Department of the Army awards $13.5M contract for permanent party barracks construction in Missouri

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,530,732 ($13.5M)

Contractor: Wilson, S M & CO

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2007-05-24

End Date: 2008-09-30

Contract Duration: 495 days

Daily Burn Rate: $27.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: CONTR PERM PARTY BARRACKS PH 2 PN

Place of Performance

Location: FORT LEONARD WOOD, PULASKI County, MISSOURI, 65473

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $13.5 million to WILSON, S M & CO for work described as: CONTR PERM PARTY BARRACKS PH 2 PN Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Wilson, S M & Co for construction services. 2. Project aims to provide new housing for military personnel. 3. Contract type is Firm Fixed Price, indicating predictable costs. 4. Duration of the contract is 495 days. 5. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 6. The contract was awarded under the 'New Housing For-Sale Builders' NAICS code. 7. This project falls under the Defense sector's infrastructure development.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $13.5 million for barracks construction appears within a reasonable range for a project of this scope. However, without specific details on the size and amenities of the barracks, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. Benchmarking against similar military housing projects would provide better context for pricing and overall 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. The presence of 2 bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this project. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing and potentially better value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down prices through a wider pool of potential contractors vying for the work.

Public Impact

Military personnel stationed in Missouri will benefit from improved housing facilities. The project delivers new construction services, contributing to military readiness. The geographic impact is localized to the specific military installation in Missouri. The construction work will likely involve a local workforce, providing employment opportunities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen construction challenges arise, despite fixed-price contract.
Delays in construction could impact military housing availability and readiness.
Quality control during construction is crucial to ensure long-term durability of the barracks.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract structure helps control costs.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
Award to an established contractor like Wilson, S M & Co may indicate reliability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Construction sector, specifically focusing on military infrastructure. The Department of Defense is a significant investor in construction projects to maintain and upgrade its facilities. Comparable spending benchmarks for military barracks construction vary widely based on location, size, and amenities, but projects in the multi-million dollar range are common for new housing developments.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. The award to Wilson, S M & Co, without further details, does not provide insight into their size or small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is subject to standard federal procurement oversight. The Department of the Army is responsible for monitoring contract performance and ensuring compliance. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases, but specific oversight mechanisms for this particular project are not detailed in the provided data.

Related Government Programs

Military Housing Construction
Department of Defense Infrastructure Projects
New Construction Contracts
Firm Fixed Price Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for construction delays
Quality control concerns
Cost escalation risks (mitigated by FFP)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $13.5 million to WILSON, S M & CO. CONTR PERM PARTY BARRACKS PH 2 PN

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WILSON, S M & 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 $13.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-05-24. End: 2008-09-30.

What is the track record of Wilson, S M & Co with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Defense?

Information on the track record of Wilson, S M & Co with federal contracts, especially with the Department of Defense, is not provided in the given data. A comprehensive analysis would require accessing contract databases to review past performance, any past performance issues, and the types and values of previous contracts awarded to this company. Understanding their history with similar construction projects, particularly military barracks, would offer insight into their reliability and capability for this current project. Without this historical data, assessing their suitability based on past performance is not possible.

How does the awarded amount of $13.5 million compare to the average cost of similar military barracks construction projects?

The awarded amount of $13.5 million for permanent party barracks construction in Missouri requires comparison with similar projects to assess its value. Factors such as the number of units, square footage per unit, included amenities, and specific location can significantly influence costs. Without these details, a direct comparison is challenging. However, general benchmarks for military housing construction can range from several hundred thousand to over a million dollars per unit, depending on complexity. A more thorough analysis would involve identifying comparable projects within the Department of Defense or other federal agencies and comparing their cost per square foot or cost per unit to this contract's implied cost.

What are the primary risk indicators associated with this specific contract, considering its type and duration?

The primary risk indicators for this contract include potential construction delays, cost overruns (though mitigated by the fixed-price nature), and quality control issues. The duration of 495 days (approximately 1.3 years) presents a window for unforeseen circumstances like weather, material shortages, or labor issues to impact the schedule and potentially the budget if not managed effectively. The firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type shifts most cost risk to the contractor, but significant issues could still lead to disputes or contractor default. The nature of construction also carries inherent risks related to site conditions and adherence to building codes and military specifications.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' strategy in ensuring competitive pricing for military construction projects of this scale?

Full and open competition is generally considered the most effective strategy for ensuring competitive pricing in federal contracting, including for military construction projects. By allowing all responsible sources to submit proposals, it maximizes the pool of potential bidders, thereby increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive offers. This process encourages contractors to submit their best pricing to win the contract. While this contract had two bidders, a larger number would typically exert even greater downward pressure on prices. The effectiveness is also dependent on the clarity of the solicitation requirements and the evaluation criteria used.

What is the historical spending pattern for permanent party barracks construction by the Department of the Army in Missouri?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for permanent party barracks construction by the Department of the Army in Missouri would provide valuable context for this $13.5 million contract. This would involve examining past contracts awarded for similar projects in the state, noting their values, durations, contractors, and competition levels. Understanding whether this contract represents an increase, decrease, or continuation of previous spending trends can indicate shifts in military infrastructure priorities or budget allocations. Without access to historical spending data specific to this category and geographic region, it is difficult to ascertain the context of this particular award within broader spending patterns.

What are the implications of the 'New Housing For-Sale Builders' NAICS code for this contract?

The assignment of the 'New Housing For-Sale Builders' (NAICS code 236117) to this contract suggests that the project involves the construction of new residential housing intended for sale, which in this context likely means for military personnel to occupy. While the contract is for the Department of the Army, the NAICS code points towards a specific type of construction activity. This classification might influence the types of contractors that bid, potentially favoring those with experience in residential development. It also helps in categorizing the spending for statistical and analytical purposes, allowing for comparisons with other housing construction projects within the federal government or the private sector.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Residential Building Construction › New Housing For-Sale Builders

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: W912DQ07R0004

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2185 HAMPTON, SAINT LOUIS, MO, 90

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,530,732

Exercised Options: $13,530,732

Current Obligation: $13,530,732

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline