VA awards $4.67M contract for building roof replacements and fall protection across multiple facilities

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,672,728 ($4.7M)

Contractor: Structural Builders, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-06-10

End Date: 2026-12-18

Contract Duration: 921 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: CONSTRUCTION PROJECT 619A4-21-104 - REPLACE ROOF AND INSTALL FALL PROTECTION FOR BLDG. 65, 83, 88, 97, AND 120

Place of Performance

Location: TUSKEGEE, MACON County, ALABAMA, 36083

State: Alabama Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $4.7 million to STRUCTURAL BUILDERS, INC. for work described as: CONSTRUCTION PROJECT 619A4-21-104 - REPLACE ROOF AND INSTALL FALL PROTECTION FOR BLDG. 65, 83, 88, 97, AND 120 Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for the scope of work involving multiple buildings. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract is firm-fixed-price, transferring risk to the contractor. 4. Project duration of 921 days indicates a significant, multi-year undertaking. 5. The work is categorized under Commercial and Institutional Building Construction. 6. The award was made by the Department of Veterans Affairs, indicating a focus on facility maintenance.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $4.67 million for roof replacement and fall protection across five buildings seems within a reasonable range for such a large-scale construction project. Benchmarking against similar VA or other federal agency projects for roof repairs and safety installations would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests that the initial pricing was deemed acceptable and that cost overruns are the contractor's responsibility, which is a positive indicator for the government.

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,' which typically means that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. While the 'after exclusion of sources' phrasing might suggest some initial limitations, the overall intent is to maximize competition. The presence of five bids indicates a healthy level of interest and competition for this project, which generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition suggests that taxpayer dollars are likely being used efficiently, as multiple contractors vied to offer the best price and value. This competitive environment helps prevent inflated pricing and ensures the government receives a fair deal.

Public Impact

Veterans will benefit from improved and safer facilities at VA buildings. The contract delivers essential infrastructure maintenance services, ensuring the longevity of government assets. The geographic impact is concentrated in Alabama, where the specified buildings are located. The project will likely create or sustain jobs within the construction sector in Alabama.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for delays given the multi-year duration and complexity of work across multiple buildings.
Ensuring consistent quality control across all five buildings throughout the project lifecycle.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive pricing environment.
Award to a single contractor streamlines project management and accountability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a significant segment of the broader construction industry. Federal spending in this area often focuses on maintaining and upgrading government-owned facilities. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing the cost per square foot for similar roofing and safety upgrade projects undertaken by federal agencies or large private institutions.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the contractor, Structural Builders, Inc., is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided snippet. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses within this project, which could still provide some benefit to the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting and project management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified work within budget. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific oversight reports or IG involvement would depend on project milestones and any identified issues.

Related Government Programs

VA Facility Maintenance Contracts
Federal Building Construction
Roofing and Waterproofing Services
Occupational Safety and Health Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for schedule delays due to weather or unforeseen site conditions.
Ensuring consistent quality across multiple buildings and work phases.
Contract duration of over two years requires sustained oversight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $4.7 million to STRUCTURAL BUILDERS, INC.. CONSTRUCTION PROJECT 619A4-21-104 - REPLACE ROOF AND INSTALL FALL PROTECTION FOR BLDG. 65, 83, 88, 97, AND 120

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is STRUCTURAL BUILDERS, 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 $4.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-06-10. End: 2026-12-18.

What is the track record of Structural Builders, Inc. with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Veterans Affairs?

A review of federal contract databases would be necessary to fully assess Structural Builders, Inc.'s track record. This would involve examining past performance on similar construction projects, including their timeliness, adherence to budget, and quality of work. Specifically, looking at their history with the Department of Veterans Affairs would highlight their experience with VA requirements and facility types. Any past issues, disputes, or positive performance reviews would be critical data points in evaluating their suitability and reliability for this significant roofing and fall protection project.

How does the cost per square foot of this roofing project compare to industry averages for similar commercial buildings?

To benchmark the value, we would need the total square footage of the roofs being replaced across the five buildings. Once that figure is obtained, the total contract value ($4.67 million) can be divided by the total square footage to derive a cost per square foot. This figure would then be compared against industry data for commercial and institutional building roofing projects in Alabama and nationally. Factors such as the type of roofing material specified, the complexity of the roof structures, and the extent of necessary repairs (e.g., structural damage, insulation replacement) would influence whether the calculated cost per square foot is considered competitive or high.

What are the specific risks associated with a multi-year construction project involving multiple buildings, and how are they mitigated?

Key risks for this project include potential weather delays impacting the schedule, unforeseen structural issues discovered during demolition or repair, material price fluctuations (though mitigated by FFP), and coordination challenges across five separate building sites. The firm-fixed-price contract mitigates financial risk for the government by capping costs. Mitigation strategies for schedule and quality risks typically involve detailed project management plans, regular progress inspections by the VA, clear communication protocols, and contingency planning for weather or unexpected site conditions. The contractor's experience and proposed work plan are crucial in assessing their ability to manage these risks.

What is the historical spending pattern for roofing and building envelope maintenance at these specific VA facilities?

Analyzing historical spending data for buildings 65, 83, 88, 97, and 120 would provide context for this $4.67 million award. This would involve reviewing past contracts for roof repairs, replacements, and related maintenance over the last 5-10 years. Understanding the frequency and cost of previous interventions can indicate whether this project represents a routine maintenance cycle, a response to deferred maintenance, or a significant upgrade. It can also help identify if previous solutions were effective or if recurring issues necessitated this larger investment.

What are the performance expectations and key performance indicators (KPIs) outlined in the contract for Structural Builders, Inc.?

While specific KPIs are not detailed in the provided data, firm-fixed-price contracts typically require the contractor to meet all specifications and performance standards outlined in the Statement of Work (SOW). Key performance indicators would likely revolve around adherence to the project schedule, completion of work within the agreed-upon budget (which is fixed), quality of materials used, and successful installation of both roofing and fall protection systems according to relevant building codes and safety standards. The VA's quality assurance personnel would monitor progress and compliance, with potential penalties or remedies for non-performance.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1478 CENTRAL AVE, ATLANTA, GA, 30344

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,672,728

Exercised Options: $4,672,728

Current Obligation: $4,672,728

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C24719D0018

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline