HHI Corporation awarded $44.3M contract for archaeological and cultural support services by the Air Force

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $44,346,847 ($44.3M)

Contractor: HHI Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2018-11-21

End Date: 2020-06-07

Contract Duration: 564 days

Daily Burn Rate: $78.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: PROVIDE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL SUPPORT AT JOINT BASE ELMENDORFRICHARDSON AND PACIFIC AIR FORCE REGIONAL SUPPORT CENTER--HILL AFB, UT

Place of Performance

Location: HILL AFB, DAVIS County, UTAH, 84056

State: Utah Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $44.3 million to HHI CORPORATION for work described as: PROVIDE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL SUPPORT AT JOINT BASE ELMENDORFRICHARDSON AND PACIFIC AIR FORCE REGIONAL SUPPORT CENTER--HILL AFB, UT Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in specialized cultural resource management. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a robust bidding process. 3. The contract duration of 564 days indicates a medium-term need for these services. 4. Fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. 5. Services are critical for ensuring compliance with historical preservation laws at military installations. 6. The awardee, HHI Corporation, has a track record in government contracting. 7. Geographic focus includes Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and Pacific Air Force Regional Support Center.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award amount of $44.3 million for archaeological and cultural support services appears reasonable given the scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar contracts for cultural resource management at large military installations suggests that the pricing is competitive. The firm fixed-price structure further enhances value by capping government liability. While specific per-unit cost data is not provided, the overall contract value aligns with industry standards for comprehensive support across multiple sites.

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 qualified bidders were likely considered. The presence of two bids suggests a healthy level of competition for this specialized service. A competitive bidding process generally leads to better price discovery and ensures the government receives the most advantageous offer.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely drove down costs and ensured the selection of a high-quality service provider at a fair price.

Public Impact

Military personnel and operations at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and Pacific Air Force installations benefit from ensured compliance with cultural heritage laws. Archaeological and cultural heritage sites are protected and managed in accordance with federal regulations. The contract supports specialized jobs in archaeology, cultural resource management, and related fields. Services ensure that military construction and operational activities do not negatively impact historical resources.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if unforeseen archaeological discoveries require extensive mitigation.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical compliance services could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
Geographic dispersion of services across multiple locations may introduce logistical complexities.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Full and open competition suggests a strong market for these services.
Awardee has experience in government contracting, implying familiarity with requirements.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Construction and Support Services sector, specifically focusing on cultural resource management and archaeological services. The market for these services is driven by federal and state regulations requiring the protection of historical and cultural sites, particularly during development or operational activities on government-owned land. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar services at large federal installations indicate that this award is within the expected range for comprehensive support.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem appears limited for this specific award. However, the prime contractor may engage small businesses as subcontractors, which would need to be assessed through detailed subcontracting plans if applicable.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Department of the Air Force. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are reported. Inspector General jurisdiction may apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Archaeological Services
Cultural Resource Management
Base Operations Support
Historical Preservation Services
Department of Defense Construction Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for unforeseen archaeological discoveries requiring additional work.
Contractor performance risk.
Geographic dispersion of service locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $44.3 million to HHI CORPORATION. PROVIDE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL SUPPORT AT JOINT BASE ELMENDORFRICHARDSON AND PACIFIC AIR FORCE REGIONAL SUPPORT CENTER--HILL AFB, UT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HHI CORPORATION.

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 $44.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-11-21. End: 2020-06-07.

What is HHI Corporation's track record with similar federal contracts, particularly in archaeological and cultural support?

HHI Corporation has a history of performing services for the federal government, including contracts related to construction and support services. While specific details on their past performance in archaeological and cultural support are not fully detailed in this summary, their ability to win a full and open competition contract of this magnitude suggests they possess the necessary qualifications and experience. Further analysis would involve reviewing their past performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS) for similar projects to assess their reliability, quality of work, and adherence to schedules and budgets in previous engagements.

How does the $44.3 million contract value compare to the average cost of similar archaeological and cultural support contracts?

The $44.3 million contract value for archaeological and cultural support services over its duration appears to be within a reasonable range for large-scale federal projects. Benchmarking against similar contracts awarded by the Department of Defense or other federal agencies for comprehensive cultural resource management at major installations can provide a more precise comparison. Factors such as the geographic scope, complexity of sites, and specific regulatory requirements influence these costs. Without direct comparative data for identical services, it's challenging to provide an exact benchmark, but the value suggests a substantial and multifaceted support requirement.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks include potential cost overruns if unforeseen archaeological discoveries necessitate extensive mitigation efforts, performance issues from the contractor, and logistical challenges due to the dispersed service locations. The firm fixed-price contract structure mitigates financial risk for the government by capping costs. Mitigation for performance and logistical risks would rely on robust contract oversight, clear performance standards, and regular communication between the government and HHI Corporation. The competitive award process also helps mitigate risk by selecting a presumably capable contractor.

How effective is the current contract in ensuring compliance with historical preservation laws at the specified military bases?

The effectiveness of this contract in ensuring compliance hinges on the contractor's adherence to the Statement of Work and relevant historical preservation laws (e.g., NHPA, ARPA). The contract's objective is precisely to provide the necessary expertise and services to meet these legal obligations. Effectiveness can be measured by the absence of compliance violations, successful completion of archaeological surveys, assessments, and any required mitigation measures. Ongoing monitoring by the COR and periodic reviews of the contractor's deliverables are crucial for assessing and ensuring compliance.

What are the historical spending patterns for archaeological and cultural support services within the Department of the Air Force?

Historical spending patterns for archaeological and cultural support services within the Department of the Air Force typically fluctuate based on infrastructure projects, base realignments, and evolving regulatory requirements. While this specific $44.3 million award is significant, the Air Force consistently allocates funds for these services to ensure compliance across its numerous installations. Analyzing historical data would reveal trends in contract values, types of services procured, and the prevalence of full and open versus other competition methods, providing context for the current award's scale and nature.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 736 W HARRISVILLE RD, OGDEN, UT, 84404

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $44,346,847

Exercised Options: $44,346,847

Current Obligation: $44,346,847

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA890317D0008

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline