DOI awards $14.17M contract for ranger station replacement, highlighting construction sector activity

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,169,000 ($14.2M)

Contractor: COX Construction CO

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-09-09

End Date: 2028-03-03

Contract Duration: 906 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 11

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: D-B GAOA CAHUILLA RANGER STATION REPLACEMENT

Place of Performance

Location: BRAWLEY, IMPERIAL County, CALIFORNIA, 92227

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $14.2 million to COX CONSTRUCTION CO for work described as: D-B GAOA CAHUILLA RANGER STATION REPLACEMENT Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for a large-scale construction project of this nature. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for construction services. 3. Project duration of 906 days indicates a significant undertaking with potential for schedule risks. 4. Fixed-price contract type shifts risk to the contractor, potentially impacting final cost. 5. This project aligns with federal infrastructure modernization efforts.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $14.17 million for the ranger station replacement seems within the expected range for a project of this scale and complexity. Benchmarking against similar federal building construction projects would provide a more precise assessment, but the initial value does not raise immediate red flags. The firm fixed-price structure suggests that the government has negotiated a ceiling price, which is a positive indicator for cost control, assuming the scope is well-defined.

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 responsible sources were solicited and considered. With 11 bidders, the competition level appears robust, suggesting that the Bureau of Land Management received a range of proposals and pricing. This level of competition is generally favorable for achieving competitive pricing and ensuring a fair market value.

Taxpayer Impact: A high number of bidders typically translates to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for taxpayers, as contractors vie to win the award.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are federal land management agencies and the public who will utilize the new ranger station. The project will deliver a new, modern ranger station facility, improving operational capabilities. The geographic impact is localized to the Cahuilla Ranger Station area in California. The project will likely create jobs in the construction sector within California.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions arise, despite fixed-price contract.
Schedule delays could impact operational readiness of the ranger station.
Quality control during construction will be critical to ensure long-term durability.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Robust competition among 11 bidders suggests a fair market price was likely achieved.
Project addresses a critical infrastructure need for the Bureau of Land Management.

Sector Analysis

The construction sector is a significant area of federal spending, encompassing a wide range of projects from infrastructure to facility modernization. This contract for a ranger station replacement falls within the commercial and institutional building construction sub-sector. Federal spending in this area is often driven by the need to maintain and upgrade aging federal facilities and to support new initiatives. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal building construction contracts awarded by agencies like the GSA or DoD.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). While the primary awardee is Cox Construction Co., further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses within the construction trades. The absence of a specific small business set-aside means that the primary focus was on full and open competition, but it does not preclude subcontracting efforts.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Bureau of Land Management's contracting officers and project managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract, which obligates the contractor to deliver the specified work within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, although detailed project progress reports may not always be publicly accessible. The Department of the Interior's Office of Inspector General may provide oversight if significant issues or allegations of fraud arise.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building Construction
National Park Service Facilities
Bureau of Land Management Infrastructure
Public Lands Management Facilities

Risk Flags

Potential for schedule delays due to project duration.
Risk of unforeseen site conditions impacting cost and schedule.
Contractor performance history needs thorough review.
Adequacy of scope definition for fixed-price contract.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $14.2 million to COX CONSTRUCTION CO. D-B GAOA CAHUILLA RANGER STATION REPLACEMENT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is COX CONSTRUCTION CO.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Land Management).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $14.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-09. End: 2028-03-03.

What is the track record of Cox Construction Co. on federal contracts, particularly for similar building projects?

A review of Cox Construction Co.'s federal contract history would be necessary to assess their performance on similar projects. This would involve examining past awards, contract values, completion timeliness, and any reported disputes or terminations. For a project of this magnitude, the agency likely vetted the contractor's experience and past performance during the procurement process. Understanding their history with firm fixed-price contracts and projects of comparable complexity would provide insight into their capability to successfully execute the ranger station replacement.

How does the awarded price of $14.17 million compare to similar ranger station or federal building construction projects?

Benchmarking this $14.17 million contract against similar federal building construction projects is crucial for value assessment. This comparison should consider factors such as square footage, complexity of construction, location, and specific features required for a ranger station (e.g., administrative offices, housing, vehicle storage). Analyzing data from projects awarded by agencies like the General Services Administration (GSA) or other land management agencies (e.g., National Park Service) over the past few years would provide a relevant market context. Without specific comparable data, it's difficult to definitively state if the price is high or low, but the number of bidders suggests competitive pricing was sought.

What are the primary risks associated with a 906-day construction project, and how are they mitigated?

A 906-day duration (approximately 2.5 years) for a construction project introduces several risks, including potential for inflation impacting material costs (though mitigated by fixed-price), unforeseen site conditions (e.g., geological issues, environmental hazards), labor availability fluctuations, and potential design changes. Mitigation strategies typically include thorough site investigations prior to award, robust contingency planning within the contract, clear change order processes, and strong project management oversight by the agency. The firm fixed-price nature also incentivizes the contractor to manage these risks efficiently to maintain profitability.

What is the expected impact of this ranger station replacement on the Bureau of Land Management's operational effectiveness in the Cahuilla region?

The replacement of the Cahuilla Ranger Station is expected to significantly enhance the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) operational effectiveness in the region. A modern facility typically offers improved workspace, better technological infrastructure, enhanced safety features, and potentially more efficient resource management capabilities. This can lead to improved response times for land management activities, better support for field personnel, and a more professional presence in the community. The new station should facilitate more effective administration, law enforcement, and resource conservation efforts within its jurisdiction.

How has federal spending on commercial and institutional building construction trended in recent years, and where does this contract fit?

Federal spending on commercial and institutional building construction has generally seen fluctuations driven by infrastructure needs, agency modernization efforts, and economic conditions. Recent years have seen increased focus on upgrading aging federal facilities and investing in new infrastructure projects. This $14.17 million contract for a ranger station replacement fits within this trend of facility modernization. It represents a specific investment in a critical type of federal infrastructure, supporting the operational needs of land management agencies. Analyzing broader spending trends would require examining historical data from agencies like GSA and DoD for similar construction categories.

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: 140L0625R0007

Offers Received: 11

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2580 FORTUNE WAY, VISTA, CA, 92081

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,169,000

Exercised Options: $14,169,000

Current Obligation: $14,169,000

Actual Outlays: $89,353

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 7

Total Subaward Amount: $5,669,388

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline