DOI Awards $10.7M Contract for Luster Heights Facility Replacement to A & J's Construction
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $10,703,797 ($10.7M)
Contractor: A & J'S Construction, L.L.C
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2024-06-20
End Date: 2026-07-03
Contract Duration: 743 days
Daily Burn Rate: $14.4K/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: GAOA - REPLACE MULTIPURPOSE BUILDING, MAINTENANCE SHOP, COLD STORAGE BUILDING, AND MAINTENANCE YARD AT LUSTER HEIGHTS MCGREGOR DISTRICT NWR
Place of Performance
Location: HARPERS FERRY, ALLAMAKEE County, IOWA, 52146
State: Iowa Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $10.7 million to A & J'S CONSTRUCTION, L.L.C for work described as: GAOA - REPLACE MULTIPURPOSE BUILDING, MAINTENANCE SHOP, COLD STORAGE BUILDING, AND MAINTENANCE YARD AT LUSTER HEIGHTS MCGREGOR DISTRICT NWR Key points: 1. The contract aims to replace multiple aging facilities at Luster Heights, improving operational efficiency. 2. A & J's Construction, L.L.C. secured the award, facing competition after exclusion of sources. 3. The project's fixed-price nature aims to control costs, but construction timelines present potential risks. 4. This project falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $10.7M appears reasonable for replacing multiple buildings and a maintenance yard. Benchmarking against similar government construction projects of this scale would provide further validation.
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 a competitive process was intended. The specific reasons for source exclusion and their impact on price discovery warrant further investigation.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential infrastructure upgrades, which should lead to long-term operational cost savings and improved service delivery.
Public Impact
Improved infrastructure at Luster Heights will support the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's conservation mission. Modernized facilities are expected to enhance worker safety and operational efficiency. The project's success will be measured by timely completion and adherence to budget, impacting public trust in government spending.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for construction delays impacting operational readiness.
- Risk of cost overruns if unforeseen issues arise during construction.
- Limited information on the specific exclusion of sources in the competition.
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed-price contract helps control costs.
- Project addresses critical infrastructure needs.
- Award to a specific construction company suggests established capabilities.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Commercial and Institutional Building Construction, a sector vital for government operations. Spending benchmarks for similar facility replacement projects would help assess cost-effectiveness.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to A & J's Construction, L.L.C. It is not explicitly stated whether this is a small business, and the 'sb' field is false, suggesting it may not be.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of the Interior, through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is responsible for oversight. The contract type and duration suggest ongoing monitoring will be required to ensure successful project completion.
Related Government Programs
- Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for construction delays.
- Risk of unforeseen site conditions.
- Limited transparency on source exclusion.
- Dependence on contractor's performance.
Tags
commercial-and-institutional-building-co, department-of-the-interior, ia, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $10.7 million to A & J'S CONSTRUCTION, L.L.C. GAOA - REPLACE MULTIPURPOSE BUILDING, MAINTENANCE SHOP, COLD STORAGE BUILDING, AND MAINTENANCE YARD AT LUSTER HEIGHTS MCGREGOR DISTRICT NWR
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is A & J'S CONSTRUCTION, L.L.C.
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 $10.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-06-20. End: 2026-07-03.
What specific factors led to the exclusion of certain sources in the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' process, and how did this impact the final price?
The exclusion of sources typically occurs due to specific technical requirements, past performance issues, or unique capabilities needed for the project. Understanding these reasons is crucial to determine if the competition was truly maximized and if the pricing reflects fair market value. Without this information, it's difficult to fully assess the competitive landscape and its influence on the final award amount.
What are the primary risks associated with the 743-day duration of this construction project, and what mitigation strategies are in place?
The primary risks associated with a 743-day construction duration include potential weather delays, material shortages, labor issues, and unforeseen site conditions. Mitigation strategies likely involve detailed project scheduling, contingency planning for weather, securing material suppliers early, and robust on-site management. The firm fixed-price contract incentivizes the contractor to manage these risks effectively to avoid cost overruns.
How will the successful completion of this project contribute to the long-term operational effectiveness and cost savings for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at Luster Heights?
Replacing aging and potentially inefficient buildings with modern structures is expected to reduce maintenance costs, improve energy efficiency, and enhance the functionality of operations. This modernization should lead to greater reliability, reduced downtime for repairs, and a safer working environment, ultimately contributing to the cost-effective execution of the Service's conservation mission.
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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 140FGA24R0003
Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 708 2ND AVE SE, CRESCO, IA, 52136
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $10,703,797
Exercised Options: $10,703,797
Current Obligation: $10,703,797
Actual Outlays: $7,734,650
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-06-20
Current End Date: 2026-07-03
Potential End Date: 2026-07-03 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-09
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