NASA awards $22.9M for NCCIPS Zone B modifications to Drace Construction Corp
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $22,935,173 ($22.9M)
Contractor: Drace Construction Corp
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2022-08-01
End Date: 2026-03-31
Contract Duration: 1,338 days
Daily Burn Rate: $17.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: NATIONAL CENTER FOR CRITICAL INFORMATION PROCESSING AND STORAGE (NCCIPS) ZONE B MODIFICATIONS
Place of Performance
Location: STENNIS SPACE CENTER, HANCOCK County, MISSISSIPPI, 39529
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $22.9 million to DRACE CONSTRUCTION CORP for work described as: NATIONAL CENTER FOR CRITICAL INFORMATION PROCESSING AND STORAGE (NCCIPS) ZONE B MODIFICATIONS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Drace Construction Corp. for modifications to the National Center for Critical Information Processing and Storage (NCCIPS) Zone B. 2. The contract has a duration of 1338 days, spanning from August 1, 2022, to March 31, 2026. 3. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, indicating a defined cost for the services. 4. This award represents a significant investment in critical infrastructure for information processing and storage. 5. The procurement method was Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources, suggesting a competitive process with specific justifications. 6. The contract value is approximately $22.9 million. 7. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 236210 for Industrial Building Construction.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $22.9 million for modifications to critical information processing and storage facilities appears reasonable given the scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar large-scale construction projects for government facilities suggests that the pricing is within expected ranges. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government, although it places the cost risk on the contractor. Further analysis would require detailed cost breakdowns and comparisons to specific construction projects of similar complexity and scale.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be open, certain sources were excluded, likely due to specific requirements or justifications. The number of bidders (7) suggests a moderate level of competition. The exclusion of sources may limit the breadth of competition and potentially impact price discovery compared to a truly unrestricted full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive process, while not fully unrestricted, aimed to secure a qualified contractor for essential infrastructure work. The exclusion of sources warrants scrutiny to ensure it did not unduly limit competition and result in higher costs for taxpayers.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are government agencies relying on the NCCIPS for secure and reliable critical information processing and storage. The services delivered include construction and modification of industrial facilities, enhancing the operational capacity and security of the NCCIPS. The geographic impact is localized to the facility where the NCCIPS Zone B is located, likely a secure government site. The contract supports the construction and skilled trades workforce involved in industrial building construction.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen construction challenges arise, despite the fixed-price nature.
- Risk of schedule delays impacting the operational readiness of critical information processing and storage.
- Dependence on Drace Construction Corp.'s performance and adherence to security protocols.
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
- Awarded after a competitive process, suggesting a selection of a qualified contractor.
- Long-term contract duration allows for phased execution and potential for building a strong working relationship.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Industrial Building Construction sector, a segment of the broader construction industry focused on specialized facilities. The market for government-related construction, particularly for critical infrastructure like data centers and secure processing facilities, is substantial. Spending in this area is often driven by national security, technological advancement, and the need for robust data management. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale federal construction projects for similar secure facilities.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small business participation was not a primary focus for this specific contract, as the 'small business set-aside' flag is false. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. This suggests that the primary contractor, Drace Construction Corp., will likely handle the majority of the work, with potential for subcontracting opportunities not being specifically mandated for small businesses under this award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), which awarded the contract. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring Drace Construction Corp. to deliver specified work within the agreed-upon cost. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.
Related Government Programs
- Federal Data Center Consolidation Initiative
- Critical Infrastructure Protection Programs
- Government Building and Facility Construction
- Information Technology Infrastructure Modernization
Risk Flags
- Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion.
- Need for robust oversight to ensure quality and timely completion.
- Dependence on contractor's specialized expertise in industrial construction.
Tags
construction, industrial-building-construction, nasa, critical-infrastructure, information-processing, storage, firm-fixed-price, limited-competition, mississippi, federal-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $22.9 million to DRACE CONSTRUCTION CORP. NATIONAL CENTER FOR CRITICAL INFORMATION PROCESSING AND STORAGE (NCCIPS) ZONE B MODIFICATIONS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is DRACE CONSTRUCTION CORP.
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 $22.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-08-01. End: 2026-03-31.
What is the track record of Drace Construction Corp. with federal contracts, particularly in industrial building construction?
Drace Construction Corp. has a history of federal contracting, with this award falling under the Industrial Building Construction NAICS code (236210). To assess their track record thoroughly, one would need to examine their past performance on similar projects, including contract values, completion timeliness, quality of work, and any past performance issues or awards. A review of their contract history with agencies like NASA and others would reveal their experience in managing complex construction projects, adherence to federal regulations, and overall reliability as a government contractor. Specific details on past projects, client feedback, and any disputes or claims would provide a comprehensive understanding of their capabilities and suitability for this critical infrastructure modification.
How does the awarded amount compare to similar construction projects for critical information processing and storage facilities?
The $22.9 million award for modifications to the NCCIPS Zone B is a significant investment. To benchmark this value, one would compare it to the cost of similar construction or renovation projects for secure government data centers or critical information processing facilities. Factors such as facility size, complexity of modifications (e.g., HVAC, power, security systems), geographic location, and the specific technological requirements of the NCCIPS would need to be considered. Without access to detailed cost breakdowns and a database of comparable federal construction projects with similar specifications, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the firm fixed-price nature suggests an effort to control costs upfront.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?
The primary risks associated with this contract include potential cost overruns if unforeseen construction challenges arise, schedule delays impacting the operational readiness of critical information processing and storage, and contractor performance issues. Mitigation strategies are embedded within the contract structure. The firm fixed-price nature shifts cost risk to the contractor. The defined contract duration and delivery order structure provide a framework for managing the schedule. NASA's oversight and performance monitoring will be crucial for ensuring Drace Construction Corp. meets quality standards and adheres to project timelines. Clear communication channels and defined performance metrics are essential for proactive risk management.
How effective is the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' procurement method in ensuring competitive pricing for critical infrastructure?
The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method aims to balance the need for broad competition with specific project requirements that may necessitate excluding certain types of contractors or solutions. While it allows for more than one bidder, the exclusion of sources inherently limits the pool of potential offerors compared to unrestricted full and open competition. The effectiveness in ensuring competitive pricing depends heavily on the justification for the exclusion and the number of qualified bidders remaining. In this case, with 7 bidders, there was a moderate level of competition. However, the exclusion could potentially lead to less aggressive pricing than if all qualified sources were allowed to compete.
What is the historical spending pattern for NCCIPS facility modifications or similar critical infrastructure projects by NASA?
Analyzing historical spending patterns for NCCIPS facility modifications or similar critical infrastructure projects by NASA would provide valuable context for this $22.9 million award. This would involve reviewing past contracts for construction, upgrades, or maintenance of secure government facilities, particularly those related to information processing and storage. Understanding the typical contract values, durations, and procurement methods used for such projects would help determine if this award is consistent with historical trends or represents an outlier. Significant deviations from historical spending could warrant further investigation into the specific needs and market conditions driving this particular contract.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Industrial 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
Solicitation ID: 80SSC022B0008
Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 922 PORTER AVE STE 101, OCEAN SPRINGS, MS, 39564
Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $22,935,173
Exercised Options: $22,935,173
Current Obligation: $22,935,173
Actual Outlays: $22,932,173
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80SSC018D0014
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-08-01
Current End Date: 2026-03-31
Potential End Date: 2026-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-11-21
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