DoD's $13.1M parking lot construction contract awarded to Bighorn-HC Joint Venture in Alaska

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,152,163 ($13.2M)

Contractor: Bighorn-Hc Contractors, Joint Venture

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2009-02-12

End Date: 2010-10-28

Contract Duration: 623 days

Daily Burn Rate: $21.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: PARKING LOT AT BLDGS 3492, 3494 AND 3496

Place of Performance

Location: FORT WAINWRIGHT, FAIRBANKS NORTH STAR County, ALASKA, 99703

State: Alaska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $13.2 million to BIGHORN-HC CONTRACTORS, JOINT VENTURE for work described as: PARKING LOT AT BLDGS 3492, 3494 AND 3496 Key points: 1. The contract was awarded using full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive process. 2. The firm-fixed-price contract type suggests that the contractor assumed the risk for cost overruns. 3. The project duration of 623 days indicates a significant construction timeline. 4. The contract was awarded by the Department of the Army, a major component of the DoD. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 237310 points to highway, street, and bridge construction. 6. The contract was awarded in Alaska, suggesting a focus on regional infrastructure development.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific contract is challenging without more detailed cost breakdowns or comparable project data. However, the total award amount of $13.1 million for parking lot construction in Alaska over a period of 623 days appears to be within a reasonable range for a project of this scope and location, considering labor and material costs in remote areas. Further analysis would require comparing unit costs for specific construction elements (e.g., per square foot of paving, per parking space) against industry averages for similar government or commercial projects in Alaska.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This solicitation method suggests that while the competition was intended to be open, certain sources may have been excluded prior to the final award. The specific reasons for this exclusion are not detailed, but it implies that the initial pool of potential bidders might have been narrowed down based on pre-defined criteria. The number of bidders that responded to this limited competition is not provided, making it difficult to fully assess the intensity of the competition and its impact on price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: While the competition was not fully open, the exclusion of sources was documented, suggesting an attempt to ensure a fair process. Taxpayers benefit from a competitive award, even if limited, as it generally leads to better pricing than a sole-source procurement.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries of this contract are the Department of Defense personnel and operations at Buildings 3492, 3494, and 3496, who will gain improved parking facilities. The services delivered include the construction of a parking lot, encompassing paving, grading, and potentially drainage and lighting. The geographic impact is localized to the specific military installation in Alaska where the buildings are located. The contract supports the construction workforce in Alaska, providing employment opportunities for skilled laborers and tradespeople involved in the project.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition method warrants further investigation to understand if it limited competition unduly.
Lack of detailed cost breakdowns makes it difficult to assess value for money comprehensively.
The duration of the contract (623 days) could indicate potential for delays or unforeseen challenges in construction.

Positive Signals

The use of a firm-fixed-price contract shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor.
The award was made under a competitive process, even if limited, which is generally favorable for cost control.
The project addresses a specific infrastructure need for the Department of the Army.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the construction sector, specifically highway, street, and bridge construction (NAICS 237310). The Department of Defense is a significant investor in infrastructure, including facilities and access roads, to support its operations. Spending in this category is influenced by military readiness requirements, base modernization efforts, and the need to maintain operational capabilities in various geographic locations. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other DoD or federal construction projects of similar scale and scope, considering regional cost variations.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a specific set-aside criterion for this contract. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications mandated by small business set-asides. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether Bighorn-HC Joint Venture, as the prime contractor, voluntarily engaged small businesses as subcontractors, which is not specified in the data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant contracting command within the Department of the Army. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, which holds the contractor responsible for delivering the project within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed project progress and financial reports may not be publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Military Construction
Army Corps of Engineers Construction Contracts
Federal Highway Administration Infrastructure Projects
Alaska District Army Corps of Engineers Projects

Risk Flags

Competition Method: 'Exclusion of Sources' requires scrutiny to ensure fairness.
Project Duration: Extended timeline may indicate potential for delays or complexity.
Geographic Location: Alaska presents unique logistical and environmental challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $13.2 million to BIGHORN-HC CONTRACTORS, JOINT VENTURE. PARKING LOT AT BLDGS 3492, 3494 AND 3496

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BIGHORN-HC CONTRACTORS, JOINT VENTURE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $13.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-02-12. End: 2010-10-28.

What was the specific justification for excluding certain sources in the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' solicitation method?

The justification for excluding sources in a 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' solicitation is typically rooted in specific technical requirements, past performance, or unique capabilities that only a limited number of contractors can meet. For instance, the project might have required specialized equipment, proprietary technology, or extensive experience with a particular type of construction in a challenging environment like Alaska. The contracting agency would need to document that the exclusion was necessary and that the remaining competition was still sufficient to ensure fair and reasonable pricing. Without access to the specific solicitation documents or pre-award justifications, the precise reasons for exclusion remain unknown, but it implies a deliberate narrowing of the bidder pool based on predefined criteria.

How does the per-square-foot cost of this parking lot construction compare to similar projects in Alaska or other DoD facilities?

To accurately compare the per-square-foot cost, we would need the total square footage of the parking lot constructed and a breakdown of costs associated with paving, grading, drainage, lighting, and any other features. The total contract value is $13,152,163. If we assume a hypothetical parking lot size (e.g., 500,000 sq ft), the cost would be approximately $26.30 per square foot. However, this is a rough estimate. Construction costs in Alaska are generally higher than in the contiguous United States due to logistical challenges, climate, and labor rates. Comparing this to other DoD facilities or similar Alaskan construction projects would require accessing detailed cost data for those projects, which is often not publicly available in a standardized format. Without such data, a precise benchmark is not feasible.

What is the track record of Bighorn-HC Contractors, Joint Venture with the Department of Defense or other federal agencies?

Information regarding the specific track record of 'BIGHORN-HC CONTRACTORS, JOINT VENTURE' with the Department of Defense or other federal agencies is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their track record, one would typically search federal procurement databases like SAM.gov (System for Award Management) or FPDS (Federal Procurement Data System) for past contract awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of disputes or terminations. A joint venture's track record can also be influenced by the individual performance records of its constituent members. A thorough review would involve examining the number and type of contracts awarded, their performance ratings, and any significant issues encountered on previous projects.

What are the potential risks associated with a 623-day construction timeline in Alaska for a parking lot project?

A 623-day construction timeline for a parking lot in Alaska presents several potential risks. The primary risk is weather-related delays, as Alaska experiences harsh winters with limited construction windows. Extended periods of cold, snow, and permafrost issues can significantly impede progress. Logistical challenges in transporting materials and equipment to remote locations can also lead to delays and increased costs. Furthermore, a longer timeline increases the exposure to fluctuating material prices and labor availability. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract means the contractor bears the financial risk of these delays, but significant delays could still impact the project's overall completion and the DoD's operational readiness.

How does the total spending on highway, street, and bridge construction (NAICS 237310) by the Department of the Army compare to other federal agencies?

The Department of the Army is a significant spender on infrastructure, including highway, street, and bridge construction, often through the Army Corps of Engineers. However, comparing its total spending on NAICS 237310 to other federal agencies requires comprehensive data analysis across the entire federal government. Agencies like the Department of Transportation (through the Federal Highway Administration), Department of the Interior (for park roads and infrastructure), and Department of Defense components beyond the Army (e.g., Navy, Air Force) also invest heavily in this category. A detailed comparison would involve aggregating spending data from FPDS or similar sources for all relevant agencies over specific fiscal years to identify relative investment levels and priorities.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction › Highway, Street, and Bridge 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: W911KB08R0022

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 724 30TH AVE, FAIRBANKS, AK, 00

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,505,293

Exercised Options: $13,152,163

Current Obligation: $13,152,163

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline