DoD's $31.4M Travis AFB taxiway repair contract awarded to Coffman Specialties, Inc. shows fair value

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $31,366,373 ($31.4M)

Contractor: Coffman Specialties, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2017-10-18

End Date: 2019-01-31

Contract Duration: 470 days

Daily Burn Rate: $66.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF REPAIR TAXIWAY SHOULDER/ LIGHTS TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, FAIRFIELD CA.

Place of Performance

Location: TRAVIS AFB, SOLANO County, CALIFORNIA, 94535

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $31.4 million to COFFMAN SPECIALTIES, INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF REPAIR TAXIWAY SHOULDER/ LIGHTS TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, FAIRFIELD CA. Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the scope of airfield infrastructure repair. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. Contract duration of 470 days is appropriate for complex airfield construction. 5. Project aligns with critical Air Force infrastructure maintenance needs. 6. Geographic concentration in California may limit broader market comparisons.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of approximately $31.4 million for taxiway repair and lighting at Travis Air Force Base appears to be within a reasonable range for such infrastructure projects. Benchmarking against similar airfield construction contracts, the price per square foot or per linear foot would provide a more precise value assessment. However, the fixed-price nature of the award suggests that the contractor assumed the risk for cost overruns, which is generally favorable for the government. The number of bids received (3) also indicates a degree of market interest, though a higher number would typically suggest stronger price competition.

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. Three bids were received, which suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific project. While three bidders are better than a sole-source award, a higher number of bids often leads to more aggressive pricing and a wider range of technical solutions. The contracting agency likely sought to maximize competition within the available market for specialized airfield construction services.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition, despite receiving three bids, suggests that taxpayers likely benefited from a competitive pricing environment, avoiding the potential overpricing associated with sole-source or limited competition awards.

Public Impact

Benefits the U.S. Air Force by ensuring the operational readiness and safety of Travis Air Force Base. Delivers critical infrastructure improvements, including taxiway shoulder and lighting repairs. Geographic impact is localized to Fairfield, California, and surrounding areas supporting the base. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for construction labor and specialized trades in the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if unforeseen subsurface conditions are encountered during construction.
Reliance on a limited number of bidders could impact future competition for similar projects.
Weather delays in California could extend the project timeline beyond the planned 470 days.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract type limits the government's exposure to cost increases.
Award to a single contractor streamlines project management and execution.
Project addresses essential safety and operational requirements for a major Air Force installation.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction sector (NAICS 237310), specifically focusing on airfield infrastructure. The market for airfield construction and repair is specialized, often involving significant regulatory compliance and safety standards. Spending in this sector is driven by military readiness, civilian aviation needs, and general infrastructure investment. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found in large-scale civil engineering projects and other military base construction contracts.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Coffman Specialties, Inc. is likely a mid-to-large-sized business. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this award notice. Without specific subcontracting goals, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is limited to potential opportunities if the prime contractor chooses to engage them.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Defense's contracting and engineering commands, with potential involvement from the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to investigations of fraud, waste, or abuse. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases like FPDS, though detailed project progress reports are typically internal.

Related Government Programs

Airfield Pavement Repair
Military Base Infrastructure
Transportation Construction Contracts
Department of Defense Capital Outlay

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to unforeseen site conditions.
Risk of schedule delays due to weather or contractor performance.
Limited competition may impact long-term pricing strategy.
Ensuring quality compliance with stringent military airfield standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $31.4 million to COFFMAN SPECIALTIES, INC.. IGF::OT::IGF REPAIR TAXIWAY SHOULDER/ LIGHTS TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, FAIRFIELD CA.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is COFFMAN SPECIALTIES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $31.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-10-18. End: 2019-01-31.

What is the track record of Coffman Specialties, Inc. with federal contracts, particularly within the Department of Defense?

Coffman Specialties, Inc. has a history of securing federal contracts, primarily within the Department of Defense. Analysis of their contract awards reveals a focus on construction and repair services, often related to infrastructure at military installations. While this specific $31.4 million contract for taxiway repair at Travis AFB is a significant award, their broader federal contracting portfolio would need to be examined to fully assess their performance history, including on-time delivery, budget adherence, and quality of work on previous projects. A review of past performance evaluations and any documented disputes or claims would provide further insight into their reliability as a federal contractor.

How does the awarded price compare to similar airfield construction projects in terms of cost per unit (e.g., per square foot of pavement)?

To benchmark the value-for-money of this $31.4 million contract, a detailed cost-per-unit analysis is necessary. This would involve comparing the price against similar airfield pavement repair projects, considering factors like pavement type, thickness, sub-base requirements, and the complexity of lighting system integration. Without specific unit cost breakdowns from the contract award, a precise comparison is difficult. However, general industry data suggests that airfield pavement construction can range significantly, from $50 to over $200 per square foot, depending on these variables. The number of bids (3) suggests the price was competitive within the market solicited, but a deeper dive into the contractor's bid and the government's cost estimate would be required for a definitive value assessment.

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

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential unforeseen subsurface conditions (e.g., soil instability, underground utilities) that could lead to scope creep and cost overruns, weather-related delays impacting the 470-day schedule, and potential quality control issues during construction. The fixed-price contract type inherently mitigates financial risk for the government by shifting cost overrun responsibility to the contractor. Mitigation for schedule risks would involve detailed project planning, contingency allowances for weather, and robust oversight. Quality control would be managed through government inspections and adherence to stringent military construction standards. The limited number of bidders (3) could also represent a risk if it indicates a lack of robust competition, potentially leading to less favorable pricing.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' strategy for airfield construction contracts of this magnitude?

The 'full and open competition' strategy is generally the most effective approach for federal contracts, including airfield construction projects of this magnitude, as it maximizes the pool of potential bidders and promotes price competition. For this $31.4 million contract, receiving three bids suggests that the strategy was successful in attracting market interest. However, the effectiveness is also measured by the quality of the bids received and the ultimate price paid. If the three bids were significantly higher than the government's estimate, or if the chosen contractor had limited relevant experience, the effectiveness could be questioned. Ideally, a higher number of bids would indicate stronger competition and potentially better value, but the specialized nature of airfield construction can limit the number of qualified bidders.

What is the historical spending trend for airfield infrastructure repair at Travis Air Force Base or similar Air Force installations?

Analyzing historical spending trends for airfield infrastructure repair at Travis Air Force Base and comparable Air Force installations is crucial for context. This $31.4 million contract represents a significant investment, but its appropriateness depends on the baseline spending and the frequency of major repair cycles. Data from previous years would reveal if this award is an anomaly or part of a consistent maintenance program. Factors such as the age of the airfield, operational tempo, and previous repair efforts influence these trends. Understanding this history helps determine if current spending levels are adequate, excessive, or insufficient to maintain critical infrastructure, and whether this contract represents a one-time major repair or a recurring need.

What are the implications of the fixed-price contract type (PT) for government oversight and contractor performance?

The Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type, as indicated for this award, places the primary responsibility for cost control on the contractor. This is generally advantageous for the government as it provides cost certainty and limits the risk of budget overruns. For government oversight, the focus shifts from monitoring costs to ensuring compliance with the contract's technical specifications, quality standards, and delivery schedule. While the contractor bears the financial risk, the government must still maintain robust oversight to verify that the work is performed correctly and meets all requirements. Contractor performance is incentivized by the potential for profit if they can complete the work efficiently within the fixed price, but conversely, they absorb losses if costs exceed the agreed-upon amount.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction › Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: N6247315R2408

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 9685 VIA EXCELENCIA STE 200, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92126

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $31,366,373

Exercised Options: $31,366,373

Current Obligation: $31,366,373

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N6247315D2442

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline