Interior's $33.5M American River Pump Station Contract Awarded to Ford Construction Company
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $33,541,487 ($33.5M)
Contractor: Ford Construction Company, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2006-08-24
End Date: 2008-04-30
Contract Duration: 615 days
Daily Burn Rate: $54.5K/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: AMERICAN RIVER PUMP STATION
Place of Performance
Location: AUBURN, PLACER County, CALIFORNIA, 95603
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $33.5 million to FORD CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. for work described as: AMERICAN RIVER PUMP STATION Key points: 1. The contract value of $33.5 million is significant for heavy civil engineering construction. 2. Ford Construction Company, Inc. secured this award. 3. The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources', indicating a specific justification for limiting initial bidders. 4. The project falls within the 'Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction' sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $33.5 million for a pump station project requires careful benchmarking against similar infrastructure projects. Without specific details on the scope and complexity, a precise value assessment is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' suggests that while competition was intended, initial sources may have been limited. This could impact price discovery if the exclusion was not fully justified or if it restricted the pool of qualified bidders.
Taxpayer Impact: The $33.5 million expenditure represents taxpayer funds. The effectiveness of the competition method in securing the best value for money is a key consideration for taxpayer impact.
Public Impact
This project likely involves critical infrastructure for water management in California. The construction phase may lead to temporary disruptions in the local area. Successful completion will enhance water pumping capabilities, potentially benefiting agriculture or urban water supply.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Competition method warrants scrutiny for potential impact on price.
- Lack of small business participation noted.
Positive Signals
- Project addresses a specific infrastructure need.
- Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under 'Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction,' a sector characterized by large-scale infrastructure projects. Spending in this sector can fluctuate based on government infrastructure initiatives and economic conditions.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small businesses were not involved in this contract (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the prime contractor did not subcontract to small businesses or that the contract was not set aside for them.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'Bureau of Reclamation' is responsible for overseeing this project. Oversight would focus on ensuring timely completion, adherence to specifications, and responsible use of funds.
Related Government Programs
- Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- Bureau of Reclamation Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition method may have affected price.
- No small business participation identified.
- Potential for cost increases through change orders despite fixed price.
- Need for clarity on the justification for excluding sources.
Tags
other-heavy-and-civil-engineering-constr, department-of-the-interior, ca, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $33.5 million to FORD CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC.. AMERICAN RIVER PUMP STATION
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is FORD CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Reclamation).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $33.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2006-08-24. End: 2008-04-30.
What was the specific justification for excluding sources in the initial competition phase, and how did this impact the final contract price?
The justification for excluding sources is critical to understanding the procurement strategy. If the exclusion was based on specialized capabilities or prior performance, it might be justifiable. However, if it unduly limited competition, it could have led to a higher price than a fully open process. Further review of the contract file and justification documentation is needed to assess the impact on price discovery and taxpayer value.
Given the firm fixed price contract, what mechanisms were in place to ensure the contractor's costs remained reasonable throughout the project lifecycle?
A firm fixed price contract shifts most cost risk to the contractor. However, oversight should still monitor for potential change orders or claims that could inflate costs. The government's role would be to ensure the scope of work is clearly defined and that any modifications are necessary and priced appropriately, preventing cost overruns despite the fixed-price nature.
What is the long-term operational and maintenance cost implication of the American River Pump Station, and how does it compare to alternative solutions?
The initial contract value only reflects the construction cost. A comprehensive analysis should consider the lifecycle costs, including operation, maintenance, and potential upgrades. Understanding these ongoing expenses is crucial for assessing the true value of the investment and comparing it against alternative water management strategies or technologies that might offer better long-term economic or environmental benefits.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCT NONBUILDING FACILITIES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 639 E LOCKEFORD ST, LODI, CA, 09
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $33,541,487
Exercised Options: $33,541,487
Current Obligation: $33,541,487
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2006-08-24
Current End Date: 2008-04-30
Potential End Date: 2008-04-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2008-06-26
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