DHS awards $14.9M facilities support contract to Brown Construction Services, Inc. for engineering services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,898,997 ($14.9M)

Contractor: Brown Construction Services, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2021-09-25

End Date: 2026-09-24

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: RECOMPETE: FACILITIES SUPPORT (BCS) (REPLACES 70RCSA20FR0000081)

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22209

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $14.9 million to BROWN CONSTRUCTION SERVICES, INC for work described as: RECOMPETE: FACILITIES SUPPORT (BCS) (REPLACES 70RCSA20FR0000081) Key points: 1. Contract value of $14.9M over 5 years suggests a moderate annual spend for facilities support. 2. The contract is a recompete, indicating a potential for stable service delivery but also a risk of complacency. 3. Engineering services are critical for maintaining federal facilities, impacting operational readiness and safety. 4. The firm fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor, potentially leading to cost overruns if not managed well. 5. The contract's duration of 1825 days (5 years) allows for long-term planning and consistent service provision.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $14.9M over five years averages approximately $3M annually. Benchmarking this against similar facilities support contracts for engineering services requires detailed analysis of scope and location. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests that the government has negotiated a set price, which can be advantageous if the contractor manages costs effectively. Without specific comparable contract data, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the recompete nature implies a level of established performance.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The fact that it is a recompete suggests that multiple bidders may have participated, as the incumbent would have had an opportunity to demonstrate its capabilities. A full and open competition generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service quality for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, driving down prices through market forces and increasing the likelihood of selecting the best value solution.

Public Impact

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) benefits from this contract through the provision of essential facilities support and engineering services. This contract ensures the maintenance and operational readiness of federal facilities managed by DHS. The services delivered are crucial for the safe and efficient functioning of DHS operations. The geographic impact is primarily within Virginia, where the services are likely to be performed. Workforce implications may include employment opportunities for engineers, technicians, and support staff employed by Brown Construction Services, Inc. and its potential subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to firm fixed-price contract if scope creep or unforeseen issues arise.
Risk of service degradation if contractor prioritizes cost-cutting over quality due to fixed price.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical facilities support services.
Limited flexibility to adapt services quickly if requirements change significantly mid-contract.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract shifts cost risk to the contractor.
Recompete suggests a proven track record and potential for stable, reliable service delivery.
Full and open competition likely resulted in a competitive price and selection of a capable vendor.
Long contract duration allows for consistent service and planning.

Sector Analysis

The facilities support and engineering services sector is a significant component of government contracting. This contract falls under engineering services (NAICS 541330), which encompasses a broad range of activities including design, consulting, and project management for infrastructure and facilities. The total federal spending in this sector is substantial, with numerous contracts awarded annually across various agencies. This specific contract's value of $14.9M over five years is moderate within the broader context of large-scale federal engineering projects, but significant for ongoing facilities maintenance and support.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses (SS: false, SB: false). As a result, large businesses like Brown Construction Services, Inc. were eligible to compete. There is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. The absence of a small business set-aside means that opportunities for small business participation would likely depend on the prime contractor's voluntary subcontracting efforts or specific clauses within the contract not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the designated contract administration office within the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Procurement Operations. Performance monitoring, quality assurance, and compliance with contract terms are key oversight functions. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Facilities Maintenance Services
Engineering Consulting Services
Construction Management Services
Architectural Services
General Services Administration (GSA) Schedules

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to fixed-price nature if scope is not well-defined.
Risk of service quality degradation if contractor faces profitability challenges.
Dependence on incumbent contractor's performance history for risk assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $14.9 million to BROWN CONSTRUCTION SERVICES, INC. RECOMPETE: FACILITIES SUPPORT (BCS) (REPLACES 70RCSA20FR0000081)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BROWN CONSTRUCTION SERVICES, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Office of Procurement Operations).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $14.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-25. End: 2026-09-24.

What is the historical spending pattern for this specific facilities support requirement within DHS?

The data indicates this contract (70RCSA20FR0000081) is a recompete, replacing a previous contract (70RCSA20FR0000081). To understand the historical spending pattern, one would need to examine the value and duration of the predecessor contract. If the previous contract was also for a similar duration and value, it suggests a consistent level of investment in these facilities support services. Significant increases or decreases in value from the prior contract could indicate changes in scope, service levels, or market pricing. Analyzing the award history of the prior contract would reveal the incumbent contractor and the competition level at that time, providing further context on spending trends.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar engineering services in Virginia?

A precise comparison of the awarded price ($14.9M over 5 years, averaging ~$3M/year) to market rates for similar engineering services in Virginia requires access to detailed market research data, including prevailing wage rates, overhead factors, and profit margins for firms of similar size and capability. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 (Engineering Services) covers a wide range of activities. Benchmarking would involve identifying comparable contracts awarded by other federal agencies or state/local governments in the region for similar scope (e.g., facilities engineering, maintenance planning, infrastructure support). Factors like the specific types of engineering expertise required, the complexity of the facilities, and the level of service (e.g., design, inspection, ongoing support) significantly influence market rates. Without such granular data, a definitive assessment of price competitiveness is difficult.

What is the track record of Brown Construction Services, Inc. in performing similar federal contracts?

Assessing the track record of Brown Construction Services, Inc. requires reviewing their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving facilities support and engineering services. This includes examining contract award databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) for previous awards, their values, durations, and agencies served. Key performance indicators such as past performance ratings, any instances of contract disputes, terminations, or awards for excellence would provide crucial insights. A history of successful, on-time, and within-budget performance on similar contracts would indicate a lower performance risk for this new award. Conversely, a history of issues could signal potential challenges ahead, even under a new contract.

What are the potential risks associated with the firm fixed-price contract type for this service?

The firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type, while shifting cost risk to the contractor, presents specific risks for complex services like facilities support and engineering. If the scope of work is not precisely defined or if unforeseen issues arise (e.g., structural problems in facilities, unexpected regulatory changes), the contractor may incur costs exceeding the fixed price. This could lead to pressure on the contractor to cut corners on quality or service delivery to maintain profitability, potentially impacting the effectiveness and safety of the facilities. Conversely, if the contractor is highly efficient and manages risks well, the FFP structure can result in significant savings for the government. Effective government oversight is crucial to ensure the contractor remains incentivized to deliver quality services despite the fixed price.

How does the competition level (full and open) typically influence the value received by the government for engineering services?

Full and open competition generally enhances the value received by the government for engineering services. By allowing all responsible sources to compete, the government maximizes the potential pool of bidders, increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive proposals. This competitive pressure typically drives down prices and encourages offerors to propose innovative solutions and demonstrate superior past performance to win the contract. In the context of this DHS contract, the full and open competition suggests that the government likely secured a fair market price and selected a contractor based on a combination of technical capability, past performance, and cost. This contrasts with sole-source or limited competition scenarios where price discovery may be less robust.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 70RCSA21Q00000041

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7202 POPLAR ST STE F, ANNANDALE, VA, 22003

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,577,656

Exercised Options: $14,898,997

Current Obligation: $14,898,997

Actual Outlays: $5,711,175

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00F163CA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline