DoD's $68.9M NASA Test Stand Contract Awarded to Brasfield & Gorrie LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $68,914,237 ($68.9M)
Contractor: Brasfield & Gorrie LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2014-04-15
End Date: 2016-12-30
Contract Duration: 990 days
Daily Burn Rate: $69.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF NASA TEST STAND
Place of Performance
Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35801
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $68.9 million to BRASFIELD & GORRIE LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF NASA TEST STAND Key points: 1. Contract value of $68.9 million for a NASA test stand. 2. Awarded by the Department of the Army, indicating defense sector involvement. 3. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The project falls under Commercial and Institutional Building Construction. 5. Firm Fixed Price contract type aims to control costs.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $68.9 million for a test stand appears reasonable given the scope of construction. Benchmarking against similar large-scale institutional construction projects would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically fosters competitive pricing and allows for a wide range of potential contractors to bid. This method is expected to yield fair market value.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is generally beneficial for taxpayers as it promotes efficiency and cost-effectiveness in government spending.
Public Impact
Supports NASA's research and development capabilities through infrastructure. Potential for job creation in the construction sector in Alabama. Ensures critical testing infrastructure is available for aerospace programs. Highlights inter-agency collaboration between DoD and NASA. Project completion contributes to technological advancement.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns in large construction projects.
- Delays in project completion could impact NASA's timelines.
- Contractor performance risk.
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract mitigates cost escalation risk.
- Full and open competition suggests a competitive price.
- Awarded by a major federal agency (DoD).
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the construction sector, specifically for institutional buildings. Spending in this area is often driven by infrastructure needs for research, development, and operational facilities across various government agencies.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that the prime contractor is Brasfield & Gorrie LLC, a large firm. There is no explicit information on small business subcontracting participation in this data snippet, which warrants further investigation.
Oversight & Accountability
Awarded by the Department of the Army, oversight would likely involve contract management personnel ensuring adherence to terms, quality, and schedule. The firm fixed price nature provides some cost control, but monitoring progress is crucial.
Related Government Programs
- Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for construction cost overruns.
- Risk of project delays impacting NASA's schedule.
- Adequacy of small business subcontracting.
- Ensuring long-term operational and maintenance costs are manageable.
Tags
commercial-and-institutional-building-co, department-of-defense, al, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $68.9 million to BRASFIELD & GORRIE LLC. IGF::OT::IGF NASA TEST STAND
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BRASFIELD & GORRIE LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $68.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2014-04-15. End: 2016-12-30.
What specific testing capabilities will this NASA test stand enable, and how does its cost align with the expected scientific or technological return on investment?
The test stand's specific capabilities are not detailed in the provided data. However, its construction supports NASA's mission-critical testing requirements for aerospace components or systems. A thorough ROI analysis would compare the $68.9 million investment against the value of accelerated research, improved safety, or enhanced technological development enabled by the facility.
Given the project duration of nearly two years, what were the primary risk mitigation strategies employed to manage potential construction delays and cost overruns?
While specific strategies aren't listed, typical mitigation for such projects includes detailed project planning, phased construction schedules, contingency budgeting, and regular site inspections. The firm fixed price contract inherently shifts some cost overrun risk to the contractor, incentivizing efficient management. Robust communication channels between the Army and Brasfield & Gorrie would be essential.
How effectively did the 'full and open competition' process ensure the best value for taxpayers, considering the specialized nature of a NASA test stand?
Full and open competition generally maximizes the pool of bidders, driving down prices through market forces. For a specialized facility like a NASA test stand, the effectiveness hinges on whether the solicitation clearly defined technical requirements to attract qualified bidders while allowing sufficient flexibility for innovative solutions. The final price relative to independent cost estimates would be a key indicator of value.
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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: W9127811R0029
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3021 7TH AVE S, BIRMINGHAM, AL, 35233
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $68,914,237
Exercised Options: $68,914,237
Current Obligation: $68,914,237
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W9127811D0072
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2014-04-15
Current End Date: 2016-12-30
Potential End Date: 2016-12-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-02-26
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