F-35A Flight Simulator Contract Awarded to Watterson Construction for $23.7M, Completed in Alaska
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $23,736,484 ($23.7M)
Contractor: Watterson Construction CO
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2016-12-08
End Date: 2021-08-01
Contract Duration: 1,697 days
Daily Burn Rate: $14.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF EIE365A F-35A FLIGHT SIMULATOR LOCATED ON EIELSON AFB, ALASKA.
Place of Performance
Location: EIELSON AFB, FAIRBANKS NORTH STAR County, ALASKA, 99702
State: Alaska Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $23.7 million to WATTERSON CONSTRUCTION CO for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF EIE365A F-35A FLIGHT SIMULATOR LOCATED ON EIELSON AFB, ALASKA. Key points: 1. Contract value of $23.7M for a critical flight simulator. 2. Watterson Construction Co. secured the award. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 4. Project located at Eielson AFB, Alaska, impacting regional defense readiness.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $23.7M appears reasonable for a specialized flight simulator. Benchmarking against similar complex training systems would provide a more precise assessment, but the firm fixed-price structure suggests cost certainty.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust price discovery process. This method generally leads to more competitive pricing by allowing all eligible contractors to bid.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition likely resulted in a fair price, maximizing taxpayer value for this essential defense asset.
Public Impact
Enhances pilot training capabilities for the F-35A aircraft. Supports critical military operations and readiness at Eielson AFB. Contributes to the local economy in Alaska through construction and support services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen construction challenges arise.
- Long-term maintenance and upgrade costs not detailed.
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
- Full and open competition suggests competitive pricing.
- Strategic location for F-35A operations in the Pacific.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, specifically for specialized defense infrastructure. Spending in this sector can vary significantly based on defense priorities and base development needs.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this was not awarded to a small business, as the 'sb' field is false. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Department of the Army, part of the Department of Defense. Oversight would typically involve program managers and contracting officers to ensure compliance and performance.
Related Government Programs
- Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for construction cost overruns.
- Long-term sustainment and upgrade costs.
- Dependence on a single prime contractor for delivery.
- Geographic isolation of Eielson AFB may impact logistics.
Tags
commercial-and-institutional-building-co, department-of-defense, ak, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $23.7 million to WATTERSON CONSTRUCTION CO. IGF::OT::IGF EIE365A F-35A FLIGHT SIMULATOR LOCATED ON EIELSON AFB, ALASKA.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is WATTERSON CONSTRUCTION CO.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $23.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2016-12-08. End: 2021-08-01.
What was the specific performance period and were there any delays impacting the final delivery?
The contract had a duration of 1697 days, spanning from December 8, 2016, to August 1, 2021. While the data doesn't explicitly state delays, the nearly 5-year period suggests potential for schedule adjustments common in large construction projects.
How does the cost per square foot of this simulator compare to similar facilities?
The provided data does not include square footage, making a direct cost per square foot comparison impossible. The total contract value of $23.7M is for the entire project, including specialized equipment and construction, not just the building shell.
Were there any performance issues or contract modifications during the execution of this contract?
The provided data does not detail performance issues or contract modifications. A review of contract modification history and performance reports would be necessary to assess any deviations from the original terms or any contractor performance concerns.
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
Solicitation Procedures: SEALED BID
Solicitation ID: W911KB16R0004
Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 6500 INTERSTATE CIR, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99518
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $23,736,484
Exercised Options: $23,736,484
Current Obligation: $23,736,484
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 24
Total Subaward Amount: $10,855,406
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2016-12-08
Current End Date: 2021-08-01
Potential End Date: 2021-08-01 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2023-09-06
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