VA awards $20.5M construction contract to F.A. Wilhelm Construction for VAMC Indianapolis upgrades

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,494,016 ($20.5M)

Contractor: F.A. Wilhelm Construction CO., Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2005-06-30

End Date: 2009-11-30

Contract Duration: 1,614 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: WORK INCLUDES GENERAL CONSTRUCTION, ALTERNATIONS, MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL WORK, UTILITY SYSTEMS, ELEVATOR, NECESSARY SELECTED REMOVAL OF EXISTING STRUCTURES AND CONSTRUCTION AT VAMC, INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

Place of Performance

Location: INDIANAPOLIS, MARION County, INDIANA, 46202

State: Indiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $20.5 million to F.A. WILHELM CONSTRUCTION CO., INC for work described as: WORK INCLUDES GENERAL CONSTRUCTION, ALTERNATIONS, MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL WORK, UTILITY SYSTEMS, ELEVATOR, NECESSARY SELECTED REMOVAL OF EXISTING STRUCTURES AND CONSTRUCTION AT VAMC, INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA Key points: 1. Contract awarded for general construction, mechanical, electrical, and utility systems at VAMC Indianapolis. 2. F.A. Wilhelm Construction Co., Inc. secured the contract. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 4. Project duration spans from June 2005 to November 2009. 5. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $20.5 million appears reasonable for a multi-year construction project involving general, mechanical, and electrical work at a major medical facility. Benchmarking against similar VA or large-scale institutional construction projects would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust process for soliciting bids and ensuring competitive pricing. This method typically leads to better price discovery and value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally maximizes taxpayer value by encouraging multiple bidders to offer their best prices.

Public Impact

Improved infrastructure and facilities at the VAMC Indianapolis, enhancing services for veterans. Potential for job creation during the construction period. Ensures modernization of critical healthcare facilities. Supports the Department of Veterans Affairs' mission to provide healthcare.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Contract duration is long (over 4 years), potentially leading to cost overruns if not managed tightly.
Firm Fixed Price contracts can shift risk to the contractor, but scope creep could still impact final cost if not controlled.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process.
Project aims to improve vital healthcare infrastructure for veterans.
Contract awarded to a single entity, potentially simplifying project management.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector. Spending in this sector for government projects is substantial, driven by the need to maintain and upgrade federal facilities, including healthcare institutions like VAMCs.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that the prime contractor, F.A. Wilhelm Construction Co., Inc., is not a small business. There is no specific information provided regarding small business subcontracting goals or achievements for this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for overseeing this contract. Oversight would focus on project milestones, quality of work, adherence to schedule, and budget management to ensure taxpayer funds are used effectively.

Related Government Programs

Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Long contract duration increases risk of cost escalation and scope creep.
Lack of detail on specific project scope makes it hard to fully assess value.
No information on small business participation.
Potential for unforeseen site conditions in existing structures.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $20.5 million to F.A. WILHELM CONSTRUCTION CO., INC. WORK INCLUDES GENERAL CONSTRUCTION, ALTERNATIONS, MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL WORK, UTILITY SYSTEMS, ELEVATOR, NECESSARY SELECTED REMOVAL OF EXISTING STRUCTURES AND CONSTRUCTION AT VAMC, INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is F.A. WILHELM CONSTRUCTION CO., INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (Department of Veterans Affairs).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $20.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-06-30. End: 2009-11-30.

What specific improvements or upgrades are included in the general construction, mechanical, and electrical work?

The provided data outlines the broad categories of work but lacks specific details on the exact improvements. A deeper dive into the contract's statement of work or associated documentation would be necessary to identify specific upgrades, such as HVAC system replacements, electrical grid modernization, structural repairs, or new construction elements within the VAMC Indianapolis.

How does the awarded amount compare to the original estimated cost or budget for this project?

The data provides the awarded amount ($20.5 million) but does not include the original estimated cost or budget. Without this baseline, it's difficult to assess if the contract was awarded significantly above, below, or in line with expectations. This comparison is crucial for understanding potential cost savings or overruns during the bidding process.

Were there any performance issues or contract modifications during the project's execution that impacted the final cost or timeline?

The provided data does not detail contract modifications or performance issues. A comprehensive review would require examining contract modification history, performance reports, and any dispute resolutions. Such information is vital for assessing the contractor's performance and the overall effectiveness of project management and oversight.

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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 0503-AE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3914 PROSPECT ST, INDIANAPOLIS, IN, 07

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $20,494,016

Exercised Options: $20,494,016

Current Obligation: $20,494,016

Timeline