Pacific Tech Construction awarded $17.6M for Fort Vancouver historic site rehabilitation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,645,056 ($17.6M)

Contractor: Pacific Tech Construction Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2021-10-01

End Date: 2025-07-25

Contract Duration: 1,393 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: REHABILITATION HISTORIC MAIN PARADE GROUND BARRACKS AND CROSSROADS PARKING LOT, FORT VANCOUVER NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE, VANCOUVER, WA

Place of Performance

Location: VANCOUVER, CLARK County, WASHINGTON, 98661

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $17.6 million to PACIFIC TECH CONSTRUCTION INC for work described as: REHABILITATION HISTORIC MAIN PARADE GROUND BARRACKS AND CROSSROADS PARKING LOT, FORT VANCOUVER NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE, VANCOUVER, WA Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the scope of historic rehabilitation and infrastructure work. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process, potentially leading to better pricing. 3. Contract duration of nearly four years indicates a complex, long-term project. 4. The project is situated within a historic national park, requiring specialized construction techniques. 5. This contract represents a significant investment in preserving national heritage and infrastructure.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $17.6 million for the rehabilitation of historic barracks and a parking lot at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site seems aligned with the scope of work. Benchmarking against similar large-scale historic preservation and construction projects within the National Park Service or other federal agencies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract shifts risk to the contractor, which can be beneficial for the government if managed effectively. The duration of the contract (nearly four years) also suggests a substantial undertaking.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. With three bids received, the competition level suggests a degree of market interest. While three bidders is a moderate level of competition, it is generally sufficient to encourage competitive pricing and ensure that the government receives a fair offer. The specific details of the bidding process and the evaluation criteria would further clarify the effectiveness of the competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that drives down prices and encourages innovation. This approach ensures that the government is not overpaying for services and that taxpayer funds are used efficiently.

Public Impact

Preserves and rehabilitates critical historic structures and infrastructure at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. Enhances visitor experience and accessibility within a significant national park. Supports local employment and economic activity in Vancouver, Washington, through construction jobs. Ensures the long-term preservation of a valuable piece of American history for future generations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen historic preservation challenges arise.
Risk of project delays due to the complexities of working with historic structures.
Ensuring adherence to strict historic preservation guidelines throughout the construction process.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract structure limits the government's exposure to cost increases.
Full and open competition likely resulted in a competitive bid and fair market price.
The contractor, Pacific Tech Construction Inc., has experience in commercial and institutional building construction.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a broad category encompassing a wide range of construction services. Projects involving historic preservation often require specialized expertise and can command higher costs due to the need for meticulous restoration and compliance with preservation standards. The National Park Service frequently engages in such contracts to maintain its vast portfolio of historic sites, representing a significant segment of federal construction spending.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate a specific small business set-aside. While the prime contractor is Pacific Tech Construction Inc., there is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans or goals for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved in the subcontracting process and to what extent.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the National Park Service contracting officer and project managers. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight by establishing a ceiling cost. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

National Park Service Facility Maintenance and Rehabilitation
Historic Preservation Fund Grants
Federal Buildings Fund
Construction Contracts for Historic Sites

Risk Flags

Potential for unforeseen conditions in historic structures
Adherence to strict historical preservation guidelines
Contract duration and complexity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $17.6 million to PACIFIC TECH CONSTRUCTION INC. REHABILITATION HISTORIC MAIN PARADE GROUND BARRACKS AND CROSSROADS PARKING LOT, FORT VANCOUVER NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE, VANCOUVER, WA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PACIFIC TECH CONSTRUCTION INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (National Park Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-10-01. End: 2025-07-25.

What is the track record of Pacific Tech Construction Inc. on similar federal contracts, particularly those involving historic preservation?

Pacific Tech Construction Inc. has a history of performing commercial and institutional building construction. While specific details on their experience with large-scale historic preservation projects are not immediately available from the provided data, their designation in this sector suggests they possess relevant capabilities. A deeper dive into their past performance on federal contracts, including client feedback, project completion timeliness, and adherence to budget, would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment. Examining their portfolio for projects with similar complexity, historical significance, or specialized restoration requirements would offer further insight into their suitability for this particular contract.

How does the awarded amount of $17.6 million compare to similar historic rehabilitation projects managed by the National Park Service?

Benchmarking the $17.6 million award against similar National Park Service (NPS) projects requires access to a database of comparable contracts. Factors such as the size and complexity of the structures, the extent of the rehabilitation required, the specific historical significance, and the geographic location all influence project costs. Generally, historic rehabilitation projects are more expensive than new construction due to the need for specialized materials, skilled labor, and adherence to strict preservation guidelines. Without specific comparable contract data, it's difficult to definitively state if this award is high or low, but the full and open competition and firm fixed-price structure suggest an effort to secure value.

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

The primary risks associated with this contract revolve around the complexities inherent in historic rehabilitation. These include unforeseen structural issues discovered during construction, potential delays due to the need for specialized techniques or materials, and ensuring strict compliance with historical preservation standards. Mitigation strategies are likely in place through the contract's firm fixed-price structure, which shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor. The National Park Service will also provide oversight through project managers to ensure adherence to scope and quality. A thorough pre-construction assessment and detailed planning by the contractor are crucial for identifying and addressing potential challenges proactively.

What is the expected impact of this contract on the local workforce in Vancouver, Washington?

This contract is expected to have a positive impact on the local workforce in Vancouver, Washington, by creating numerous construction-related jobs. The rehabilitation of historic barracks and a parking lot will require a variety of skilled trades, including carpenters, masons, electricians, plumbers, and laborers. Pacific Tech Construction Inc., as the prime contractor, may hire locally or draw from a regional labor pool. Furthermore, the project could indirectly benefit local suppliers of construction materials and services. The duration of the contract, spanning nearly four years, suggests sustained employment opportunities throughout the project lifecycle.

How has federal spending on historic preservation and infrastructure at national parks trended in recent years?

Federal spending on historic preservation and infrastructure at national parks has generally seen fluctuations influenced by budget appropriations, specific legislative initiatives, and national priorities. In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the need to address deferred maintenance backlogs within the National Park Service, which includes the preservation of historic structures and critical infrastructure. Funding levels can vary annually based on congressional appropriations and specific programs aimed at conservation and visitor experience enhancement. While this specific contract represents a significant investment, understanding the broader trend requires analyzing overall NPS budget allocations for maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation over multiple fiscal years.

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

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 140P2021R0116

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1302 WALNUT ST, KELSO, WA, 98626

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,645,056

Exercised Options: $17,645,056

Current Obligation: $17,645,056

Actual Outlays: $17,007,924

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline