DHS awards $22.7M design-build contract for Champlain Border Patrol Station to Miami Wiipica, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,709,484 ($22.7M)

Contractor: Miami Wiipica, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2023-04-07

End Date: 2026-04-09

Contract Duration: 1,098 days

Daily Burn Rate: $20.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: DESIGN BUILD CONTRACT FOR A BORDER PATROL STATION IN CHAMPLAIN, NY.

Place of Performance

Location: CHAMPLAIN, CLINTON County, NEW YORK, 12919

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $22.7 million to MIAMI WIIPICA, LLC for work described as: DESIGN BUILD CONTRACT FOR A BORDER PATROL STATION IN CHAMPLAIN, NY. Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a firm-fixed-price basis, indicating defined cost parameters. 2. The contract is for a design-build project, consolidating design and construction responsibilities. 3. Project duration is set at 1098 days, spanning nearly three years. 4. The contract was not competed, raising questions about potential cost efficiencies. 5. The base value of the contract is approximately $20.7 million. 6. The contract is a definitive contract, suggesting a clear scope and commitment.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's base value of $20.7 million for a design-build border patrol station appears within a reasonable range for such specialized construction projects. However, without specific details on the scope of work, square footage, and amenities required for the Champlain, NY location, a precise benchmark is difficult. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs, but the lack of competition means there's no direct market comparison to assess if this price represents optimal value for money. Further analysis would require understanding the project's complexity and comparing it to similar federal facility constructions.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not open to competitive bidding. The justification for this approach is not provided in the data. Sole-source awards can sometimes be necessary for highly specialized projects or when only one vendor possesses the required capabilities. However, they typically limit price discovery and may result in higher costs compared to a fully competed contract.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition means taxpayers may not be benefiting from the most cost-effective pricing that could have been achieved through a bidding process. This could lead to a higher overall expenditure for the government.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel who will gain a new, purpose-built facility. The project will deliver a new Border Patrol station in Champlain, New York, enhancing operational capabilities in the region. The geographic impact is localized to the northern New York border area, supporting federal law enforcement presence. The construction phase will likely create temporary jobs in the local and regional workforce. The completed facility will support ongoing federal law enforcement and border security operations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to suboptimal pricing for taxpayers.
Sole-source award requires careful justification to ensure necessity and fairness.
Scope creep or unforeseen issues in design-build could impact final cost despite fixed price.
Contract duration of nearly three years presents a long-term commitment.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Design-build approach can streamline project delivery by integrating design and construction.
Award to a single, presumably capable, contractor ensures focused execution.
Project addresses a specific need for enhanced border infrastructure.

Sector Analysis

The construction sector, particularly commercial and institutional building, is a significant area of federal spending. This contract falls under the 'Commercial and Institutional Building Construction' category. Federal agencies frequently contract for the design and construction of facilities like border stations, courthouses, and administrative offices. The market for such projects is competitive, but specialized requirements, such as those for border security, can sometimes lead to less open competition. Benchmarks for similar federal facility constructions vary widely based on size, location, and specific requirements.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business and there is no indication of small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. The contract was awarded to Miami Wiipica, LLC, which is not specified as a small business. This means that opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific project, either as prime contractors or subcontractors, are likely limited unless voluntarily included by the prime contractor.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily fall under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). As a definitive contract with a fixed price, oversight will focus on ensuring the contractor meets the design and construction specifications within the agreed-upon timeline and budget. Transparency may be limited due to the sole-source nature of the award. The DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Border Infrastructure Projects
Federal Law Enforcement Facilities
Design-Build Construction Contracts
Department of Homeland Security Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
Limited public information on contractor's specific relevant experience.
Potential for cost overruns if design-build integration is not managed effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $22.7 million to MIAMI WIIPICA, LLC. DESIGN BUILD CONTRACT FOR A BORDER PATROL STATION IN CHAMPLAIN, NY.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MIAMI WIIPICA, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Customs and Border Protection).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $22.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-04-07. End: 2026-04-09.

What is the specific scope of work and detailed requirements for the Champlain Border Patrol Station design and construction?

The provided data indicates a 'DESIGN BUILD CONTRACT FOR A BORDER PATROL STATION IN CHAMPLAIN, NY.' However, it does not detail the specific scope of work, such as the required square footage, number of personnel to be housed, specific security features, technological integrations, or environmental considerations. A design-build contract implies that Miami Wiipica, LLC is responsible for both the architectural/engineering design and the physical construction of the facility. Detailed requirements would typically be outlined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS), which are not included in the summary data. Understanding these specifics is crucial for evaluating the contract's value and appropriateness.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The data explicitly states the contract was 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' indicating a sole-source award. Federal procurement regulations allow for sole-source awards under specific circumstances, such as when only one responsible source is capable of providing the required supplies or services, or in cases of urgent and compelling need. Without the official justification document (e.g., a Justification and Approval - J&A), it is impossible to determine the precise reason. This lack of competition means that the government did not explore potentially lower prices or innovative solutions that might have emerged from a competitive bidding process, raising concerns about cost-effectiveness for taxpayers.

How does the $22.7 million contract value compare to similar federal border patrol station construction projects?

Comparing the $22.7 million contract value requires context regarding the size, complexity, and location of the Champlain, NY Border Patrol Station. Federal facilities vary significantly in cost based on square footage, security requirements, technological integration, and regional construction labor/material costs. While $22.7 million is a substantial investment, it may be reasonable for a purpose-built, secure federal facility. However, without access to detailed project specifications (e.g., square footage, specific amenities, security levels) and a benchmark of comparable, recently awarded design-build contracts for similar facilities in similar regions, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. The lack of competition further complicates direct price comparison.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source design-build contract for federal infrastructure?

Sole-source design-build contracts carry several potential risks. Firstly, the absence of competition can lead to higher costs for the government, as the contractor may not feel pressured to offer the most competitive pricing. Secondly, there's a risk of scope creep or quality issues if the contractor has less incentive to be efficient or if the government's oversight is insufficient. In a design-build scenario, the integration of design and construction under one entity can be efficient, but it also concentrates risk. If the design is flawed or the construction is poorly executed, the single contractor is responsible, but the government might face delays and cost overruns if not managed properly. The lack of a competitive baseline makes it harder to identify and mitigate these risks proactively.

What is the track record of Miami Wiipica, LLC in executing federal design-build construction contracts?

Information regarding Miami Wiipica, LLC's specific track record with federal design-build contracts, particularly for facilities of similar scale and type (like border patrol stations), is not detailed in the provided data summary. To assess their capability and past performance, one would need to review their contract history, including project completion timeliness, adherence to budget, quality of work, and any past performance evaluations or disputes. Federal agencies typically maintain databases (like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS) to track contractor performance. Without access to such detailed performance history, it's difficult to definitively evaluate the contractor's reliability for this significant infrastructure project.

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: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1950 ROLAND CLARKE PL, RESTON, VA, 20191

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $23,865,900

Exercised Options: $22,709,484

Current Obligation: $22,709,484

Actual Outlays: $21,274,504

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline