Skyview Antenna Project awarded $41.9M to Black Construction/Mace International for building construction

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $41,874,319 ($41.9M)

Contractor: Black Construction/Mace International Joint Venture

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2023-09-29

End Date: 2026-04-17

Contract Duration: 931 days

Daily Burn Rate: $45.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: X02X SKYVIEW ANTENNA PROJECT, NRL

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $41.9 million to BLACK CONSTRUCTION/MACE INTERNATIONAL JOINT VENTURE for work described as: X02X SKYVIEW ANTENNA PROJECT, NRL Key points: 1. The contract value of $41.9M represents a significant investment in infrastructure. 2. Competition dynamics for this project are assessed to understand pricing efficiency. 3. Risk indicators are evaluated based on project duration and contractor history. 4. Performance context will be established by comparing this project to similar construction endeavors. 5. The project falls within the broader Defense sector's construction spending landscape. 6. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and manage financial risk.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $41.9M for the Skyview Antenna Project appears substantial. Benchmarking against similar large-scale commercial and institutional building construction projects within the Department of Defense is crucial for a precise value assessment. Without specific details on the scope of work, it's challenging to definitively assess if the pricing is competitive or if it represents good value for money. The duration of 931 days suggests a complex undertaking, which can influence overall cost.

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 bids. The presence of two bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this project. While more than one bidder is positive, a higher number of bids typically leads to more robust price discovery and potentially lower prices for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages a wider range of offers, potentially driving down costs and ensuring the government receives competitive pricing.

Public Impact

The Department of the Navy is the primary beneficiary, receiving upgraded antenna infrastructure. The project will deliver construction services for a significant antenna project. The geographic impact is localized to the facility where the antenna project is being executed. The project will likely involve a workforce of construction professionals and tradespeople.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen construction challenges arise.
Risk of schedule delays impacting project completion timelines.
Ensuring adherence to strict quality and safety standards throughout construction.

Positive Signals

The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty.
Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
The contractor has been selected for a significant infrastructure project, implying a level of trust and capability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a vital part of the broader construction industry. This sector encompasses the building of non-residential structures such as offices, schools, hospitals, and government facilities. Spending in this area by the Department of Defense is often driven by the need for specialized infrastructure to support military operations and research. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale construction projects awarded by federal agencies for similar types of facilities.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless the prime contractors engage small businesses for subcontracting opportunities. Further investigation into subcontracting goals would be necessary to fully assess the impact on small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of the Navy's contracting and project management offices. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract terms, including performance standards and payment schedules tied to milestones. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed project-specific oversight reports may not always be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Construction Contracts
Naval Facilities Engineering Command Projects
Large-Scale Infrastructure Development
Commercial Building Construction Awards

Risk Flags

Potential for schedule delays due to complexity
Risk of cost escalation if unforeseen issues arise
Need for stringent quality control during construction

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $41.9 million to BLACK CONSTRUCTION/MACE INTERNATIONAL JOINT VENTURE. X02X SKYVIEW ANTENNA PROJECT, NRL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BLACK CONSTRUCTION/MACE INTERNATIONAL JOINT VENTURE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $41.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-29. End: 2026-04-17.

What is the track record of Black Construction/Mace International Joint Venture on similar federal contracts?

Assessing the track record of Black Construction/Mace International Joint Venture requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving large-scale commercial and institutional building construction. This would involve examining contract databases for previous awards, performance ratings (such as Past Performance Information Retrieval System - PPIRS), and any documented disputes or terminations. A history of successful project completion, on-time delivery, and within-budget performance would indicate a lower risk profile. Conversely, a pattern of cost overruns, schedule delays, or quality issues would raise concerns about their capability to execute the Skyview Antenna Project effectively. Understanding their experience with antenna-related construction or similar specialized infrastructure projects would also be highly relevant.

How does the awarded amount compare to the estimated cost or budget for the Skyview Antenna Project?

The awarded amount of $41,874,318.58 provides a concrete figure for the project's cost. However, to assess its value, this amount needs to be compared against the government's initial cost estimate or allocated budget for the Skyview Antenna Project. If the awarded amount is significantly lower than the estimate, it could indicate successful competition and cost savings for taxpayers. Conversely, if it is close to or exceeds the estimate, further scrutiny of the estimate's accuracy and the contractor's pricing would be warranted. The duration of the contract (931 days) also suggests a substantial scope, making a comparison to the estimated cost per day or per phase critical for a thorough value assessment.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will they be measured?

Key performance indicators (KPIs) for a construction contract like the Skyview Antenna Project typically revolve around schedule adherence, cost control, quality of work, and safety compliance. Specific KPIs might include meeting defined project milestones by their scheduled dates, staying within the firm fixed price, achieving a certain quality standard as defined by project specifications and inspections, and maintaining a low incident rate for workplace safety. Measurement methods would involve regular site inspections, progress reports from the contractor, review of financial expenditures against the budget, and potentially third-party quality assurance checks. The contract documents themselves would detail these KPIs and the mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating the contractor's performance against them.

What is the historical spending trend for similar antenna construction projects within the Department of the Navy?

Analyzing historical spending trends for similar antenna construction projects within the Department of the Navy would provide valuable context for the $41.9M Skyview Antenna Project award. This involves querying federal procurement data to identify past contracts for antenna installations, upgrades, or related infrastructure projects awarded by the Navy. Key metrics to examine would include the number of such contracts over a specific period, their average value, the typical duration, and the types of competition utilized (e.g., full and open, sole source). Understanding whether this $41.9M award is an outlier, an average, or a significant increase/decrease compared to historical spending can help assess if the current investment is consistent with past practices or represents a shift in priorities or market conditions.

Are there any specific technological or logistical risks associated with the Skyview Antenna Project that could impact its cost or timeline?

The Skyview Antenna Project, given its nature, could involve several technological and logistical risks. Technologically, risks might include the integration of new antenna systems with existing infrastructure, compatibility issues with communication networks, or the need for specialized construction techniques for sensitive equipment. Logistically, risks could stem from site accessibility, the need for secure construction zones, coordination with ongoing base operations, or potential supply chain disruptions for specialized materials. The 931-day duration suggests these complexities are anticipated. Mitigation strategies would likely involve detailed site surveys, robust engineering plans, contingency planning for unforeseen technical challenges, and close coordination with relevant Navy operational units.

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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: N4008421R0079

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: HARMON INDUSTRIAL PARK, HARMON, GU, 96913

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $41,874,319

Exercised Options: $41,874,319

Current Obligation: $41,874,319

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N4008421D0079

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline