Navy awards $3.7M contract for expansion joint repair, highlighting construction sector activity

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,738,939 ($3.7M)

Contractor: Patricia I. Romero, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-11-22

End Date: 2026-02-02

Contract Duration: 437 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.6K/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: REPAIR/REFURBISH/REPLACE EXPANSION JOINTS

Place of Performance

Location: SAN DIEGO, SAN DIEGO County, CALIFORNIA, 92136

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $3.7 million to PATRICIA I. ROMERO, INC. for work described as: REPAIR/REFURBISH/REPLACE EXPANSION JOINTS Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential building maintenance, indicating ongoing infrastructure needs. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 4. The duration of the contract suggests a significant scope of work. 5. Geographic focus on California points to regional construction demands. 6. This award represents a small portion of overall federal construction spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.7 million for expansion joint repair appears reasonable given the scope and duration. Without specific benchmarks for this exact type of repair in California, a direct per-unit cost comparison is difficult. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty. The award amount is within the typical range for commercial and institutional building construction projects of this scale.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating that while the competition was broad, certain sources may have been excluded for specific reasons. Three bids were received, suggesting a moderate level of competition. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery, though the exclusion of sources could potentially limit the lowest possible price.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive process, even with exclusions, likely resulted in a fair market price for taxpayers. The receipt of multiple bids helps ensure that the awarded price is not excessively high.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Navy, ensuring the structural integrity of its facilities. The service delivered is the repair and refurbishment of expansion joints, crucial for building longevity. The geographic impact is concentrated in California, supporting local construction jobs and businesses. Workforce implications include employment for skilled construction laborers, technicians, and project managers in the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen issues arise beyond the scope of expansion joint repair.
Dependence on the contractor's ability to source specialized materials and labor within the specified timeline.
Risk of delays due to weather or site-specific conditions impacting construction schedules.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract structure provides cost predictability.
Awarded to a contractor with experience in commercial and institutional building construction.
Clear delivery and performance periods defined in the contract.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a significant segment of the U.S. economy. Federal spending in this area supports the maintenance and upgrade of government-owned facilities. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other contracts for similar repair work on large structures, factoring in regional labor costs and material prices.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that this was not a small business set-aside, and the contractor, PATRICIA I. ROMERO, INC., is not explicitly identified as a small business in this context. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. This suggests that the primary contract may not directly benefit the small business ecosystem, although the prime contractor might engage small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant Department of the Navy project managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards and delivery schedules. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed project-specific oversight reports are not publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building Maintenance Contracts
Department of Defense Construction Projects
Infrastructure Repair and Modernization
Commercial Building Construction Services

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep beyond expansion joint repair.
Contractor performance risk.
Material availability and cost fluctuations.
Site-specific environmental or access challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $3.7 million to PATRICIA I. ROMERO, INC.. REPAIR/REFURBISH/REPLACE EXPANSION JOINTS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PATRICIA I. ROMERO, 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 $3.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-11-22. End: 2026-02-02.

What is the track record of PATRICIA I. ROMERO, INC. with federal contracts, particularly for similar construction or repair work?

A review of federal contract databases would be necessary to fully assess PATRICIA I. ROMERO, INC.'s track record. This would involve examining past performance on similar projects, including contract values, timeliness of delivery, and any reported disputes or terminations. Understanding their history with the Department of the Navy or other federal agencies would provide insight into their reliability and capability for executing this expansion joint repair contract. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to definitively gauge their past performance, but the award itself suggests they met initial qualification criteria.

How does the awarded price of $3.7 million compare to market rates for similar expansion joint repair services in California?

Benchmarking this $3.7 million contract against market rates for similar expansion joint repair in California requires detailed cost breakdowns and regional market analysis. Factors such as the square footage of joints repaired, complexity of the repair, materials used, and labor rates in the specific California location are critical. Generally, fixed-price contracts aim to align with market expectations, but without access to detailed bids or independent cost estimates, a precise comparison is challenging. Industry cost guides and consultation with construction cost estimators specializing in California would be needed for a robust benchmark.

What are the specific risks associated with repairing expansion joints on Department of the Navy facilities, and how are they mitigated in this contract?

Risks associated with expansion joint repair can include structural integrity issues, unforeseen subsurface conditions, material degradation beyond initial assessment, and environmental factors. The contract's fixed-price nature helps mitigate financial risk for the government by capping costs. Mitigation strategies likely include detailed site assessments prior to work, clear specifications for materials and repair methods, and performance standards. The contract duration (over a year) suggests a phased approach, allowing for monitoring and adjustments. The 'exclusion of sources' clause might also indicate a pre-qualification process to select contractors with proven risk management capabilities for such specialized work.

What is the expected impact of this contract on the operational readiness or facility maintenance of the specific Navy installation(s) in California?

This contract is directly aimed at enhancing the operational readiness and facility maintenance of the targeted Navy installation(s) by addressing critical structural components. Expansion joints are vital for the longevity and safety of buildings, preventing water intrusion, thermal stress damage, and structural fatigue. By repairing these joints, the contract ensures that facilities remain functional, secure, and capable of supporting naval operations without interruption from structural deficiencies. The timely completion of this work will contribute to a more reliable and cost-effective infrastructure base for the Navy in California.

How does the $3.7 million award compare to historical federal spending on expansion joint repair or similar building maintenance contracts?

Comparing this $3.7 million award to historical federal spending requires analyzing trends in construction and maintenance contracts over time. Federal spending on building maintenance, including specialized repairs like expansion joints, can fluctuate based on infrastructure age, budget allocations, and modernization priorities. This specific award represents a significant but not extraordinary investment for a project of this nature. To provide context, one would need to examine the average contract values for similar repairs awarded by the Department of Defense or other agencies in previous fiscal years, adjusting for inflation and scope variations.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: N6247318R2294

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1248 COOLIDGE AVE, NATIONAL CITY, CA, 91950

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, HUBZone Firm, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,738,939

Exercised Options: $3,738,939

Current Obligation: $3,738,939

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N6247320D0036

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline