DoD Awards $47.9M for Radiographic Building at NAWS China Lake, CA to Harper Construction

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $47,897,375 ($47.9M)

Contractor: Harper Construction Company, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-05-20

End Date: 2024-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,229 days

Daily Burn Rate: $39.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: P1919 - RADIOGRAPHIC BUILDING - NAWS CHINA LAKE, CA

Place of Performance

Location: RIDGECREST, KERN County, CALIFORNIA, 93555

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $47.9 million to HARPER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. for work described as: P1919 - RADIOGRAPHIC BUILDING - NAWS CHINA LAKE, CA Key points: 1. Spending is concentrated within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector. 2. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive market. 3. The project duration is substantial at 1229 days, indicating a complex undertaking. 4. No small business participation is noted, which could be a missed opportunity for economic inclusion.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award amount of $47.9 million for a radiographic building appears to be within a reasonable range for large-scale construction projects of this nature. Benchmarking against similar specialized government construction contracts would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded using full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders were likely considered. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive bidding process is expected to have secured a fair price for taxpayers, although the final cost-effectiveness will depend on project execution and adherence to budget.

Public Impact

Construction of a specialized radiographic building will enhance critical research and testing capabilities at NAWS China Lake. The project will create construction jobs in the California region. The facility's specialized nature suggests it will support advanced defense or scientific operations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Lack of small business participation.
  • Long project duration may increase risk of cost overruns or delays.

Positive Signals

  • Awarded via full and open competition.
  • Firm fixed price contract type limits cost risk for the government.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a significant area of government spending. Benchmarks for similar specialized facility construction projects are essential for a comprehensive value assessment.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded to small businesses, as indicated by the 'sb' field being false. This suggests that opportunities for small business subcontracting may have been limited or not pursued.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of the Navy, as the contracting agency, is responsible for oversight. The firm fixed price contract type provides some cost control, but diligent project management is crucial for ensuring accountability and timely completion.

Related Government Programs

  • Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Department of the Navy Programs

Risk Flags

  • Lack of small business participation.
  • Long project duration.
  • Potential for cost escalation impacting contractor viability.
  • Specialized nature of construction may limit contractor pool.

Tags

commercial-and-institutional-building-co, department-of-defense, ca, delivery-order, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $47.9 million to HARPER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC.. P1919 - RADIOGRAPHIC BUILDING - NAWS CHINA LAKE, CA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HARPER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, 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 $47.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-05-20. End: 2024-09-30.

What is the specific purpose and criticality of this radiographic building for NAWS China Lake's operations?

The radiographic building is likely intended to support advanced materials testing, non-destructive evaluation, or specialized research requiring controlled radiation environments. Its criticality stems from enabling essential defense research and development activities that cannot be performed elsewhere, ensuring technological superiority and operational readiness.

What are the potential risks associated with the 1229-day project duration and the firm fixed price contract?

A long duration increases the risk of unforeseen site conditions, material price fluctuations, and labor availability issues, which could strain the fixed price. While the firm fixed price protects the government from cost overruns, the contractor may face significant losses if costs escalate beyond projections, potentially impacting project quality or completion.

How does the cost of this building compare to similar specialized construction projects, and what is the expected return on investment?

Without specific benchmarks for specialized radiographic facilities, a direct cost comparison is difficult. The return on investment is primarily measured by the enhanced operational capabilities and research outcomes enabled by the new facility, contributing to national security and technological advancement rather than direct financial returns.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ConstructionNonresidential Building ConstructionCommercial and Institutional Building Construction

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIESCONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: N6247319R1237

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2241 KETTNER BLVD STE 300, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92101

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $47,897,375

Exercised Options: $47,897,375

Current Obligation: $47,897,375

Actual Outlays: $16,525,048

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 24

Total Subaward Amount: $33,905,524

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N6247321D1206

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2021-05-20

Current End Date: 2024-09-30

Potential End Date: 2024-09-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2024-09-04

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