VA awards $25.3M for Fort Rosecrans Cemetery expansion, highlighting construction needs in California

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,303,657 ($25.3M)

Contractor: Kevcon-Ttp, JV

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2010-06-29

End Date: 2014-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,462 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 13

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: FORT ROSECRANS NATIONAL CEMETERY - MIRAMAR ANNEX PHASE 1 DEVELOPMENT IN SAN DIEGO, CA.

Place of Performance

Location: SAN DIEGO, SAN DIEGO County, CALIFORNIA, 92166

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $25.3 million to KEVCON-TTP, JV for work described as: FORT ROSECRANS NATIONAL CEMETERY - MIRAMAR ANNEX PHASE 1 DEVELOPMENT IN SAN DIEGO, CA. Key points: 1. Contract addresses critical infrastructure development for veteran services. 2. Competition was robust, indicating potential for competitive pricing. 3. Project duration suggests a significant undertaking in heavy civil engineering. 4. Geographic focus on California aligns with high demand for veteran facilities. 5. Fixed-price contract type offers cost certainty for the government. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized, potentially limiting broader participation.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $25.3 million for Phase 1 development of Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery appears reasonable for a large-scale civil engineering project. Benchmarking against similar cemetery expansion projects or large construction contracts managed by the VA or other federal agencies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure suggests the government aimed for cost predictability, which is generally a positive indicator for managing taxpayer funds on projects of this scale.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' which implies that while the competition was intended to be open, specific sources were excluded. This could be due to pre-qualification requirements, specific technical capabilities, or other factors. With 13 bidders, the competition level was substantial, suggesting that multiple firms were interested and capable of performing the work. This level of competition generally supports price discovery and can lead to more favorable pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive process with 13 bidders helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs through market forces. The exclusion of certain sources, however, warrants scrutiny to ensure it did not unduly limit competition or lead to a higher price than a truly open bid might have achieved.

Public Impact

Benefits veterans and their families by expanding burial space and facilities at a national cemetery. Delivers essential heavy and civil engineering construction services in San Diego, California. Impacts the local San Diego economy through construction jobs and related services. Enhances the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to serve the veteran population in Southern California.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions arise during construction.
Risk of schedule delays impacting the timely availability of burial plots.
Dependence on a single prime contractor for overall project execution.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Robust competition with 13 bidders suggests market validation of pricing.
Project addresses a clear and present need for expanded veteran services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction sector, a critical component of infrastructure development. The market for such services is substantial, driven by both public and private sector needs for building and maintaining essential facilities. The Department of Veterans Affairs is a significant federal entity that regularly procures construction services to manage its extensive network of cemeteries and healthcare facilities. This specific project addresses the growing demand for burial spaces, a common challenge for national cemeteries.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, and the data indicates the prime contractor is a joint venture (KEVCON-TTP, JV). While joint ventures can sometimes include small businesses, the absence of a specific set-aside suggests that the primary focus was on securing the best overall offer from the competitive field. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were specifically targeted towards small businesses to ensure broader economic impact.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for the oversight of this contract. Oversight would typically involve contract administration, monitoring progress against milestones, ensuring quality control, and managing payments. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any issues of fraud, waste, or abuse arise during the contract lifecycle.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep due to unforeseen site conditions.
Risk of schedule delays impacting veteran services.
Need for clear justification of source exclusions in competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $25.3 million to KEVCON-TTP, JV. FORT ROSECRANS NATIONAL CEMETERY - MIRAMAR ANNEX PHASE 1 DEVELOPMENT IN SAN DIEGO, CA.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KEVCON-TTP, JV.

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 $25.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-06-29. End: 2014-06-30.

What is the track record of KEVCON-TTP, JV with the Department of Veterans Affairs and other federal agencies?

Information regarding the specific track record of KEVCON-TTP, JV with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other federal agencies is not directly provided in the summary data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes on previous projects undertaken by this joint venture. Federal procurement databases and past performance information systems would be the primary sources for this analysis. Understanding their history with similar large-scale construction projects, adherence to schedules and budgets, and quality of work would be crucial for evaluating their reliability on the Fort Rosecrans project.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar cemetery expansion or civil engineering projects?

The awarded amount of $25.3 million for the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery expansion needs to be benchmarked against comparable projects to assess its value. Similar projects could include other national cemetery expansions, large-scale civil engineering works for federal agencies, or significant municipal infrastructure developments. Factors such as project scope, complexity, location, and prevailing market rates for construction services would influence comparisons. Without specific data on comparable projects, it's difficult to definitively state if this award represents excellent, good, or fair value. However, the presence of 13 bidders suggests a competitive environment that likely contributed to a reasonable price.

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

Primary risks for this heavy civil engineering contract include unforeseen site conditions (e.g., soil instability, underground utilities, environmental hazards), which can lead to scope changes and cost increases. Schedule delays are also a significant risk, stemming from weather disruptions, labor shortages, material availability issues, or contractor performance problems. Furthermore, the firm fixed-price nature, while beneficial for cost control, shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor, potentially incentivizing them to cut corners on quality if not adequately monitored. Ensuring robust project management, contingency planning, and diligent oversight are key to mitigating these risks.

How effective is the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' in ensuring competitive pricing for the VA?

The effectiveness of 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' in ensuring competitive pricing for the VA is nuanced. While it aims for broad participation, the exclusion of specific sources can limit the pool of potential bidders. If the exclusions are justified (e.g., based on essential specialized capabilities or security requirements), the remaining competition among qualified firms can still yield competitive prices. However, if exclusions are arbitrary or overly restrictive, they could inadvertently reduce competition and potentially lead to higher prices than a truly open solicitation. The fact that 13 bids were received suggests that, in this instance, the exclusion criteria did not severely hamper the competitive process.

What is the historical spending trend for cemetery development and expansion by the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Historical spending trends for cemetery development and expansion by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are generally driven by the need to accommodate the growing number of veterans and the demand for national burial sites. Spending in this category can fluctuate based on the availability of suitable land, the prioritization of infrastructure projects, and overall budget allocations. The VA's National Cemetery Administration consistently requires funding for maintenance, improvements, and expansions to ensure adequate capacity. Analyzing multi-year spending data would reveal patterns of investment, identify periods of increased activity, and highlight the ongoing commitment to providing burial benefits.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: VA-101-10-RP-0013

Offers Received: 13

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 246 E GRAND AVE, ESCONDIDO, CA, 90

Business Categories: Category Business, Emerging Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,303,657

Exercised Options: $25,303,657

Current Obligation: $25,303,657

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline