Department of the Army awarded Harper Construction $35.4M for Fort Sill construction, completed 2011

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $35,445,353 ($35.4M)

Contractor: Harper Construction Company, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2007-06-27

End Date: 2011-11-30

Contract Duration: 1,617 days

Daily Burn Rate: $21.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: SILL PN 64738 D/B BRAC ADA; PATRIOT GIF FORT SILL, OK

Place of Performance

Location: FORT SILL, COMANCHE County, OKLAHOMA, 73503

State: Oklahoma Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $35.4 million to HARPER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. for work described as: SILL PN 64738 D/B BRAC ADA; PATRIOT GIF FORT SILL, OK Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in military infrastructure. 2. The project was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration of 1617 days indicates a substantial and complex construction undertaking. 4. Fixed-price contract type likely aimed to control costs for the government. 5. The project's completion date suggests it is a historical investment rather than a current initiative. 6. The geographic location in Oklahoma points to regional economic impact.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $35.4 million for a large construction project at Fort Sill appears within a reasonable range for military infrastructure development of this scale. Without specific benchmarks for similar barracks construction in that region and time period, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the firm fixed-price nature of the contract suggests an effort to establish a clear cost ceiling, which is a positive indicator for cost control. The project's completion in 2011 means current market rates and construction costs would differ significantly.

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. This typically suggests a robust bidding environment, which can lead to more competitive pricing. The presence of 4 bids (no: 4) further supports the notion of a competitive process, although the exact number of bidders does not always correlate directly with the intensity of competition or the resulting price.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down prices and encourage efficiency from contractors.

Public Impact

Military personnel stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, are the primary beneficiaries through improved living quarters. The construction services delivered enhanced the infrastructure and operational capabilities of the base. The geographic impact is localized to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and surrounding communities. The project likely supported a significant number of construction jobs during its execution phase.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen issues arose during the extended construction period, despite the fixed-price nature.
The long duration could lead to material price fluctuations impacting the contractor's profitability and potentially future bids.
Assessing the long-term durability and quality of the construction without post-occupancy reviews is difficult.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for the government.
Award through full and open competition suggests a fair and competitive selection process.
The project's completion indicates successful delivery of the contracted infrastructure.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a significant segment of the broader construction industry. Federal spending on military construction, including barracks and facilities, is a substantial component of this sector. Benchmarking this specific contract's value against other large-scale military construction projects of similar scope and era would provide further context on its relative size and cost-effectiveness.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb: false), and there is no explicit indication of small business subcontracting requirements in the provided data. This suggests that the primary award went to a larger entity, and the direct impact on the small business ecosystem through this specific prime contract may be limited unless significant subcontracting occurred without explicit set-aside provisions.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would have been managed by the Department of the Army, likely through contracting officers and project managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, which obligates the contractor to deliver the specified work within the agreed price. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed project-specific oversight reports are not always publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Military Barracks Construction
Fort Sill Infrastructure Projects
Department of Defense Construction Contracts
Army Corps of Engineers Projects

Risk Flags

Long contract duration increases risk of cost escalation and schedule delays.
Fixed-price contract shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor, potentially impacting quality if not managed well.
Lack of specific post-completion performance data makes long-term value assessment difficult.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $35.4 million to HARPER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC.. SILL PN 64738 D/B BRAC ADA; PATRIOT GIF FORT SILL, OK

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HARPER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $35.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-06-27. End: 2011-11-30.

What was the specific scope of work for the SILL PN 64738 D/B BRAC ADA project?

The project designation 'SILL PN 64738 D/B BRAC ADA' suggests it was related to construction or renovation of barracks ('BRAC ADA' likely refers to Barracks Defense Act or similar housing initiative) at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. The 'D/B' might indicate Design-Build, meaning the contractor was responsible for both the design and construction phases. The scope would typically include site preparation, foundation work, building erection, utility installation, interior finishing, and potentially landscaping, all aimed at providing modern and compliant living quarters for military personnel.

How does the $35.4 million contract value compare to similar barracks construction projects by the Department of the Army around 2007?

Comparing the $35.4 million value requires detailed data on similar projects from the same period. However, large-scale barracks construction projects for the military can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars depending on the size of the facility, number of personnel housed, complexity of design, and location. Given that this was a definitive contract awarded in 2007 and completed in 2011, the value appears substantial, reflecting a significant infrastructure investment. Without specific comparable project data, it's difficult to definitively state if it was high or low, but it aligns with the scale expected for major military base improvements.

What were the primary risks associated with a firm fixed-price contract for a multi-year construction project like this?

For the government, the primary risk with a firm fixed-price contract is that the contractor might cut corners on quality or materials to maintain profitability if costs escalate unexpectedly. However, the government benefits from cost certainty. For the contractor (Harper Construction), the main risk is bearing the brunt of any cost overruns due to unforeseen site conditions, material price increases, labor shortages, or design issues. The long duration (1617 days) amplifies these risks, particularly concerning material and labor cost volatility over the project's lifespan.

What does the 'BRAC' designation in the project title imply about the project's context?

The 'BRAC' in 'SILL PN 64738 D/B BRAC ADA' likely refers to the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process. BRAC is a U.S. federal government process used to help realign and close military installations to reduce infrastructure costs and improve military readiness. Projects undertaken during BRAC often involve consolidating forces, building new facilities to accommodate relocated units, or demolishing outdated structures. This suggests the Fort Sill construction was part of a larger strategic initiative to modernize or restructure military base infrastructure nationwide.

Were there any specific performance metrics or quality standards mandated for this construction contract?

While the provided data doesn't detail specific performance metrics, federal construction contracts, especially for military facilities, typically include stringent quality standards and performance requirements. These are usually outlined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) and technical specifications. Compliance with building codes, military construction standards (e.g., UFCs - Unified Facilities Criteria), and specific material quality requirements would be expected. Performance would be monitored by government representatives (e.g., Contracting Officer's Representative - COR) throughout the project lifecycle, with final acceptance contingent on meeting all specified standards.

What is the historical spending trend for construction at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, by the Department of the Army?

Analyzing the historical spending trend for construction at Fort Sill requires access to a broader dataset of contracts awarded to the base over time. This single contract for $35.4 million represents a significant investment, but without data on other projects (e.g., smaller maintenance, other major constructions, or projects from different eras), it's impossible to establish a trend. Fort Sill, as an active Army post, likely sees consistent investment in infrastructure maintenance and upgrades, varying year-to-year based on military needs, budget allocations, and specific modernization initiatives like BRAC.

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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W912BV06R2030

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2241 KETTNER BLVD STE 300, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92101

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $35,445,353

Exercised Options: $35,445,353

Current Obligation: $35,445,353

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline