R.A. Burch Construction awarded $16.5M contract for ammunition storage facility at Travis Air Force Base

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,471,888 ($16.5M)

Contractor: R.A. Burch Construction CO., Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-09-10

End Date: 2027-03-15

Contract Duration: 551 days

Daily Burn Rate: $29.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: CONSTRUCT A NEW AMMUNITION STORAGE RC BOX AT TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE. THIS FACILITY WILL BE DESIGNED FOR A 7-BAR, 5 SLIDING BLAST DOORS AND 5 STORAGE BAYS USING REINFORCED CONCRETE FOR THE SHELL.

Place of Performance

Location: TRAVIS AFB, SOLANO County, CALIFORNIA, 94535

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $16.5 million to R.A. BURCH CONSTRUCTION CO., INC. for work described as: CONSTRUCT A NEW AMMUNITION STORAGE RC BOX AT TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE. THIS FACILITY WILL BE DESIGNED FOR A 7-BAR, 5 SLIDING BLAST DOORS AND 5 STORAGE BAYS USING REINFORCED CONCRETE FOR THE SHELL. Key points: 1. The contract focuses on constructing a specialized ammunition storage facility, indicating a need for enhanced safety and security measures. 2. The project involves significant use of reinforced concrete and blast-resistant features, suggesting a high-risk environment for munitions storage. 3. The firm fixed-price contract type aims to control costs by establishing a set price for the construction services. 4. The duration of the contract, spanning over 550 days, suggests a complex and substantial construction undertaking. 5. The project's location in California places it within a region with significant military infrastructure and operational needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $16.5 million for a specialized ammunition storage facility appears reasonable given the scope of work, which includes reinforced concrete construction and blast-resistant features. Benchmarking against similar Department of Defense construction projects for secure storage facilities would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure helps mitigate cost overruns for the government, assuming the initial bid accurately reflects the project's complexity.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' which suggests that while competition was sought, certain sources were excluded for specific reasons, potentially related to specialized capabilities or security clearances. The number of bidders is not explicitly stated, but the limited competition aspect might imply fewer than a full and open competition, potentially impacting price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Limited competition can sometimes lead to higher prices for taxpayers if the excluded sources represent significant competitive alternatives. However, if exclusions were based on necessary specialized qualifications, it could ensure project success and long-term value.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Air Force personnel and operations at Travis Air Force Base, who will gain enhanced capabilities for safe ammunition storage. The service delivered is the construction of a critical piece of infrastructure designed to meet stringent safety and security standards for munitions. The geographic impact is localized to Travis Air Force Base in California, supporting its operational readiness and mission capabilities. The project will likely have workforce implications, creating jobs in the construction sector within California during the project's duration.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions or material price fluctuations occur, despite the firm fixed-price contract.
Risk of schedule delays due to the complexity of specialized construction and potential supply chain issues for materials.
Ensuring compliance with all environmental and safety regulations during the construction of a facility handling munitions.
The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition process warrants scrutiny to ensure it was justified and did not unduly limit competition.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Specialized design with blast doors and reinforced concrete indicates a focus on safety and security, crucial for munitions storage.
The project supports critical military infrastructure, enhancing operational readiness.
The contract duration is clearly defined, allowing for project planning and resource allocation.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the commercial and institutional building construction sector, specifically focusing on specialized government facilities. The market for constructing secure military infrastructure is a niche within the broader construction industry, often characterized by stringent requirements, high security protocols, and specific material demands. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other Department of Defense contracts for similar secure storage or hardened facilities, which typically command premium pricing due to the specialized nature and risk mitigation involved.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside consideration for this specific contract. This suggests that the prime contractor, R.A. Burch Construction Co., Inc., is likely a larger entity. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses, which could be a missed opportunity to engage the small business ecosystem in supporting this critical infrastructure project.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of the Navy's contracting and engineering divisions, given their role as the servicing agency. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract, which holds the contractor responsible for delivering the specified facility within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific oversight reports or inspector general investigations would only become public if significant issues arise.

Related Government Programs

Military Construction Projects
Department of Defense Facilities
Ammunition Storage Facilities
Travis Air Force Base Infrastructure
Reinforced Concrete Construction

Risk Flags

Limited competition may impact price.
Potential for schedule delays.
Need for rigorous oversight during construction.
Justification for source exclusion requires review.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $16.5 million to R.A. BURCH CONSTRUCTION CO., INC.. CONSTRUCT A NEW AMMUNITION STORAGE RC BOX AT TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE. THIS FACILITY WILL BE DESIGNED FOR A 7-BAR, 5 SLIDING BLAST DOORS AND 5 STORAGE BAYS USING REINFORCED CONCRETE FOR THE SHELL.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is R.A. BURCH CONSTRUCTION CO., 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 $16.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-10. End: 2027-03-15.

What is the track record of R.A. Burch Construction Co., Inc. with Department of Defense contracts, particularly for similar specialized facilities?

A review of R.A. Burch Construction Co., Inc.'s contract history with the Department of Defense would be necessary to assess their track record. Specifically, examining past performance on projects involving secure facilities, reinforced concrete structures, or blast-resistant designs would provide insight into their capability and reliability. Data on past project completion times, adherence to budget, and any reported performance issues or awards would be crucial for a comprehensive assessment. Without this specific data, it's difficult to definitively gauge their suitability beyond the current award.

How does the awarded price of $16.5 million compare to similar ammunition storage facility construction projects in the last five years?

To benchmark the $16.5 million award, a comparative analysis of similar ammunition storage facility construction projects undertaken by the Department of Defense or other federal agencies over the past five years is required. Key comparison points would include the square footage, specific security features (e.g., blast doors, seismic resilience), material specifications (e.g., type and thickness of concrete), and geographic location, as construction costs vary regionally. Adjusting for inflation and scale differences would be essential. If comparable projects show significantly lower or higher costs for similar scope, it would indicate whether this contract represents a strong value or a potential area for concern.

What specific risks are associated with the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' method used for this contract?

The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' method implies that while the competition was intended to be broad, certain potential bidders were deliberately excluded. The primary risk is that these exclusions, if not rigorously justified by unique capabilities or security requirements, could limit the pool of qualified contractors, potentially leading to less competitive pricing and reduced innovation. It raises questions about whether the most cost-effective solutions were explored. Transparency regarding the rationale for exclusion is key to assessing whether this approach served the government's best interest or potentially constrained market forces.

What are the projected long-term operational and maintenance costs associated with this new ammunition storage facility?

The initial contract focuses solely on the construction of the ammunition storage facility. Information regarding projected long-term operational and maintenance costs is typically not included in the construction contract itself. These costs would be part of the facility's lifecycle management plan, managed by the end-user agency (likely the Air Force at Travis AFB). Factors influencing these costs would include the durability of the materials used, the complexity of the systems installed (e.g., climate control, security monitoring), and the frequency of required inspections and upkeep. A separate analysis would be needed to estimate these future expenditures.

How does the current spending on ammunition storage infrastructure compare to historical trends for the Department of Defense?

Analyzing current spending on ammunition storage infrastructure requires examining historical budget allocations and contract awards specifically for such facilities across the Department of Defense. This would involve tracking trends in the number, size, and cost of new construction or upgrades over several fiscal years. Factors such as changes in munitions types, evolving safety regulations, geopolitical considerations, and overall defense spending levels would influence these trends. A significant increase or decrease in spending could indicate shifts in strategic priorities, modernization efforts, or responses to identified infrastructure deficiencies.

What are the specific security and safety certifications or standards this facility must meet upon completion?

The construction of an ammunition storage facility necessitates adherence to stringent Department of Defense (DoD) standards and potentially specific Air Force regulations concerning the safe storage of munitions. These standards typically cover aspects like structural integrity, blast mitigation, fire suppression, environmental controls (temperature, humidity), and physical security measures. While the contract specifies reinforced concrete and blast doors, the exact certifications (e.g., compliance with DoD Unified Facilities Criteria - UFC) and specific safety protocols would be detailed in the contract's technical specifications and Statement of Work. Verification of compliance would occur during project closeout and inspection phases.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 405 MAPLE ST STE B101, RAMONA, CA, 92065

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,471,888

Exercised Options: $16,471,888

Current Obligation: $16,471,888

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N6247320D1126

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline