Commerce Department's $1.8M building renovation contract awarded to Vigil Contracting, Inc. for a 7-day duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,563 ($12.6K)

Contractor: Vigil Contracting, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2012-03-16

End Date: 2012-03-23

Contract Duration: 7 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: BUILDING RENOVATIONS AND ALTERATIONS.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20230

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $12,563 to VIGIL CONTRACTING, INC. for work described as: BUILDING RENOVATIONS AND ALTERATIONS. Key points: 1. The contract's short duration suggests a focused scope, potentially for minor alterations rather than extensive renovations. 2. Vigil Contracting, Inc. secured this award, indicating their capacity to meet the specific requirements within the tight timeframe. 3. The firm fixed price contract type provides cost certainty for the government, assuming the scope was well-defined. 4. The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources,' which warrants further investigation into the exclusion rationale. 5. The total award value of $1,795,000 for a 7-day project implies a high daily operational cost or a significant, albeit brief, scope of work. 6. The project's location in Washington D.C. places it within a high-cost construction market.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $1,795,000 for a 7-day project is exceptionally high on a per-day basis, suggesting either a very intensive scope of work or a premium for rapid completion. Benchmarking against similar short-duration renovation contracts is difficult due to the unusual combination of high value and extremely short timeframe. Without a detailed scope of work, assessing value for money is challenging, but the cost per day is a significant indicator.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources.' This specific procurement method implies that while the competition was intended to be open, certain sources were excluded. The rationale for this exclusion is critical to understanding the true level of competition and its potential impact on pricing and innovation. Without knowing which sources were excluded and why, it's difficult to assess if the government received the best possible offer.

Taxpayer Impact: The exclusion of sources, even if justified, may limit the pool of potential bidders, potentially leading to higher prices than if all qualified contractors had been allowed to compete.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Department of Commerce, which will see improvements or alterations to its facilities. The services delivered involve construction and renovation activities within a federal building. The geographic impact is localized to Washington D.C., where the facility is located. Workforce implications would include construction labor and project management personnel employed by Vigil Contracting, Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

High cost per day for a short-duration project raises questions about efficiency and potential overspending.
The 'Exclusion of Sources' in the competition method requires scrutiny to ensure fair market access and optimal pricing.
Lack of detailed scope of work makes it difficult to fully assess the value delivered for the funds expended.
The short duration might indicate a rushed process, potentially increasing risks of errors or incomplete work if not managed meticulously.

Positive Signals

Award to a single contractor suggests they met all requirements and were selected through a competitive process.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides budget certainty for the government.
The project is likely addressing a specific, urgent need for facility improvement within the Department of Commerce.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector. The federal government is a significant consumer of construction services, with spending often fluctuating based on infrastructure needs and agency priorities. Benchmarking this specific contract is challenging due to its unique combination of a very high value ($1.8M) and an extremely short duration (7 days), suggesting a highly specialized or urgent scope of work within the broader construction market.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Vigil Contracting, Inc. and there is no indication of small business set-asides (sb: false). This suggests that the primary award was not specifically targeted towards small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if Vigil Contracting, Inc. itself qualifies as a small business or if subcontracting opportunities were made available to small businesses as part of this project.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Commerce's internal procurement and facilities management offices. The specific contract type (Delivery Order) suggests it might be part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract, which would have its own oversight mechanisms. Transparency regarding the scope of work and the rationale for excluding sources would be key areas for oversight assessment. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building Renovations
Commercial Construction Services
Department of Commerce Facilities Management
Construction Services for Government Agencies

Risk Flags

High Cost Per Day
Unusual Competition Method (Exclusion of Sources)
Short Duration for High Value Project
Lack of Detailed Scope Information

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $12,563 to VIGIL CONTRACTING, INC.. BUILDING RENOVATIONS AND ALTERATIONS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VIGIL CONTRACTING, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (Office of the Secretary).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $12,563.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-03-16. End: 2012-03-23.

What was the specific scope of work for this $1.8 million, 7-day building renovation contract?

The provided data indicates the contract was for 'BUILDING RENOVATIONS AND ALTERATIONS' with a total award of $1,795,000 and a duration of only 7 days. The extremely high cost per day ($256,428) suggests a highly intensive scope of work, potentially involving specialized equipment, rapid deployment of labor, or critical infrastructure upgrades that required immediate attention. Without access to the detailed statement of work (SOW) or contract modifications, the precise nature of the renovations remains unspecified. It could range from emergency repairs to critical systems (e.g., HVAC, electrical, plumbing) to the rapid assembly of temporary facilities or highly complex, time-sensitive alterations within an existing structure. The short duration implies a focus on speed and efficiency, possibly at a premium cost.

What is the significance of 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources' and how did it impact this contract?

The procurement method 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources' is unusual. Typically, 'Full and Open Competition' means all responsible sources are permitted to submit offers. The addition of 'after Exclusion of Sources' implies that, prior to the full and open competition phase, certain potential sources were identified and deliberately excluded from consideration. The reasons for such exclusions must be legally justified, often due to factors like national security, proprietary information, or specific technical requirements that only a limited number of entities can meet. This exclusion could limit the competitive pool, potentially impacting the final price and the range of solutions considered. Understanding the specific criteria for exclusion is crucial to determining if the government obtained the best value and if the competition was truly as robust as possible under the circumstances.

How does the $1.8 million cost for a 7-day renovation compare to industry benchmarks for similar projects?

Benchmarking this contract is exceptionally difficult due to the extreme disparity between its high value ($1.8 million) and its very short duration (7 days). The implied daily cost exceeds $250,000, which is significantly higher than typical daily operational costs for most construction projects. Standard industry benchmarks usually focus on cost per square foot, cost per trade, or overall project duration relative to scope. A 7-day project of this magnitude suggests either a highly specialized emergency repair, the installation of critical, rapidly deployable systems, or a scope that, while brief, involves extremely high-value materials or complex, time-sensitive operations. Without a detailed scope of work, comparing it to standard renovation benchmarks is not feasible; it likely represents a unique situation requiring rapid, high-cost intervention.

What is Vigil Contracting, Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly in building renovations?

Vigil Contracting, Inc. was awarded this specific contract for building renovations and alterations. To assess their track record, a broader review of their federal contract history would be necessary. This would involve examining past awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of contract disputes or terminations. Their ability to secure a $1.8 million contract for a 7-day project suggests they possess the necessary qualifications, capacity, and potentially specialized expertise to handle such demanding assignments. Further investigation into their portfolio of completed federal projects, especially those involving similar scope, value, and tight deadlines, would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their capabilities and reliability.

What are the potential risks associated with a high-value, short-duration construction contract like this?

The primary risks associated with a high-value, short-duration construction contract include potential scope creep if not meticulously managed, quality control issues due to the compressed timeline, and the risk of cost overruns if unforeseen challenges arise. The high cost per day ($250,000+) amplifies the financial impact of any delays or inefficiencies. There's also a risk that the aggressive timeline might lead to shortcuts or inadequate planning, potentially compromising the long-term integrity of the renovation. Furthermore, the 'Exclusion of Sources' aspect introduces a risk related to suboptimal price discovery if the excluded sources could have offered better terms or innovative solutions. Effective project management, stringent oversight, and clear communication are critical to mitigating these risks.

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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2140 PRIEST BRIDGE CT STE 7, CROFTON, MD, 21114

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Emerging Small Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,563

Exercised Options: $12,563

Current Obligation: $12,563

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DOCSA130111CQ0001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline