DSL Builders LLC awarded $998,931 for Sisters Ranger District administration building construction

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,989,314 ($10.0M)

Contractor: DSL Builders LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2023-10-02

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 911 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: USFS SISTERS RANGER DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION BUILDING DESCHUTES NATIONAL FOREST SISTERS RANGER DISTRICT DESCHUTES COUNTY, OR

Place of Performance

Location: SISTERS, DESCHUTES County, OREGON, 97759

State: Oregon Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $10.0 million to DSL BUILDERS LLC for work described as: USFS SISTERS RANGER DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION BUILDING DESCHUTES NATIONAL FOREST SISTERS RANGER DISTRICT DESCHUTES COUNTY, OR Key points: 1. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. 2. The project involves the construction of an administration building, a critical infrastructure need for the Forest Service. 3. The duration of 911 days indicates a substantial construction timeline. 4. The firm fixed-price contract type shifts risk to the contractor, potentially stabilizing costs. 5. The award value of nearly $1 million falls within a moderate range for federal construction projects of this nature. 6. The project is located in Oregon, potentially benefiting the local construction workforce and economy.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $998,931 for a commercial and institutional building construction project appears reasonable given the scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management construction projects of comparable size and complexity would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract suggests that the contractor has factored in potential cost escalations, which can be beneficial for the government if managed effectively.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating that multiple bids were solicited and considered. With 7 bidders, the level of competition appears healthy, which typically drives more competitive pricing and better value for the government. This approach ensures that a wide range of qualified contractors had the opportunity to bid.

Taxpayer Impact: A robust competition among 7 bidders suggests that taxpayer dollars are likely being used efficiently, as contractors vied to offer the most competitive price and terms.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the US Forest Service (USFS) Sisters Ranger District, which will receive a new administration building to support its operations. The project will deliver essential construction services, providing a functional and modern facility for forest management activities. The geographic impact is localized to Deschutes County, Oregon, specifically the Sisters Ranger District. The construction activities will likely create temporary employment opportunities for the local construction workforce in Oregon.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for construction delays impacting operational readiness of the ranger district.
Risk of cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions arise, despite the fixed-price contract.
Ensuring compliance with environmental regulations during the construction phase.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Full and open competition with 7 bidders suggests a competitive market and potentially good pricing.
The project addresses a clear need for administrative facilities for the USFS.

Sector Analysis

The construction sector is a significant component of federal spending, encompassing a wide range of projects from small facility upgrades to large infrastructure developments. This contract for an administration building falls under commercial and institutional building construction. Federal agencies like the Forest Service regularly procure construction services to maintain and expand their operational footprint. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar-sized administrative facilities can vary widely based on location, complexity, and specific requirements, but this award appears to be within a typical range for such projects.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. While DSL Builders LLC's size is not specified, the lack of a set-aside suggests that large businesses were likely eligible and potentially participated in the bidding process. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses within this award notice.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily be managed by the US Forest Service contracting officers and project managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring DSL Builders LLC to complete the work to specifications. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are published. Inspector General jurisdiction would typically apply if fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

US Forest Service Facility Construction
Federal Building Construction
Commercial Building Construction
Public Works Projects
National Forest Infrastructure

Risk Flags

Long project duration may increase risk of unforeseen issues.
Firm Fixed Price contract shifts risk to contractor, but quality control is key.
Need for detailed review of contractor's past performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $10.0 million to DSL BUILDERS LLC. USFS SISTERS RANGER DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION BUILDING DESCHUTES NATIONAL FOREST SISTERS RANGER DISTRICT DESCHUTES COUNTY, OR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DSL BUILDERS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-10-02. End: 2026-03-31.

What is the track record of DSL Builders LLC in completing federal construction contracts?

Information regarding DSL Builders LLC's specific track record with federal construction contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance on similar projects, including on-time completion rates, adherence to budget, and quality of work. Federal procurement databases and past performance reviews would be the primary sources for this information. Without this data, it is difficult to definitively assess their reliability and experience in executing government projects.

How does the awarded price compare to similar federal administration building construction projects?

The awarded price of $998,931 for the Sisters Ranger District administration building is a single data point. To benchmark effectively, it needs to be compared against similar projects in terms of square footage, complexity, geographic location, and construction type. For instance, a 10,000 sq ft administrative facility in a rural area might have a different cost per square foot than a similar facility in a high-cost urban area. A review of historical federal contract awards for administrative buildings of comparable size and scope would be necessary to determine if this price represents good value for money.

What are the primary risks associated with this firm fixed-price construction contract?

The primary risks with a firm fixed-price (FFP) contract, while generally favoring the government by capping costs, still exist. For the government, the main risk is that the contractor may cut corners on quality to maintain profitability if unforeseen issues arise or if their initial cost estimates were too low. For the contractor, the risk is absorbing cost overruns due to poor estimation, unexpected site conditions, or material price increases. In this specific case, the 911-day duration suggests a complex project where unforeseen site conditions or regulatory changes could pose challenges, potentially leading to change orders if not managed meticulously.

How effective is the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method for this type of project?

The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method, as used here with 7 bidders, is generally considered effective for projects like this administration building. It ensures a broad solicitation to qualified contractors while allowing for the exclusion of sources that do not meet specific pre-qualification criteria, potentially streamlining the process. The presence of multiple bidders (7) indicates sufficient market interest and competition, which is crucial for achieving fair market prices and selecting a capable contractor. This method balances broad outreach with a degree of pre-screening to ensure a manageable and competitive bid pool.

What are the historical spending patterns for similar Forest Service construction projects?

Historical spending patterns for similar Forest Service construction projects would reveal trends in contract values, types of construction, and geographic distribution. Analyzing past awards for ranger district facilities, visitor centers, or other administrative buildings would provide context for the $998,931 award. This analysis could highlight whether spending in this category has been increasing or decreasing, identify common contract types (e.g., fixed-price vs. cost-plus), and show which regions or districts receive the most investment. Such patterns are essential for budget forecasting and identifying potential areas for cost savings or efficiency improvements.

What are the implications of the 911-day contract duration on project oversight and risk?

A 911-day duration (approximately 2.5 years) for a construction project of this magnitude necessitates sustained and diligent oversight. The extended timeline increases the potential for various risks to materialize, including changes in regulations, material price volatility (though mitigated by FFP), and contractor performance degradation over time. Effective oversight requires regular site inspections, progress reviews, and proactive communication to address issues promptly. The longer duration also means that the Forest Service must maintain consistent project management resources throughout the project lifecycle to ensure successful completion and adherence to the contract's objectives.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 1240BH23R0038

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 195 PINE ST NE, SALEM, OR, 97301

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,989,314

Exercised Options: $9,989,314

Current Obligation: $9,989,314

Actual Outlays: $9,957,437

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140F0822D0037

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline