VA Awards $18.2M Design-Build Contract for Phoenix VAMC ECMS to Pathfinder Construction
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $18,187,654 ($18.2M)
Contractor: Pathfinder Construction, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs
Start Date: 2010-07-30
End Date: 2019-09-25
Contract Duration: 3,344 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: DESIGN-BUILD OF ECMS AT PHOENIX VAMC; PROJECT NUMBER T101-10-228-A TAS::36 0162::TAS
Place of Performance
Location: PHOENIX, MARICOPA County, ARIZONA, 85012
State: Arizona Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $18.2 million to PATHFINDER CONSTRUCTION, INC. for work described as: DESIGN-BUILD OF ECMS AT PHOENIX VAMC; PROJECT NUMBER T101-10-228-A TAS::36 0162::TAS Key points: 1. Contract awarded for design-build of Electronic Case Management System (ECMS) at Phoenix VAMC. 2. Pathfinder Construction, Inc. secured the $18.2 million definitive contract. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 4. This project falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $18.2 million appears reasonable for a design-build project of this nature, though specific benchmarks for ECMS implementation at VAMCs are not readily available. The firm fixed price structure suggests a defined cost expectation.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and potentially better value for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for necessary infrastructure improvements at the Phoenix VAMC.
Public Impact
Improved healthcare IT infrastructure at Phoenix VAMC. Potential for enhanced patient care through better case management. Supports construction and IT sectors through project execution.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Contract duration significantly exceeded initial estimates.
- No small business participation noted.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty.
Sector Analysis
This contract is within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, specifically for healthcare facilities. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on government needs and infrastructure upgrades.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates no small business participation in this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed or if the nature of the work precluded small business involvement.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for oversight of this contract. The award process and contract management will be key to ensuring successful project completion and value for money.
Related Government Programs
- Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
- Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
- Department of Veterans Affairs Programs
Risk Flags
- Extended contract duration
- No small business participation
- Potential for scope creep given long duration
- Unclear reasons for source exclusion
Tags
commercial-and-institutional-building-co, department-of-veterans-affairs, az, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $18.2 million to PATHFINDER CONSTRUCTION, INC.. DESIGN-BUILD OF ECMS AT PHOENIX VAMC; PROJECT NUMBER T101-10-228-A TAS::36 0162::TAS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is PATHFINDER CONSTRUCTION, 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 $18.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2010-07-30. End: 2019-09-25.
What was the primary driver for the extended contract duration?
The extended duration of 3344 days (approximately 9.2 years) suggests potential scope changes, unforeseen construction challenges, or a phased implementation approach for the ECMS. Further investigation into contract modifications and project milestones would clarify the reasons for the prolonged timeline.
Were there specific reasons for excluding other sources during the competition phase?
The 'after exclusion of sources' clause implies that initial solicitations may have been limited or that certain potential bidders were disqualified based on pre-defined criteria. Understanding these exclusion criteria is crucial to assessing the true competitiveness of the award.
How does the final cost compare to initial project estimates for ECMS implementation?
Without initial estimates, a direct comparison is not possible. However, the $18.2 million award provides a benchmark for similar VAMC ECMS projects. Analyzing cost overruns or underruns against the awarded price would indicate cost control effectiveness.
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: VA-701-10-RA-0019
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3235 HANCOCKST STE 8, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92110
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Emerging Small Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $36,986,675
Exercised Options: $36,986,675
Current Obligation: $18,187,654
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2010-07-30
Current End Date: 2019-09-25
Potential End Date: 2019-09-25 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2020-02-10
Other Department of Veterans Affairs Contracts
- CCN Region 3 Express Report — $5.2B (Optum Public Sector Solutions, Inc.)
- Express Report for FY22 Region 2 — $5.1B (Optum Public Sector Solutions, Inc.)
- Fiscal Year 2022 Express Report for Region 1 — $4.2B (Optum Public Sector Solutions, Inc.)
- Express Report for the Patient Centered Community Care (PC3) Contract — $3.3B (Triwest Healthcare Alliance Corp)
- CCN Region Three FY21 Express Report — $3.1B (Optum Public Sector Solutions, Inc.)