DHS Awards $61.6M Design-Build Contract for USCG Charleston Facility

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $61,648,418 ($61.6M)

Contractor: Rq-Aecom 2 JV

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2023-07-10

End Date: 2026-10-25

Contract Duration: 1,203 days

Daily Burn Rate: $51.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: AWARD OF DESIGN BUILD OF SECTOR CHARLESTON CONSTRUCT CONSOLIDATED ADMIN FACILITY, USCG BASE CHARLESTON, CHARLESTON, SC

Place of Performance

Location: NORTH CHARLESTON, CHARLESTON County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29405

State: South Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $61.6 million to RQ-AECOM 2 JV for work described as: AWARD OF DESIGN BUILD OF SECTOR CHARLESTON CONSTRUCT CONSOLIDATED ADMIN FACILITY, USCG BASE CHARLESTON, CHARLESTON, SC Key points: 1. Contract awarded to RQ-AECOM 2 JV for construction of a consolidated administrative facility. 2. The project falls under the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector. 3. Competition was full and open, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award amount of $61.6 million for a design-build consolidated facility appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar large-scale government construction projects would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating multiple bidders likely participated. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is expected to yield a fair price, maximizing taxpayer value for this significant infrastructure investment.

Public Impact

Improved operational efficiency for the U.S. Coast Guard in Charleston. Potential for job creation in the Charleston, South Carolina area during construction. Modernized facility to support critical Coast Guard missions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for construction delays impacting operational readiness.
Scope creep could increase final costs despite fixed-price contract.
Ensuring compliance with environmental and safety regulations.

Positive Signals

Design-build approach can streamline project delivery.
Firm fixed price contract limits cost overruns for the government.
Award to a joint venture may bring diverse expertise.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector. Spending in this sector is driven by infrastructure needs and modernization efforts across federal agencies. Benchmarks for similar facilities vary widely based on size, complexity, and location.

Small Business Impact

While the prime contractor is a joint venture, the contract details do not specify any subcontracting goals for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Homeland Security, specifically the U.S. Coast Guard, is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard oversight mechanisms for construction projects, including site inspections and progress reviews, should be in place.

Related Government Programs

Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
Department of Homeland Security Contracting
U.S. Coast Guard Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if scope is not tightly managed.
Risk of schedule delays impacting Coast Guard operations.
Dependency on the performance and coordination of the joint venture partners.
Ensuring long-term facility maintenance and operational costs are considered.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $61.6 million to RQ-AECOM 2 JV. AWARD OF DESIGN BUILD OF SECTOR CHARLESTON CONSTRUCT CONSOLIDATED ADMIN FACILITY, USCG BASE CHARLESTON, CHARLESTON, SC

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RQ-AECOM 2 JV.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Coast Guard).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $61.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-07-10. End: 2026-10-25.

What is the estimated cost per square foot for this facility, and how does it compare to similar government construction projects?

The provided data does not include square footage, making a direct cost-per-square-foot calculation impossible. To assess value, this metric would need to be obtained and compared against industry benchmarks for similar institutional buildings, considering regional construction cost variations and specific facility requirements.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this design-build contract, and how will performance be measured?

Specific KPIs are not detailed in the award notice. Typically, for design-build projects, KPIs would focus on schedule adherence, quality of construction (meeting design specifications and building codes), safety record, and successful project closeout. The contract documents would outline the precise metrics and evaluation criteria.

Are there any provisions for sustainable building practices or LEED certification within the contract requirements?

The award notice does not explicitly mention requirements for sustainable building practices or LEED certification. Federal agencies are increasingly incorporating such requirements, but their inclusion would be detailed in the full contract solicitation and specifications, not typically summarized in the award abstract.

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

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3194 LIONSHEAD AVE, CARLSBAD, CA, 92010

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $61,648,418

Exercised Options: $61,648,418

Current Obligation: $61,648,418

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $429,574

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70Z04718DRQAECM00

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline