DoD's $33.7M Jacksonville facility contract awarded to Archer Western Federal JV shows fair competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $33,682,992 ($33.7M)

Contractor: Archer Western Federal JV

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2020-06-09

End Date: 2026-05-12

Contract Duration: 2,163 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: CON: P672 TARGETING&SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM FACILITY, NAS JACKSONVILLE, FL

Place of Performance

Location: JACKSONVILLE, DUVAL County, FLORIDA, 32212

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $33.7 million to ARCHER WESTERN FEDERAL JV for work described as: CON: P672 TARGETING&SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM FACILITY, NAS JACKSONVILLE, FL Key points: 1. Contract value of $33.7 million for a targeting and surveillance system facility. 2. Awarded to Archer Western Federal JV under full and open competition. 3. Performance period spans from June 2020 to May 2026. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests predictable costs. 5. Facility located at NAS Jacksonville, Florida. 6. No small business set-aside indicated for this contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $33.7 million for a targeting and surveillance system facility appears reasonable given the scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar construction projects for military facilities would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed price structure helps control costs, but detailed cost breakdowns are not available for granular comparison. The contractor, Archer Western Federal JV, has experience in federal construction.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders were likely considered. The presence of two bids suggests a competitive environment, which generally leads to better pricing for the government. The specific number of bidders and the details of the solicitation process are not provided, but the 'full and open' designation implies a robust competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically benefits taxpayers by driving down prices through market forces, ensuring the government receives the best value for its investment.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense and the Navy, receiving a critical facility for targeting and surveillance operations. The contract delivers construction services for a specialized facility. The geographic impact is localized to NAS Jacksonville, Florida. The contract supports the construction workforce in the Florida region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen construction challenges arise, despite the fixed-price nature.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical facility's construction.
Limited insight into the specific technological capabilities of the 'targeting & surveillance system facility'.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty.
Contractor has experience in federal construction projects.
Long performance period allows for structured project execution.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector. The market for federal construction, particularly for specialized military facilities, is significant. This project represents a specific investment in defense infrastructure, contributing to the broader landscape of government contracting within the construction industry. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing costs of similar military facility constructions.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside, as indicated by 'sb: false'. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans or their impact on the small business ecosystem. Without specific set-aside goals or subcontracting requirements, the direct impact on small businesses is unclear.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the Department of the Navy contracting officers and potentially the Naval Facilities Engineering Command. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract, with penalties for non-performance. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award notice, though detailed project management and inspection reports are not publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Military Construction
Naval Facilities
Defense Infrastructure Projects
Targeting Systems
Surveillance Technology Facilities

Risk Flags

Long performance period may increase risk of cost escalation or design obsolescence.
Limited public detail on specific technological requirements of the facility.
No indication of small business subcontracting goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $33.7 million to ARCHER WESTERN FEDERAL JV. CON: P672 TARGETING&SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM FACILITY, NAS JACKSONVILLE, FL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ARCHER WESTERN FEDERAL JV.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $33.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-06-09. End: 2026-05-12.

What is the specific purpose and technological capability of the 'Targeting & Surveillance System Facility' being constructed?

The provided data does not detail the specific technological capabilities or the precise operational purpose of the 'Targeting & Surveillance System Facility'. Such facilities are typically designed to house and support advanced systems used for intelligence gathering, reconnaissance, and potentially offensive targeting operations. Their construction often involves specialized infrastructure requirements, including secure areas, advanced power and cooling systems, and robust communication networks. Further details would likely be found in classified or internal Department of Defense documentation, as this information is often sensitive for national security reasons.

How does the awarded price of $33.7 million compare to similar military facility construction projects?

A direct comparison of the $33.7 million contract value to similar military facility construction projects requires access to a database of comparable projects, including their size, scope, technological integration, and location. Without such a benchmark, assessing whether this price represents excellent, good, or fair value is challenging. Factors like the firm fixed-price nature suggest cost control, but the complexity of 'targeting and surveillance systems' could introduce unique cost drivers not present in standard construction. A comprehensive analysis would involve identifying projects with similar square footage, specialized equipment integration, and security requirements within the Department of Defense.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for Archer Western Federal JV on this contract?

Key performance indicators for this contract would likely revolve around adherence to the project schedule, quality of construction, adherence to budget (within the firm fixed-price), safety compliance, and meeting the specific technical requirements for the targeting and surveillance system facility. The Department of the Navy would establish these KPIs, and performance would be monitored through regular progress reports, site inspections, and potentially post-occupancy evaluations. Failure to meet these KPIs could result in contractual remedies, including financial penalties or termination, depending on the severity of the performance issues.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar facilities or projects at NAS Jacksonville?

Historical spending patterns for similar facilities or projects at NAS Jacksonville are not detailed in the provided data. To ascertain this, one would need to access historical contract databases and filter for construction projects, specifically those related to intelligence, surveillance, or command and control facilities, at NAS Jacksonville or similar naval installations. Analyzing past expenditures would help establish a baseline for cost expectations and identify any significant deviations or trends in spending for such specialized infrastructure.

What are the potential risks associated with the long performance period (2020-2026) for this construction project?

The extended performance period of nearly six years (June 2020 to May 2026) for this construction project presents several potential risks. These include the possibility of escalating material and labor costs over time, even within a fixed-price contract, if escalation clauses are not carefully managed or if unforeseen market shifts occur. There's also a risk of design obsolescence if the 'targeting and surveillance systems' technology evolves significantly during the construction phase, potentially requiring costly modifications. Furthermore, a longer duration increases the likelihood of encountering unforeseen site conditions or regulatory changes. Contractor performance consistency over such an extended period can also be a concern.

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: N6945018R0700

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 929 W ADAMS ST, CHICAGO, IL, 60607

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $33,682,992

Exercised Options: $33,682,992

Current Obligation: $33,682,992

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N6945019D0907

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline