Volmar Construction Inc. awarded $15.2M contract by Department of the Navy for construction services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,276,479 ($15.3M)

Contractor: Volmar Construction Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2001-09-28

End Date: 2003-11-17

Contract Duration: 780 days

Daily Burn Rate: $19.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Place of Performance

Location: GROTON, NEW LONDON County, CONNECTICUT, 06349

State: Connecticut Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $15.3 million to VOLMAR CONSTRUCTION INC for work described as: Key points: 1. Contract value of $15.2M for construction services. 2. Awarded by the Department of the Navy, indicating defense sector focus. 3. Contract duration of 780 days suggests a medium-term project. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type implies defined scope and cost control. 5. Full and Open Competition indicates broad market participation. 6. Contract awarded in 2001, providing historical context for current spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $15.2 million for construction services appears to be within a reasonable range for a project of this nature and duration. Without specific details on the scope of work (e.g., type of construction, location, complexity), a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, given the firm fixed-price structure, the Navy has a defined cost ceiling. Benchmarking against similar Navy construction projects awarded around 2001 would provide a more robust comparison, but the initial data suggests a standard procurement.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition,' suggesting that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This typically leads to a wider range of proposals and potentially more competitive pricing. The presence of 4 bids (indicated by 'no': 4) is a moderate level of competition for a contract of this size and type. While not an exceptionally high number, it suggests that the market was engaged and that the Navy received multiple offers to consider.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down prices and encourage innovation. The multiple bids received indicate that taxpayer funds were likely used efficiently, as the Navy could select the most advantageous offer.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Navy and its operational readiness, through the provision of necessary construction services. The contract delivers essential construction and facility support, likely for naval infrastructure. The geographic impact is centered in Connecticut, where the contractor is based and likely where the work was performed. The contract supported the construction workforce, potentially creating or sustaining jobs in the skilled trades within the Connecticut region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if the scope of work was not perfectly defined in the firm fixed-price contract.
Risk of delays if unforeseen site conditions or material shortages occurred during the 780-day performance period.
Dependence on a single contractor for the duration of the project could limit flexibility.
The age of the award (2001) means current market conditions and costs may differ significantly.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Full and Open Competition suggests a robust bidding process.
Award to a single contractor (Volmar Construction Inc.) can ensure continuity and accountability.
The contract was awarded by a major federal agency (Department of Defense), implying adherence to established procurement standards.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Construction sector, specifically for government facilities. The Department of Defense, and the Navy in particular, are significant clients for construction services, undertaking a wide range of projects from barracks and training facilities to specialized infrastructure. The market for federal construction is substantial, with numerous firms competing for contracts. Benchmarking this $15.2 million award would involve comparing it to other similar-sized military construction projects awarded around the early 2000s, considering factors like project type and location.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses ('sb': false) and there is no specific mention of subcontracting goals. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal, as the primary award went to Volmar Construction Inc., which is not indicated as a small business. However, it's possible that Volmar may have utilized small business subcontractors, which is not detailed in this summary data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would have been managed by the Department of the Navy's contracting and project management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, which obligates the contractor to deliver the specified work within the agreed budget. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like FPDS-NG (where this data likely originates), though detailed project-specific oversight reports are not always publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Construction Contracts
Naval Facilities Engineering Command Projects
Federal Building and Infrastructure Projects
Firm Fixed Price Construction Awards

Risk Flags

Contract awarded over 20 years ago; current relevance may be limited.
Specific scope of work not detailed, hindering precise value assessment.
Limited information on contractor performance history beyond this award.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $15.3 million to VOLMAR CONSTRUCTION INC. See the official description on USAspending.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VOLMAR CONSTRUCTION INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $15.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2001-09-28. End: 2003-11-17.

What was the specific scope of construction services provided under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact scope of construction services. However, given the awarding agency (Department of the Navy) and the contractor's specialization (Volmar Construction Inc. is a general contractor), the services likely involved the building, renovation, or repair of naval facilities. This could range from administrative buildings and barracks to more specialized infrastructure required for naval operations. The firm fixed-price nature suggests a well-defined scope was established prior to bidding to ensure cost certainty for the government.

How does the $15.2 million contract value compare to similar Navy construction projects from the early 2000s?

Comparing the $15.2 million award to similar Navy construction projects from the early 2000s requires access to historical contract databases and specific project details. However, as a general benchmark, $15.2 million was a significant but not extraordinary sum for a major construction project undertaken by the Department of the Navy during that period. Projects could range from new building construction to extensive renovations. The firm fixed-price type and full and open competition suggest the Navy sought competitive bids to ensure value. Without knowing the specific type, size, and complexity of the construction, a precise comparison is difficult, but it represents a substantial investment in infrastructure.

What were the key performance indicators or milestones for this contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific key performance indicators (KPIs) or milestones for this contract. However, for a firm fixed-price construction contract with a duration of 780 days (approximately two years), typical KPIs would likely include adherence to project schedules, quality of workmanship meeting specified standards (e.g., building codes, Navy specifications), safety compliance on-site, and timely completion of defined phases or the entire project. The Department of the Navy would have had project managers overseeing progress and ensuring compliance with the contract terms.

What is Volmar Construction Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of the Navy?

Volmar Construction Inc. has a history of performing federal contracts, including work with the Department of the Navy. This specific $15.2 million contract awarded in 2001 is one example. Analyzing their broader track record would involve reviewing their entire federal contracting history, looking at the types of projects awarded, their performance ratings (if available), any past performance issues or disputes, and the total value of contracts received over time. A positive performance on this contract would likely have contributed to their ability to secure future government work.

Were there any significant risks identified during the bidding or performance of this contract?

The provided data does not explicitly list risks identified for this contract. However, standard risks for a large construction project of this nature and era include potential for unforeseen site conditions, material cost fluctuations (though mitigated by FFP), labor availability issues, weather delays, and scope creep if not managed tightly. The firm fixed-price structure places the cost risk primarily on the contractor, Volmar Construction Inc., while the government bears the risk of scope definition and timely decision-making. The full and open competition likely helped mitigate risks associated with contractor capability by allowing a broad pool of bidders.

How has federal spending on construction services by the Department of the Navy evolved since this contract was awarded?

Federal spending on construction services by the Department of the Navy has generally increased significantly since this contract was awarded in 2001, influenced by factors such as evolving military requirements, infrastructure modernization needs, geopolitical events, and budget appropriations. While specific figures fluctuate annually, the Navy consistently invests billions of dollars in construction and facilities maintenance. Technological advancements in construction methods and materials, as well as changes in procurement regulations and sustainability requirements, have also shaped spending patterns and project execution over the past two decades.

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Contractor Details

Address: 4400 SECOND AVENUE, BROOKLYN, NY, 90

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N6247200D0803

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline