Air Force awards $15.3M contract for boundary line survey and water study at USAFA

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,275,614 ($15.3M)

Contractor: HDR and Tehama Joint Venture

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2023-09-29

End Date: 2025-12-30

Contract Duration: 823 days

Daily Burn Rate: $18.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BOUNDARY LINE SURVEY, LINEAR SEGMENTATION, AND WATER STUDY FOR USAFA, FARISH AND BULLSEYE.

Place of Performance

Location: USAF ACADEMY, EL PASO County, COLORADO, 80840

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $15.3 million to HDR AND TEHAMA JOINT VENTURE for work described as: BOUNDARY LINE SURVEY, LINEAR SEGMENTATION, AND WATER STUDY FOR USAFA, FARISH AND BULLSEYE. Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in infrastructure assessment for the Air Force Academy. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. 4. The duration of the contract (823 days) indicates a substantial scope of work. 5. The specific services (boundary line survey, water study) are critical for land management and environmental compliance. 6. The contractor, HDR and Tehama Joint Venture, is a significant player in engineering services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $15.3 million for a boundary line survey and water study appears reasonable given the scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar large-scale engineering services contracts for federal installations suggests this pricing is within expected ranges. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty, which is a positive indicator of value for money, assuming the contractor can execute within the agreed budget.

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 potential bidders were considered. While the exact number of bids received is not specified, this procurement method generally fosters price discovery and allows the government to select the best value offer. The competitive nature suggests that the pricing is likely to be market-driven.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs and encouraging high-quality service delivery.

Public Impact

The U.S. Air Force Academy will benefit from updated boundary data and a comprehensive water study, crucial for operational integrity and resource management. Services include detailed boundary line surveys and a water resource study, supporting land use planning and environmental stewardship. The geographic impact is localized to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The contract supports specialized engineering and surveying jobs within the professional services sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the water study uncovers unforeseen environmental complexities.
Dependence on contractor expertise for accurate and reliable survey data and water analysis.
Risk of delays if permitting or access issues arise during fieldwork.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Award to a joint venture suggests a robust capability to handle complex tasks.
Full and open competition indicates a healthy market for these specialized services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, a critical component of the broader professional services industry supporting government infrastructure and operations. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms capable of performing large-scale surveys and environmental studies. Spending in this category is often driven by infrastructure maintenance, upgrades, and compliance requirements at federal facilities.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate a small business set-aside. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are likely to participate in the subcontracting chain for this project.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the contracting officer and technical representatives within the Department of the Air Force. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of contract awards, though detailed performance metrics may not be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Military Base Infrastructure Projects
Environmental Consulting Services
Land Surveying Contracts
Water Resource Management Studies
Department of Defense Engineering Services

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep
Contractor performance risk
Environmental compliance complexity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $15.3 million to HDR AND TEHAMA JOINT VENTURE. BOUNDARY LINE SURVEY, LINEAR SEGMENTATION, AND WATER STUDY FOR USAFA, FARISH AND BULLSEYE.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HDR AND TEHAMA JOINT VENTURE.

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 $15.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-29. End: 2025-12-30.

What is the track record of HDR and Tehama Joint Venture in performing similar boundary surveys and water studies for federal agencies?

HDR and Tehama Joint Venture are established entities in the engineering and consulting space. HDR, in particular, has a significant history of undertaking large-scale infrastructure and environmental projects for various government agencies, including the Department of Defense. While specific details on past performance for identical boundary survey and water study contracts at Air Force installations are not provided in this data, their broad experience suggests a capacity to execute complex projects. A deeper dive into their contract history, past performance evaluations, and any debriefings from previous solicitations would offer a more precise assessment of their suitability and past success rates for this specific type of work.

How does the $15.3 million contract value compare to similar boundary survey and water study contracts awarded by the Department of Defense in the last five years?

Benchmarking the $15.3 million contract value requires comparing it to similar scope and scale projects. Large-scale boundary surveys combined with comprehensive water studies for federal installations can vary significantly based on geographic complexity, acreage, and the depth of the water resource analysis. Without access to a detailed database of comparable federal contracts, a precise comparison is difficult. However, for a project spanning over two years and encompassing critical infrastructure at a major installation like the Air Force Academy, $15.3 million appears to be within a plausible range for specialized engineering services. Factors like the number of bidders and the final negotiated price would provide further context on whether this represents a competitive value.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are likely in place?

Primary risks include potential scope creep, especially if the water study uncovers complex environmental issues requiring extensive remediation or further investigation beyond the initial contract scope. Another risk is the accuracy and reliability of the survey data and water analysis, which depend heavily on the contractor's expertise and methodologies. Delays could also occur due to unforeseen site access issues, environmental regulations, or coordination challenges with other base activities. Mitigation strategies likely include a well-defined Statement of Work (SOW), clear performance metrics, regular progress reviews by the government technical team, and the firm fixed-price contract structure which incentivizes the contractor to manage costs and scope effectively. The contract's duration also allows for phased execution and monitoring.

What is the expected effectiveness of the services delivered under this contract in supporting the Air Force Academy's long-term planning and operations?

The services are expected to be highly effective in supporting the Air Force Academy's long-term planning and operations. Accurate boundary line surveys are fundamental for defining property rights, managing land use, and preventing encroachment, ensuring the security and integrity of the installation. A comprehensive water study will provide critical data on water resources, quality, and potential vulnerabilities, which is essential for sustainable water management, compliance with environmental regulations, and ensuring a reliable water supply for the base. These foundational data sets will inform future infrastructure development, environmental protection initiatives, and operational resilience, contributing significantly to the Academy's mission readiness and long-term viability.

How has spending on engineering services for the Department of the Air Force, specifically for surveying and environmental studies, trended over the past five fiscal years?

Spending on engineering services for the Department of the Air Force, particularly for surveying and environmental studies, has generally remained robust, driven by the need to maintain and modernize extensive infrastructure, comply with environmental regulations, and support ongoing operations. While specific figures for surveying and water studies alone are not detailed here, the overall trend for engineering and architectural services within the Air Force has seen significant investment. Factors such as aging facilities, new construction projects, and evolving environmental standards contribute to consistent demand. The Air Force consistently ranks among the largest federal agencies for contracting engineering services, reflecting the scale of its real property portfolio and operational requirements.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

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: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1600 GENESSEE ST STE 754, KANSAS CITY, MO, 64102

Business Categories: Category Business, Government, Native American Tribal Government, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,849,634

Exercised Options: $16,849,634

Current Obligation: $15,275,614

Actual Outlays: $2,961,749

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA890321D0039

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline