DHS awards $3.6M contract for diverse facility repairs and construction, including K9 kennels and firing ranges

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,596,448 ($3.6M)

Contractor: Omega Belt Built Joint Venture, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2024-09-30

End Date: 2026-03-01

Contract Duration: 517 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CONTRACT TO REPAIR AND CONSTRUCT MULTIPLE PROJECTS. THESE PROJECTS INCLUDE REPLACING TILE, REPAIRING RAIN GUTTER SPOUTS, K9 KENNEL RENOVATION, FIRING RANGE FLOOR REPLACEMENT, AND INSTALLATION OF A FIRING RANGE FENCE.

Place of Performance

Location: DEL RIO, VAL VERDE County, TEXAS, 78840

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $3.6 million to OMEGA BELT BUILT JOINT VENTURE, LLC for work described as: CONTRACT TO REPAIR AND CONSTRUCT MULTIPLE PROJECTS. THESE PROJECTS INCLUDE REPLACING TILE, REPAIRING RAIN GUTTER SPOUTS, K9 KENNEL RENOVATION, FIRING RANGE FLOOR REPLACEMENT, AND INSTALLATION OF A FIRING RANGE FENCE. Key points: 1. Contract covers a wide range of facility maintenance and minor construction tasks, indicating a need for flexible vendor capabilities. 2. The fixed-price contract type suggests a defined scope of work, aiming to control costs for the government. 3. The contract's duration of over 500 days points to a significant workload and potential for extended engagement. 4. The award to a joint venture may indicate a strategy to leverage specialized expertise or capacity for complex projects. 5. The geographic focus on Texas suggests specific operational needs for U.S. Customs and Border Protection facilities in the region.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more detailed cost breakdowns for each specific project (e.g., tile replacement vs. firing range renovation). The total award of $3.6 million for a variety of maintenance and construction tasks across multiple sites appears reasonable for the scope, but a detailed cost-effectiveness analysis would require comparing the proposed costs against independent estimates for each component. The fixed-price nature of the contract aims to provide cost certainty, but the breadth of services could lead to scope creep if not managed carefully.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, identified as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION'. The specific reasons for this determination are not provided in the data. Sole-source awards can limit price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs for the government compared to a fully competed process. Without transparency into the justification for non-competition, it is difficult to assess if the government received the best possible value.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not benefit from the competitive pricing that typically results from open solicitations. The lack of competition could mean that the awarded price is higher than it might have been if multiple vendors had vied for the contract.

Public Impact

U.S. Customs and Border Protection facilities in Texas will benefit from improved infrastructure and operational readiness. Services include essential repairs and upgrades to K9 kennels, ensuring humane and functional living conditions for working animals. Projects like firing range renovations and fencing enhance safety and operational capabilities for law enforcement personnel. The contract supports the maintenance of critical border security infrastructure in the Texas region. Workforce implications include potential employment opportunities for skilled trades and construction labor within Texas.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpayment and reduced value for taxpayer funds.
The broad scope of 'Other Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors' makes it difficult to assess specific expertise alignment without further detail.
The 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' status requires further investigation into the justification and potential alternatives considered.

Positive Signals

The fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government, assuming the scope is well-defined and managed.
The contract addresses a variety of necessary facility maintenance and repair needs, contributing to operational readiness.
The award to a joint venture may indicate a capacity to handle diverse and potentially complex tasks.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the construction and building maintenance sector, specifically focusing on exterior contractors and facility upgrades. The market for such services is broad, encompassing numerous small and large businesses. The total federal spending on construction and facilities maintenance is substantial, with agencies like Homeland Security frequently contracting for these types of services to maintain their operational infrastructure. This specific award represents a localized investment in the physical assets of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Texas.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation is not a stated requirement for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). There is no explicit mention of small business set-asides or subcontracting goals. This suggests that the primary focus was on fulfilling the specific requirements of the contract, potentially overlooking opportunities to engage and support the small business ecosystem in this instance. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any subcontracting opportunities were made available to small businesses by the prime contractor.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection contracting officers and program managers. As a definitive contract, it is subject to standard federal procurement regulations and oversight. Transparency regarding the justification for the sole-source award and the detailed breakdown of costs for each project would enhance accountability. The Inspector General for DHS may also review contracts of this nature for compliance and potential fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building and Facilities Maintenance Contracts
Military Construction and Renovation Projects
Homeland Security Infrastructure Upgrades
Law Enforcement Facility Support Services
Border Security Infrastructure

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks transparency and competitive pricing.
Broad scope of work may lead to management challenges and potential cost overruns if not tightly controlled.
Joint venture structure requires careful monitoring of partner capabilities and coordination.
No explicit small business participation noted, potentially missing opportunities for SMB engagement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $3.6 million to OMEGA BELT BUILT JOINT VENTURE, LLC. CONTRACT TO REPAIR AND CONSTRUCT MULTIPLE PROJECTS. THESE PROJECTS INCLUDE REPLACING TILE, REPAIRING RAIN GUTTER SPOUTS, K9 KENNEL RENOVATION, FIRING RANGE FLOOR REPLACEMENT, AND INSTALLATION OF A FIRING RANGE FENCE.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is OMEGA BELT BUILT JOINT VENTURE, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Customs and Border Protection).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-30. End: 2026-03-01.

What specific factors led to the 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' determination for this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact reasons for the sole-source award. Typically, justifications for non-competitive procurements include situations such as urgent and compelling needs where only one responsible source can reasonably satisfy the requirement, or when the contract is a follow-on to a previously competed contract where only the original contractor possesses necessary proprietary data or unique capabilities. Without further documentation from the agency, it is impossible to ascertain the precise rationale. This lack of transparency is a common concern with sole-source awards, as it limits the public's ability to understand why competitive processes were bypassed and whether the government truly obtained the best value.

How does the $3.6 million award compare to similar facility repair and construction contracts awarded by DHS or CBP?

Comparing this $3.6 million award requires context regarding the scope and duration. For a mix of repair and construction projects, including specialized items like firing ranges and K9 kennels, over an 18-month period, this amount appears within a reasonable range for federal contracts of this nature. However, without a detailed breakdown of costs per project type (e.g., cost per square foot for tile replacement, cost per linear foot for fencing, cost for K9 kennel renovation), a precise benchmark is difficult. Similar contracts for large-scale facility maintenance or minor construction across multiple sites can range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars, depending on complexity, location, and urgency. The sole-source nature of this award, however, prevents a direct comparison to competitively bid projects which might reveal cost efficiencies.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a contract for diverse services to a single joint venture?

Awarding a contract for diverse services like facility repair, construction, and specialized renovations to a single joint venture carries several potential risks. Firstly, the joint venture structure itself can sometimes introduce complexities in management, communication, and accountability if the partners have differing priorities or operational styles. Secondly, if the joint venture was formed specifically for this contract, its long-term viability and capacity to handle unforeseen issues might be less proven than established, larger firms. Thirdly, the lack of competition means the government relies heavily on the joint venture's self-assessment of capabilities and pricing. Risks include potential cost overruns if the scope is underestimated, delays if the joint venture lacks sufficient resources or expertise across all required areas, and quality issues if oversight is insufficient.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar 'Other Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors' services by U.S. Customs and Border Protection?

Historical spending data for 'Other Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors' by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) would likely show a consistent need for such services, given the extensive network of facilities CBP operates along the border and at ports of entry. This category encompasses a wide array of maintenance, repair, and minor construction activities essential for maintaining operational infrastructure. Annual spending can fluctuate based on infrastructure condition assessments, new construction initiatives, and budget allocations. Without access to CBP's historical procurement databases, it's difficult to provide specific dollar figures, but it's reasonable to assume that CBP regularly awards contracts in this PSC category, likely ranging from smaller, localized repair jobs to larger, multi-site renovation projects, often utilizing both competitive and, occasionally, non-competitive methods.

How does the fixed-price contract type (PT: FIRM FIXED PRICE) mitigate risks for the government in this scenario?

The Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type is generally favored by the government as it shifts the majority of cost risk to the contractor. In this scenario, with a total award of $3.6 million, the FFP structure means that OMEGA BELT BUILT JOINT VENTURE, LLC is obligated to complete all the specified work for the agreed-upon price, regardless of their actual costs incurred. This provides the U.S. Customs and Border Protection with significant cost certainty, protecting against unexpected cost increases due to contractor inefficiencies, material price fluctuations, or labor rate changes. The primary risk remaining for the government is ensuring the contractor delivers the work to the specified quality standards and that the scope of work is clearly defined and managed to prevent scope creep, which could necessitate contract modifications.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors › Other Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 70B01C24R00000156

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2410 CERCA MADERA, SAN ANTONIO, TX, 78259

Business Categories: American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, SBA Certified 8 a Joint Venture, 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: $3,596,448

Exercised Options: $3,596,448

Current Obligation: $3,596,448

Actual Outlays: $1,689,109

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline