VA's $24.3M Dallas Spinal Cord Injury Center Parking Garage Contract Awarded to Blackhawk Ventures

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,290,752 ($24.3M)

Contractor: Blackhawk Ventures, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2013-07-31

End Date: 2017-08-31

Contract Duration: 1,492 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF - PARKING GARAGE AT LONG TERM SPINAL CORD INJURY CENTER, VAMC DALLAS TX

Place of Performance

Location: DALLAS, DALLAS County, TEXAS, 75216

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $24.3 million to BLACKHAWK VENTURES, LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF - PARKING GARAGE AT LONG TERM SPINAL CORD INJURY CENTER, VAMC DALLAS TX Key points: 1. The contract awarded to Blackhawk Ventures, LLC for $24.3 million represents a significant investment in infrastructure for the VAMC Dallas. 2. The project falls under Commercial and Institutional Building Construction, a sector often subject to price fluctuations and material availability challenges. 3. The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' method suggests a complex procurement process, potentially impacting price discovery. 4. The contract duration of 1492 days indicates a long-term commitment, requiring sustained oversight for cost and schedule adherence.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's fixed price nature provides some cost certainty, but the extended duration and specific nature of the project (parking garage at a specialized medical center) make direct per-unit cost comparisons difficult without detailed project specifications.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The procurement method 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' indicates that while competition was sought, certain entities were excluded, potentially limiting the breadth of price discovery and competitive pressure.

Taxpayer Impact: The $24.3 million expenditure directly impacts taxpayer funds allocated for veteran healthcare infrastructure. The effectiveness of the competition method in securing optimal pricing is a key consideration for taxpayer value.

Public Impact

Veterans at the VAMC Dallas will benefit from improved parking facilities, potentially enhancing their access to care and overall experience. The construction project creates jobs and stimulates economic activity within the Dallas, Texas region. The long-term nature of the project requires ongoing monitoring to ensure it stays within budget and meets quality standards for a critical healthcare facility.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may have led to suboptimal pricing.
Extended contract duration increases risk of cost overruns due to inflation or unforeseen issues.
Lack of specific small business participation noted.

Positive Signals

Addresses critical infrastructure needs for veteran care.
Firm fixed price contract offers some cost predictability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector. Benchmarks for similar large-scale construction projects vary widely based on location, complexity, and materials, but $24.3 million for a specialized parking garage suggests a substantial undertaking.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a noted factor in this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed or if the nature of the contract precluded small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

The 'DEFINITIVE CONTRACT' type suggests a contract that defines terms and conditions for future orders. Oversight would focus on the execution of individual orders, adherence to the fixed price, and quality of construction over the contract's duration.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Long contract duration
Lack of noted small business participation
Potential for cost escalation in construction sector

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $24.3 million to BLACKHAWK VENTURES, LLC. IGF::OT::IGF - PARKING GARAGE AT LONG TERM SPINAL CORD INJURY CENTER, VAMC DALLAS TX

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BLACKHAWK VENTURES, LLC.

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 $24.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-07-31. End: 2017-08-31.

What specific factors led to the exclusion of certain sources in the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' process, and how did this impact the final contract price?

The exclusion of sources typically occurs due to specific technical requirements, past performance issues, or unique capabilities needed for the project. Understanding these reasons is crucial to assess if the limited competition resulted in a fair and reasonable price. Without this information, it's difficult to definitively state if taxpayers received optimal value, though a firm fixed price offers some protection against cost escalation.

Given the 1492-day duration and $24.3 million cost, what are the primary risks associated with cost overruns or schedule delays for this parking garage project?

The primary risks include unforeseen site conditions, material price volatility over the extended period, labor shortages, and potential changes in regulatory requirements. Effective project management, contingency planning, and robust change order control are essential to mitigate these risks and ensure the project remains within budget and on schedule for the VAMC Dallas.

How effectively does the firm fixed price contract mitigate risks related to the quality of construction for a facility supporting a spinal cord injury center?

A firm fixed price contract incentivizes the contractor to control costs, but it doesn't inherently guarantee quality. Quality is typically ensured through detailed specifications, rigorous inspection protocols, performance bonds, and liquidated damages clauses for non-performance. The VA's oversight and quality assurance processes are critical to ensure the parking garage meets the necessary standards for safety and functionality.

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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: VA101-13-R-0047

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 938 W LAUREL ST, SAN ANTONIO, TX, 78201

Business Categories: Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, HUBZone Firm, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,811,752

Exercised Options: $24,290,752

Current Obligation: $24,290,752

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline