P&S Construction awarded $11.7M for Shaw AFB RAPCON, with 3 bidders in a competitive process

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,749,836 ($11.7M)

Contractor: P & S Construction Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2023-06-28

End Date: 2026-07-24

Contract Duration: 1,122 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.5K/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: P214 RAPCON AT SHAW AFB, SC

Place of Performance

Location: SHAW AFB, SUMTER County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29152

State: South Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $11.7 million to P & S CONSTRUCTION INC. for work described as: P214 RAPCON AT SHAW AFB, SC Key points: 1. The contract value of $11.7 million appears reasonable given the scope of construction services. 2. Full and open competition after exclusion of sources suggests a deliberate procurement strategy. 3. The fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor. 4. The project duration of 1122 days indicates a significant, long-term construction effort. 5. The contractor, P&S Construction Inc., is based in South Carolina, aligning with the project location. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 236220 points to commercial building construction.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $11.7 million for the P214 RAPCON project at Shaw AFB is within a typical range for similar large-scale construction and renovation projects. Benchmarking against other Department of Defense construction contracts of comparable size and complexity would be necessary for a precise value-for-money assessment. However, the presence of multiple bidders in a competitive process generally supports a fair market price.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that while the competition was intended to be broad, specific sources were excluded for reasons not detailed in the provided data. Three bidders participated, which is a moderate level of competition. This suggests that while multiple firms were considered, the exclusion criteria may have narrowed the field, potentially impacting the ultimate price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A moderate number of bidders, even after exclusions, generally leads to competitive pricing. However, the specific reasons for excluding sources could have limited the competitive pressure, potentially resulting in a less optimal price for taxpayers than a truly unrestricted full and open competition.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Air Force personnel at Shaw Air Force Base, who will gain improved radar approach control facilities. The project delivers essential infrastructure upgrades for air traffic management and safety. The geographic impact is concentrated at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina. The contract supports the construction workforce, likely including skilled trades and project management professionals in the local South Carolina area.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions arise during the extended construction period.
Risk of schedule delays due to the complexity of military construction projects and potential supply chain disruptions.
The 'exclusion of sources' aspect warrants further investigation to ensure no viable, competitive contractors were unfairly barred.

Positive Signals

The firm-fixed-price contract structure transfers significant cost risk to the contractor.
The contractor, P&S Construction Inc., is located in the same state as the project, potentially leading to better logistical coordination and local economic benefit.
The award follows a competitive process, suggesting a degree of vetting and selection based on qualifications and price.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector (NAICS 236220). This sector is characterized by a mix of large, established construction firms and smaller specialized contractors. Federal construction spending in this area is substantial, driven by the need to maintain and upgrade military bases, government facilities, and other public infrastructure. The market size for federal construction is significant, and contracts like this represent a portion of that spending, often subject to specific federal regulations and procurement processes.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a primary set-aside goal for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). While there is no explicit small business set-aside, the prime contractor, P&S Construction Inc., may still engage small businesses as subcontractors. The extent of subcontracting to small businesses will depend on the prime contractor's strategy and the availability of qualified small business firms for specific construction trades. Further analysis of subcontracting plans would be needed to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant Department of the Navy or Air Force contracting and engineering departments. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability for cost control, placing the onus on the contractor to manage expenses. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected or reported.

Related Government Programs

Military Construction Projects
Air Traffic Control Facilities
Department of Defense Infrastructure Modernization
Federal Building Construction Contracts
Shaw Air Force Base Operations Support

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined.
Contractor's financial stability and bonding capacity.
Availability of specialized construction materials and labor.
Environmental compliance and permitting challenges.
Security requirements for a military installation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $11.7 million to P & S CONSTRUCTION INC.. P214 RAPCON AT SHAW AFB, SC

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is P & S CONSTRUCTION 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 $11.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-06-28. End: 2026-07-24.

What is the track record of P&S Construction Inc. on federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Defense?

A review of federal contract databases (like FPDS) would be necessary to fully assess P&S Construction Inc.'s track record. Key metrics to examine would include the number and value of previous federal awards, performance ratings on past contracts (if available), types of services rendered, and any history of contract disputes or terminations. Understanding their experience with similar-sized projects and military construction specifically would provide crucial context for evaluating their capability to successfully execute the Shaw AFB RAPCON project. Without this specific data, the assessment relies on the assumption that the selection process vetted their qualifications adequately.

How does the awarded price compare to similar RAPCON construction projects at other military installations?

To benchmark the value, one would need to identify comparable RAPCON or similar air traffic control facility construction projects awarded by the Department of Defense or other federal agencies over the past few years. Key comparison points would include contract value, project scope (square footage, specific systems installed), duration, and location. Adjustments for inflation and regional cost differences would be essential. If similar projects were awarded through full and open competition with a higher number of bidders and resulted in significantly lower per-square-foot costs or overall project costs, it might suggest this award is on the higher end. Conversely, if it aligns with or is lower than comparable projects, it supports the value-for-money assessment.

What are the specific risks associated with the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' procurement method for this project?

This procurement method implies that while the competition was intended to be broad, certain potential bidders were deliberately excluded. The risks stem from the potential reasons for exclusion. If sources were excluded due to highly specialized capabilities or past performance issues with other contractors, it might be a justifiable risk mitigation strategy. However, if sources were excluded arbitrarily or due to administrative reasons, it could limit competition, potentially leading to higher prices or reduced innovation. It also raises concerns about fairness and equal opportunity in federal contracting. Understanding the justification for the exclusion is critical to assessing whether this method optimized value for the government or introduced unnecessary risks.

What is the expected impact of this project on the operational efficiency and safety of air traffic control at Shaw AFB?

The P214 RAPCON project is intended to modernize or upgrade the Radar Approach Control facility at Shaw AFB. Improved facilities typically lead to enhanced operational efficiency through better technology integration, more reliable systems, and improved working conditions for air traffic controllers. Safety is paramount in air traffic control; therefore, upgrades are expected to reduce the risk of system failures, improve situational awareness through advanced radar and communication systems, and ensure compliance with current aviation standards. The successful completion of this project should contribute to safer and more efficient airspace management around the base.

How has federal spending on similar construction projects for air traffic control facilities trended over the last five fiscal years?

Analyzing federal spending trends for air traffic control facility construction requires querying databases like FPDS using relevant NAICS codes (e.g., 236220 for general building construction, potentially others related to electronic systems installation) and keywords related to 'air traffic control,' 'RAPCON,' 'ATC tower,' etc., across agencies like the DoD, FAA, and potentially GSA. A trend analysis would reveal whether spending in this specific niche has increased, decreased, or remained stable. Factors influencing trends could include aging infrastructure requiring replacement, technological upgrades, increased air traffic volume, or shifts in military readiness priorities. Understanding these trends provides context for the current $11.7 million award.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) that will be used to measure the success of this construction contract?

Key performance indicators for a construction contract like this typically revolve around schedule adherence, cost control, quality of workmanship, and safety compliance. Specific KPIs might include: meeting key project milestones on time, staying within the contracted budget (especially critical for a firm-fixed-price contract), achieving specified quality standards as verified by inspections and testing, maintaining a low incident rate for workplace safety (e.g., OSHA recordable incidents), and ensuring the final facility meets all functional and technical requirements outlined in the contract specifications. The contracting officer's representative (COR) would be responsible for monitoring these KPIs throughout the project lifecycle.

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

Solicitation ID: N6945020R0871

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 11 SCHOOL ST STE 1, NORTH CHELMSFORD, MA, 01863

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,697,336

Exercised Options: $11,749,836

Current Obligation: $11,749,836

Actual Outlays: $963,028

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N6945022D0005

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline