Army Awards $30.7M for Explosive Ordnance Facility Construction to Benard Associates Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $30,702,317 ($30.7M)

Contractor: Benard Associates Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2019-09-24

End Date: 2022-12-04

Contract Duration: 1,167 days

Daily Burn Rate: $26.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: CONSTRUCT AN EXPLOSIVE ORDINANCE TECHNICAL FACILITY COMPRISED OF A MUNITIONS DISASSEMBLY FACILITY (9,384 SF), FIELD OPERATIONS, MAINTENANCE/EXPERIMENTATION FACILITY (12,816 SF

Place of Performance

Location: PICATINNY ARSENAL, MORRIS County, NEW JERSEY, 07806

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $30.7 million to BENARD ASSOCIATES INC for work described as: CONSTRUCT AN EXPLOSIVE ORDINANCE TECHNICAL FACILITY COMPRISED OF A MUNITIONS DISASSEMBLY FACILITY (9,384 SF), FIELD OPERATIONS, MAINTENANCE/EXPERIMENTATION FACILITY (12,816 SF Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Benard Associates Inc. for a significant construction project. 2. Project involves specialized facilities for munitions handling and experimentation. 3. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The contract is a firm-fixed-price definitive contract, providing cost certainty.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $30.7 million for a 22,200 sq ft specialized facility appears reasonable given the complexity and specialized nature of explosive ordnance handling and experimentation. Benchmarking against similar government construction projects of this scale and type would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: $1,383 per square foot

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value offer.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is expected to yield a fair market price, maximizing taxpayer value for this specialized construction.

Public Impact

Enhances national defense capabilities by providing critical infrastructure for ordnance handling. Supports military readiness and research in explosive ordnance disposal and technology. Project completion contributes to the modernization of military facilities. Potential for local economic impact through construction jobs and material sourcing.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns in specialized construction.
Schedule delays due to complex technical requirements.
Environmental and safety compliance challenges for ordnance facilities.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract limits cost uncertainty.
Full and open competition promotes competitive pricing.
Experienced contractor likely selected through competitive process.

Sector Analysis

The construction sector, particularly for specialized government facilities like this ordnance technical facility, requires adherence to stringent safety, environmental, and technical standards. Spending benchmarks for similar projects vary widely based on location, complexity, and specific requirements.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small businesses were not directly awarded this contract, as it was awarded to Benard Associates Inc. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses participated as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of the Army, under the Department of Defense, is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard government oversight mechanisms, including contract management and inspection, would be in place to ensure compliance and quality.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Potential for cost escalation due to specialized materials and labor.
Risk of schedule delays impacting operational readiness.
Complexity of ensuring compliance with stringent safety regulations.
Dependence on specialized contractor expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $30.7 million to BENARD ASSOCIATES INC. CONSTRUCT AN EXPLOSIVE ORDINANCE TECHNICAL FACILITY COMPRISED OF A MUNITIONS DISASSEMBLY FACILITY (9,384 SF), FIELD OPERATIONS, MAINTENANCE/EXPERIMENTATION FACILITY (12,816 SF

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 $30.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-09-24. End: 2022-12-04.

What specific safety and environmental protocols are mandated for this facility's construction and operation?

Construction and operation of an explosive ordnance technical facility are subject to rigorous safety and environmental protocols mandated by federal regulations (e.g., OSHA, EPA) and specific military standards. These include detailed procedures for handling hazardous materials, waste disposal, site security, blast mitigation, and emergency response planning to ensure the safety of personnel and the surrounding environment.

How does the $1,383 per square foot cost compare to similar specialized government construction projects?

The per-square-foot cost of $1,383 for this specialized facility is within the expected range for government construction projects involving unique technical requirements and high safety standards, such as those for ordnance handling. However, a precise comparison requires benchmarking against projects of similar scale, complexity, and geographic location, considering factors like material costs and labor rates at the time of award.

What measures are in place to ensure the long-term effectiveness and operational readiness of this facility?

Long-term effectiveness and operational readiness are ensured through robust design specifications, quality construction oversight, and comprehensive commissioning processes. Post-construction, regular maintenance schedules, periodic safety inspections, technology upgrades, and ongoing training for personnel operating within the facility are critical to maintaining its functionality and meeting evolving mission requirements.

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: W912DS19R0021

Offers Received: 3

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, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $38,912,567

Exercised Options: $30,702,317

Current Obligation: $30,702,317

Actual Outlays: $654,593

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline