DOI's $27.4M Curry Village housing contract awarded to Miller/Watts Constructors for multifamily construction

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $27,370,006 ($27.4M)

Contractor: Miller/Watts Constructors

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2005-01-11

End Date: 2007-03-21

Contract Duration: 799 days

Daily Burn Rate: $34.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: CURRY VILLAGE EMPLOYEE HOUSING

Place of Performance

Location: YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, MARIPOSA County, CALIFORNIA, 95389

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $27.4 million to MILLER/WATTS CONSTRUCTORS for work described as: CURRY VILLAGE EMPLOYEE HOUSING Key points: 1. Contract value of $27.4M for multifamily housing construction. 2. Awarded under full and open competition with 4 bidders. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests defined scope and cost control. 4. Project duration of 799 days indicates a significant construction undertaking. 5. Located in California, a high-cost construction market. 6. Small business participation was not a stated requirement or achievement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $27.4 million for multifamily housing construction appears within a reasonable range for a project of this scale and duration, especially considering it was awarded under full and open competition. However, without specific details on the scope of work, unit count, and quality standards, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar National Park Service housing projects or other federal multifamily construction contracts would provide better context for pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. With four bidders, there was a moderate level of competition, which generally supports price discovery and can lead to more favorable pricing for the government. The presence of multiple bidders suggests that the market had sufficient interest and capacity to undertake this project.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition with multiple bidders likely resulted in a more competitive price for taxpayers compared to a sole-source or limited competition award.

Public Impact

Provides housing for employees of the National Park Service at Curry Village. Supports the operational capacity of the National Park Service by ensuring adequate staff housing. The project's geographic impact is localized to the Curry Village area in California. Likely created construction jobs during the project's duration. Enhances the living conditions for federal employees in a potentially remote or high-cost area.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if scope creep occurs despite fixed-price contract.
Construction delays could impact employee housing availability and NPS operations.
Quality of construction may vary between bidders, requiring robust oversight.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract helps to control costs.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive pricing environment.
Awarded to a specific contractor, indicating a selection based on qualifications and price.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the construction sector, specifically new multifamily housing construction. The federal government is a significant consumer of construction services for various needs, including infrastructure, facilities, and housing. The market for multifamily construction is generally robust, with numerous private and public sector entities undertaking similar projects. This contract represents a specific instance of the government investing in its own facilities to support its workforce.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of small business subcontracting requirements or achievements in the provided data. This suggests that the primary focus was on securing the best value through open competition, rather than specifically promoting small business participation. The absence of set-asides means that larger, established construction firms were likely the primary participants and awardees.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the National Park Service contracting officer and potentially contracting officers' representatives (CORs) to ensure compliance with the contract terms, specifications, and schedule. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract implies that the government's primary oversight concern would be ensuring the contractor meets the defined scope and quality standards. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed project progress reports may not be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Federal Employee Housing Programs
National Park Service Infrastructure Projects
Multifamily Housing Construction Contracts
Department of the Interior Construction Spending

Risk Flags

Potential for construction delays
Quality control in construction
Contractor performance risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $27.4 million to MILLER/WATTS CONSTRUCTORS. CURRY VILLAGE EMPLOYEE HOUSING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MILLER/WATTS CONSTRUCTORS.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (National Park Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $27.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-01-11. End: 2007-03-21.

What was the specific scope of work for the Curry Village employee housing construction?

The provided data indicates the contract was for 'New Multifamily Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders)' under the PSC code for this category. While the contract value and duration are known, the specific details of the scope of work, such as the number of units, square footage, amenities, and specific construction standards (e.g., LEED certification, energy efficiency requirements), are not detailed in the summary data. This level of detail would typically be found in the contract's statement of work (SOW) or performance work statement (PWS), which are crucial for a comprehensive understanding of the project's requirements and for assessing value.

How did the winning bid compare to other bids received for this contract?

The contract was awarded under full and open competition with four bidders. While the data confirms the number of bidders, it does not provide the specific bid amounts for each competitor or the government's cost estimate. To assess how the winning bid compared, one would need access to the bid tabulation. A significant difference between the winning bid and the next lowest bid, or a substantial variance from the government's estimate, could indicate potential issues with pricing or the bidding process. However, the fact that it was a firm fixed-price contract suggests the government aimed to lock in a price early in the process.

What are the potential risks associated with this construction contract?

Potential risks for this multifamily housing construction contract include construction delays due to unforeseen site conditions, weather, or labor shortages, which could impact employee housing availability and operational readiness for the National Park Service. Cost overruns are less likely with a firm fixed-price contract, but scope creep or change orders could still increase the total cost if not managed carefully. Quality control is another risk; ensuring the constructed housing meets the required standards for durability, safety, and habitability is critical. Furthermore, the contractor's financial stability and performance history are always a consideration in large construction projects.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar multifamily housing construction by the National Park Service?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for similar multifamily housing construction by the National Park Service (NPS) would provide valuable context for this $27.4 million contract. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to determine if this award represents a typical investment level, an increase, or a decrease in such projects. Examining past contracts for employee housing or other residential facilities within the NPS, noting their values, durations, and competition levels, would help benchmark this current contract. This analysis could reveal trends in project scale, cost per unit, and the effectiveness of different contracting strategies employed by the NPS over time.

What is the track record of Miller/Watts Constructors on federal contracts?

The provided data identifies Miller/Watts Constructors as the awardee but does not include information on their past performance or track record with federal contracts. A thorough assessment would require reviewing their contract history, including past performance evaluations, any disputes or claims filed, and their experience with similar types of construction projects. A strong track record with successful project completion, adherence to schedule and budget, and positive performance reviews would indicate a lower risk associated with this award. Conversely, a history of issues could raise concerns about project execution.

How does the contract duration of 799 days compare to typical federal multifamily housing construction projects?

A contract duration of 799 days (approximately 26 months) for a $27.4 million multifamily housing construction project suggests a substantial undertaking. Typical durations can vary widely based on project size, complexity, location, and specific requirements. For large-scale federal housing projects, a duration of around two years is not uncommon. This timeframe allows for planning, procurement of materials, construction phases, inspections, and closeout. Benchmarking this duration against similar NPS or other federal agency projects would help determine if it is standard, accelerated, or extended, which could have implications for cost and operational impact.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Residential Building Construction › New Multifamily Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders)

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation ID: N8000040912

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Contractor Details

Parent Company: THE Weitz Company, LLC (UEI: 006941454)

Address: 210 PARR BLVD., RICHMOND, CA, 08

Business Categories: Category Business, HUBZone Firm, Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $27,370,006

Exercised Options: $27,370,006

Current Obligation: $27,370,006

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Timeline