Army awards $29.7M for CAS ramp expansion, highlighting infrastructure needs in highway construction

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,704,503 ($29.7M)

Contractor: Domestic Awardees (undisclosed)

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2010-09-07

End Date: 2015-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,849 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT CAS RAMP EXPANSION

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $29.7 million to DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED) for work described as: DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT CAS RAMP EXPANSION Key points: 1. Contract value of $29.7 million indicates significant investment in critical infrastructure. 2. Full and open competition suggests a robust market for highway construction services. 3. The contract duration of 1849 days points to a complex, long-term project. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type aims to control costs and manage budget predictability. 5. The project falls within the Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction sector, vital for military readiness and logistics. 6. Lack of specific awardee information hinders detailed analysis of contractor performance and market concentration.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $29.7 million for a highway construction project of this scope appears within a reasonable range, though specific benchmarks are difficult without more detail on the project's complexity and location. The firm fixed-price nature suggests an effort to control costs, but without knowing the specific deliverables and market conditions at the time of award, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The absence of detailed awardee information prevents comparison with other contractors or similar projects.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders were likely considered. This approach generally fosters competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value offer. The presence of 6 bidders (implied by 'no': 6) suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this type of construction work, which is positive for price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition as it typically drives down prices and ensures the government receives competitive bids, maximizing the value of public funds.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of Defense and its personnel, through improved logistical capabilities at the CAS ramp. The project delivers essential construction services for expanding critical infrastructure. Geographic impact is localized to the specific military installation where the CAS ramp is located. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for construction workers, engineers, and project managers in the highway construction sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of transparency regarding the specific awardee(s) makes it difficult to assess contractor past performance and potential conflicts of interest.
The long contract duration (1849 days) increases the risk of cost overruns due to unforeseen market fluctuations or project scope changes, despite the fixed-price nature.
Limited detail on the project's specific technical requirements and location hinders a thorough risk assessment.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process that should yield favorable pricing.
The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government, mitigating budget risks.
The project addresses a clear infrastructure need, contributing to operational readiness and efficiency.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction sector, a significant segment of the broader construction industry. This sector is crucial for national infrastructure development and maintenance, including military installations. Spending in this area is often driven by modernization efforts, capacity expansion, and repair needs. Benchmarking this specific contract's value against similar military construction projects would provide further context on its scale and cost-effectiveness.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Without specific subcontracting plans or data, it's difficult to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem. However, prime contractors in large infrastructure projects often engage small businesses for specialized services, potentially creating subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and relevant project management personnel within the Department of the Army. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract, requiring the contractor to deliver the specified work within budget. Transparency is limited by the lack of disclosed awardee information and detailed project specifics in the provided data.

Related Government Programs

Military Construction
Airfield Paving and Construction
Infrastructure Development
Transportation Infrastructure
Department of Defense Contracts

Risk Flags

Lack of Awardee Transparency
Long Contract Duration
Potential for Cost Overruns (despite FFP)
Limited Scope Detail

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $29.7 million to DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED). DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT CAS RAMP EXPANSION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED).

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $29.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-09-07. End: 2015-09-30.

What specific improvements or expansions were included in the CAS ramp project?

The provided data only specifies 'DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT CAS RAMP EXPANSION' as the contract's purpose. Without access to the contract's statement of work or detailed project descriptions, the exact nature of the improvements or expansions remains undisclosed. Typically, such projects could involve increasing the size or capacity of the ramp, improving its surface material for durability and load-bearing, enhancing lighting or safety features, or ensuring compliance with updated aviation standards. Further investigation into contract documents or agency project portfolios would be necessary to ascertain the specific details of the expansion.

How does the $29.7 million cost compare to similar airfield ramp construction projects?

A direct cost comparison of $29.7 million for this CAS ramp expansion is challenging without more specific project details and comparable contract data. Factors influencing cost include the geographic location, specific materials used, complexity of the design, duration of construction, and prevailing market rates for labor and materials at the time of award. Projects involving significant structural changes, specialized surfacing, or extensive site preparation would naturally incur higher costs. To benchmark effectively, one would need to identify contracts for similar-sized ramps, with comparable scope (e.g., new construction vs. expansion, specific load-bearing requirements), awarded around the same period, and ideally within the same region or military branch.

What were the primary risks identified for this long-duration construction contract?

Given the contract's duration of 1849 days (approximately 5 years), several risks are inherent. A primary risk is market fluctuation, where the cost of materials (like asphalt, concrete, steel) and labor could increase significantly over the project's life, potentially impacting the contractor's profitability or leading to claims, even under a fixed-price contract if scope changes occur. Schedule delays due to weather, unforeseen site conditions (e.g., subsurface utilities, soil instability), or permitting issues are also significant risks. Furthermore, changes in military operational requirements or funding priorities could lead to scope adjustments or even contract termination. The firm fixed-price nature aims to transfer most cost risk to the contractor, but managing these external factors remains a challenge for both parties.

What is the significance of a 'CAS ramp' in military operations?

A CAS (Close Air Support) ramp, often referred to as an aircraft parking apron or hardstand, is a critical piece of infrastructure at military airfields. It serves as a designated area for aircraft to park, load munitions, refuel, conduct pre-flight checks, and await deployment orders. For CAS aircraft, which provide direct support to ground troops, having readily accessible and potentially expanded ramp space is crucial for rapid response times and efficient sortie generation. Expansion of such a ramp suggests an increase in the number or types of aircraft operating from the facility, or a need for improved staging areas to enhance operational tempo and logistical support for ground forces.

How does the 'Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction' NAICS code apply to an airfield ramp?

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 237310, 'Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction,' is applied here because airfield ramps share significant construction characteristics with roads and bridges. Both involve extensive site preparation, grading, excavation, and the application of durable paving materials like asphalt or concrete designed to withstand heavy loads and environmental factors. The engineering principles for load-bearing capacity, drainage, and surface integrity are similar. While airfields have unique requirements (e.g., specific material resistance to jet fuel, different load classifications), the fundamental construction techniques and heavy civil engineering expertise overlap considerably, making this NAICS code appropriate for such projects.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction › Highway, Street, and Bridge 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: W912ER10R0009

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1800 F ST NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20405

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $30,114,442

Exercised Options: $29,704,503

Current Obligation: $29,704,503

Contract Characteristics

Consolidated Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline