NASA awards $2.9M contract for fuel and wash station, highlighting construction needs in California
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,898,344 ($2.9M)
Contractor: Ironwood Commercial Builders Inc
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2024-08-15
End Date: 2026-04-17
Contract Duration: 610 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: N226 ABOVE GROUND FUEL AND WASH STATION
Place of Performance
Location: MOFFETT FIELD, SANTA CLARA County, CALIFORNIA, 94035
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $2.9 million to IRONWOOD COMMERCIAL BUILDERS INC for work described as: N226 ABOVE GROUND FUEL AND WASH STATION Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized construction, but detailed benchmarking is needed. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for this type of construction service. 3. Project duration of 610 days indicates a complex build, potentially introducing schedule risks. 4. Fixed-price contract type shifts risk to the contractor, potentially impacting final cost if unforeseen issues arise. 5. The contract falls within the broader commercial and institutional building construction sector. 6. NASA's focus on infrastructure development in California is evident with this award.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of approximately $2.9 million for a fuel and wash station is within a typical range for specialized commercial construction projects. However, without specific details on the scope of work, materials, and labor involved, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. Benchmarking against similar NASA or other federal agency projects for similar facilities would provide a clearer picture of whether this price represents a competitive and fair market rate. The fixed-price nature of the contract suggests an attempt to control costs, but potential for change orders exists.
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 proposals were solicited from all eligible sources, and any initial exclusions were later lifted. The presence of 4 bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this specialized construction requirement. While not a large number of bidders, it implies that multiple firms were interested and capable of performing the work, which generally aids in price discovery and achieving a reasonable cost.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages a wider range of contractors to bid, potentially driving down prices and ensuring the government receives the best value. This approach minimizes the risk of inflated costs associated with limited competition.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiary is NASA, which will receive a new fuel and wash station to support its operations. The services delivered include the construction of a specialized facility designed for fuel dispensing and vehicle washing. The geographic impact is localized to the NASA facility in California where the station will be built. The contract will likely involve local construction labor and potentially material suppliers in the California region.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions or material price fluctuations occur under the fixed-price contract.
- Schedule delays could impact NASA's operational readiness if the 610-day performance period is not met.
- Ensuring the specialized nature of the fuel and wash station meets all environmental and safety regulations will be critical.
Positive Signals
- The use of full and open competition suggests a robust market and potential for competitive pricing.
- The fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government, assuming no significant change orders.
- Awarding to a construction firm with experience in similar projects (implied by bidding) can lead to successful execution.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a broad category encompassing the building of facilities for various non-residential purposes. The market for such construction is influenced by economic conditions, government infrastructure spending priorities, and regional development. NASA's spending in this area is often driven by the need for specialized support facilities at its various centers. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal contracts for similar utility or maintenance structures at government installations.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information about subcontracting plans. Given the nature of the project and the contractor, it is likely a larger firm was awarded the contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business subcontracting opportunities were mandated or pursued.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by NASA's contracting officers and project managers, ensuring adherence to the contract terms, specifications, and delivery schedule. Accountability measures are built into the fixed-price contract structure, with payments tied to performance and completion milestones. Transparency is generally maintained through federal contract databases where award details are published, though specific oversight reports or IG involvement would depend on performance issues or audits.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Facilities Construction
- Department of Defense Fueling Infrastructure
- General Services Administration Public Buildings
- Federal Aviation Administration Airport Construction
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost growth due to fixed-price contract type if unforeseen issues arise.
- Schedule risk associated with a long performance period (610 days).
- Ensuring compliance with environmental and safety regulations for fuel handling facilities.
Tags
construction, nasa, california, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, commercial-and-institutional-building-construction, infrastructure, fuel-station, wash-station, delivery-order
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $2.9 million to IRONWOOD COMMERCIAL BUILDERS INC. N226 ABOVE GROUND FUEL AND WASH STATION
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is IRONWOOD COMMERCIAL BUILDERS INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-08-15. End: 2026-04-17.
What is the specific scope of work for the N226 Above Ground Fuel and Wash Station, and what are the key performance requirements?
The provided data indicates the contract is for an 'ABOVE GROUND FUEL AND WASH STATION' (N226). While the exact scope is not detailed, it implies the construction of a facility capable of dispensing fuel and performing vehicle washing operations. Key performance requirements would typically include adherence to strict environmental regulations for fuel storage and wastewater management, operational reliability, safety standards for personnel and equipment, and durability of materials to withstand industrial use. Specifics would be found in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW), detailing dimensions, capacity, types of fuel handled, water treatment systems, and any specialized equipment to be integrated.
How does the $2.9 million contract value compare to similar NASA or federal construction projects for specialized facilities?
Benchmarking the $2.9 million award requires comparing it to similar projects within the federal government, particularly those undertaken by NASA or other agencies requiring specialized fueling and maintenance facilities. Factors such as project size (square footage), complexity (e.g., environmental controls, hazardous material handling), location (labor and material costs vary significantly by region), and the specific technologies employed (e.g., advanced wash systems, fuel management software) heavily influence cost. Without access to a database of comparable projects with detailed cost breakdowns, it's challenging to definitively state if $2.9 million is high or low. However, for a facility involving fuel handling, environmental compliance, and construction, this figure appears within a plausible range for a project of moderate complexity and duration (610 days).
What are the potential risks associated with a 610-day performance period for this construction contract?
A 610-day performance period (approximately 20 months) for a construction project of this nature introduces several potential risks. Firstly, there's an increased exposure to fluctuating material costs and labor rates, which could impact the contractor's profitability under a fixed-price agreement if not adequately managed. Secondly, longer project durations heighten the risk of encountering unforeseen site conditions (e.g., subsurface issues, environmental contamination) that could lead to change orders and schedule delays. Thirdly, extended timelines can increase the likelihood of regulatory changes or permit renewals becoming necessary. Finally, maintaining consistent project oversight and quality control over such an extended period requires sustained effort from both the contractor and the government's technical representatives to ensure the final product meets all specifications.
What does the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' contract type imply about the procurement process and potential savings?
The designation 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' suggests a procurement process that initially involved restricting the competition, perhaps due to specific technical requirements or perceived limited sources. However, the 'after exclusion of sources' part indicates that this restriction was later lifted, allowing for broader participation. This implies that the agency determined that wider competition was feasible and potentially beneficial. For taxpayers, this typically means a greater likelihood of achieving competitive pricing, as more bidders are encouraged to submit proposals, driving down costs through market forces. It also suggests the agency made efforts to ensure a fair and transparent process by eventually opening the field to all qualified offerors.
What is Ironwood Commercial Builders Inc.'s track record with NASA or similar federal construction contracts?
Information regarding Ironwood Commercial Builders Inc.'s specific track record with NASA or similar federal construction contracts is not provided in the data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance history, including previous awards, contract values, on-time delivery rates, quality of work, and any past performance evaluations or disputes. Federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov) and agency-specific contract award histories would be the primary sources for this information. Without this data, it's difficult to gauge their experience level and reliability for a project involving specialized infrastructure like a fuel and wash station.
How does the contract's firm-fixed-price (FFP) type influence risk allocation and potential for cost growth?
A Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contract type places the primary risk of cost overruns on the contractor, Ironwood Commercial Builders Inc. This means the contractor is obligated to complete the work for the agreed-upon price, regardless of their actual costs. This allocation is generally favorable to the government (NASA) as it provides a high degree of cost certainty. However, it can incentivize contractors to cut corners on quality or scope if they encounter unexpected cost increases, potentially leading to disputes or subpar deliverables. Significant cost growth is less likely unless substantial changes to the original scope of work (change orders) are issued by NASA, which would typically involve negotiation and modification of the contract price.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR NONBUILDINGS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 201 IRONWOOD CT, PLEASANT HILL, CA, 94523
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $2,898,344
Exercised Options: $2,898,344
Current Obligation: $2,898,344
Actual Outlays: $2,371,134
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80AFRC19D0004
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-08-15
Current End Date: 2026-04-17
Potential End Date: 2026-04-17 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-03
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