Interior's National Park Service awards $2.26M for Fort Donelson Visitor Center Rehab to AAECON General Contracting LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,257,233 ($2.3M)

Contractor: Aaecon General Contracting LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2021-08-24

End Date: 2023-05-03

Contract Duration: 617 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: FODO 253278 - VISITOR CENTER REHAB; CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FORT DONELSON NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD - DOVER, TN

Place of Performance

Location: DOVER, STEWART County, TENNESSEE, 37058

State: Tennessee Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $2.3 million to AAECON GENERAL CONTRACTING LLC for work described as: FODO 253278 - VISITOR CENTER REHAB; CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FORT DONELSON NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD - DOVER, TN Key points: 1. Construction services for a historic site, indicating specialized needs. 2. AAECON General Contracting LLC is the sole awardee, raising questions about competition breadth. 3. The contract value is significant for a single visitor center rehabilitation project. 4. Located in Tennessee, the project falls within the broader construction sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.26M for visitor center rehabilitation appears within a reasonable range for commercial and institutional building construction. However, without specific benchmarks for historic site renovations, a precise comparison is difficult. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a broad outreach for potential bidders. The use of a definitive contract indicates a clear scope of work was established prior to award, facilitating price discovery through competitive bidding.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are utilized for the preservation and enhancement of a national battlefield, contributing to public heritage and tourism.

Public Impact

Enhances visitor experience at a significant historical landmark. Preserves and modernizes infrastructure at Fort Donelson National Battlefield. Supports local economy through construction services in Tennessee. Ensures accessibility and safety for visitors to the park.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen historical preservation issues arise.
Dependence on a single contractor for a complex rehabilitation project.

Positive Signals

Project aims to improve visitor engagement with a national park.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget predictability.
Full and open competition was utilized.

Sector Analysis

This project falls under commercial and institutional building construction, a broad sector encompassing various renovation and new build activities. Spending benchmarks for visitor center renovations can vary widely based on historical significance, size, and required modernizations.

Small Business Impact

While the contract was awarded under full and open competition, there is no specific indication that small businesses were prime contractors or significantly involved as subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The National Park Service is responsible for overseeing this contract to ensure the rehabilitation meets historical preservation standards and project timelines. The use of a definitive contract suggests a defined scope, aiding oversight.

Related Government Programs

Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
Department of the Interior Contracting
National Park Service Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep due to unforeseen historical preservation challenges.
Contract duration of 617 days suggests a complex project.
Lack of explicit small business subcontracting goals noted.
Dependence on a single prime contractor for critical rehabilitation work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $2.3 million to AAECON GENERAL CONTRACTING LLC. FODO 253278 - VISITOR CENTER REHAB; CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FORT DONELSON NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD - DOVER, TN

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 (National Park Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-08-24. End: 2023-05-03.

What specific historical preservation requirements were factored into the contract, and how were they assessed for cost impact?

The contract likely included specifications for maintaining historical integrity, potentially requiring specialized materials and techniques. The cost impact would have been assessed during the bidding process, with contractors submitting proposals based on these requirements. The firm-fixed-price nature suggests these costs were largely determined upfront, though unforeseen issues could necessitate change orders.

How does the $2.26M cost compare to similar visitor center rehabilitation projects at other National Park Service sites?

Benchmarking this cost requires comparing it to projects of similar scope, size, and historical significance. Factors like location, specific structural needs, and required modernizations (e.g., HVAC, accessibility) significantly influence project costs. Without a detailed comparison dataset for NPS visitor centers, it's challenging to definitively state if this is high or low.

What mechanisms are in place to ensure the quality of construction and adherence to historical preservation standards throughout the project's duration?

The National Park Service likely has a contracting officer's representative (COR) or project manager assigned to monitor progress, review work, and ensure compliance with contract specifications and historical guidelines. Regular site inspections, progress reports, and potentially third-party historical consultants would be employed to maintain quality and adherence.

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

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 140P2021R0073

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: $2,257,233

Exercised Options: $2,257,233

Current Obligation: $2,257,233

Actual Outlays: $2,257,233

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline