VA awards $20.8M for Sacramento Valley National Cemetery Phase 1B Development to Clark & Sullivan Builders

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,178,986 ($20.2M)

Contractor: Clark & Sullivan Builders and Broward Brothers a Joint Venture

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2008-04-30

End Date: 2010-01-05

Contract Duration: 615 days

Daily Burn Rate: $32.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: SACRAMENTO VALLEY VA NATIONAL CEMETERY, PHASE 1B DEVELOPMENT

Place of Performance

Location: DIXON, SOLANO County, CALIFORNIA, 95620

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $20.2 million to CLARK & SULLIVAN BUILDERS AND BROWARD BROTHERS A JOINT VENTURE for work described as: SACRAMENTO VALLEY VA NATIONAL CEMETERY, PHASE 1B DEVELOPMENT Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, indicating a broad market search. 2. The contract value of $20.8 million is for a significant construction project. 3. The project duration of 615 days suggests a complex and multi-faceted development. 4. Awarded by the Department of Veterans Affairs, aligning with its mission to support veterans. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 237990 points to heavy civil engineering construction. 6. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which transfers risk to the contractor. 7. The award was made in California, specifying the geographic location of the project.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $20.8 million for cemetery development appears reasonable for a project of this scale and complexity. Benchmarking against similar large-scale civil engineering construction projects for federal agencies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract suggests that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which can be a positive indicator for the government if the bid was competitive.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. With 8 bidders, the competition level was robust, suggesting that the Department of Veterans Affairs received a range of proposals. This level of competition is generally expected to drive down prices and encourage innovative solutions, leading to better value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The extensive competition for this contract likely resulted in a more favorable price for taxpayers compared to a sole-source or limited competition award. It ensures that the government is not overpaying for the construction services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are veterans and their families who will utilize the expanded facilities at the Sacramento Valley VA National Cemetery. The project delivers essential infrastructure development for a national cemetery, enhancing its capacity and services. The geographic impact is localized to California, specifically the Sacramento Valley region. The project will likely involve a significant construction workforce, contributing to local employment in the skilled trades.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for construction delays impacting the cemetery's operational readiness.
Risk of cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions arise, despite the fixed-price contract.
Ensuring compliance with environmental regulations during heavy civil engineering work.

Positive Signals

Award to a joint venture suggests combined expertise and capacity for a large project.
Firm Fixed Price contract structure provides cost certainty for the government.
Full and open competition indicates a competitive bidding process likely yielding fair pricing.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the heavy and civil engineering construction sector, specifically related to public infrastructure development. The market for such services is characterized by large, complex projects often undertaken by established construction firms. Federal spending in this area is driven by the need to maintain and expand national infrastructure, including facilities like national cemeteries. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale construction contracts awarded by federal agencies for similar types of facilities.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no explicit mention of subcontracting goals for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem through this specific award is likely minimal, unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and project managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract, which penalizes the contractor for cost overruns. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, though specific oversight reports may not be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

National Cemetery Administration Construction Projects
Department of Veterans Affairs Capital Investments
Federal Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction Contracts
Public Infrastructure Development Projects

Risk Flags

Potential for unforeseen site conditions impacting schedule and cost.
Risk of contractor performance issues affecting quality or timeliness.
Dependency on timely appropriations and budget allocation for project continuity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $20.2 million to CLARK & SULLIVAN BUILDERS AND BROWARD BROTHERS A JOINT VENTURE. SACRAMENTO VALLEY VA NATIONAL CEMETERY, PHASE 1B DEVELOPMENT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CLARK & SULLIVAN BUILDERS AND BROWARD BROTHERS A JOINT VENTURE.

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 $20.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-04-30. End: 2010-01-05.

What is the track record of Clark & Sullivan Builders and Broward Brothers A Joint Venture on federal contracts?

Information on the specific track record of the joint venture 'CLARK & SULLIVAN BUILDERS AND BROWARD BROTHERS A JOINT VENTURE' for federal contracts is not directly provided in the data. However, Clark & Sullivan Builders is a known entity in construction, and their history with federal projects, including any past performance evaluations or awards, would be crucial for assessing their reliability. Similarly, Broward Brothers' federal contracting history would need to be examined. A joint venture's success often depends on the combined experience and past performance of its constituent companies. A thorough review would involve checking federal procurement databases for past awards, contract performance ratings (e.g., CPARS), and any history of disputes or terminations for cause.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar cemetery development projects?

To benchmark the $20.8 million award for the Sacramento Valley VA National Cemetery Phase 1B Development, one would need to identify comparable federal cemetery construction projects. This involves looking at contracts for similar phases of development, size, scope, and geographic location. Factors such as the number of burial plots to be developed, the inclusion of columbarium walls, administrative buildings, or other infrastructure, and the specific site conditions would influence cost. Without direct comparative data on similar VA or Department of Defense cemetery projects, it's challenging to definitively state if $20.8 million represents excellent, fair, or concerning value. However, for a significant phase of a national cemetery development, this figure suggests a substantial undertaking.

What are the primary risks associated with this type of heavy civil engineering construction contract?

Heavy civil engineering construction contracts, like the one for the cemetery development, carry several inherent risks. For the government, risks include potential delays in project completion, which can impact the availability of burial spaces. There's also the risk of unforeseen site conditions (e.g., soil instability, underground utilities, environmental hazards) that could lead to change orders and increased costs, even under a firm fixed-price contract, though the contractor bears more of this risk. For the contractor, risks include accurately estimating all costs, managing labor and material price fluctuations, and adhering to strict timelines and quality standards. The firm fixed-price nature shifts much of the cost risk to the contractor, but disputes can arise if the scope or conditions change significantly.

What is the expected effectiveness of this contract in meeting the VA's mission?

This contract is expected to be highly effective in supporting the Department of Veterans Affairs' mission to provide burial services for veterans. By funding Phase 1B development, the VA is ensuring the expansion and continued availability of dignified resting places for veterans and their families. The timely completion of this project will alleviate potential capacity issues at the Sacramento Valley VA National Cemetery, thereby directly serving the veteran population in the region. The construction of necessary infrastructure contributes to the overall quality and accessibility of national cemeteries, fulfilling a key aspect of the VA's commitment to honoring service.

How has federal spending on cemetery construction evolved over the past five years?

Analyzing federal spending trends on cemetery construction requires accessing historical procurement data from agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of the Army (which manages Arlington National Cemetery and other Army posts). Over the past five years, spending has likely seen fluctuations driven by the need to expand capacity at existing national cemeteries and potentially establish new ones. Factors such as an aging veteran population, increased demand for burial services, and budget appropriations would influence these trends. While specific aggregate data isn't provided here, it's reasonable to assume a consistent, albeit potentially growing, investment in cemetery infrastructure to meet the needs of the veteran population.

What are the implications of the 'firm fixed price' contract type for this project?

The 'firm fixed price' (FFP) contract type is significant for this $20.8 million construction project. Under an FFP contract, the price is set and not subject to adjustment based on the contractor's cost experience. This provides the Department of Veterans Affairs with the highest degree of cost certainty. The contractor, Clark & Sullivan Builders and Broward Brothers A Joint Venture, assumes the primary risk for any cost overruns incurred during the project. Conversely, if the contractor can complete the work for less than the fixed price, they realize a higher profit margin. This contract type incentivizes the contractor to manage costs efficiently and complete the project within budget, but it also means the government has less flexibility to make scope changes without potentially renegotiating the price.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCT NONBUILDING FACILITIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SEALED BID

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3612 MADISON AVE STE 25, NORTH HIGHLANDS, CA, 06

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $20,178,986

Exercised Options: $20,178,986

Current Obligation: $20,178,986

Timeline