DHS Awards $31.4M Contract for Mount Weather Mechanical and Electrical Upgrades to Clark Construction
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $31,387,000 ($31.4M)
Contractor: Clark Construction Group LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2008-09-22
End Date: 2011-01-05
Contract Duration: 835 days
Daily Burn Rate: $37.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: THE CONSTRUCTION FOR THIS PROJECT CONSISTS OF THE REPLACEMENT OF MAJOR MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS, AS WELL AS AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS UPGRADE TO SUPPORT THE MECHANICAL SYSTEM, DOMESTIC WATER PIPING AND EQUIPMENT, FIRE PIPING DISTRIBUTION, STRUCTURAL SUPPORTS AND CIVIL WORK WITHIN MOUNT WEATHER.
Place of Performance
Location: MOUNT WEATHER, CLARKE County, VIRGINIA, 20135
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $31.4 million to CLARK CONSTRUCTION GROUP LLC for work described as: THE CONSTRUCTION FOR THIS PROJECT CONSISTS OF THE REPLACEMENT OF MAJOR MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS, AS WELL AS AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS UPGRADE TO SUPPORT THE MECHANICAL SYSTEM, DOMESTIC WATER PIPING AND EQUIPMENT, FIRE PIPING DISTRIBUTION, STRUCTURAL SUPPORTS AND … Key points: 1. The contract focuses on critical infrastructure upgrades at Mount Weather, including mechanical, electrical, and domestic water systems. 2. Clark Construction Group LLC, the awardee, is a significant player in the construction industry. 3. The project involves substantial structural and civil work, indicating a complex and large-scale undertaking. 4. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $31.4 million for extensive mechanical and electrical system upgrades appears reasonable given the scope of work at a secure federal facility. Benchmarking against similar large-scale infrastructure projects for government entities 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, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method allows multiple qualified contractors to bid, fostering competitive pricing and potentially leading to better value for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages competitive bidding, which can drive down costs and ensure the government receives fair market value for its investments.
Public Impact
Ensures operational continuity and modernization of critical federal infrastructure at Mount Weather. Supports national security by maintaining essential government facilities. Invests in the modernization of aging building systems, potentially improving energy efficiency and reliability.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen structural or civil issues arise during construction.
- Contract duration of 835 days suggests a lengthy project with potential for delays.
- Dependence on a single contractor for a critical infrastructure project.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process.
- Firm fixed price contract type helps to control costs.
- Project addresses essential upgrades to critical federal infrastructure.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the construction sector, specifically focusing on mechanical and electrical systems for federal facilities. Spending benchmarks for similar large-scale infrastructure upgrades at secure government sites can vary significantly based on location, complexity, and specific system requirements.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates the prime contractor is Clark Construction Group LLC, a large entity. There is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this contract award.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Procurement Operations, suggesting established procurement processes. Oversight would typically involve project managers monitoring progress, quality, and adherence to contract terms.
Related Government Programs
- Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- Office of Procurement Operations Programs
Risk Flags
- Contract duration is lengthy (835 days).
- Scope includes significant structural and civil work, increasing complexity.
- Dependence on a single large contractor for critical infrastructure.
- Potential for unforeseen site conditions impacting cost and schedule.
Tags
plumbing-heating-and-air-conditioning-co, department-of-homeland-security, va, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $31.4 million to CLARK CONSTRUCTION GROUP LLC. THE CONSTRUCTION FOR THIS PROJECT CONSISTS OF THE REPLACEMENT OF MAJOR MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS, AS WELL AS AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS UPGRADE TO SUPPORT THE MECHANICAL SYSTEM, DOMESTIC WATER PIPING AND EQUIPMENT, FIRE PIPING DISTRIBUTION, STRUCTURAL SUPPORTS AND CIVIL WORK WITHIN MOUNT WEATHER.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CLARK CONSTRUCTION GROUP LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Office of Procurement Operations).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $31.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-09-22. End: 2011-01-05.
What is the estimated cost per square foot or per system component for this upgrade compared to industry averages for similar federal facilities?
Without detailed breakdowns of the scope per system (e.g., HVAC tonnage, electrical capacity upgrades), a precise per-unit cost comparison is challenging. However, for large-scale federal infrastructure projects involving mechanical and electrical overhauls, costs can range widely. Benchmarking would require detailed project specifications against publicly available data for comparable government building modernization efforts.
What are the specific risks associated with the structural supports and civil work mentioned, and how are they being mitigated?
Risks in structural and civil work often include unforeseen subsurface conditions, material failures, or integration challenges with existing structures. Mitigation strategies typically involve thorough site investigations, detailed engineering plans, contingency budgeting, and robust quality assurance protocols during execution. The contract's firm fixed price nature implies the contractor bears much of this risk.
How will the success of the electrical systems upgrade in supporting the new mechanical systems be measured and verified?
Success will be measured through rigorous testing and commissioning phases. This includes load testing of the new electrical infrastructure to ensure it can reliably support the upgraded mechanical systems, verification of power quality and stability, and successful integration of control systems. Final acceptance will depend on meeting all performance specifications outlined in the contract.
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
Solicitation ID: HSHQDC-08-R-00001
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Clark Construction LLC (UEI: 080206726)
Address: 7500 OLD GEORGETOWN RD, BETHESDA, MD, 20814
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $31,387,000
Exercised Options: $31,387,000
Current Obligation: $31,387,000
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-09-22
Current End Date: 2011-01-05
Potential End Date: 2011-01-05 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2018-04-09
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