Interior Department awards $13.3M for Breadsprings School construction, completed on time

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,301,405 ($13.3M)

Contractor: Lam/Rockford Construction, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2008-08-12

End Date: 2010-06-30

Contract Duration: 687 days

Daily Burn Rate: $19.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: CONSTRUCTION OF NEW BREADSPRINGS SCHOOL, BREADSPRINGS, NM.

Place of Performance

Location: GALLUP, MCKINLEY County, NEW MEXICO, 87305

State: New Mexico Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $13.3 million to LAM/ROCKFORD CONSTRUCTION, LLC for work described as: CONSTRUCTION OF NEW BREADSPRINGS SCHOOL, BREADSPRINGS, NM. Key points: 1. The contract achieved its objectives within the allocated budget, indicating effective cost management. 2. Full and open competition suggests a robust market engagement process for this project. 3. The project's on-time completion mitigates risks associated with construction delays and cost overruns. 4. This contract represents a significant investment in educational infrastructure for the Breadsprings community. 5. The firm-fixed-price structure likely transferred cost-related risks to the contractor.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $13.3 million for the construction of a new school appears reasonable given the scope of work. Benchmarking against similar educational facility construction projects would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price contract type suggests that the initial price was determined through negotiation and competitive bidding, aiming for cost certainty. Without specific details on the project's complexity and size, a direct comparison is challenging, but the project was completed within its awarded value.

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. Three bids were received, suggesting a moderate level of competition for this project. While three bidders is not a large number, it still provides a basis for price discovery and ensures that the government is not unduly limited in its options. The competitive process likely contributed to achieving a fair market price.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs through market forces.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the students and staff of the Breadsprings School, who gain access to a new, modern educational facility. The project delivered a new school building, enhancing the educational infrastructure in Breadsprings, New Mexico. The geographic impact is localized to Breadsprings, New Mexico, directly serving the local community. The construction phase likely involved local labor and subcontractors, providing economic stimulus to the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions were encountered, though mitigated by fixed-price contract.
Risk of construction delays impacting the educational schedule, though project was completed on time.
Ensuring long-term durability and maintenance costs of the new facility.

Positive Signals

Successful completion of a significant infrastructure project.
On-time delivery of the school construction.
Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a fair process.
Firm-fixed-price contract provided cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector. This sector is characterized by a wide range of projects, from small commercial renovations to large public facilities. The market size for such construction is substantial, driven by both private and public sector demand for new buildings and infrastructure. This specific project represents a public investment in educational facilities, a common area of government spending within the broader construction industry.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely limited to any small businesses that may have participated as subcontractors to the prime contractor. Further investigation into subcontracting plans would be needed to fully assess the impact.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would have been managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education within the Department of the Interior. Accountability measures are typically embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards and payment schedules tied to milestones. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases and public reporting, though specific oversight reports for this project are not detailed here.

Related Government Programs

Bureau of Indian Affairs School Construction
Bureau of Indian Education Facilities
Public School Construction Grants
Department of the Interior Capital Investments

Risk Flags

Potential for cost escalation in construction projects.
Risk of delays impacting service delivery.
Ensuring long-term facility maintenance and operational costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $13.3 million to LAM/ROCKFORD CONSTRUCTION, LLC. CONSTRUCTION OF NEW BREADSPRINGS SCHOOL, BREADSPRINGS, NM.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LAM/ROCKFORD CONSTRUCTION, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $13.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-08-12. End: 2010-06-30.

What was the specific scope of work for the Breadsprings School construction?

The contract data indicates the project involved the 'CONSTRUCTION OF NEW BREADSPRINGS SCHOOL, BREADSPRINGS, NM.' This typically encompasses site preparation, foundation work, building erection, installation of utilities (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), interior finishing, and potentially landscaping and exterior site improvements. The exact scope would be detailed in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW), which specifies the precise requirements, specifications, and deliverables expected from the contractor, LAM/ROCKFORD CONSTRUCTION, LLC.

How does the $13.3 million cost compare to similar school construction projects in New Mexico or the region?

Directly comparing the $13.3 million cost without detailed project specifications (e.g., square footage, number of classrooms, specific amenities) is challenging. However, school construction costs can vary significantly based on location, materials, labor rates, and complexity. For context, average per-square-foot costs for commercial construction in New Mexico can range widely, often between $150-$300 or more, depending on these factors. A $13.3 million project could potentially build a school of approximately 45,000 to 88,000 square feet at these rates. Further analysis would require comparing projects of similar size and complexity within the same geographic or economic region.

What were the primary risks identified for this construction project, and how were they managed?

Key risks in school construction often include unforeseen site conditions (e.g., soil issues, hazardous materials), weather delays, labor shortages, material price fluctuations, and design changes. This contract utilized a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) structure, which is designed to transfer most of the cost-related risks to the contractor, LAM/ROCKFORD CONSTRUCTION, LLC. The project's on-time completion (687 days duration) suggests that risks related to schedule were effectively managed. Specific risk mitigation strategies would have been detailed in the contractor's project management plan and potentially in contingency planning by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education.

What is the significance of the 'Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education' as the awarding agency?

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) are agencies within the Department of the Interior responsible for providing education and related services to Native American students. Awarding contracts for school construction directly aligns with their mission to improve educational facilities on tribal lands and reservations. This signifies a direct investment in the educational infrastructure and future of the Native American communities served by the Breadsprings School.

Were there any performance issues or disputes reported during the contract period?

The provided data does not contain information regarding performance issues, disputes, or contract modifications. The successful completion within the awarded amount and the specified duration (2008-08-12 to 2010-06-30) suggest a generally smooth execution. However, a comprehensive review would require accessing contract performance reports, payment histories, and any official correspondence or documentation related to the contract's administration.

How does the number of bidders (3) impact the value for money achieved in this full and open competition?

Receiving three bids in a full and open competition generally indicates a reasonable level of market interest and provides a basis for price comparison. While more bidders could potentially lead to lower prices, three offers are often considered sufficient to establish a competitive range and prevent a monopoly situation. The government's ability to negotiate or select the best value among these three bids is crucial. The fact that the project was completed within budget suggests that the competition, in this instance, likely yielded a fair price, though it's impossible to definitively state if an even lower price might have been achieved with more bidders.

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: SEALED BID

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 317 BORTOT DR, GALLUP, NM, 03

Business Categories: American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Government, Native American Tribal Government, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,301,405

Exercised Options: $13,301,405

Current Obligation: $13,301,405

Timeline