DoD's $47.6M Raven Rock Mountain Complex construction support contract awarded to Weston Solutions Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $47,557,471 ($47.6M)
Contractor: Weston Solutions Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2009-08-08
End Date: 2014-05-31
Contract Duration: 1,757 days
Daily Burn Rate: $27.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 12
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: ER/MIL - SDIC CONSTRUCTION SUPPORT IN SUPPORT OF THE RAVEN ROCK MOUNTAIN COMPLEX
Place of Performance
Location: DILLSBURG, ADAMS County, PENNSYLVANIA, 17019
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $47.6 million to WESTON SOLUTIONS INC for work described as: ER/MIL - SDIC CONSTRUCTION SUPPORT IN SUPPORT OF THE RAVEN ROCK MOUNTAIN COMPLEX Key points: 1. The contract's value of $47.6 million over nearly five years suggests a significant investment in specialized construction support. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, the contract indicates a market with multiple capable providers. 3. The 'Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction' NAICS code points to a focus on large-scale infrastructure projects. 4. The contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. 5. The duration of 1757 days (approx. 4.8 years) implies a long-term need for these services. 6. The contract was awarded as a delivery order, suggesting it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle or a similar framework.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this $47.6 million contract is challenging without specific details on the scope of work and deliverables. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type, while common for complex projects, carries inherent risks of cost escalation. The fixed fee component provides some cost control, but the government bears the risk of actual costs exceeding estimates. Comparing this to similar large-scale civil engineering support contracts for secure government facilities would be necessary for a more precise 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 offers. The presence of 12 bidders suggests a competitive environment for this type of specialized construction support. A higher number of bidders generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition for this contract is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely drove down prices and ensured the government received competitive offers for essential construction support services.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiary is the Department of Defense, specifically the operations and security of the Raven Rock Mountain Complex. The services delivered likely include a range of heavy and civil engineering construction activities necessary for maintaining and upgrading a critical government facility. The geographic impact is concentrated in Pennsylvania, where the Raven Rock Mountain Complex is located. Workforce implications would include employment opportunities for skilled construction labor, engineers, and project managers in the region.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
- The long duration of the contract (nearly 5 years) requires sustained oversight to ensure performance and value.
- Lack of specific details on the scope of work makes it difficult to fully assess value for money.
- The nature of 'construction support' can be broad, requiring clear definition of tasks to avoid scope creep.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition with 12 bidders, indicating a healthy competitive market.
- The contract supports a critical national security asset, the Raven Rock Mountain Complex.
- The fixed fee component of the CPFF contract provides a degree of cost certainty for the contractor's profit.
- The contract is a delivery order, suggesting it was part of a pre-competed IDIQ or similar vehicle, potentially streamlining acquisition.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the heavy and civil engineering construction sector, which is a substantial part of the broader construction industry. This sector involves the construction of infrastructure such as highways, bridges, utilities, and other large-scale public works. Government contracts for specialized construction support, particularly for secure facilities like the Raven Rock Mountain Complex, represent a significant segment of this market. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large-scale construction projects awarded by federal agencies for critical infrastructure or secure sites.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small business participation was not a primary focus, as the contract was not set aside for small businesses and the contractor, Weston Solutions Inc., is a large business. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting goals for small businesses within the provided data. This suggests that the primary focus was on securing the specialized capabilities required for the project from a large, experienced firm, rather than specifically promoting small business involvement.
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 embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards, reporting requirements, and payment schedules tied to milestones. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases like FPDS-NG, though detailed project-specific oversight mechanisms are internal to the agency. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise.
Related Government Programs
- Raven Rock Mountain Complex Operations and Maintenance
- Department of Defense Construction Projects
- Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Projects
- Secure Facility Construction and Support
- Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction Contracts
Risk Flags
- Cost Overrun Risk (CPFF)
- Scope Creep Potential
- Long-Term Project Management Complexity
- Dependence on Specialized Expertise
Tags
construction, department-of-defense, department-of-the-army, weston-solutions-inc, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, cost-plus-fixed-fee, heavy-and-civil-engineering, raven-rock-mountain-complex, pennsylvania, critical-infrastructure, national-security
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $47.6 million to WESTON SOLUTIONS INC. ER/MIL - SDIC CONSTRUCTION SUPPORT IN SUPPORT OF THE RAVEN ROCK MOUNTAIN COMPLEX
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is WESTON SOLUTIONS 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 $47.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2009-08-08. End: 2014-05-31.
What is the specific scope of 'construction support' provided under this contract?
The provided data does not detail the specific scope of 'construction support.' However, given the NAICS code 'Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction' and the nature of the Raven Rock Mountain Complex, it likely encompasses a broad range of activities. These could include site preparation, excavation, concrete work, utility installation and repair, structural modifications, road construction and maintenance, and potentially specialized support for underground facilities. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type suggests that the exact requirements may have evolved or were difficult to define precisely at the outset, necessitating flexibility in the scope while maintaining a defined profit margin for the contractor.
How does the $47.6 million cost compare to similar construction support contracts for secure government facilities?
Direct comparison of the $47.6 million cost is difficult without knowing the precise scope, duration, and specific services rendered. However, for large-scale, long-term construction support at critical government installations, this figure is within a plausible range. Contracts for similar secure facilities, especially those involving extensive civil engineering or underground infrastructure, can easily run into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars over several years. Factors influencing cost include the complexity of the site, the level of security required, the specific engineering challenges, and the prevailing labor and material costs in the region. A detailed benchmark would require analyzing contracts with similar security classifications, geographic locations, and service requirements.
What are the primary risks associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type used for this award?
The primary risk associated with the CPFF contract type is cost overrun. In a CPFF contract, the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. While the fixed fee provides some incentive for the contractor to control costs (as their profit is not directly tied to the total cost), the government bears the risk of actual costs exceeding initial estimates. If the project scope expands or unforeseen issues arise, the total cost to the government can increase significantly. Effective oversight, detailed cost tracking, and robust change management are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the project remains within budget expectations.
What is the significance of awarding this contract as a 'Delivery Order'?
Awarding this contract as a 'Delivery Order' typically means it was issued under a pre-existing Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar type of multiple-award contract vehicle. This approach allows agencies to procure services or supplies over a period of time without having to conduct a full, separate competition for each individual task or order. The initial competition likely occurred when the IDIQ contract was awarded, establishing a pool of pre-qualified contractors. Issuing a delivery order then allows the agency to quickly obtain specific services (like the construction support for Raven Rock) from one of the pre-selected contractors, often based on best value or lowest price among the awardees. This can streamline the acquisition process and reduce administrative burden.
What does the number of bidders (12) suggest about the market for this type of construction support?
The fact that 12 companies bid on this contract suggests a relatively healthy and competitive market for specialized heavy and civil engineering construction support services, particularly for government facilities. A dozen bidders indicate that there are multiple firms with the necessary expertise, capacity, and security clearances to undertake such projects. This level of competition is generally favorable for the government, as it increases the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and innovative solutions. It also suggests that the barriers to entry for firms wanting to compete in this specific niche are not prohibitively high, provided they meet the stringent requirements of government contracting.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCT NONBUILDING FACILITIES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: W9128F07R0022
Offers Received: 12
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Weston Solutions Holdings, Inc.
Address: 1400 WESTON WAY, WEST CHESTER, PA, 19380
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Small Agricultural Cooperative, Small Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $47,557,471
Exercised Options: $47,557,471
Current Obligation: $47,557,471
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W9128F08D0031
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2009-08-08
Current End Date: 2014-05-31
Potential End Date: 2014-05-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2024-02-09
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