Air Force awards $14.1M dormitory construction contract to Kent Construction Co

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,129,296 ($14.1M)

Contractor: Kent Construction CO.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2008-05-28

End Date: 2010-03-19

Contract Duration: 660 days

Daily Burn Rate: $21.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: FJXT063000 CONSTRUCT DORMITORY

Place of Performance

Location: DOVER AFB, KENT County, DELAWARE, 19902

State: Delaware Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $14.1 million to KENT CONSTRUCTION CO. for work described as: FJXT063000 CONSTRUCT DORMITORY Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for a large-scale construction project of this nature. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for this type of construction. 3. Fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. Project duration of 660 days is standard for complex building projects. 5. Contract awarded to a single entity, Kent Construction Co., indicating their capability. 6. Geographic location in Delaware may influence labor and material costs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $14.1 million for dormitory construction is within a typical range for projects of this scale. Benchmarking against similar Air Force or DoD construction contracts for barracks or dormitories would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure generally leads to predictable costs for the government, assuming the scope of work remains stable. Without specific cost breakdowns or comparisons to industry benchmarks for construction per square foot or per bed, a definitive assessment of pricing efficiency is challenging, but the overall award amount seems proportionate to the likely scope.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of 8 bidders suggests a competitive market for this type of construction service. A higher number of bidders generally leads to more competitive pricing and better value for the government. The fact that the contract was awarded to a single entity implies that Kent Construction Co. offered the best value among the competitive proposals received.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages multiple companies to bid, driving down prices and ensuring the government receives competitive rates for construction services.

Public Impact

Military personnel stationed at the Air Force facility will benefit from improved housing. The project delivers essential infrastructure to support military readiness and quality of life. Construction activities will likely have a localized economic impact in Delaware through job creation and material sourcing. The project supports the Department of the Air Force's mission to provide adequate facilities for its personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if initial requirements are not clearly defined.
Risk of construction delays due to unforeseen site conditions or weather.
Ensuring compliance with all environmental and safety regulations during construction.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract helps control costs.
Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing.
Contract duration appears reasonable for the scope of work.
Experienced contractor likely selected through a competitive process.

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 supports the development and maintenance of government facilities, including military housing. The market for such construction is typically robust, with numerous firms capable of undertaking large-scale projects. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal contracts for barracks, dormitories, or similar institutional buildings across different agencies and geographic locations.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. There is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Without this data, it's difficult to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem, though larger prime contractors often utilize small businesses for specialized tasks.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant Air Force base personnel responsible for facilities management. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability by fixing the total cost. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though detailed project progress and specific oversight activities are not publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Military Housing Construction
Department of Defense Facilities
Air Force Infrastructure Projects
General Building Construction

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if scope is not well-defined.
Risk of quality issues if contractor prioritizes speed over standards.
Dependence on local labor and material availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $14.1 million to KENT CONSTRUCTION CO.. FJXT063000 CONSTRUCT DORMITORY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KENT CONSTRUCTION CO..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $14.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-05-28. End: 2010-03-19.

What is the track record of Kent Construction Co. on similar federal contracts?

Information regarding Kent Construction Co.'s specific track record on similar federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive analysis would require reviewing their past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS) for previous government projects, particularly those involving dormitory or barracks construction for the Department of Defense or other federal agencies. This would reveal their history of on-time delivery, budget adherence, quality of work, and overall client satisfaction. Without this specific performance data, it's assumed the award reflects a positive assessment based on the competitive bidding process.

How does the awarded price compare to industry benchmarks for dormitory construction?

The provided data does not include specific cost breakdowns (e.g., cost per square foot, cost per bed) necessary for a direct comparison to industry benchmarks. The total award of $14.1 million is for the construction of a dormitory, a project whose cost is highly dependent on size, amenities, location, and material quality. To benchmark effectively, one would need to compare this contract's cost metrics against similar dormitory or barracks construction projects undertaken by other federal agencies or in the private sector within the same geographic region. The firm fixed-price nature suggests the government aimed to secure a predictable cost, but the true value-for-money hinges on the specifics of the construction scope and prevailing market rates.

What are the primary risks associated with this firm fixed-price construction contract?

The primary risks associated with this firm fixed-price (FFP) contract, while generally favorable to the government by capping costs, include potential contractor underestimation of costs leading to quality compromises or contractor default if the fixed price proves insufficient for completion. There's also a risk of scope creep if the government requests changes not adequately addressed by the contract's change order provisions, which could lead to disputes or cost increases. Furthermore, unforeseen site conditions or material price volatility not accounted for in the fixed price could strain the contractor. Effective oversight is crucial to ensure the contractor maintains quality and adheres to the defined scope within the agreed-upon price.

What is the expected effectiveness of the new dormitory in supporting Air Force personnel?

The effectiveness of the new dormitory in supporting Air Force personnel is expected to be high, assuming it meets the design specifications and quality standards. Improved housing directly contributes to personnel morale, retention, and overall quality of life, which are critical factors for military readiness. Adequate and modern living quarters are essential for attracting and retaining service members. The construction of this dormitory signifies an investment in personnel welfare, aiming to provide a safe, comfortable, and functional living environment that supports the Air Force's mission by ensuring its members are well-housed.

How has federal spending on dormitory construction evolved over the past five years?

Analyzing the evolution of federal spending on dormitory construction over the past five years would require access to historical federal procurement data. This would involve querying databases like USAspending.gov or FPDS-NG for contracts categorized under dormitory, barracks, or military housing construction across all relevant agencies, particularly the Department of Defense. Trends might show fluctuations based on military personnel levels, infrastructure modernization initiatives, and overall budget allocations. Without specific historical data for this contract or category, it's impossible to provide a precise trend analysis, but such spending is generally tied to military force structure and facility upkeep requirements.

What is the significance of the contract being awarded in Delaware?

The significance of the contract being awarded in Delaware primarily relates to the geographic location of the construction project and its potential economic impact. Construction projects typically source labor and materials locally or regionally, meaning the awarded contract value will likely stimulate the Delaware economy through job creation for construction workers, demand for local suppliers, and related services. For the Air Force, the location dictates the specific base or facility where the dormitory will be built, impacting personnel stationed there. The regional labor market and material availability in Delaware could also influence construction costs and timelines.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: FA449708R0002

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2 BIG OAK RD, SMYRNA, DE, 00

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Subchapter S Corporation, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,129,296

Exercised Options: $14,129,296

Current Obligation: $14,129,296

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline