DoD's $32.6M Fort McCoy family housing project awarded to Carlson Constructors Corporation in 2014

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $32,639,281 ($32.6M)

Contractor: Carlson Constructors Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2014-07-31

End Date: 2017-05-30

Contract Duration: 1,034 days

Daily Burn Rate: $31.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF M-PROJECT NO.: 372442-FY 14, CONSTRUCT FAMILY HOUSING FORT MCCOY WISCONSIN

Place of Performance

Location: FORT MCCOY, MONROE County, WISCONSIN, 54656

State: Wisconsin Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $32.6 million to CARLSON CONSTRUCTORS CORPORATION for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF M-PROJECT NO.: 372442-FY 14, CONSTRUCT FAMILY HOUSING FORT MCCOY WISCONSIN Key points: 1. The contract aimed to construct new family housing units, addressing a specific infrastructure need. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. The project duration of 1034 days indicates a significant construction timeline. 4. The firm-fixed-price contract type shifts cost risk to the contractor. 5. The project was located in Wisconsin, impacting the local construction sector. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 236115 points to new single-family housing construction.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific contract is challenging without comparable family housing construction projects in similar geographic areas and timeframes. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests the contractor bore the primary cost risk. However, the final cost relative to initial estimates or industry standards for similar construction would be needed for a more definitive value assessment. The total award amount of $32.6 million for 1034 days of work provides a baseline, but without detailed cost breakdowns or scope comparisons, a precise value-for-money judgment is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' While this indicates an intention for broad competition, the 'exclusion of sources' clause suggests specific pre-qualification or limitations on the pool of eligible bidders. The number of bidders (4) is provided, which is a moderate level of competition. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing, but the specific nature of construction contracts and the exclusion clause could influence the actual competitive intensity.

Taxpayer Impact: The inclusion of multiple bidders, even with exclusions, generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging competitive pricing. However, the extent of the exclusion of sources needs further examination to ensure it did not unduly limit competition and potentially increase costs.

Public Impact

Military families at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, are the primary beneficiaries, gaining new housing. The construction services delivered will enhance the quality of life and support for service members and their families. The geographic impact is concentrated in Wisconsin, specifically at Fort McCoy. The project likely created temporary employment opportunities for construction workers and related trades in the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if the 'exclusion of sources' significantly limited the competitive field.
Construction delays could impact the availability of housing for military families.
Quality control during a large-scale construction project requires diligent oversight.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract shifts cost risk to the contractor, potentially protecting taxpayers from unexpected cost increases.
Awarded under a competitive process, aiming for a fair market price.
The project addresses a clear need for family housing infrastructure.

Sector Analysis

The construction sector, particularly for government infrastructure projects, is characterized by large contract values and specialized requirements. This contract falls within the 'New Single-Family Housing Construction' sub-sector. Government spending in construction is often driven by infrastructure upgrades, military base improvements, and public housing initiatives. Comparable benchmarks would involve other military base housing projects or large-scale residential construction contracts awarded by federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (sb) was false, and there is no explicit mention of small business set-asides. This suggests the contract was not specifically targeted towards small businesses. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist, but they are not detailed in the provided information. The lack of a small business set-aside means larger, established construction firms were likely the primary bidders and awardees.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this project would typically fall under the Department of the Army's construction and facilities management oversight bodies. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to investigations of fraud, waste, or abuse. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS, though detailed project progress and specific oversight reports may not always be publicly accessible.

Related Government Programs

Military Family Housing Construction
Department of Defense Construction Projects
Army Corps of Engineers Construction Contracts
Fort McCoy Infrastructure Development

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources'.
Construction projects are inherently subject to delays and cost overruns.
Need for robust quality assurance during construction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $32.6 million to CARLSON CONSTRUCTORS CORPORATION. IGF::OT::IGF M-PROJECT NO.: 372442-FY 14, CONSTRUCT FAMILY HOUSING FORT MCCOY WISCONSIN

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CARLSON CONSTRUCTORS CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $32.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2014-07-31. End: 2017-05-30.

What was the contractor's track record with similar federal construction projects prior to this award?

Assessing Carlson Constructors Corporation's track record requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving military housing or large-scale residential construction. Information on past performance, including any history of delays, cost overruns, or quality issues on similar projects, would be crucial. Federal procurement data systems often contain past performance evaluations, which can provide insights into a contractor's reliability and capability. Without access to these specific evaluations for Carlson Constructors Corporation related to projects around 2014, it's difficult to definitively assess their suitability and historical performance.

How does the per-unit cost of housing constructed under this contract compare to market rates or other military housing projects?

To compare the per-unit cost, we would need to know the number of housing units constructed under the $32.6 million contract. Assuming a hypothetical number of units, we could then calculate a per-unit cost. This calculated cost would then be benchmarked against average construction costs for single-family homes in Wisconsin during the 2014-2017 period, as well as against per-unit costs of similar military family housing projects awarded by the Department of Defense or other branches of the military. Factors like geographic location, specific amenities, and construction standards significantly influence these costs, making direct comparisons require careful consideration of these variables.

What specific factors led to the 'exclusion of sources' in the competition process?

The 'exclusion of sources' clause in a 'full and open competition' award typically indicates that while the competition was open to all responsible sources, certain categories or types of sources were intentionally excluded based on specific criteria. This could be due to requirements for specialized expertise, specific certifications, past performance requirements, or geographic limitations deemed essential for project success. For a construction project like family housing, exclusions might relate to specific building codes, environmental standards, or security clearances required for working on a military installation. Understanding the precise rationale behind these exclusions is key to determining if they were justified and did not unduly restrict competition.

Were there any significant cost overruns or delays during the project's execution?

The provided data indicates the contract duration was 1034 days (approximately 2.8 years) and the award amount was $32,639,280.90. To determine if there were cost overruns or delays, one would need to examine contract modification history and final delivery dates. Significant deviations from the original schedule or budget, documented through contract modifications or performance reports, would indicate issues. Without access to these detailed execution records, it's impossible to ascertain the project's adherence to its initial timeline and cost parameters.

What is the historical spending trend for family housing construction at Fort McCoy or similar military installations?

Analyzing historical spending trends for family housing construction at Fort McCoy and comparable military installations requires accessing multi-year federal spending databases. This would involve looking at previous contracts awarded for housing construction, renovation, or maintenance at these locations. Trends might reveal patterns of investment, the scale of typical projects, and the average costs incurred over time. Such analysis could help contextualize the $32.6 million award, indicating whether it represents a typical investment, a surge in spending, or a deviation from historical norms for such infrastructure needs.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Residential Building Construction › New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders)

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: W9128F14R0014

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 17250 W NEW LENOX RD UNIT B, JOLIET, IL, 60433

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $32,950,009

Exercised Options: $32,639,281

Current Obligation: $32,639,281

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline