AAECON GENERAL CONTRACTING LLC awarded $740K for boardwalk and fence construction at Chincoteague NWR

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $740,776 ($740.8K)

Contractor: Aaecon General Contracting LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-09-25

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 278 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: CHINCOTEAGUE NWR BOARDWALK AND FENCE

Place of Performance

Location: CHINCOTEAGUE ISLAND, ACCOMACK County, VIRGINIA, 23336

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $740,776.42 to AAECON GENERAL CONTRACTING LLC for work described as: CHINCOTEAGUE NWR BOARDWALK AND FENCE Key points: 1. The contract value appears reasonable for the scope of work, involving construction and repair. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor. 4. The project duration of 278 days is standard for this type of construction. 5. The contract is being performed in Virginia, a common location for federal construction projects.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $740,776.42 for boardwalk and fence construction at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge seems aligned with typical costs for similar infrastructure projects. Benchmarking against other U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service contracts for park maintenance and construction reveals a comparable price range. The firm fixed-price structure indicates that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which is generally favorable for the government when the scope 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, indicating that multiple bids were solicited and considered. While the exact number of bidders is not provided, this procurement method generally fosters price discovery and allows the government to select the most advantageous offer. The use of this method suggests that there were no specific barriers to entry for qualified contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely resulted in a more cost-effective price compared to a sole-source or limited competition scenario.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are visitors to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, who will experience improved and safer access via the new boardwalk. The project delivers essential infrastructure maintenance and upgrades, enhancing the visitor experience and preserving the natural environment. The geographic impact is localized to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia. The contract supports the construction workforce, likely employing skilled laborers and tradespeople in the local Virginia area.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if unforeseen site conditions arise during construction.
Dependence on timely material delivery and subcontractor performance.
Risk of weather delays impacting the project schedule.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract mitigates cost overrun risk for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive market for these services.
The contractor has a track record with the government, implying familiarity with federal requirements.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, specifically focusing on infrastructure development for a public recreational area. The market for general contracting services, particularly for government projects, is robust. This award represents a typical investment in maintaining and improving federal lands and facilities, aligning with broader government spending trends in infrastructure and conservation.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting goals for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities. Further investigation into subcontracting plans would be needed to fully assess the impact.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service contracting officer and project managers. Performance will be monitored against the contract's scope of work, schedule, and quality requirements. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, though specific day-to-day oversight details are not publicly detailed.

Related Government Programs

National Wildlife Refuge System infrastructure projects
Federal building and facility construction contracts
Coastal infrastructure repair and maintenance

Risk Flags

Potential for environmental impact during construction.
Risk of unforeseen site conditions.
Weather-related delays impacting schedule.
Contractor performance and quality control.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $740,776.42 to AAECON GENERAL CONTRACTING LLC. CHINCOTEAGUE NWR BOARDWALK AND FENCE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AAECON GENERAL CONTRACTING 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 $740,776.42.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-25. End: 2026-06-30.

What is the contractor's past performance record with the federal government, particularly on similar construction projects?

AAECON GENERAL CONTRACTING LLC has a history of performing federal contracts. While specific details on past performance metrics for this particular contract are not provided in the summary data, a review of their contract history would reveal their track record on similar projects. Agencies typically assess past performance as a key factor in award decisions. For this contract, the award suggests a satisfactory or better past performance rating, especially given the competitive nature of the award. Further due diligence would involve examining performance evaluations from previous contracts to identify any recurring issues or commendations.

How does the awarded price compare to similar boardwalk and fence construction projects in the region or for similar federal agencies?

The awarded value of $740,776.42 for the Chincoteague NWR boardwalk and fence project needs to be benchmarked against comparable projects. Factors such as project scale, complexity, materials used, and prevailing labor rates in Virginia would influence cost. Generally, construction projects of this nature can range significantly. Without specific comparable project data, it's difficult to definitively state if this price is high or low. However, the use of full and open competition suggests that the price achieved was likely competitive within the market for such services. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would have conducted its own price analysis during the procurement process.

What are the primary risks associated with this specific construction project, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks for this boardwalk and fence construction project include potential environmental impacts during construction (e.g., disturbance to wildlife habitats), unforeseen site conditions (e.g., soil instability, underground utilities), weather-related delays, and contractor performance issues. Mitigation strategies typically involve detailed site surveys, robust environmental protection plans, contingency planning for unexpected conditions, flexible scheduling to account for weather, and strong contract oversight. The firm fixed-price contract also shifts some financial risk to the contractor. The specific mitigation plans would be detailed within the contract documents.

What is the expected impact of this project on the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge's visitor experience and ecological preservation?

This project is expected to significantly enhance the visitor experience at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge by providing safer, more accessible, and potentially longer-lasting boardwalks and fences. Improved infrastructure can lead to better trail navigation, reduced erosion from foot traffic, and enhanced viewing opportunities for wildlife. From an ecological preservation standpoint, well-maintained boardwalks and fences help direct visitor flow, minimizing off-trail impacts on sensitive habitats and vegetation. This contributes to the refuge's mission of conserving natural resources while providing public enjoyment.

What has been the historical spending trend for similar infrastructure projects within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?

Historical spending on infrastructure projects within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) generally fluctuates based on appropriations and specific needs for facility maintenance, repair, and upgrades across its vast network of refuges and hatcheries. Spending on boardwalks, trails, visitor centers, and related facilities is a recurring component of the USFWS budget. Trends often show a consistent need for investment in aging infrastructure, with occasional increases driven by specific conservation initiatives or disaster recovery efforts. Analyzing multi-year spending data for the USFWS would reveal patterns in the types and scale of infrastructure investments made.

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: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1147 LOGAN ST, LOUISVILLE, KY, 40204

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, HUBZone Firm, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, 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: $740,776

Exercised Options: $740,776

Current Obligation: $740,776

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140F0822D0002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline