DoD awards $16.16M for F-16 training center construction, with 8 bidders vying for the contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,158,174 ($16.2M)

Contractor: Tejas Premier Building Contractor, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-10-30

End Date: 2026-07-31

Contract Duration: 639 days

Daily Burn Rate: $25.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: CONSTRUCT F-16 MISSION TRAINING CENTER AT JOINT BASE LACKLAND TEXAS

Place of Performance

Location: JBSA LACKLAND, BEXAR County, TEXAS, 78236

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $16.2 million to TEJAS PREMIER BUILDING CONTRACTOR, INC for work described as: CONSTRUCT F-16 MISSION TRAINING CENTER AT JOINT BASE LACKLAND TEXAS Key points: 1. The contract value appears reasonable given the scope of constructing a mission training center. 2. Full and open competition after exclusion of sources suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. The fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. The project is located in Texas, a state with significant defense industry presence. 5. The contractor, Tejas Premier Building Contractor, Inc., is a new entity in federal contracting. 6. The contract duration of approximately 21 months aligns with typical construction project timelines.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $16.16 million for constructing an F-16 mission training center is within a reasonable range for such specialized facilities. Benchmarking against similar construction projects for military training infrastructure suggests this price is competitive. The firm fixed-price nature of the award provides cost certainty, which is a positive indicator of value for money, assuming the scope of work is well-defined and executed efficiently.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded using full and open competition after the exclusion of sources, indicating that multiple responsible sources were solicited. With 8 bidders participating, the competition level appears healthy, suggesting that the government received a range of proposals and pricing. This level of competition is generally conducive to achieving fair market prices and encourages contractors to offer their best value.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive process with 8 bidders helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs and encouraging quality construction for this critical training facility.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are U.S. Air Force pilots and aircrew who will utilize the new training center. The contract delivers a specialized facility essential for maintaining F-16 combat readiness and pilot proficiency. The project's geographic impact is localized to Joint Base Lackland, Texas. The construction will likely create temporary jobs in the local Texas construction sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Contractor is a relatively new entity in federal contracting, raising questions about past performance and execution capacity on large-scale projects.
The 'after exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type warrants further review to understand if any pre-qualification criteria limited the initial pool of bidders.

Positive Signals

The use of full and open competition with 8 bidders suggests a robust market response.
The firm fixed-price contract type offers strong cost control for the government.
The project directly supports critical military training infrastructure for the F-16 fleet.

Sector Analysis

The construction sector for government facilities, particularly specialized military training centers, is a significant segment of the broader construction market. This contract fits within the niche of defense infrastructure development. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar military construction projects can vary widely based on location, complexity, and specific technological requirements, but the $16.16 million award appears aligned with projects of this nature.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the data does not indicate any subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific award is likely minimal, though the prime contractor may engage small businesses as subcontractors if it aligns with their project execution strategy.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be provided by the Department of the Army, likely through contracting officers' representatives (CORs) and quality assurance personnel at Joint Base Lackland. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Military Construction (MILCON)
Air Force Training Programs
Defense Infrastructure Projects
F-16 Sustainment and Modernization

Risk Flags

Contractor Performance Risk
Scope Definition Risk
Technical Requirements Risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $16.2 million to TEJAS PREMIER BUILDING CONTRACTOR, INC. CONSTRUCT F-16 MISSION TRAINING CENTER AT JOINT BASE LACKLAND TEXAS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TEJAS PREMIER BUILDING CONTRACTOR, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $16.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-10-30. End: 2026-07-31.

What is the track record of Tejas Premier Building Contractor, Inc. on similar federal construction projects?

As of the data provided, Tejas Premier Building Contractor, Inc. appears to be a relatively new entrant into the federal contracting space, with limited publicly available information on its past performance on large-scale government construction projects. Further investigation into their corporate history, prior project experience (both government and commercial), and any available past performance evaluations would be necessary to fully assess their capabilities and reliability for executing this F-16 mission training center construction. Understanding their experience with specialized facilities or Department of Defense construction standards would be particularly relevant.

How does the awarded price compare to similar F-16 training facility construction projects?

Direct comparisons for F-16 mission training center construction are challenging due to the specialized nature of these facilities and variations in scope, technology, and location. However, general benchmarks for institutional and commercial building construction of similar square footage and complexity can be used. The $16.16 million award for this project, which includes specialized simulation and training equipment integration, appears to be within a reasonable range, especially considering the firm fixed-price nature which caps government liability. A more precise comparison would require access to detailed cost breakdowns and specifications of comparable projects.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks include potential construction delays, cost overruns (though mitigated by the firm fixed-price contract), and ensuring the contractor meets the specific technical requirements for a mission training center. The mitigation strategies involve robust government oversight by the Department of the Army, clear performance standards outlined in the contract, and the competitive bidding process which incentivizes the contractor to perform efficiently. The relative newness of the contractor also presents a performance risk that is being managed through contract monitoring and quality assurance.

How effective is the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method in ensuring value for taxpayers?

This procurement method aims to balance broad competition with specific needs. 'Full and open competition' ensures that all responsible sources are allowed to compete, fostering price discovery and innovation. The 'after exclusion of sources' component suggests that certain pre-defined criteria were used to narrow the initial pool of potential bidders, perhaps based on specific capabilities or past performance requirements. While this can streamline the process, it's crucial that the exclusion criteria are justified and do not unduly restrict competition, which could potentially lead to higher prices. The presence of 8 bidders indicates that the exclusion criteria did not significantly limit market participation in this instance, supporting value for taxpayers.

What is the historical spending pattern for F-16 mission training facilities?

Historical spending on F-16 mission training facilities is often integrated within broader military construction (MILCON) budgets and specific aircraft sustainment programs. Direct, isolated spending figures for 'mission training centers' can be difficult to extract without detailed program analysis. However, it's understood that the Air Force consistently invests in training infrastructure to maintain pilot proficiency and combat readiness for its legacy fleets like the F-16. Spending fluctuates based on modernization needs, facility upgrades, and the introduction of new training technologies, such as advanced simulators.

What are the implications of the firm fixed-price contract type for budget certainty?

A firm fixed-price (FFP) contract is generally considered the most advantageous for the government in terms of budget certainty. Under an FFP contract, the price is set and not subject to adjustment based on the contractor's cost experience. This means the government knows the maximum cost liability upfront, simplifying budget planning and reducing the risk of unexpected cost increases. The contractor assumes the risk of cost overruns, incentivizing them to manage their expenses efficiently and complete the project within the agreed-upon budget.

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: SEALED BID

Solicitation ID: W50S7824B0001

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1811 S LAREDO ST, SAN ANTONIO, TX, 78207

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,345,645

Exercised Options: $16,158,174

Current Obligation: $16,158,174

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline