DoD's $131M North Campus Electrical Utility Plant Construction Contract Awarded to Hensel Phelps

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $131,089,217 ($131.1M)

Contractor: Hensel Phelps Construction CO

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2011-09-16

End Date: 2016-03-23

Contract Duration: 1,650 days

Daily Burn Rate: $79.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: NORTH CAMPUS ELECTRICAL UTILITY PLANT CONSTRUCTION. CORRECTION TO SUBCONTRACTING PLAN/SA-EC

Place of Performance

Location: FORT GEORGE G MEADE, ANNE ARUNDEL County, MARYLAND, 20755

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $131.1 million to HENSEL PHELPS CONSTRUCTION CO for work described as: NORTH CAMPUS ELECTRICAL UTILITY PLANT CONSTRUCTION. CORRECTION TO SUBCONTRACTING PLAN/SA-EC Key points: 1. The contract awarded to Hensel Phelps Construction Co. for $131M covers the construction of an electrical utility plant. 2. The project falls under the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a common area for large federal infrastructure projects. 3. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 5. The project duration was 1650 days, indicating a significant construction undertaking.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $131M for a large utility plant construction project appears reasonable given the scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar large-scale institutional building projects would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

Full and open competition was utilized, allowing all responsible sources to submit bids. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is expected to have resulted in a fair market price, maximizing taxpayer value for this significant infrastructure investment.

Public Impact

Construction of critical utility infrastructure enhances operational capabilities for the Department of Defense. The project supports economic activity through construction jobs and material procurement. Long-term energy security and reliability are improved by the new utility plant. The project's scale suggests a substantial investment in federal facilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen construction challenges arise, despite fixed-price contract.
  • Long project duration could lead to schedule delays impacting operational readiness.
  • Reliance on a single prime contractor for a project of this magnitude.

Positive Signals

  • Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process.
  • Firm Fixed Price contract type transfers significant cost risk to the contractor.
  • Project addresses critical infrastructure needs for the Department of Defense.
  • Significant investment in federal facilities.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector. Federal spending in this sector often involves large-scale infrastructure projects for government facilities, with costs varying widely based on project complexity, location, and specific requirements.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not specify subcontracting plans or awards to small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation in this large construction project.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a standard procurement process. Oversight would typically involve contract management by the Department of the Army to ensure compliance with terms and specifications.

Related Government Programs

  • Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

  • Large contract value.
  • Long project duration.
  • Firm Fixed Price contract.
  • Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector.
  • Department of Defense agency.

Tags

commercial-and-institutional-building-co, department-of-defense, md, definitive-contract, 100m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $131.1 million to HENSEL PHELPS CONSTRUCTION CO. NORTH CAMPUS ELECTRICAL UTILITY PLANT CONSTRUCTION. CORRECTION TO SUBCONTRACTING PLAN/SA-EC

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HENSEL PHELPS 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 $131.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-09-16. End: 2016-03-23.

What was the specific scope of work for the North Campus Electrical Utility Plant?

The contract was for the construction of the North Campus Electrical Utility Plant. While the exact specifications are not detailed here, such projects typically involve building new power generation facilities, substations, and associated distribution infrastructure to support campus operations. This includes civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering work, ensuring reliable and efficient power supply.

What are the primary risks associated with a large fixed-price construction contract like this?

The primary risks for the government with a fixed-price contract are limited, as the contractor assumes most cost overruns. However, risks include potential for contractor default, quality issues if the contractor cuts corners to maintain profit, and disputes over scope changes. For the contractor, the risk is significant if unforeseen site conditions or material cost increases erode profit margins.

How does the duration of this project impact its effectiveness for the Department of Defense?

A 1650-day (approximately 4.5 years) duration for a utility plant construction project is substantial. While it ensures thoroughness, it also means the Department of Defense must manage operations with existing infrastructure for an extended period. Delays could impact readiness, but a well-executed long-term project ensures a robust and reliable utility system for decades.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ConstructionNonresidential Building ConstructionCommercial and Institutional Building Construction

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENTDEFENSE (OTHER) R&D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W912DR11R0033

Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4437 BROOKFIELD CORPORATE DR STE 207, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $131,089,217

Exercised Options: $131,089,217

Current Obligation: $131,089,217

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 61

Total Subaward Amount: $109,701,898

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline

Start Date: 2011-09-16

Current End Date: 2016-03-23

Potential End Date: 2016-03-23 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2021-06-04

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