderate level of competition. The presence of multiple bidders generally supports price discovery and can lead to more competitive pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition, even with exclusions, aims to ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by encouraging multiple companies to bid, potentially driving down costs.

Public Impact

Benefits the National Park Service by improving access to Browns Canyon National Monument. Delivers essential infrastructure improvements for public access and safety. Geographic impact is localized to the Browns Canyon National Monument area in Colorado. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for construction labor in the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for delays if unforeseen site conditions are encountered during construction.
Reliance on a single contractor for project completion could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
Clear definition of work scope for the access road construction.
Awarded to a contractor with experience in construction (implied by company name).

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction sector, a significant segment of the construction industry. Federal spending in this area supports national infrastructure development and maintenance. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal contracts for road construction projects, particularly those managed by the Department of Transportation or agencies responsible for national park infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Cooley & Sons Excavating, Inc. is identified with the 'ST: CO' code, which typically denotes a small business status for the prime contractor. This suggests the primary awardee is a small business, potentially fulfilling subcontracting needs with larger firms or directly performing the work.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Federal Highway Administration, a division of the Department of Transportation. Accountability measures are embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards and payment schedules. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases where award details are published. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

National Park Service Infrastructure Projects
Federal Highway Construction Contracts
Department of Transportation Capital Improvement Projects

Risk Flags

Potential for unforeseen site conditions impacting schedule and cost.
Contractor performance risk due to single awardee.
Adequacy of competition level given source exclusions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $2.4 million to COOLEY & SONS EXCAVATING, INC.. CO FLAP CHA CR300(1) BROWNS CANYON NM ACCESS ROAD CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is COOLEY & SONS EXCAVATING, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-05-28. End: 2025-05-14.

What is the track record of Cooley & Sons Excavating, Inc. with federal contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of Cooley & Sons Excavating, Inc. with federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive analysis would require searching federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for past awards, performance reviews, and any history of contract modifications or disputes. Understanding their past performance on similar construction projects, adherence to schedules, and quality of work is crucial for assessing future performance risk. Without this historical data, the assessment relies on the general competitiveness of the bidding process and the contract type.

How does the awarded price compare to similar federal road construction contracts?

The awarded price of $2.39 million for the Browns Canyon NM Access Road Construction contract needs to be benchmarked against similar federal road construction projects to assess its value for money. Key comparison factors include project scope (length, complexity, terrain), location, contract type (firm fixed price), and the number of bids received. A detailed comparison would involve analyzing contracts with similar square footage of paving, earthwork quantities, and bridge or culvert construction within the same geographic region or similar environmental conditions. The current data suggests the price is reasonable, but a formal benchmark analysis is required for definitive value assessment.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential construction delays due to unforeseen site conditions (e.g., geological issues, weather), contractor performance issues (quality of work, adherence to schedule), and potential cost increases if the firm fixed-price contract has poorly defined contingencies or if scope creep occurs without proper change order management. Given that it's a definitive contract with a single awardee, the risk of contractor default or underperformance is also a consideration. The duration of 351 days also presents a risk window for external factors impacting completion.

How effective is the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' in ensuring competitive pricing?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' aims to balance broad competition with specific requirements that might necessitate excluding certain types of sources. In this case, receiving three bids suggests a moderate level of competition. While 'full and open' competition generally promotes competitive pricing, the exclusion of sources could potentially limit the number of bidders and, consequently, the downward pressure on prices. The effectiveness in ensuring competitive pricing depends on the justification for the exclusions and whether the remaining pool of bidders was sufficiently diverse and capable to drive down costs effectively.

What is the historical spending pattern for access road construction by the Federal Highway Administration?

Historical spending patterns for access road construction by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) would typically show a consistent allocation of funds towards improving and maintaining federal roadways, including those serving national parks and monuments. This spending is often driven by infrastructure needs, safety improvements, and facilitating public access. Analyzing past FHWA contract awards for similar projects would reveal trends in contract values, typical project durations, and the prevalence of different contract types. This specific contract represents a portion of that broader spending aimed at enhancing transportation infrastructure.

What are the implications of the 'Firm Fixed Price' contract type for cost control?

The Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type is generally considered the most advantageous for cost control from the government's perspective. Under an FFP contract, the contractor agrees to a total price for a well-defined scope of work, and this price remains fixed regardless of the contractor's actual costs. This shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor. For the government, it provides budget certainty and predictability. However, it requires a very clear and detailed scope of work upfront, as any changes or additions typically necessitate formal change orders, which can be costly and time-consuming to negotiate.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction › Highway, Street, and Bridge 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: SEALED BID

Solicitation ID: 6982AF24B000008

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4469 COUNTY ROAD 108, MOSCA, CO, 81146

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,390,070

Exercised Options: $2,390,070

Current Obligation: $2,390,070

Actual Outlays: $2,390,070

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline