VA Awards $13.5M Asheville VAMC Renovation to Blue Cord Design and Construction

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,483,581 ($13.5M)

Contractor: Blue Cord Design and Construction, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2021-08-15

End Date: 2026-05-08

Contract Duration: 1,727 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: RENOVATION AND EXPANSION OF ASHEVILLE VAMC OR

Place of Performance

Location: ASHEVILLE, BUNCOMBE County, NORTH CAROLINA, 28805

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $13.5 million to BLUE CORD DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION, LLC for work described as: RENOVATION AND EXPANSION OF ASHEVILLE VAMC OR Key points: 1. Contract awarded for significant facility upgrades at Asheville VAMC. 2. Blue Cord Design and Construction, LLC secured the prime contract. 3. Competition method involved full and open after exclusion of sources, suggesting a specific reason for initial exclusion. 4. The project falls under Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $13.5M for a renovation and expansion project appears reasonable for a facility of this nature. Benchmarking against similar VAMC projects would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This indicates that while full and open competition was intended, certain sources may have been initially excluded, potentially impacting the breadth of price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being utilized for essential facility upgrades, aiming to improve veteran healthcare infrastructure. The final cost relative to the value delivered will determine the ultimate taxpayer impact.

Public Impact

Improved healthcare facilities for veterans in the Asheville region. Potential for job creation during the construction phase. Modernized infrastructure may lead to more efficient healthcare delivery.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 78 / 10

Warning Flags

Competition method requires further scrutiny to understand initial source exclusion.
Contract duration is substantial, necessitating ongoing performance monitoring.

Positive Signals

Addresses critical infrastructure needs for veteran services.
Utilizes a firm-fixed-price contract type, providing cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a vital area for public infrastructure development. Spending in this sector is often driven by government needs for facility maintenance, expansion, and modernization.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates the prime contractor is Blue Cord Design and Construction, LLC. There is no explicit information provided regarding small business subcontracting goals or participation in this award.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is the contracting agency. Oversight will be crucial to ensure the project stays on schedule, within budget, and meets quality standards, especially given the multi-year duration.

Related Government Programs

Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns given the multi-year duration.
Complexity of renovation and expansion projects can lead to unforeseen issues.
Dependence on a single prime contractor for successful execution.
Need for clear justification of the 'exclusion of sources' in the competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $13.5 million to BLUE CORD DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION, LLC. RENOVATION AND EXPANSION OF ASHEVILLE VAMC OR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BLUE CORD DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION, LLC.

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 $13.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-08-15. End: 2026-05-08.

What was the specific reason for excluding certain sources before the full and open competition phase?

The reason for excluding specific sources prior to the full and open competition phase is not detailed in the provided data. This could be due to pre-qualification requirements, specific technical expertise needed, or other factors. Understanding this exclusion is key to fully assessing the competition's integrity and potential price impacts.

How does the $13.5M cost compare to similar VAMC renovation projects of comparable scope and complexity?

Without specific benchmarks for similar VAMC renovation and expansion projects, a direct cost comparison is difficult. Factors like regional construction costs, specific facility needs, and the extent of the expansion significantly influence project pricing. A detailed analysis would require comparing this contract to projects with similar square footage, age of existing facilities, and required upgrades.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract to ensure successful project completion and value for taxpayers?

Key performance indicators should include adherence to the project schedule (original duration 1727 days), quality of construction meeting VA standards, and final cost staying within the $13.5M award. Regular site inspections, progress reports, and milestone reviews by the VA contracting officer's representative are essential for monitoring performance and ensuring taxpayer value.

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: 36C24620R0001

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 835 BENNETT RD STE 100, ORLANDO, FL, 32803

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,483,581

Exercised Options: $13,483,581

Current Obligation: $13,483,581

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline