Department of the Army awards $26.1M for West Point Middle School construction to Benard Associates Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,114,762 ($26.1M)

Contractor: Benard Associates Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2011-10-20

End Date: 2015-03-27

Contract Duration: 1,254 days

Daily Burn Rate: $20.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: AWARD OF WEST PONIT MIDDLE SCHOOL

Place of Performance

Location: WEST POINT, ORANGE County, NEW YORK, 10996

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $26.1 million to BENARD ASSOCIATES INC for work described as: AWARD OF WEST PONIT MIDDLE SCHOOL Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is a Definitive Contract, indicating a long-term agreement. 3. Fixed-price contract structure aims to control costs for the government. 4. Project duration of 1254 days suggests a significant construction undertaking. 5. The award was made by the Department of the Army, a major federal agency. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 236220 points to commercial and institutional building construction. 7. The contract was awarded in New York, indicating a specific geographic focus.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award amount of $26.1 million for the construction of West Point Middle School appears to be within a reasonable range for a project of this scale. Without specific benchmarks for similar school construction projects in the same geographic region and time period, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract suggests an effort to establish a clear cost ceiling. Further analysis would require comparison with other educational facility construction contracts awarded by the Department of Defense or other federal agencies.

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,' which typically means that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 6 bids indicates a moderate level of competition for this project. A higher number of bidders generally leads to more competitive pricing and a greater likelihood of achieving best value for the government. The specific exclusion of sources mentioned in the award notice would require further investigation to understand its implications on the competitive landscape.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive bidding process for this construction project likely resulted in a more favorable price for taxpayers compared to a sole-source or limited competition award. The six bids received suggest that multiple companies vied for the contract, driving down the potential cost.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries of this contract are students, faculty, and staff of West Point Middle School, who will receive a newly constructed or renovated facility. The services delivered include the construction of a commercial and institutional building, specifically a middle school. The geographic impact is localized to West Point, New York, where the school is situated. The project will likely have implications for the local construction workforce, creating jobs during the construction period.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen issues arise during construction, despite the fixed-price contract.
Delays in project completion could impact the educational schedule and require temporary solutions.
Quality control during construction is crucial to ensure the long-term durability and safety of the facility.

Positive Signals

The fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for the government.
Awarding to a single contractor streamlines project management and accountability.
The project addresses a clear need for educational infrastructure at West Point.

Sector Analysis

The construction sector is a significant area of federal spending, encompassing a wide range of projects from infrastructure to facility upgrades. This contract falls under commercial and institutional building construction, a segment that includes educational facilities. Federal spending in this area is often driven by the need to maintain, modernize, or expand government-owned or operated buildings. Benchmarking this contract would involve comparing its cost per square foot or per student capacity to similar school construction projects funded by federal, state, or local governments.

Small Business Impact

The contract details indicate that small business participation was not a primary set-aside criterion for this award (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the competition was open to businesses of all sizes, and the primary focus was on selecting the best offer based on qualifications and price. While there is no explicit small business set-aside, the prime contractor, Benard Associates Inc., may still engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill specific project requirements. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on the subcontracting opportunities generated by this prime contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of the Army's contracting and project management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the fixed-price contract terms, which obligate the contractor to deliver the specified construction within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract arise.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Construction Projects
Federal School Construction Initiatives
Military Base Infrastructure Development
General Building Construction Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to project duration.
Risk of construction delays impacting educational schedules.
Need for rigorous quality control throughout the construction process.
Logistical challenges specific to a military installation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $26.1 million to BENARD ASSOCIATES INC. AWARD OF WEST PONIT MIDDLE SCHOOL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BENARD ASSOCIATES 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 $26.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-10-20. End: 2015-03-27.

What is the track record of Benard Associates Inc. with federal contracts, particularly in educational construction?

A thorough review of Benard Associates Inc.'s federal contract history would be necessary to assess their track record. This would involve examining past awards, performance evaluations, and any history of contract disputes or terminations. Specifically, looking for experience with similar-sized educational construction projects for the Department of Defense or other federal agencies would provide valuable insight. A strong history of successful project completion, on time and within budget, would indicate a lower risk for this current contract. Conversely, a history of performance issues or significant cost overruns on previous projects would raise concerns about their capability to execute this West Point Middle School construction effectively.

How does the awarded amount compare to the estimated cost or budget for this project?

The provided data indicates an award amount of $26,114,762. To assess value, this figure needs to be compared against the government's initial cost estimate or allocated budget for the West Point Middle School construction. If the award amount is significantly lower than the estimate, it could indicate successful competition and cost savings for taxpayers. Conversely, if the award is close to or exceeds the estimate, it might suggest that the initial budgeting was inaccurate or that competition was less robust than anticipated. Without access to the government's internal cost estimates, a definitive comparison is not possible, but the number of bids received (6) suggests a competitive environment that likely drove the price towards the lower end of expectations.

What are the key risk indicators associated with this Definitive Contract for school construction?

Key risk indicators for this Definitive Contract include the inherent complexities and potential for unforeseen issues in large-scale construction projects. The duration of 1254 days (approximately 3.5 years) increases the risk of material cost fluctuations, labor availability challenges, and potential design changes. As a fixed-price contract, the risk of cost overruns primarily falls on the contractor, Benard Associates Inc. However, significant delays or quality issues could still lead to disputes or claims against the government. The geographic location at West Point might also present logistical challenges or specific security requirements that could introduce risk. A thorough risk assessment would also consider the contractor's past performance and financial stability.

How effective is the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method in ensuring best value for federal construction projects?

The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method aims to balance broad competition with specific requirements. It allows all responsible sources to bid but may exclude certain types of firms or technologies if they are deemed unsuitable or if specific capabilities are required that only a subset of the market possesses. This can be effective in ensuring best value when the exclusion is well-justified and does not unduly limit competition. For a project like school construction, if the exclusion was based on specific technical expertise or security clearances necessary for a military installation, it could lead to a more tailored and effective outcome. However, if the exclusion is arbitrary, it could reduce competition and potentially increase costs for taxpayers. The key is the rationale behind the exclusion and whether it genuinely enhances the likelihood of selecting the most capable and cost-effective contractor.

What are the historical spending patterns for similar school construction projects by the Department of the Army?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for similar school construction projects by the Department of the Army would provide crucial context for this $26.1 million award. This involves examining the number of such contracts awarded annually, the average contract value, the typical duration, and the range of awarded prices. Understanding these patterns can help identify trends in construction costs, the effectiveness of different contracting methods (e.g., fixed-price vs. cost-plus), and the average level of competition. For instance, if historical data shows that similar projects typically cost more or take longer, this award might represent good value. Conversely, if this award is an outlier in terms of cost or duration, further investigation into the specific project requirements and market conditions would be warranted.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W912DS11R0012

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 321 HAMBURG TPKE STE 4, WAYNE, NJ, 07470

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $26,114,762

Exercised Options: $26,114,762

Current Obligation: $26,114,762

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline