TCI Architects/Engineers/Contractor, Inc. awarded $19.16M contract for construction services at Vance AFB

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,160,428 ($19.2M)

Contractor: TCI Architects/Engineers/Contractor, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2008-12-31

End Date: 2011-03-30

Contract Duration: 819 days

Daily Burn Rate: $23.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: VANCE AFB AFRC

Place of Performance

Location: ENID, GARFIELD County, OKLAHOMA, 73705

State: Oklahoma Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $19.2 million to TCI ARCHITECTS/ENGINEERS/CONTRACTOR, INC. for work described as: VANCE AFB AFRC Key points: 1. Contract value of $19.16 million for construction services. 2. Awarded by the Department of the Army, indicating a focus on military infrastructure. 3. Contract duration of 819 days suggests a significant project scope. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type implies defined costs and limited risk of cost overruns for the government. 5. Full and Open Competition indicates a broad solicitation process. 6. Project located in Oklahoma, potentially impacting local construction workforce and economy.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $19.16 million for construction services at Vance AFB appears to be within a reasonable range for a project of this scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar commercial and institutional building construction contracts awarded by the Department of Defense would provide a more precise assessment of value for money. The firm fixed price contract type helps to control costs, but the absence of detailed cost breakdowns or performance metrics makes a definitive value assessment challenging without further data.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under Full and Open Competition, suggesting that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of 2 bidders indicates a moderate level of competition for this project. While more than one bidder is positive, a higher number of bids typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider selection of qualified contractors. The specific details of the bidding process and the evaluation criteria would further illuminate the effectiveness of the competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and Open Competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to lower prices and better quality services. The fact that two bids were received suggests some level of price discovery, but the limited number of bidders might mean that taxpayers did not achieve the absolute lowest possible price.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Army and personnel stationed at Vance Air Force Base, who will receive improved facilities. The contract delivers commercial and institutional building construction services, likely involving new construction or renovation of buildings. The geographic impact is concentrated in Oklahoma, potentially creating jobs for local construction workers and benefiting local suppliers. The project will likely involve a skilled construction workforce, contributing to employment in the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Limited competition with only two bidders could potentially lead to higher costs than if more firms had participated.
  • The firm fixed price contract, while good for cost control, might disincentivize the contractor from seeking innovative or cost-saving measures if not explicitly incentivized.
  • Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the contractor's track record on this specific project.

Positive Signals

  • The contract was awarded through Full and Open Competition, ensuring a broad range of potential contractors could bid.
  • The Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government, mitigating the risk of budget overruns.
  • The project is located at an active Air Force Base, suggesting it addresses critical operational or quality-of-life needs for military personnel.

Sector Analysis

The commercial and institutional building construction sector is a significant part of the U.S. economy, encompassing a wide range of projects from office buildings to specialized facilities. Federal spending in this sector often supports military bases, government agencies, and public infrastructure. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar construction projects on military installations can vary widely based on size, complexity, and location. This contract represents a specific instance of federal investment within this broad industry.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses arising from a small business set-aside. The prime contractor, TCI ARCHITECTS/ENGINEERS/CONTRACTOR, INC., would be responsible for managing the entire project, and any subcontracting would be at their discretion, potentially including small businesses if they are competitive and capable.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Department of the Army. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards and payment schedules. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS, where basic information is publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

  • Military Construction Projects
  • Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Projects
  • Department of Defense Facilities Management
  • General Services Administration (GSA) Construction Contracts

Risk Flags

  • Limited Competition
  • Potential for Cost Overruns (contractor risk)
  • Need for robust oversight due to contract duration

Tags

construction, department-of-defense, department-of-the-army, vance-afb, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, commercial-and-institutional-building-construction, oklahoma, large-project, military-infrastructure

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $19.2 million to TCI ARCHITECTS/ENGINEERS/CONTRACTOR, INC.. VANCE AFB AFRC

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TCI ARCHITECTS/ENGINEERS/CONTRACTOR, 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 $19.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-12-31. End: 2011-03-30.

What was the specific scope of work for this construction contract at Vance AFB?

The provided data classifies this contract under NAICS code 236220, which pertains to Commercial and Institutional Building Construction. This typically includes the construction of new buildings such as office buildings, warehouses, and other commercial or institutional structures, as well as the alteration, repair, and renovation of existing ones. For Vance AFB, the specific scope would likely involve constructing or renovating facilities essential for base operations, personnel housing, or support services. Without access to the full contract details or statement of work, the precise nature of the construction (e.g., barracks, training facilities, administrative buildings) remains unspecified.

How does the contract value of $19.16 million compare to similar construction projects at Air Force bases?

Benchmarking the $19.16 million contract value requires comparing it to similar construction projects at Air Force bases of comparable size and scope. Factors such as the type of facility being built (e.g., barracks vs. a specialized training center), the complexity of the construction, and the prevailing labor and material costs in Oklahoma would influence the expected price. Generally, construction projects on military installations can range from a few million dollars for smaller renovations to hundreds of millions for large-scale new construction. Given the 819-day duration, $19.16 million suggests a substantial project, but without more specific project details or access to a database of comparable Air Force construction contracts, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult.

What are the potential risks associated with a Firm Fixed Price contract for this type of construction?

A Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract, while beneficial for cost control by the government, can introduce risks for the contractor. If the contractor underestimates labor, material, or unforeseen site conditions, they bear the full cost of any overruns. For the government, the primary risk with FFP is that the contractor may be less inclined to incorporate innovative or cost-saving measures once the price is fixed, potentially leading to a less optimal outcome if not carefully managed. Additionally, if the scope of work changes significantly, the change order process under FFP can become complex and contentious. However, for a well-defined construction project like this appears to be, FFP generally shifts performance risk to the contractor.

What does the limited competition (2 bidders) imply for the government and taxpayers?

Limited competition, with only two bidders, suggests that the government may not have achieved the most competitive pricing possible. Ideally, a 'full and open' competition would attract a larger pool of bidders, increasing the likelihood of receiving multiple competitive offers that drive down the price. With only two bidders, there's a higher chance that the winning bid reflects a price that is acceptable to the contractor rather than the absolute lowest price achievable in a more robustly competitive market. This could mean taxpayers are paying a premium compared to what might have been secured with more bids. However, it's also possible that the project's specific requirements or location naturally limited the number of qualified bidders.

What is the track record of TCI ARCHITECTS/ENGINEERS/CONTRACTOR, INC. with federal contracts?

The provided data indicates that TCI ARCHITECTS/ENGINEERS/CONTRACTOR, INC. was awarded this contract. To assess their track record, one would need to examine their history of federal contract awards, including contract values, types, agencies involved, and performance ratings (if available). A review of public databases like FPDS or SAM.gov would reveal past performance, including any awards, terminations, or disputes. A contractor with a history of successful, on-time, and within-budget project completion for similar federal projects would generally be considered a lower risk. Without this historical data, it's difficult to definitively assess their specific track record beyond this single award.

How does the contract duration of 819 days (approx. 2.2 years) influence the assessment of this contract?

A contract duration of 819 days, approximately 2.2 years, indicates a significant construction project rather than a short-term service contract. This extended timeline suggests a substantial scope of work, potentially involving new building construction, major renovations, or complex infrastructure development. For assessment purposes, a longer duration increases the potential for unforeseen challenges, such as changes in material costs, labor availability, or regulatory requirements over time. It also implies a greater need for robust project management and oversight from the government to ensure the project stays on track and within budget. The firm fixed price nature becomes even more critical to manage potential cost fluctuations over such an extended period.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ConstructionNonresidential Building ConstructionCommercial and Institutional Building Construction

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTYMAINT, ALTER, REPAIR NONBUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W912QR08R0052

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1718 STATE RD 16, LA CROSSE, WI, 03

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $19,160,428

Exercised Options: $19,160,428

Current Obligation: $19,160,428

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline

Start Date: 2008-12-31

Current End Date: 2011-03-30

Potential End Date: 2011-03-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2011-09-30

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