VA Awards $4.89M Seismic Design Contract to Fourfront Design Inc. for New Mexico Facility

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,887,814 ($4.9M)

Contractor: Fourfront Design Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-09-25

End Date: 2026-05-31

Contract Duration: 613 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SEISMIC MITIGATION DESIGN SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: ALBUQUERQUE, BERNALILLO County, NEW MEXICO, 87108

State: New Mexico Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $4.9 million to FOURFRONT DESIGN INC for work described as: SEISMIC MITIGATION DESIGN SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Fourfront Design Inc. for seismic mitigation design services. 2. The contract value is $4.89 million, with a duration of 613 days. 3. The Department of Veterans Affairs is the awarding agency. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541330 (Engineering Services). 5. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $4.89 million appears reasonable for specialized engineering services. Benchmarking against similar seismic design contracts would provide a more precise assessment, but the scope and duration suggest a fair price point.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating a limited competition. This method might impact price discovery compared to unrestricted full and open competition, potentially leading to higher costs.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential facility upgrades to ensure safety and compliance. The limited competition warrants scrutiny to ensure value for money.

Public Impact

Enhances safety and resilience of a VA facility in New Mexico. Supports infrastructure modernization within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Provides specialized engineering expertise for critical building safety. Contributes to the local economy through contract services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may impact cost-effectiveness.
Potential for scope creep in design services.
Reliance on a single contractor for specialized design.

Positive Signals

Addresses critical safety and seismic concerns.
Clear contract duration and fixed price.
Awarded by a major federal agency.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Engineering Services, a sector critical for infrastructure development and maintenance. Spending in this sector is often driven by government needs for facility upgrades, repairs, and new construction, with benchmarks varying significantly by project complexity and location.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses, as 'sb' is false. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was sought or if the prime contractor is a large business.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for oversight. The contract's fixed-price nature and defined duration provide a framework for accountability, but ongoing monitoring of performance and adherence to scope is crucial.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition may lead to higher costs.
Potential for contractor performance issues.
Scope creep could increase final cost.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical design.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $4.9 million to FOURFRONT DESIGN INC. SEISMIC MITIGATION DESIGN SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FOURFRONT DESIGN INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (Department of Veterans Affairs).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-25. End: 2026-05-31.

What specific seismic risks is this design intended to mitigate, and how does the design address them?

The design services are intended to mitigate risks associated with seismic activity in New Mexico, a region prone to earthquakes. The specific mitigation strategies will be detailed in the design documents, likely involving structural reinforcements, foundation upgrades, and potentially specialized seismic isolation systems to protect the facility and its occupants from earthquake damage.

How was the limited competition justified, and what steps were taken to ensure a fair price was negotiated?

The justification for limited competition, 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' needs to be reviewed to understand why other sources were excluded. Price fairness would typically be assessed through cost analysis, comparison to historical data, or market research conducted by the agency prior to award.

What is the expected long-term effectiveness and cost-benefit of this seismic mitigation design for the VA facility?

The long-term effectiveness is expected to be high, significantly reducing damage and ensuring operational continuity during seismic events. The cost-benefit analysis would weigh the upfront investment against potential savings from avoided repair costs, reduced downtime, and enhanced safety for personnel and veterans utilizing the facility.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: ARCHITECT-ENGINEER FAR 6.102

Solicitation ID: 36C10F24R0016

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 517 7TH ST, RAPID CITY, SD, 57701

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,370,797

Exercised Options: $4,887,814

Current Obligation: $4,887,814

Actual Outlays: $2,816,603

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline