Fort Carson site work contract awarded to Federal Contracting Inc. for $15.55M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,550,950 ($15.6M)

Contractor: Federal Contracting Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2007-09-25

End Date: 2008-10-19

Contract Duration: 390 days

Daily Burn Rate: $39.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: M-SITEWORK & HARDSTAND FORT CARSON, CO

Place of Performance

Location: COLORADO SPRINGS, EL PASO County, COLORADO, 80913

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $15.6 million to FEDERAL CONTRACTING INC for work described as: M-SITEWORK & HARDSTAND FORT CARSON, CO Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the scope of site preparation and hardstand construction. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Contract duration of 390 days indicates a significant project timeline. 4. Fixed-price contract type shifts risk to the contractor. 5. Awarded by the Department of the Army, indicating a defense-related infrastructure need. 6. Project located in Colorado, potentially impacting local construction workforce.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $15.55 million for site preparation and hardstand construction at Fort Carson appears to be within a reasonable range for a project of this nature. Benchmarking against similar military construction projects would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor is responsible for cost overruns, which is generally favorable for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of two bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific project. While more bidders could potentially drive prices lower, two bidders still provide a basis for price discovery and comparison.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more favorable pricing and better quality services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Army, receiving improved infrastructure at Fort Carson. Services delivered include site preparation and hardstand construction, essential for military operations. The geographic impact is localized to Fort Carson, Colorado. Workforce implications include potential job creation for construction workers in the Colorado region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if initial site conditions are significantly different than anticipated.
Ensuring timely completion within the 390-day duration is crucial to avoid operational delays.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract mitigates cost escalation risk for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a robust bidding process.
Awarded by the Department of the Army, indicating alignment with strategic defense needs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the construction and engineering services sector, specifically focusing on site preparation and infrastructure development for military installations. The market for such services is substantial, driven by ongoing military readiness requirements and base modernization efforts. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other military construction contracts for similar scopes of work at different bases.

Small Business Impact

The contract details indicate that small business participation was not a specific set-aside requirement (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses through set-asides is minimal. However, the prime contractor, Federal Contracting Inc., may engage small businesses as subcontractors, contributing to the broader small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer's representative (COR) 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 the agreed-upon cost and timeline. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific project oversight details may not be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Military Construction
Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) projects
Army Corps of Engineers construction contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for unforeseen site conditions
Schedule adherence risk due to 390-day duration
Contractor performance variability

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $15.6 million to FEDERAL CONTRACTING INC. M-SITEWORK & HARDSTAND FORT CARSON, CO

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FEDERAL CONTRACTING 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 $15.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-09-25. End: 2008-10-19.

What is the track record of Federal Contracting Inc. in performing similar site preparation and construction contracts for the Department of Defense?

A comprehensive review of Federal Contracting Inc.'s past performance would involve examining their contract history with the Department of Defense and other federal agencies. This includes looking at the successful completion of similar projects, any past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any instances of contract disputes or terminations. Without access to specific performance data for Federal Contracting Inc., it is difficult to definitively assess their track record. However, the fact that they were awarded this contract under full and open competition suggests they met the minimum qualifications and demonstrated capability during the bidding process.

How does the awarded price of $15.55 million compare to the estimated cost or budget for this project?

The provided data does not include the government's estimated cost or budget for this project, making a direct comparison impossible. The awarded price of $15.55 million represents the amount the contractor agreed to perform the work for. To assess value for money, this figure would need to be benchmarked against independent cost estimates, historical data for similar projects, and the bids received from other competitors. The fact that it was awarded under full and open competition with two bidders suggests the price was deemed acceptable by the contracting authority, but without internal budget information, a definitive assessment of whether it was over or under budget cannot be made.

What are the key risk indicators associated with this specific contract, considering its scope and duration?

Key risk indicators for this contract include the potential for unforeseen site conditions (e.g., soil instability, underground utilities) that could lead to cost overruns or delays, despite the firm-fixed-price structure. The 390-day duration presents a risk of schedule slippage due to weather, material availability, or labor issues. Contractor performance risk is also a factor; while they won the bid, ensuring consistent quality and adherence to specifications throughout the project is critical. Furthermore, the limited competition (two bidders) could indicate potential market concentration or specialized requirements that might limit future competitive opportunities.

How effective is the firm-fixed-price contract type in ensuring program effectiveness and cost control for this site preparation project?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally effective for ensuring cost control and program effectiveness when the scope of work is well-defined and risks are understood. For a site preparation and hardstand project, where the physical requirements are relatively clear, FFP shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor. This incentivizes the contractor to manage their costs efficiently and complete the project within the agreed-upon price. Program effectiveness is enhanced as the contractor is motivated to meet specifications to receive full payment. However, if unforeseen issues arise that significantly alter the scope, contract modifications could become necessary, potentially impacting cost and schedule.

What are the historical spending patterns for site preparation and construction at Fort Carson or similar Army installations?

Historical spending patterns for site preparation and construction at Fort Carson and similar Army installations are typically characterized by significant capital investments driven by modernization, expansion, and maintenance requirements. These projects often involve substantial dollar values, ranging from millions to tens of millions, depending on the scale and complexity. Spending can fluctuate based on military readiness needs, congressional appropriations, and specific base development plans. Analyzing past contracts for similar work at Fort Carson would reveal average contract values, durations, and the types of contractors frequently engaged, providing context for the current $15.55 million award.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Other Specialty Trade Contractors › Site Preparation Contractors

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCT NONBUILDING FACILITIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: W9128F07R0024

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7025 CAMPUS DRIVE, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, 05

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,550,950

Exercised Options: $15,550,950

Current Obligation: $15,550,950

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W9128F07D0018

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline