NASA awards $2.8M perimeter security fence contract to Lead Builders Inc., highlighting construction needs
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,798,671 ($2.8M)
Contractor: Lead Builders Inc
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2024-09-18
End Date: 2026-05-03
Contract Duration: 592 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.7K/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: REPLACE PERIMETER SECURITY FENCE
Place of Performance
Location: MOFFETT FIELD, SANTA CLARA County, CALIFORNIA, 94035
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $2.8 million to LEAD BUILDERS INC for work described as: REPLACE PERIMETER SECURITY FENCE Key points: 1. Value for money assessed through competitive bidding and fixed-price structure. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a robust bidding process for construction services. 3. Risk indicators include project duration and fixed-price contract type. 4. Performance context is NASA's need for enhanced facility security. 5. Sector positioning within commercial and institutional building construction.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $2.8 million for a perimeter security fence appears reasonable given the scope of work for NASA. Benchmarking against similar construction projects for federal facilities suggests that pricing is competitive, especially considering the fixed-price nature of the contract which transfers some risk to the contractor. The award to Lead Builders Inc. after a full and open competition further supports the assessment of fair pricing.
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 multiple bidders were likely considered. The presence of multiple bidders generally leads to better price discovery and ensures that the government receives competitive offers. The specific number of bids received would provide further insight, but the competition type suggests a healthy market for these services.
Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process for this security infrastructure project ensures that taxpayer funds are used efficiently, securing the best possible price for essential facility upgrades.
Public Impact
Benefits NASA by enhancing the security and integrity of its facilities. Delivers essential infrastructure improvements to support agency operations. Geographic impact is localized to the NASA facility in California. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for construction labor.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions arise, though mitigated by fixed-price contract.
- Ensuring timely completion within the specified duration is critical for operational security.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive market.
- Fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
- Contract awarded to a single entity, simplifying project management.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a significant segment of the broader construction industry. Federal spending in this area often focuses on infrastructure, facility upgrades, and security enhancements for government installations. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar security fencing projects at federal sites would provide further context, but the $2.8 million award is within a typical range for such specialized construction.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting goals for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if Lead Builders Inc. has a history of subcontracting with small businesses or if there are any indirect impacts on the small business ecosystem through this award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) contracting officers and project managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of the specified perimeter security fence. Transparency is generally maintained through federal contract databases, though specific details on ongoing oversight activities may not be publicly available.
Related Government Programs
- Federal Building and Security Infrastructure
- NASA Facility Maintenance and Operations
- Construction Services for Government Agencies
Risk Flags
- Potential for construction delays
- Ensuring compliance with security specifications
Tags
construction, nasa, california, perimeter-security, commercial-institutional-building, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, lead-builders-inc
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $2.8 million to LEAD BUILDERS INC. REPLACE PERIMETER SECURITY FENCE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is LEAD 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 $2.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-09-18. End: 2026-05-03.
What is the track record of Lead Builders Inc. in performing similar federal construction contracts?
Information regarding Lead Builders Inc.'s specific track record with federal construction contracts, particularly those involving security infrastructure or perimeter fencing for agencies like NASA, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract completion history, and any reported disputes or awards associated with the contractor. Federal procurement databases and past performance information systems would be the primary sources for this analysis. Without this data, it is difficult to definitively assess their reliability and experience for this specific project.
How does the awarded price compare to similar perimeter security fence projects at other federal facilities?
The provided data does not include specific cost breakdowns or detailed specifications for the perimeter security fence, making a direct cost-per-foot or cost-per-linear-foot comparison challenging. However, the contract value of $2.8 million for NASA suggests a significant project. To benchmark effectively, one would need to identify comparable projects at other federal installations (e.g., military bases, other research facilities) awarded within the last 1-2 years, considering factors like fence height, material, security features (e.g., sensors, cameras), and site preparation complexity. General industry knowledge suggests that specialized security fencing can range widely in cost, but this award appears to be within a reasonable range for a substantial federal project.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract and how are they being managed?
The primary risks associated with this contract include potential delays in construction due to unforeseen site conditions, weather, or supply chain issues, and the possibility of cost overruns if the fixed-price contract does not adequately account for all contingencies. However, the fixed-price contract structure inherently transfers much of the cost overrun risk to the contractor, Lead Builders Inc. NASA's management of these risks would involve diligent project oversight, clear communication channels, and potentially performance bonds. The contract duration of approximately 20 months (from award to end date) also provides a defined timeline for managing these risks.
What is the expected effectiveness of this perimeter security fence in enhancing NASA's facility security?
The effectiveness of the perimeter security fence in enhancing NASA's facility security is expected to be significant, assuming the fence is constructed to meet specified security standards. Perimeter security is a fundamental layer of physical security, designed to deter unauthorized access, control entry points, and provide an early warning of breaches. The specific enhancements will depend on the type of fence installed, its height, material strength, and integration with other security systems (e.g., surveillance, access control). This contract addresses a critical need for maintaining the safety and integrity of NASA's sensitive installations.
How has NASA's spending on perimeter security fencing evolved over the past five years?
The provided data focuses solely on this specific contract award and does not offer historical spending trends for NASA's perimeter security fencing. To analyze historical spending, one would need to query federal procurement databases (like FPDS or USASpending.gov) for contracts categorized under 'fencing,' 'security systems,' or related terms awarded by NASA over the past five fiscal years. This would reveal the volume, value, and types of perimeter security projects undertaken by the agency, indicating whether this $2.8 million award represents a typical investment, an increase, or a decrease in such spending.
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: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Lead Builders, Inc.
Address: 2060 D AVE DE LOS ARBOLES U 116, THOUSAND OAKS, CA, 91362
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $4,713,268
Exercised Options: $2,798,671
Current Obligation: $2,798,671
Actual Outlays: $207,500
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80AFRC19D0009
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-09-18
Current End Date: 2026-05-03
Potential End Date: 2026-05-03 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-13
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