EPA awards $11.7M contract for infrastructure replacement, with Langdon Inc. as prime

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,679,372 ($11.7M)

Contractor: Langdon Inc

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2007-09-13

End Date: 2009-12-31

Contract Duration: 840 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: CONSTRUCT PHASE 1 OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE REPLACEMENT PROJECT AT THE U.S. EPA AWBERC FACILITY, CINCINNATI, OHIO.

Place of Performance

Location: CINCINNATI, HAMILTON County, OHIO, 45268, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $11.7 million to LANGDON INC for work described as: CONSTRUCT PHASE 1 OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE REPLACEMENT PROJECT AT THE U.S. EPA AWBERC FACILITY, CINCINNATI, OHIO. Key points: 1. Contract awarded for construction phase 1 of infrastructure replacement at EPA's AWBERC facility. 2. The contract is a firm-fixed-price type, indicating a defined scope and cost. 3. Awarded to Langdon Inc., a contractor with experience in plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning. 4. The project duration is 840 days, spanning over two years. 5. The contract was secured through full and open competition. 6. The base award amount is approximately $11.7 million.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $11.7 million for infrastructure replacement at a federal facility appears within a reasonable range for such projects. However, without specific details on the scope of work, materials, and labor involved, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar EPA facility upgrades or construction projects of comparable size and complexity would provide a clearer picture of whether this price represents good value. The firm-fixed-price nature suggests the government has a defined cost, but the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of 4 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this project. This competitive process is designed to ensure that the government receives the best possible price and quality by allowing multiple contractors to vie for the work. The number of bidders provides some assurance that the pricing is likely market-driven.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down prices and encouraging innovation among contractors, leading to more cost-effective project execution.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its employees at the AWBERC facility in Cincinnati, Ohio, who will receive upgraded infrastructure. The project delivers essential construction services for facility modernization. The geographic impact is localized to the EPA's AWBERC facility in Cincinnati, Ohio. The contract supports jobs in the construction sector, specifically in plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning trades.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen issues arise during construction, despite the firm-fixed-price contract.
Dependence on Langdon Inc.'s performance and adherence to project timelines and quality standards.
The scope of 'Phase 1' implies future phases, potentially leading to additional costs and contract awards.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Contractor (Langdon Inc.) specializes in relevant trades (plumbing, HVAC), indicating potential expertise.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the construction and facility maintenance sector, specifically focusing on mechanical systems (plumbing, heating, air-conditioning) for a government-owned research facility. The market for federal construction contracts is substantial, with significant spending allocated annually to maintain and upgrade government infrastructure. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing the cost per square foot or per trade for similar federal building projects, adjusted for geographic location and project complexity.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was awarded through full and open competition and does not specify any small business set-aside provisions. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Without further details, it's difficult to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem, though large prime contractors often utilize small businesses for specialized services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contracting officers and project managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring completion of specified work within the agreed-upon cost. Transparency is generally maintained through federal contract databases like FPDS, which record award details. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

EPA Facility Modernization Projects
Federal Construction Contracts
Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Services Contracts
Infrastructure Improvement Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns
Contractor performance risk
Scope creep risk if not well-defined
Dependency on future phases for complete infrastructure upgrade

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $11.7 million to LANGDON INC. CONSTRUCT PHASE 1 OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE REPLACEMENT PROJECT AT THE U.S. EPA AWBERC FACILITY, CINCINNATI, OHIO.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LANGDON INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $11.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-09-13. End: 2009-12-31.

What is the specific scope of work for Phase 1 of the infrastructure replacement project?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'CONSTRUCT PHASE 1 OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE REPLACEMENT PROJECT AT THE U.S. EPA AWBERC FACILITY, CINCINNATI, OHIO.' However, the detailed scope of work is not specified in the abbreviated data. Typically, Phase 1 construction contracts for facility infrastructure replacement would involve demolition of existing systems, installation of new plumbing, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and potentially related electrical or structural modifications. The exact deliverables, specifications, and performance standards would be detailed in the full contract solicitation documents. Understanding the specific scope is crucial for a comprehensive value assessment and risk evaluation.

How does the awarded amount of $11.7 million compare to similar EPA facility infrastructure projects?

Benchmarking the $11.7 million award requires comparing it to similar projects undertaken by the EPA or other federal agencies for facility infrastructure replacement. Factors such as the size of the facility (square footage), the age and condition of existing systems, the complexity of the new installations, and the geographic location significantly influence project costs. Without access to a database of comparable EPA AWBERC facility projects or similar research/laboratory building upgrades, a precise comparison is difficult. However, for a multi-year construction project involving significant mechanical system overhauls at a federal research facility, $11.7 million could be considered a moderate to substantial investment, suggesting a project of considerable scope and importance.

What are the potential risks associated with Langdon Inc. as the prime contractor for this project?

Potential risks associated with Langdon Inc. as the prime contractor include performance-related issues such as delays in project completion, failure to meet quality standards, or cost overruns (though mitigated by the firm-fixed-price structure). Given their specialization in plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning, their capacity to manage the overall construction project, including coordination with other trades and subcontractors, is a key consideration. Past performance data, if available, would be essential to assess their track record on similar federal projects. The firm-fixed-price nature shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor, but significant issues could still lead to disputes or contract termination.

What is the historical spending pattern for infrastructure replacement at the EPA AWBERC facility?

The provided data only details this specific contract award for Phase 1 of the infrastructure replacement project. It does not offer historical spending patterns for infrastructure replacement at the EPA AWBERC facility. To understand historical spending, one would need to analyze contract awards for this facility over several previous years, looking for similar construction, renovation, or repair contracts. This would reveal the frequency, scale, and cost trends of past infrastructure investments, helping to contextualize the current $11.7 million award and assess if it represents a significant increase or a continuation of established spending levels.

How does the firm-fixed-price contract type impact the government's financial exposure?

A firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally favorable for the government in terms of financial exposure, as it establishes a ceiling price for the work. The contractor, Langdon Inc., assumes the primary risk of cost overruns. If the project costs exceed the agreed-upon price, the contractor must absorb those additional expenses. This structure incentivizes the contractor to manage costs efficiently and complete the project within budget. However, FFP contracts often include higher initial prices to account for the contractor's risk, and significant scope changes can lead to contract modifications and adjustments to the price.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Building Equipment Contractors › Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 9865 WAYNE AVE, CINCINNATI, OH, 45215

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,679,372

Exercised Options: $11,679,372

Current Obligation: $11,679,372

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: EPC07058

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline