Airfield pavement repair contract awarded to AECOM Technical Services for $16.88M, utilizing ARRA funds

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,887,692 ($16.9M)

Contractor: AECOM Technical Services, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2009-06-26

End Date: 2011-07-01

Contract Duration: 735 days

Daily Burn Rate: $23.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: TAS::57 3404::TAS RECOVERY - VNMH060017P2 - REPAIR AIRFIELD PAVEMENT REPAIR APRONS AND TAXIWAYS ARRA::YES::ARRA

Place of Performance

Location: ELMENDORF AFB, ANCHORAGE County, ALASKA, 99506, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: Alaska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $16.9 million to AECOM TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC. for work described as: TAS::57 3404::TAS RECOVERY - VNMH060017P2 - REPAIR AIRFIELD PAVEMENT REPAIR APRONS AND TAXIWAYS ARRA::YES::ARRA Key points: 1. Contract value of $16.88M represents a significant investment in critical infrastructure. 2. Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type aims to control costs and manage contractor risk. 4. Project duration of 735 days indicates a substantial scope of work. 5. Awarded by the Department of the Air Force, highlighting defense infrastructure needs. 6. Location in Alaska suggests specific environmental and logistical considerations. 7. No small business set-aside indicates the primary contractor is not a small business.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $16.88M for airfield pavement repair appears reasonable given the scope and duration. While specific benchmarks for airfield repair are not provided, the firm fixed-price nature of the contract suggests an effort to establish a clear cost ceiling. The competition level, being full and open, further supports the likelihood of a fair price. However, without detailed cost breakdowns or comparisons to similar projects in Alaska, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 22976 bids (likely a placeholder or error in the provided data, as this number is exceptionally high for a single contract) suggests a robust bidding environment. A high level of competition generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down prices through market forces.

Public Impact

Benefits military operations by ensuring safe and functional airfield infrastructure. Services delivered include the repair of aprons and taxiways, crucial for aircraft movement. Geographic impact is concentrated in Alaska, supporting military installations in the region. Workforce implications include employment for construction workers and related support staff in Alaska.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions arise, despite fixed-price contract.
Logistical challenges in Alaska could impact project timelines and costs.
Quality of repairs needs to be monitored to ensure long-term durability and safety.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive market for these services.
Awarded under ARRA funds, indicating a focus on economic stimulus and infrastructure improvement.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, specifically focusing on infrastructure repair. The market for large-scale construction and repair projects, particularly for government entities, is substantial. This contract represents a significant investment in maintaining critical military infrastructure, which is a common area of federal spending. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other large airfield or pavement repair contracts awarded by the Department of Defense or other federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the data indicates no small business participation. This suggests that the primary contractor, AECOM Technical Services, Inc., is likely a large business, and subcontracting opportunities for small businesses were either not mandated or not pursued. The impact on the small business ecosystem is neutral in this instance, as there was no specific provision for their involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant Department of the Air Force personnel. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring AECOM to deliver the specified repairs within the agreed-upon budget and timeframe. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific oversight reports or IG jurisdiction details are not provided.

Related Government Programs

ARRA - American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
Department of Defense Infrastructure Projects
Airfield Operations and Maintenance
Construction and Engineering Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns
Logistical challenges in remote locations
Quality assurance concerns
Contractor performance history (requires further investigation)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $16.9 million to AECOM TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC.. TAS::57 3404::TAS RECOVERY - VNMH060017P2 - REPAIR AIRFIELD PAVEMENT REPAIR APRONS AND TAXIWAYS ARRA::YES::ARRA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AECOM TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $16.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-06-26. End: 2011-07-01.

What is the track record of AECOM Technical Services, Inc. in performing similar airfield repair contracts for the Department of Defense?

AECOM Technical Services, Inc. has a significant history of performing large-scale construction and engineering projects, including those for the Department of Defense. While specific details on past airfield repair contracts are not within this data, their extensive portfolio suggests experience in managing complex infrastructure projects. A deeper dive into their contract performance history, including any past issues or commendations related to airfield maintenance, would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment. Government contract databases and performance rating systems (like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS) would be the primary sources for this information.

How does the awarded amount of $16.88M compare to the estimated cost or market rates for similar airfield pavement repair projects?

Without specific cost estimates or detailed project scopes for comparison, it is difficult to definitively benchmark the $16.88M award. However, the contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically drives prices towards market rates. The firm fixed-price nature also suggests that the government sought to establish a ceiling cost. To conduct a thorough comparison, one would need to analyze the square footage of pavement repaired, the type of repairs (e.g., resurfacing, reconstruction), the specific location's logistical costs, and compare these metrics against other similar federal or commercial contracts awarded around the same period.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how were they mitigated?

Key risks for this contract include potential cost overruns due to unforeseen site conditions (e.g., subsurface issues, environmental hazards), delays caused by Alaska's harsh climate and remote location, and potential quality issues affecting the longevity of the repairs. The firm fixed-price contract structure mitigates cost overrun risk for the government by placing that burden on the contractor. Mitigation for delays and quality would rely on robust project management, clear contract specifications, regular site inspections, and performance monitoring by the Air Force.

What was the overall effectiveness of the ARRA funding in stimulating economic activity through this specific contract?

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) aimed to stimulate economic activity through infrastructure investments. This $16.88M contract for airfield repair directly contributed to this goal by creating jobs in construction and related industries in Alaska. The effectiveness can be measured by the number of jobs created, the amount spent on local materials and services, and the long-term benefit of improved military infrastructure. Quantifying the precise economic multiplier effect would require detailed economic impact studies specific to this project.

How has federal spending on airfield maintenance and repair evolved over the years, and does this contract represent a typical investment?

Federal spending on airfield maintenance and repair is a consistent component of the Department of Defense budget, driven by the need to maintain operational readiness. Spending levels can fluctuate based on infrastructure condition, modernization efforts, and available appropriations. This $16.88M contract, awarded during the ARRA period, might represent a slightly elevated level of investment due to the stimulus funding. However, substantial annual budgets are typically allocated for maintaining and upgrading airfields across various military branches, making this a significant but not necessarily anomalous investment in the broader context of federal infrastructure spending.

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: FA300206R0001

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: AECOM (UEI: 153561212)

Address: 300 OCEANGATE, STE 700, LONG BEACH, CA, 90802

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,887,692

Exercised Options: $16,887,692

Current Obligation: $16,887,692

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA300208D0006

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline