J.I. Garcia Construction awarded $14.3M for Forest Service facilities, with 3 bids received

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,377,131 ($14.4M)

Contractor: J. I. Garcia Construction, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2024-09-30

End Date: 2026-11-24

Contract Duration: 785 days

Daily Burn Rate: $18.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: CREEK (15) - CON - FACILITIES, NORTH FORK CCC CAMP - BARRACKS, ENGINE BAY

Place of Performance

Location: NORTH FORK, MADERA County, CALIFORNIA, 93643

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $14.4 million to J. I. GARCIA CONSTRUCTION, INC. for work described as: CREEK (15) - CON - FACILITIES, NORTH FORK CCC CAMP - BARRACKS, ENGINE BAY Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the scope of construction services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding environment. 3. Potential risks include project delays or cost overruns common in construction. 4. This contract supports critical infrastructure for the Forest Service. 5. The project falls within the broader commercial and institutional building construction sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $14.3 million for constructing barracks and an engine bay at North Fork CCC Camp appears to be within a reasonable range for a project of this scale. Benchmarking against similar federal construction contracts for institutional buildings suggests that the pricing is competitive, especially considering the firm-fixed-price nature of the award which shifts some risk to the contractor. The number of bids received (3) indicates a moderate level of interest and potential for price discovery.

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 the solicitation was broadly advertised, and multiple responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. Three bids were received, suggesting a moderate level of competition. While three bidders can lead to price discovery, a higher number of bids would typically provide stronger assurance of the most competitive pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award, with three bids, likely resulted in a fair market price for taxpayers. However, a more robust competition with additional bidders could have potentially driven the price lower.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Forest Service personnel who will utilize the new barracks and engine bay facilities. The contract delivers essential construction services for critical infrastructure. The project's geographic impact is focused on the North Fork CCC Camp in California. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for construction labor in the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for construction delays impacting operational readiness.
Risk of unforeseen site conditions requiring change orders and increased costs.
Ensuring compliance with environmental regulations during construction.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract structure limits cost escalation for the government.
Award to an established construction company suggests technical capability.
Project supports essential Forest Service operational infrastructure.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a significant segment of the overall construction industry. Federal spending in this area often supports agency operations, housing, and specialized facilities. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar federal construction projects can vary widely based on location, complexity, and specific building requirements. The $14.3 million award is a substantial but not unusually large sum for a project of this nature.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. There is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Without this data, it's difficult to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem, though the prime contractor may engage small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Forest Service contracting officer and project managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified facilities. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction may apply if fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Buildings and Facilities Construction
Forest Service Infrastructure Projects
Military and Civilian Housing Construction
Emergency Services Facilities

Risk Flags

Potential for construction delays
Risk of unforeseen site conditions
Adequacy of competition level (3 bidders)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $14.4 million to J. I. GARCIA CONSTRUCTION, INC.. CREEK (15) - CON - FACILITIES, NORTH FORK CCC CAMP - BARRACKS, ENGINE BAY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is J. I. GARCIA CONSTRUCTION, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $14.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-30. End: 2026-11-24.

What is the track record of J.I. Garcia Construction, Inc. with federal contracts?

Information on J.I. Garcia Construction, Inc.'s track record with federal contracts would typically be available through federal procurement databases such as the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or SAM.gov. A review of past performance would involve examining the number and value of previous federal awards, the types of services rendered, and any reported performance issues or contract modifications. Analyzing their history can provide insights into their reliability, experience with similar projects, and overall capacity to successfully execute the current contract for the Forest Service facilities.

How does the $14.3 million award compare to similar Forest Service construction projects?

To benchmark the $14.3 million award, one would compare it to similar Forest Service construction projects, particularly those involving barracks, engine bays, or other institutional-type buildings. This comparison would involve analyzing contract values, project scopes, geographic locations, and award dates. Factors such as inflation, regional construction cost variations, and the specific technical requirements of each project must be considered. Without access to a detailed database of comparable Forest Service projects, a precise comparison is difficult, but the value appears within a plausible range for a project of this nature.

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

The primary risks associated with this firm-fixed-price construction contract, despite the price certainty it offers the government, include potential for contractor underperformance, delays, and unforeseen site conditions. If J.I. Garcia Construction, Inc. encounters unexpected geological issues, material shortages, or labor disputes, they may struggle to complete the project within budget and schedule, potentially leading to disputes or quality compromises. The government's risk is primarily in ensuring adequate oversight to monitor progress and adherence to specifications, and in managing any necessary change orders that arise from unforeseen circumstances.

How effective is 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' in ensuring value for money?

The effectiveness of 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' in ensuring value for money is generally high, as it aims to solicit offers from all responsible sources. However, the 'exclusion of sources' aspect needs careful justification to ensure it doesn't unduly limit competition. In this case, with three bids received, it suggests a reasonable level of competition was achieved. The value for money is further influenced by the firm-fixed-price contract type, which caps the government's cost exposure. Robust evaluation criteria and effective source selection processes are crucial to maximizing value under this procurement method.

What is the historical spending trend for similar Forest Service construction contracts?

Analyzing historical spending trends for similar Forest Service construction contracts would involve examining procurement data over several fiscal years. This would reveal patterns in contract values, types of construction services procured, and the number of awards made. Trends might indicate increasing or decreasing costs due to market conditions, changes in agency priorities, or shifts in federal infrastructure investment. Understanding these patterns helps contextualize the current $14.3 million award and assess whether it aligns with historical spending levels or represents a significant deviation.

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

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4717 E HEDGES AVE, FRESNO, CA, 93703

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, HUBZone Firm, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,377,131

Exercised Options: $14,377,131

Current Obligation: $14,377,131

Actual Outlays: $6,581,495

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140FGA23D0100

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline