VA awards $10.9M contract for steam tunnel construction at Iowa healthcare system

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,948,439 ($10.9M)

Contractor: Briston Construction, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2025-06-26

End Date: 2026-12-30

Contract Duration: 552 days

Daily Burn Rate: $19.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: PN: 636A6-23-101 CONSTRUCT STEAM TUNNEL AT VA CENTRAL IOWA HEALTH CARE SYSTEM (VACIHCS) DES MOINES, IA

Place of Performance

Location: DES MOINES, POLK County, IOWA, 50310

State: Iowa Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $10.9 million to BRISTON CONSTRUCTION, LLC for work described as: PN: 636A6-23-101 CONSTRUCT STEAM TUNNEL AT VA CENTRAL IOWA HEALTH CARE SYSTEM (VACIHCS) DES MOINES, IA Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Briston Construction, LLC for a firm-fixed-price definitive contract. 2. Project aims to construct a steam tunnel at the VA Central Iowa Health Care System. 3. Duration of the contract is 552 days, ending in December 2026. 4. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 5. The estimated value is approximately $10.9 million. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 236220 for Commercial and Institutional Building Construction.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $10.9 million for constructing a steam tunnel appears reasonable given the scope of work for a healthcare facility. Benchmarking against similar infrastructure projects in institutional settings would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which is generally favorable 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,' indicating that multiple bids were solicited and considered. The presence of 4 bids (no) suggests a competitive environment, which typically leads to better pricing and value for the government. This procurement method is designed to maximize competition and ensure fair market prices.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages multiple contractors to bid, driving down costs and ensuring the government receives the best possible value for its investment.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are veterans receiving care at the VA Central Iowa Health Care System, who will benefit from improved infrastructure supporting essential services. The project will deliver critical infrastructure upgrades, ensuring reliable steam supply for heating and other operational needs of the healthcare facility. The geographic impact is localized to Des Moines, Iowa, where the VA Central Iowa Health Care System is located. The contract is expected to create or sustain jobs in the construction sector within the Des Moines area and potentially the broader Iowa region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for construction delays impacting facility operations if not managed effectively.
Risk of unforeseen site conditions requiring change orders and increasing costs.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract structure limits cost escalation for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process leading to potentially better pricing.
Award to a single contractor streamlines project management and accountability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, specifically for infrastructure development at a healthcare facility. The market for such specialized construction is often driven by government and institutional demand. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale construction projects for federal or state healthcare systems, which can range significantly in cost depending on complexity and location.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary impact on small businesses would be through potential subcontracting opportunities offered by the prime contractor, Briston Construction, LLC. The extent of these opportunities will depend on the prime contractor's subcontracting plan and the specific needs of the project.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and project managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver the specified work within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific oversight details are not provided in this data.

Related Government Programs

VA Healthcare Infrastructure Projects
Federal Construction Contracts
Public Building Construction
Utilities Infrastructure

Risk Flags

Potential for unforeseen site conditions
Risk of construction delays impacting facility operations
Dependence on contractor's past performance and capacity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $10.9 million to BRISTON CONSTRUCTION, LLC. PN: 636A6-23-101 CONSTRUCT STEAM TUNNEL AT VA CENTRAL IOWA HEALTH CARE SYSTEM (VACIHCS) DES MOINES, IA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BRISTON 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 $10.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-06-26. End: 2026-12-30.

What is the track record of Briston Construction, LLC with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Information regarding the specific track record of Briston Construction, LLC with federal contracts, especially with the Department of Veterans Affairs, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive analysis would require accessing federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS to review past performance, contract history, and any reported issues or awards. This would help assess their experience with similar projects, their ability to meet deadlines and budgets, and their overall reliability as a government contractor. Without this specific data, it's difficult to definitively evaluate their past performance in a federal context.

How does the awarded amount of $10.9 million compare to similar steam tunnel construction projects for healthcare facilities?

Directly comparing the $10.9 million award to similar steam tunnel construction projects for healthcare facilities requires access to a broader dataset of comparable projects. Factors such as project scale, complexity, geographic location (which influences labor and material costs), and specific technical requirements can cause significant variations. However, for a project of this nature at a healthcare system, $10.9 million is within a plausible range. A detailed benchmark analysis would involve identifying projects with similar square footage, tunnel length, and system capacity, and then adjusting for regional economic differences and inflation. The firm-fixed-price nature of this contract suggests a defined scope and risk allocation, which is a positive indicator for value if the scope is well-defined.

What are the primary risks associated with this steam tunnel construction project, and how are they being mitigated?

The primary risks associated with this steam tunnel construction project include potential construction delays due to unforeseen site conditions, weather, or labor issues, which could impact the facility's operations. There's also a risk of cost overruns, although mitigated by the firm-fixed-price contract structure, which places the financial risk on the contractor. Mitigation strategies typically involve thorough site investigations prior to construction, detailed project planning, robust scheduling, contingency planning, and strong project management oversight by the VA. The contract's defined duration (552 days) and end date (December 2026) also provide clear timelines for completion and risk management.

What is the expected impact of this infrastructure upgrade on the operational efficiency and service delivery of the VA Central Iowa Health Care System?

The construction of a new steam tunnel is expected to significantly enhance the operational efficiency and reliability of the VA Central Iowa Health Care System. A modern and well-maintained steam system is crucial for heating, sterilization, and other essential functions within a healthcare facility. By upgrading or replacing aging infrastructure, the project aims to prevent potential disruptions caused by system failures, reduce energy waste, and ensure a consistent and safe environment for patient care. This infrastructure improvement supports the core mission of the healthcare system by providing a stable foundation for its daily operations and long-term service delivery.

How does the historical spending on construction projects at the VA Central Iowa Health Care System compare to this current award?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for construction projects at the VA Central Iowa Health Care System would require access to historical contract data for that specific facility. Without that data, it's impossible to provide a direct comparison. However, federal agencies like the VA undertake various infrastructure and construction projects regularly to maintain and upgrade their facilities. The scale and cost of these projects can vary widely based on the specific needs, age of the facility, and available funding. This $10.9 million award should be viewed in the context of the VA's overall capital investment strategy for its healthcare network and the specific needs identified for the Des Moines facility.

What are the implications of the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' award type for cost and quality?

The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' award type signifies that the solicitation was made available to all responsible sources, but certain sources were excluded based on specific criteria (which are not detailed here). This approach aims to balance broad competition with the need to potentially narrow the field based on predefined requirements, possibly related to specialized capabilities or past performance. For cost, it generally implies a competitive bidding process, which should drive prices down. For quality, it suggests that the excluded sources might not have met specific technical or eligibility criteria, potentially leading to a pool of more qualified bidders, which could positively impact project quality. The presence of 4 bids indicates a reasonable level of competition within the qualified pool.

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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 36C26325R0017

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Briston Construction LLC

Address: 309 E 10TH DR, MESA, AZ, 85210

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: $10,948,439

Exercised Options: $10,948,439

Current Obligation: $10,948,439

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline