Bancroft Construction awarded $15M for Dover AFB depot work, highlighting significant infrastructure investment
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $15,022,165 ($15.0M)
Contractor: Bancroft Construction CO
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2008-06-04
End Date: 2015-03-31
Contract Duration: 2,491 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: JOINT PERSONAL EFFECTS DEPOT, DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, DOVER DE
Place of Performance
Location: DOVER, KENT County, DELAWARE, 19901
State: Delaware Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $15.0 million to BANCROFT CONSTRUCTION CO for work described as: JOINT PERSONAL EFFECTS DEPOT, DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, DOVER DE Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the contract duration and scope. 2. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with a fixed-price contract type mitigating cost overrun risks. 4. Performance context is tied to essential depot operations at a major Air Force base. 5. This contract falls within the heavy and civil engineering construction sector. 6. The award represents a substantial commitment to maintaining critical military infrastructure.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of approximately $15 million over a period of roughly 7 years (June 2008 - March 2015) suggests a significant investment in infrastructure. Benchmarking against similar large-scale construction projects at military installations indicates that the overall award amount is within expected ranges for the scope of work. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract also suggests that the government secured a defined cost for the services, which is a positive indicator for value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. With 6 bidders participating, the level of competition was robust. This suggests that the pricing obtained is likely reflective of market conditions and that the government benefited from a competitive bidding process, which typically leads to more favorable pricing for the taxpayer.
Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process with multiple bidders generally ensures that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by driving down costs through market forces.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Army and the Department of Defense, ensuring operational readiness. Services delivered include heavy and civil engineering construction, likely involving upgrades, repairs, or new construction at the Dover Air Force Base depot. The geographic impact is localized to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, supporting its critical functions. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for construction workers, engineers, and project managers in the Delaware region.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for construction delays impacting operational timelines.
- Ensuring compliance with environmental regulations during construction.
- Managing the complexity of large-scale civil engineering projects.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive market.
- Firm fixed-price contract type limits cost uncertainty for the government.
- Contract duration aligns with the scope of significant infrastructure development.
- Awarded to a known contractor, Bancroft Construction Co., suggesting established capabilities.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the heavy and civil engineering construction sector, a critical component of the broader construction industry. This sector encompasses a wide range of projects, including infrastructure development, site preparation, and utility work. Spending in this area is often driven by government needs for military base improvements, transportation networks, and public works. Comparable spending benchmarks for large military construction projects can range from millions to hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the scale and complexity.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded through full and open competition and does not indicate a specific small business set-aside. The prime contractor, Bancroft Construction Co., is likely a large business. There is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether the prime contractor actively seeks to engage small businesses for subcontracting opportunities.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant Department of the Army contracting command. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified construction services. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.
Related Government Programs
- Military Construction Projects
- Department of Defense Infrastructure Modernization
- Air Force Base Operations Support
- Heavy and Civil Engineering Services
- Federal Procurement of Construction Services
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns if scope changes significantly.
- Risk of schedule delays impacting depot operations.
- Ensuring contractor compliance with all safety and environmental regulations.
- Adequacy of competition for specialized construction services.
Tags
construction, department-of-defense, department-of-the-army, dover-air-force-base, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, heavy-and-civil-engineering, infrastructure, delaware, large-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $15.0 million to BANCROFT CONSTRUCTION CO. JOINT PERSONAL EFFECTS DEPOT, DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, DOVER DE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BANCROFT 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 $15.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-06-04. End: 2015-03-31.
What is the track record of Bancroft Construction Co. on federal contracts, particularly within the Department of Defense?
Bancroft Construction Co. has a history of performing federal contracts, including work for the Department of Defense. Analyzing their past performance on similar projects, such as base infrastructure upgrades or facility construction, would provide insight into their reliability and ability to meet government requirements. Reviewing contract close-out data, any past performance evaluations, and the number and nature of any disputes or claims filed on previous contracts would offer a comprehensive view of their track record. Their experience with firm fixed-price contracts and projects of similar magnitude at military installations would be particularly relevant.
How does the awarded amount compare to the initial estimated cost or budget for this project?
Without access to the original contract solicitation documents or internal budget estimates, it is challenging to directly compare the awarded amount ($15,022,164.69) to the initial estimated cost. However, the fact that the contract was awarded under full and open competition with 6 bidders suggests that the final price was likely competitive and potentially within or below the government's anticipated budget. If the awarded price was significantly lower than initial estimates, it could indicate effective competition or a well-defined scope that allowed for competitive pricing. Conversely, if it was higher, it might suggest unforeseen complexities or a less competitive initial estimate.
What specific types of heavy and civil engineering construction were performed under this contract?
The contract falls under the 'Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction' (NAICS code 237990) category. This broad classification typically includes projects such as the construction of highways, streets, bridges, tunnels, and other infrastructure. For a Joint Personal Effects Depot at Dover Air Force Base, this could encompass site preparation, utility installation and upgrades, construction of new storage or processing facilities, road and pavement work, drainage systems, and potentially environmental remediation or upgrades related to the depot's operations. The specific nature of the work would be detailed in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW).
What were the primary risks associated with this contract, and how were they mitigated?
Key risks for a large construction contract include cost overruns, schedule delays, unforeseen site conditions, and performance issues. The firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type mitigates cost overrun risk for the government, placing that burden on the contractor. Mitigation for schedule delays and performance issues would involve robust project management, clear milestones, regular progress reporting, and potentially liquidated damages clauses for late completion. Unforeseen site conditions might be addressed through pre-bid site investigations and specific contract clauses addressing differing site conditions. The contractor's experience and the competitive bidding process also serve as risk mitigation factors.
What is the historical spending trend for similar heavy and civil engineering construction contracts at Dover Air Force Base or within the Department of the Army?
Analyzing historical spending for similar construction contracts at Dover Air Force Base and across the Department of the Army would provide context for the $15 million award. This would involve examining past contracts for facility construction, infrastructure upgrades, and depot modernization. Trends might reveal whether spending in this category is increasing or decreasing, the typical contract values, and the frequency of such awards. Understanding these patterns can help assess if this contract represents a typical investment or a significant deviation, potentially indicating a new initiative or a response to specific infrastructure needs.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR NONBUILDINGS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SEALED BID
Solicitation ID: W912BU08B0002
Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 44 BANCROFT MILLS, WILMINGTON, DE, 00
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $15,022,165
Exercised Options: $15,022,165
Current Obligation: $15,022,165
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-06-04
Current End Date: 2015-03-31
Potential End Date: 2015-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2014-11-19
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