DoD's $6.8M Post-Construction Award Services Contract for Engineering Test Facility Awarded to Merrick-RS & H Joint Venture

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,837,245 ($6.8M)

Contractor: Merrick-Rs & H Joint Venture LLP

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-12-19

End Date: 2028-06-30

Contract Duration: 924 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: POST CONSTRUCTION AWARD SERVICES (PCAS) FOR THE P103 - ENGINEERING TEST FACILITY

Place of Performance

Location: CAPE CANAVERAL, BREVARD County, FLORIDA, 32920

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $6.8 million to MERRICK-RS & H JOINT VENTURE LLP for work described as: POST CONSTRUCTION AWARD SERVICES (PCAS) FOR THE P103 - ENGINEERING TEST FACILITY Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential post-construction engineering support, crucial for facility operational readiness. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration of 924 days indicates a significant, long-term need for these services. 4. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide predictability. 5. The specific nature of 'Post Construction Award Services' highlights a critical but often overlooked phase of large infrastructure projects. 6. Geographic focus on Florida may indicate a concentration of naval engineering facilities in the region.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

Benchmarking the value of this specific 'Post Construction Award Services' contract is challenging without more granular data on the scope of services and comparable projects. However, the fixed-price nature suggests an effort to manage costs. The total award amount of $6.8 million over approximately 2.5 years appears reasonable for specialized engineering support on a significant facility, assuming the scope aligns with industry standards for similar projects. Further analysis would require comparing the per-diem or hourly rates against market benchmarks for engineering consultants in the defense sector.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This suggests a robust bidding process where multiple firms likely vied for the opportunity. The level of competition is not explicitly stated in terms of the number of bidders, but the designation implies a market where several qualified entities could meet the requirements, potentially driving competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more favorable pricing and a wider selection of qualified contractors, ensuring the government receives the best value.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Navy and its personnel who will utilize the P103 Engineering Test Facility. Services delivered will ensure the facility is properly commissioned, tested, and ready for its intended operational use. The geographic impact is concentrated in Florida, where the facility is located. Workforce implications include employment for specialized engineering and technical personnel employed by Merrick-RS & H Joint Venture LLP.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if post-construction needs are not clearly defined and managed.
Reliance on a single joint venture may limit future competitive options if performance issues arise.
Ensuring effective knowledge transfer from the construction phase to the post-construction services team.

Positive Signals

Award to a joint venture suggests a combination of specialized expertise brought together for this project.
Fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Long contract duration allows for sustained support and deep understanding of the facility's needs.

Sector Analysis

The engineering services sector supporting defense infrastructure is a critical component of national security. This contract falls within the broader engineering services industry (NAICS 541330), which includes firms providing specialized design and consulting services for military and civilian infrastructure. The market size for defense engineering services is substantial, driven by ongoing modernization, maintenance, and new construction of facilities. This specific contract addresses the vital post-construction phase, ensuring that complex engineering facilities are properly commissioned and operational, a niche but essential part of the overall defense construction and facility management ecosystem.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, and the prime contractor, Merrick-RS & H Joint Venture LLP, is a joint venture, which may or may not qualify as a small business depending on its structure and constituent members. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting goals for small businesses within the provided data. Further investigation would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist and if they are being utilized to engage the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of the Navy's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, which incentivizes the contractor to complete work within budget. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Contracts
Department of Defense Construction and Engineering Services
Military Test and Evaluation Facilities
Post-Construction Commissioning Services

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep
Dependency on construction completion timeline
Complexity of specialized engineering systems

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $6.8 million to MERRICK-RS & H JOINT VENTURE LLP. POST CONSTRUCTION AWARD SERVICES (PCAS) FOR THE P103 - ENGINEERING TEST FACILITY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MERRICK-RS & H JOINT VENTURE LLP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-12-19. End: 2028-06-30.

What is the specific scope of 'Post Construction Award Services' included in this contract?

The provided data abbreviates the contract description as 'POST CONSTRUCTION AWARD SERVICES (PCAS) FOR THE P103 - ENGINEERING TEST FACILITY.' While the exact deliverables are not detailed, PCAS typically encompasses a range of activities necessary after the primary construction phase is complete but before full operational capability is achieved. This can include final inspections, system testing and commissioning, verification of as-built documentation, addressing punch list items, warranty management, initial operational support, and ensuring compliance with all regulatory and safety standards. For an engineering test facility, these services are critical to ensure the specialized equipment and infrastructure function as designed and meet stringent performance requirements.

How does the $6.8 million award compare to similar post-construction engineering service contracts for defense facilities?

Directly comparing this $6.8 million award requires access to a database of similar 'Post Construction Award Services' contracts for defense facilities, which is not publicly available in a readily comparable format. However, the duration of the contract (924 days, approximately 2.5 years) suggests a substantial scope of work. For large-scale defense infrastructure projects, post-construction services can represent a significant portion of the overall project lifecycle cost, often ranging from 5-15% depending on complexity. Given the specialized nature of an 'Engineering Test Facility,' the cost appears within a reasonable range for comprehensive support, assuming the scope aligns with industry norms for such critical infrastructure.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate the success of this contract?

Specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract are not detailed in the provided data. However, for post-construction award services, typical KPIs would likely include timely completion of commissioning and testing phases, successful resolution of all identified deficiencies (punch list items), accuracy and completeness of as-built documentation, adherence to safety protocols during testing, and successful handover to the operational team. For a firm-fixed-price contract, meeting these performance objectives within the agreed-upon schedule and cost would be the primary measure of success. The Department of the Navy would establish specific metrics based on the facility's operational requirements.

What is the track record of Merrick-RS & H Joint Venture LLP in performing similar defense engineering contracts?

Merrick-RS & H Joint Venture LLP is a joint venture formed by Merrick & Company and RS&H, Inc. Both parent companies have extensive experience in providing engineering, architecture, and construction management services to government and defense clients. Merrick has a strong background in aerospace and defense facility design, while RS&H has a significant portfolio in military infrastructure, including test facilities and aviation projects. As a joint venture, their combined expertise is leveraged for large, complex projects. While specific performance data for this particular joint venture on similar contracts isn't detailed here, the established reputations of the individual firms suggest a strong capability to execute this type of work.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Potential risks include scope creep, where unforeseen issues require additional work beyond the initial contract scope, potentially leading to cost overruns despite the fixed-price nature. Delays in construction completion could impact the start of post-construction services. Technical challenges in commissioning specialized test equipment are also a risk. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust project management, clear definition of service boundaries, contingency planning, and close collaboration between the contractor, the Navy, and potentially the original construction firm. The fixed-price contract itself acts as a mitigation tool by incentivizing the contractor to manage costs efficiently.

How does this contract fit into the broader context of the Department of the Navy's infrastructure investments in Florida?

The Department of the Navy maintains a significant presence in Florida, with numerous bases and facilities supporting various mission requirements, including research, development, testing, and training. The P103 Engineering Test Facility likely supports a specific naval capability, such as advanced weapons systems testing, materials research, or aerospace development. This contract for post-construction services is a crucial step in ensuring that these strategic investments are brought to full operational status efficiently and effectively. It reflects the Navy's ongoing commitment to modernizing and maintaining its infrastructure to support its operational readiness and technological advancement goals in the region.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ARCHITECT-ENGINEER FAR 6.102

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8051 E MAPLEWOOD AVE STE 300, GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO, 80111

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,837,245

Exercised Options: $6,837,245

Current Obligation: $6,837,245

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N6945025D0033

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline