DoD's $29.2M construction contract awarded to Archer Western Contractors, LLC for 1,386 days

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,214,719 ($29.2M)

Contractor: Archer Western Contractors, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2009-09-28

End Date: 2013-07-15

Contract Duration: 1,386 days

Daily Burn Rate: $21.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: CONSTRUCT ALL WORK

Place of Performance

Location: FORT LEONARD WOOD, PULASKI County, MISSOURI, 65473

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $29.2 million to ARCHER WESTERN CONTRACTORS, LLC for work described as: CONSTRUCT ALL WORK Key points: 1. Contract value of $29.2 million over nearly four years suggests a significant investment in infrastructure. 2. The firm-fixed-price contract type indicates that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns. 3. Awarded under full and open competition, this contract likely benefited from competitive pricing. 4. The contract duration of 1,386 days points to a large-scale, complex construction project. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 236220 signifies commercial and institutional building construction. 6. The contract was issued as a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $29.2 million for nearly four years of construction work appears reasonable for a large-scale project. Without specific details on the scope of work, it's difficult to benchmark precisely. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests that the government secured a predictable cost. Comparing this to similar large-scale military construction projects would provide a more definitive value assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This typically leads to a more robust selection of contractors and potentially better pricing for the government. The presence of 5 bids suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this project.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally results in more competitive pricing, which is beneficial for taxpayers as it helps ensure the government is not overpaying for services.

Public Impact

The Department of Defense benefits from the construction of necessary facilities, enhancing operational capabilities. The project likely involved significant employment opportunities for construction workers in Missouri. The services delivered are commercial and institutional building construction, supporting military infrastructure needs. The geographic impact is concentrated in Missouri, where the construction activities took place.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the initial requirements were not clearly defined.
Risk of delays due to unforeseen site conditions or material availability.
Ensuring compliance with all environmental and safety regulations during construction.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract mitigates cost overrun risks for the government.
Full and open competition likely secured competitive pricing.
Long duration suggests a well-defined and substantial project, indicating thorough planning.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the construction sector, specifically commercial and institutional building construction. The Department of Defense is a major client for construction services, often undertaking large-scale infrastructure projects to support military operations. Benchmarking this contract's value against other large federal construction projects would require detailed analysis of scope and location, but $29.2 million is a substantial sum indicative of a significant undertaking.

Small Business Impact

The 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 set-aside provision. However, the prime contractor, Archer Western Contractors, LLC, may engage small businesses as subcontractors, which would depend on their own subcontracting plans and opportunities within the project's scope.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and their representatives within the Department of the Army. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract places the onus on the contractor for performance. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Military Construction Projects
Department of Defense Facilities Management
General Services Administration (GSA) Construction Contracts
Army Corps of Engineers Construction Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if scope was not clearly defined.
Risk of schedule delays due to unforeseen circumstances.
Ensuring quality control throughout the construction process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $29.2 million to ARCHER WESTERN CONTRACTORS, LLC. CONSTRUCT ALL WORK

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ARCHER WESTERN CONTRACTORS, 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 $29.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-09-28. End: 2013-07-15.

What specific type of commercial and institutional building was constructed under this contract?

The provided data indicates the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 236220, which covers 'Commercial and Institutional Building Construction.' However, the specific type of building (e.g., barracks, administrative facility, training center, hospital wing) is not detailed in the provided summary. Further investigation into the contract's statement of work or associated documentation would be necessary to identify the precise nature of the facility constructed. This level of detail is crucial for understanding the functional purpose and strategic importance of the construction project within the Department of Defense's infrastructure.

How does the per-square-foot cost of this construction project compare to similar military facilities built around the same time?

To compare the per-square-foot cost, we would need the total square footage of the constructed facility, which is not provided in the summary data. Assuming we had that figure, we would then research comparable military construction projects awarded by the Department of Defense or other federal agencies between 2009 and 2013. Factors such as location (which influences labor and material costs), specific building type (e.g., specialized labs vs. standard offices), and the complexity of systems installed (HVAC, IT, security) would need to be considered for a fair comparison. Without the square footage and detailed project scope, a meaningful per-square-foot cost benchmark is not possible.

What was the track record of Archer Western Contractors, LLC with the Department of Defense prior to this award?

The provided data does not include information on Archer Western Contractors, LLC's prior contract history with the Department of Defense. To assess their track record, one would need to query federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for previous awards to this contractor from the DoD. Key metrics to examine would include the number of previous contracts, their values, contract types, performance ratings (if available), and any history of disputes or terminations. A strong history of successful project completion and adherence to contract terms would indicate lower performance risk for this $29.2 million award.

Were there any significant cost changes or change orders issued throughout the duration of this contract?

The summary data indicates a firm-fixed-price contract type and provides the initial award amount ($29,214,719). However, it does not detail whether any modifications, change orders, or supplemental agreements were issued during the contract's performance period (September 28, 2009, to July 15, 2013). For firm-fixed-price contracts, significant change orders can sometimes indicate scope adjustments or unforeseen issues. A review of the contract's modification history in a federal procurement database would be necessary to determine if the final cost deviated from the initial award amount and to understand the reasons for any such deviations.

What were the primary risks identified during the solicitation phase for this construction project, and how were they mitigated?

The provided data does not explicitly list the risks identified during the solicitation phase. However, common risks in large construction projects include potential cost overruns (mitigated here by the firm-fixed-price structure), schedule delays (due to weather, site conditions, or supply chain issues), quality control deficiencies, and safety incidents. Since this was a full and open competition with 5 bidders, the solicitation likely included detailed specifications and performance requirements designed to allow bidders to accurately price and plan, thereby mitigating risks associated with unclear requirements. The contracting agency would have evaluated proposals based on technical approach, past performance, and price to select the best value offeror.

How does the number of bidders (5) on this contract compare to the average number of bids for similar DoD construction projects of this magnitude?

Having 5 bidders for a $29.2 million construction contract awarded under full and open competition is generally considered a healthy level of competition. The average number of bids can vary significantly based on the specific type of construction, geographic location, and market conditions at the time of solicitation. For large, complex federal construction projects, receiving between 3 to 7 bids often indicates sufficient market interest without being overly burdensome for offerors. Fewer than 3 bids might suggest limited competition or potential issues with the solicitation, while a significantly higher number could indicate intense interest or perhaps a less complex scope that attracts more participants.

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: W9126G07R0121

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Walsh Group Ltd., the (UEI: 121476675)

Address: 3715 NORTHSIDE PKWY BG 100 STE 550, ATLANTA, GA, 30327

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $29,214,719

Exercised Options: $29,214,719

Current Obligation: $29,214,719

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W9126G08D0049

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline