Interior Department awards $5M contract for Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge facility addition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,987,169 ($5.0M)

Contractor: MFS Construction LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-07-23

End Date: 2026-05-08

Contract Duration: 654 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ATTACHED STATEMENT OF WORK, THIS AWARD IS TO CONSTRUCT A NEW MULTI-PURPOSE FACILITY ADDITION AT GREAT SWAMP NWR-NJ.

Place of Performance

Location: BASKING RIDGE, SOMERSET County, NEW JERSEY, 07920

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $5.0 million to MFS CONSTRUCTION LLC for work described as: IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ATTACHED STATEMENT OF WORK, THIS AWARD IS TO CONSTRUCT A NEW MULTI-PURPOSE FACILITY ADDITION AT GREAT SWAMP NWR-NJ. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on construction of a new multi-purpose facility addition. 2. Awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 4. Project duration is estimated at 654 days. 5. The facility is located at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey. 6. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the contracting agency.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $5 million for a new facility addition appears reasonable for a government construction project of this nature. Benchmarking against similar construction projects for federal agencies or wildlife refuges would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government, assuming the scope of work is well-defined.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources,' which typically means that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The specific exclusion of sources might indicate a pre-qualification or a specific reason for limiting the initial pool, but the 'full and open' aspect suggests a broad competitive field was intended. The number of bidders is not specified, but this method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is generally favorable for taxpayers as it is designed to solicit the best possible pricing through a wide range of offers.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and visitors to the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, who will gain access to enhanced facilities. The project will deliver a new multi-purpose facility addition, potentially for administrative, educational, or operational use. The geographic impact is localized to the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey. The construction activities will likely involve a local workforce, providing employment opportunities in the New Jersey area.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the 'multi-purpose' nature of the facility is not precisely defined in the SOW.
Construction project risks, including weather delays, material availability, and unforeseen site conditions, could impact the schedule and final cost if not managed proactively.

Positive Signals

The use of a firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Awarded through full and open competition, which typically drives competitive pricing.
The project is for a federal wildlife refuge, aligning with conservation and public access missions.

Sector Analysis

The construction sector is a significant part of the federal procurement landscape, encompassing a wide range of projects from infrastructure to facility upgrades. This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction category. Federal spending in this area is driven by the need to maintain, modernize, and expand government facilities across various agencies, including those focused on environmental conservation and public lands management. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other construction contracts awarded by the Department of the Interior or similar agencies for facility expansions or new builds.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a specific set-aside requirement for this contract. This suggests that the primary focus was on obtaining the best value through open competition, rather than specifically targeting small businesses. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses, which would typically be detailed in the contract's terms if required. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely neutral to minimal unless MFS CONSTRUCTION LLC voluntarily engages small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service contracting officer and project managers. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability for MFS CONSTRUCTION LLC to deliver the project within the agreed-upon cost. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases where contract awards are published. The Inspector General for the Department of the Interior may have jurisdiction for audits or investigations if any irregularities or fraud are suspected.

Related Government Programs

National Wildlife Refuge System Construction Projects
Federal Building and Facility Construction
Department of the Interior Capital Improvements
Commercial and Institutional Building Construction Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if scope is not tightly managed.
Schedule delays due to environmental factors or weather.
Contractor performance risk if past performance is not thoroughly vetted.
Adequacy of competition level for optimal price discovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $5.0 million to MFS CONSTRUCTION LLC. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ATTACHED STATEMENT OF WORK, THIS AWARD IS TO CONSTRUCT A NEW MULTI-PURPOSE FACILITY ADDITION AT GREAT SWAMP NWR-NJ.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MFS CONSTRUCTION LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-07-23. End: 2026-05-08.

What is the track record of MFS CONSTRUCTION LLC in performing federal construction contracts?

Information regarding MFS CONSTRUCTION LLC's specific track record with federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), the types and values of previous federal awards, and any history of contract disputes or terminations. Without this data, it's difficult to definitively assess their reliability and past success in meeting federal requirements. However, the award of this contract by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service suggests they met the minimum qualifications and were deemed capable of performing the work.

How does the $4,987,169.01 contract value compare to similar facility additions at National Wildlife Refuges?

Benchmarking this $4.99 million contract against similar facility additions at National Wildlife Refuges requires access to a database of comparable projects. Factors such as the size of the addition (square footage), complexity of the multi-purpose design, specific site conditions at Great Swamp NWR, and prevailing construction costs in New Jersey would influence the price. Generally, federal construction projects can be more expensive than private sector equivalents due to stringent regulations, security requirements, and labor standards. A preliminary assessment suggests the value is within a plausible range for a specialized government facility, but a direct comparison with detailed project specifications is needed for a definitive value-for-money conclusion.

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

Key risks for this construction contract include potential delays due to weather, unforeseen site conditions (e.g., environmental factors at a wildlife refuge), material cost fluctuations, and labor availability. The primary mitigation strategy employed by the government is the 'firm fixed-price' contract type, which shifts the financial risk of cost overruns to the contractor, MFS CONSTRUCTION LLC. Additionally, the contract duration of 654 days allows for a structured timeline, and the 'full and open competition' process aims to select a contractor with a proven ability to manage such projects. Robust project management and oversight by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are also critical for identifying and addressing risks proactively.

How effective is the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method in ensuring competitive pricing for this project?

The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method is intended to ensure competitive pricing by allowing all responsible sources to submit offers, while potentially excluding specific sources for defined reasons (e.g., national security, specific technical requirements). If the exclusion criteria were narrow and the remaining pool of potential bidders was still robust, this method can be effective. However, if the exclusion significantly limited the number of capable bidders, it could potentially reduce the level of competition and lead to less favorable pricing for the government compared to a truly unrestricted full and open competition. The actual number of bids received would be a key indicator of its effectiveness.

What are the historical spending patterns for facility construction at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge or similar facilities?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for facility construction at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge or similar facilities would provide context for the current $4.99 million award. This would involve examining past contracts awarded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for construction or renovation at this refuge or comparable refuges nationwide. Key metrics to consider would include the average cost per square foot, project durations, types of facilities constructed, and the competitive landscape for those historical awards. Without this historical data, it is challenging to determine if this current contract represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in facility infrastructure.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR NONBUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2780 HAMILTON BLVD, SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ, 07080

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Hispanic American Owned Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,987,169

Exercised Options: $4,987,169

Current Obligation: $4,987,169

Actual Outlays: $2,725,041

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140F0822D0078

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline