Army awards $75.9M for non-building facility construction, highlighting a 3-bid competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $75,915,213 ($75.9M)

Contractor: Brayman Construction Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2005-05-31

End Date: 2011-11-04

Contract Duration: 2,348 days

Daily Burn Rate: $32.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: 200509!500796!96CE!W91237!USA ENGINEER DISTRICT HUNTINGTON!W9123705C0009 !A!N! !N! ! !20050531!20081228!005820394!005820394!005820394!N!BRAYMAN CONSTRUCTION CORPORATI!1000 JOHN ROEBLING WAY !SAXONBURG !PA!16056!37636!089!54!HINTON !SUMMERS !W VIRGINIA!+000002800000!N!N!000029892348!Y299!ALL OTHER NON-BUILDING FACILITIES !C2 !CONSTRUCTION !000 !* !237990!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !20200930!B! ! !A! !A!U!J!2!003!B! !D!N!A! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !C!C!A!A!000!A!B!Y! !N! ! ! ! !0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: HINTON, SUMMERS County, WEST VIRGINIA, 25951

State: West Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $75.9 million to BRAYMAN CONSTRUCTION CORP for work described as: 200509!500796!96CE!W91237!USA ENGINEER DISTRICT HUNTINGTON!W9123705C0009 !A!N! !N! ! !20050531!20081228!005820394!005820394!005820394!N!BRAYMAN CONSTRUCTION CORPORATI!1000 JOHN ROEBLING WAY !SAXONBURG !PA!16056!37636!089!54!HINTON !SUMM… Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract value of $75.9M falls within a typical range for large-scale construction projects. 3. The duration of the contract (over 6 years) indicates a long-term need for the services. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 237990 points to a specialized construction sector. 5. The award to Brayman Construction Corporation suggests a focus on established contractors for significant projects.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $75.9 million for construction services appears reasonable given the project's scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar large-scale civil engineering projects would provide further context, but the presence of multiple bids suggests a degree of price discovery. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract helps manage cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. With three bids received, the competition level suggests a healthy market interest, though not an exceptionally crowded field. This level of competition generally supports fair pricing and allows the government to select the best value offer.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process like this helps ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down prices and encouraging quality offers.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntington District, and the military personnel or operations supported by the facilities constructed. The services delivered involve the construction of 'all other non-building facilities,' which could encompass a wide range of infrastructure. The geographic impact is centered in West Virginia, as indicated by the contractor's location and the contracting agency's district. The project likely supports the construction workforce in the region, creating jobs for skilled laborers and tradespeople.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions arise, despite the firm fixed-price structure.
Dependency on the contractor's ability to meet the long-term project schedule and quality standards.
Risk associated with the specialized nature of 'non-building facilities' construction, requiring specific expertise.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Contractor has a track record, implied by being awarded a contract of this magnitude.
Long contract duration allows for phased development and potential for learning curve efficiencies.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the heavy and civil engineering construction sector, specifically NAICS code 237990. This sector involves the construction of infrastructure projects such as highways, streets, bridges, tunnels, and other non-building structures. The total federal spending in this sector can vary significantly year-to-year based on infrastructure needs and appropriations. This particular contract represents a substantial investment within this specialized construction market.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, and the data does not indicate any small business subcontracting requirements. The award to a large prime contractor suggests that opportunities for small businesses would primarily be through subcontracting, if initiated by the prime. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntington District. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver specified facilities within the agreed budget and timeline. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific project details and progress reports may not always be publicly accessible.

Related Government Programs

Military Construction
Army Corps of Engineers Projects
Federal Infrastructure Spending
Heavy Civil Engineering Construction

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may increase exposure to market volatility.
Specialized construction type could limit contractor pool and increase risk.
Potential for scope creep if project requirements evolve significantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $75.9 million to BRAYMAN CONSTRUCTION CORP. 200509!500796!96CE!W91237!USA ENGINEER DISTRICT HUNTINGTON!W9123705C0009 !A!N! !N! ! !20050531!20081228!005820394!005820394!005820394!N!BRAYMAN CONSTRUCTION CORPORATI!1000 JOHN ROEBLING WAY !SAXONBURG !PA!16056!37636!089!54!HINTON !SUMMERS !W VIRGINIA!+000002800000!N!N!000029892348!Y299!ALL OTHER NON-BUILDING FACILITIES !C2 !CONSTRUCTION !000 !* !237990!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !202

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BRAYMAN CONSTRUCTION CORP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $75.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-05-31. End: 2011-11-04.

What is the specific nature of the 'all other non-building facilities' being constructed?

The provided data indicates the project falls under NAICS code 237990, 'Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction.' While the contract description is broad ('ALL OTHER NON-BUILDING FACILITIES'), this typically encompasses infrastructure projects that are not buildings, such as roads, bridges, dams, levees, pipelines, power grids, and site preparation work. Without more specific project documentation, the exact nature of these facilities remains general, but it points towards essential infrastructure development rather than enclosed structures.

How does the $75.9 million contract value compare to similar Army Corps of Engineers projects in West Virginia?

Benchmarking this $75.9 million contract against similar Army Corps of Engineers projects in West Virginia requires access to historical contract data for the region. However, for large-scale civil engineering projects, this value is significant but not extraordinary. The Army Corps of Engineers manages numerous large infrastructure contracts annually across the country. The specific value is influenced by project scope, complexity, duration, and prevailing market rates for labor and materials in the region. A detailed comparison would involve analyzing the unit costs and scope of work for comparable projects awarded over the same period.

What is Brayman Construction Corporation's track record with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of the Army?

Brayman Construction Corporation has a history of securing federal contracts, including significant awards from the Department of the Army. This particular contract, valued at over $75 million and spanning several years, indicates a substantial working relationship and a demonstrated capability to handle large-scale projects. Federal procurement databases would provide a more comprehensive list of their past performance, including other agencies they have contracted with, the types of projects undertaken, and their performance ratings. Their ability to win this competitive bid suggests a positive track record and competitive pricing.

What are the potential risks associated with a firm fixed-price contract of this duration?

Firm fixed-price (FFP) contracts offer cost certainty to the government but can expose the contractor to risks if costs escalate beyond projections. For a contract spanning over six years (from award to final delivery), the primary risks include unforeseen increases in material costs, labor rates, or regulatory compliance requirements. Unexpected site conditions or design changes, if not managed through contract modifications, could also strain the contractor's budget. The government's risk is generally lower in terms of cost overruns, but there's a potential risk of contractor default or performance issues if the FFP structure proves unsustainable for the contractor under evolving market conditions.

How has federal spending in the 'Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction' sector (NAICS 237990) trended in recent years?

Federal spending in the 'Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction' sector (NAICS 237990) is often cyclical, influenced by infrastructure investment priorities, economic conditions, and congressional appropriations. In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on infrastructure renewal and development, potentially leading to increased federal outlays in this sector. Factors such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) have allocated significant funding towards transportation, energy, water, and broadband infrastructure, much of which falls under this NAICS code. Therefore, spending trends are likely upward, driven by national infrastructure initiatives, although specific agency budgets and project pipelines dictate year-to-year variations.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCT NONBUILDING FACILITIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1000 JOHN ROEBLING WAY, SAXONBURG, PA, 16056

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline