VA awards $41.8M for Iowa City EHRM upgrades to Briston Construction, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $41,798,130 ($41.8M)

Contractor: Briston Construction, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2022-10-03

End Date: 2025-12-17

Contract Duration: 1,171 days

Daily Burn Rate: $35.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: IOWA CITY EHRM UPGRADES

Place of Performance

Location: IOWA CITY, JOHNSON County, IOWA, 52246

State: Iowa Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $41.8 million to BRISTON CONSTRUCTION, LLC for work described as: IOWA CITY EHRM UPGRADES Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in healthcare infrastructure modernization. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration of nearly three years indicates a substantial project scope. 4. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide budget certainty. 5. The project is situated within the broader context of the Department of Veterans Affairs' electronic health record modernization efforts.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $41.8 million for commercial and institutional building construction appears to be within a reasonable range for a project of this scope and duration, particularly given the specialized nature of healthcare facility upgrades. Benchmarking against similar EHRM infrastructure projects would provide a more precise assessment of value for money. The firm fixed-price structure suggests an effort to manage cost overruns, but the final cost will depend on the contractor's efficiency and any unforeseen site conditions.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which is an unusual designation. Typically, 'full and open competition' implies maximum outreach. The exclusion of sources suggests that while multiple bidders may have been considered, certain pre-qualified or previously engaged entities might have been prioritized or others excluded based on specific criteria. The presence of two bidders indicates some level of competition, but the 'exclusion of sources' clause warrants further investigation into the rationale and its potential impact on the breadth of competition.

Taxpayer Impact: While two bidders participated, the exclusion of other potential sources could mean taxpayers did not benefit from the lowest possible price that might have been achieved with broader competition.

Public Impact

Veterans in the Iowa City area will benefit from upgraded electronic health record systems, potentially leading to improved care coordination and access. The project will involve construction services, supporting the commercial and institutional building construction sector. The geographic impact is focused on the Iowa City region, enhancing local VA healthcare facilities. The contract is expected to create or sustain jobs within the construction industry in Iowa.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition type raises questions about the extent of market engagement and potential price optimization.
The specific nature of EHRM upgrades can involve complex integration challenges, posing potential performance risks if not managed effectively.

Positive Signals

The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The project is part of a larger, strategic initiative by the VA to modernize its healthcare IT infrastructure.
The contract duration allows for phased implementation and thorough execution of the construction work.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a vital part of the broader construction industry. The Department of Veterans Affairs is a significant federal spender in this area, particularly for healthcare facilities. The market for healthcare construction is specialized, requiring adherence to strict regulations and often involving complex technological integrations like EHR systems. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be assessed against other large-scale healthcare facility renovation or construction projects within federal or large private health systems.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a primary driver for this specific award, as the 'sb' (small business set-aside) field is false. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this data. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether Briston Construction, LLC, a potentially larger entity, engages small businesses for specialized construction services or materials.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed budget. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected during the contract's performance.

Related Government Programs

Department of Veterans Affairs Electronic Health Record Modernization Program
Federal Buildings and Facilities Construction
Healthcare Infrastructure Projects
Commercial Building Construction Contracts

Risk Flags

Competition level potentially limited by 'exclusion of sources'.
Project complexity inherent in EHRM infrastructure upgrades.
Potential for cost overruns despite fixed-price contract if scope changes or unforeseen issues arise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $41.8 million to BRISTON CONSTRUCTION, LLC. IOWA CITY EHRM UPGRADES

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 $41.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-10-03. End: 2025-12-17.

What is the specific rationale behind the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' designation for this contract?

The designation 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' is unusual and suggests a specific procurement strategy. It implies that the solicitation was open to all responsible sources, but certain sources were intentionally excluded from consideration. This exclusion could be based on pre-qualification requirements, past performance issues with specific contractors, national security concerns, or other justifiable reasons outlined in federal acquisition regulations. Without further details from the solicitation or award documents, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact reason. However, this approach can sometimes limit the pool of potential bidders, potentially impacting the level of competition and the final price achieved for taxpayers. Further analysis would require reviewing the justification for exclusion provided by the agency.

How does the awarded amount of $41.8 million compare to similar EHRM infrastructure upgrade projects within the VA or other federal agencies?

Benchmarking the $41.8 million award requires comparing it to similar projects in terms of scope, complexity, and geographic location. EHRM infrastructure upgrades can vary significantly in cost depending on the size of the facility, the extent of the technological overhaul, and the specific construction requirements. For instance, a complete hospital system upgrade would naturally cost more than a single clinic's system enhancement. Without specific data on comparable VA or federal EHRM infrastructure projects, it's challenging to definitively state if this amount represents excellent, fair, or concerning value. However, given the multi-year duration and the firm fixed-price nature, the agency likely conducted some level of cost analysis to ensure the price was reasonable before award.

What are the primary risks associated with the performance of this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

The primary risks associated with this contract likely revolve around the successful integration of new EHRM infrastructure within existing physical facilities and ensuring minimal disruption to ongoing healthcare services. Construction projects of this magnitude can face risks such as unforeseen site conditions, delays in material procurement, labor shortages, and scope creep. For EHRM-specific aspects, integration challenges with legacy systems and ensuring data integrity during the transition are critical. Mitigation strategies typically include robust project management by the VA, detailed construction planning, contingency budgeting, regular progress reviews, and clear communication channels with the contractor. The firm fixed-price contract also incentivizes the contractor to manage these risks effectively to maintain profitability.

What is the historical spending pattern for EHRM-related infrastructure upgrades at the Iowa City VA facility or similar facilities?

Historical spending data for EHRM-related infrastructure upgrades at the Iowa City VA facility or similar locations is crucial for contextualizing the current $41.8 million award. Without access to specific historical contract databases or agency budget reports for this facility, it's impossible to provide precise figures. However, federal agencies like the VA undertake significant, often multi-year, investments in IT modernization. Previous upgrades might have been smaller in scope or focused on different aspects of the EHR system. Understanding the frequency and cost of past upgrades would help determine if this $41.8 million represents a typical investment, a significant increase, or a consolidation of multiple smaller projects. This context is vital for assessing the long-term financial planning and the value proposition of the current expenditure.

How does the contractor, Briston Construction, LLC, perform on similar federal contracts, particularly those involving healthcare facilities or complex infrastructure?

Assessing the track record of Briston Construction, LLC on similar federal contracts is essential for evaluating the risk and potential success of this $41.8 million award. Information regarding their past performance, including on-time delivery, adherence to budget, quality of work, and any history of disputes or contract modifications, would be available through federal contract databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) and potentially through agency performance reviews. If Briston Construction has a strong history with healthcare facility construction or large-scale infrastructure projects, it would increase confidence in their ability to execute this complex EHRM upgrade. Conversely, a history of performance issues could signal higher risk for the VA and taxpayers.

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: 36C77622R0094

Offers Received: 2

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: $41,798,130

Exercised Options: $41,798,130

Current Obligation: $41,798,130

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline