Department of the Navy awards $27.6M for R,D&A, T&E Consolidation Facility to The Haskell Company

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $27,558,402 ($27.6M)

Contractor: THE Haskell Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2008-05-05

End Date: 2010-08-30

Contract Duration: 847 days

Daily Burn Rate: $32.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: P-0011V: R,D&A, T&E CONSOLIDATION FACILITY

Place of Performance

Location: DAHLGREN, KING GEORGE County, VIRGINIA, 22448

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $27.6 million to THE HASKELL COMPANY for work described as: P-0011V: R,D&A, T&E CONSOLIDATION FACILITY Key points: 1. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The firm-fixed-price contract type indicates that the contractor assumes the risk for cost overruns. 3. The contract duration of 847 days (approximately 2.3 years) suggests a medium-term project. 4. The project is located in Virginia, a state with significant federal contracting activity. 5. The Haskell Company has been awarded this contract, indicating a potential track record with the Department of the Navy. 6. The contract falls under Commercial and Institutional Building Construction, a broad category with many comparable projects.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount of $27.6 million for a R,D&A, T&E Consolidation Facility appears to be a significant investment. Without specific details on the facility's scope, size, and features, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the contract was awarded under a firm-fixed-price structure, which generally aims to control costs by shifting risk to the contractor. Benchmarking against similar construction projects of this nature would be necessary for a more precise evaluation of its cost-effectiveness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 6 bidders indicates a healthy level of competition for this project. This competitive environment is generally expected to drive down prices and encourage the submission of the most advantageous offers to the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition suggests that taxpayers likely benefited from a more competitive pricing environment, potentially leading to a lower overall cost for the facility.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries of this contract are the Department of the Navy and its personnel who will utilize the R,D&A, T&E Consolidation Facility. The facility will support Research, Development, Analysis, Testing, and Evaluation activities for the Navy. The geographic impact is concentrated in Virginia, where the facility will be constructed and operated. The construction phase will likely involve a workforce of skilled tradespeople and project managers. The long-term impact includes enhanced capabilities for Navy research and development efforts.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if the firm-fixed-price contract does not adequately account for all project contingencies.
The specific scope and requirements of the R,D&A, T&E Consolidation Facility are not detailed, making it difficult to assess the full value proposition.
The long-term operational and maintenance costs of the facility are not addressed in this award data.

Positive Signals

The firm-fixed-price contract structure places cost risk on the contractor, potentially protecting the government from unexpected expenses.
Full and open competition with multiple bidders suggests a robust selection process and potentially competitive pricing.
The award to The Haskell Company, if they have a positive performance history, indicates a potentially reliable contractor.

Sector Analysis

The construction sector is a significant part of the federal contracting landscape, encompassing a wide range of projects from infrastructure to specialized facilities. This contract for a Research, Development, Analysis, Testing, and Evaluation (R,D&A, T&E) Consolidation Facility falls within the commercial and institutional building construction sub-sector. Federal spending in this area is often driven by the need for modernized infrastructure to support agency missions. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing the cost per square foot or cost per function for similar government facilities.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb: false) and there is no explicit mention of small business subcontracting goals (ss: false). This suggests that the primary award went to a large business, and there may be limited direct subcontracting opportunities for small businesses unless they are part of The Haskell Company's supply chain or are brought in by the prime contractor. Further investigation into The Haskell Company's subcontracting plans would be needed to fully assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of the Navy's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, which incentivizes the contractor to complete the work within budget. Transparency regarding the contract's progress and any potential issues would be subject to the Navy's reporting requirements and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provisions. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Construction Projects
Naval Facilities Engineering Command Contracts
Research and Development Facilities Construction
Testing and Evaluation Facilities
Federal Building Construction

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns under firm-fixed-price contract if unforeseen issues arise.
Scope definition for specialized facilities can be complex and subject to change.
Dependence on contractor's past performance for successful project execution.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $27.6 million to THE HASKELL COMPANY. P-0011V: R,D&A, T&E CONSOLIDATION FACILITY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE HASKELL COMPANY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $27.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-05-05. End: 2010-08-30.

What is the specific scope and purpose of the R,D&A, T&E Consolidation Facility being built?

The provided data indicates the contract is for a 'R,D&A, T&E CONSOLIDATION FACILITY' awarded to The Haskell Company by the Department of the Navy. While the acronyms suggest it will house functions related to Research, Development, Analysis, Testing, and Evaluation, the specific capabilities, size, technological requirements, and intended users of this consolidated facility are not detailed in the award information. Understanding the precise mission requirements and the scale of operations intended for this facility is crucial for a comprehensive assessment of its strategic importance and the value of the $27.6 million investment. Further documentation, such as the contract statement of work or project justifications, would be necessary to elaborate on its specific purpose and operational scope.

How does the $27.6 million award compare to the typical cost of similar federal consolidation facilities?

Benchmarking the $27.6 million award for the R,D&A, T&E Consolidation Facility requires comparison with similar projects. Without specific details on the facility's square footage, complexity, and location, a precise comparison is difficult. However, federal construction projects for specialized facilities can vary widely in cost. For instance, laboratory or testing facilities often incur higher costs due to specialized equipment, environmental controls, and security requirements compared to standard office buildings. The duration of the contract (847 days) suggests a substantial construction effort. To provide a meaningful benchmark, one would need to analyze data from the General Services Administration (GSA) or Department of Defense (DoD) databases for recently completed or ongoing projects with similar functional requirements and scale within the same geographic region or comparable economic conditions.

What is The Haskell Company's track record with the Department of the Navy and similar construction projects?

The award data shows The Haskell Company as the contractor for this $27.6 million project. To assess their track record, one would need to examine their past performance history with the Department of the Navy and other federal agencies, particularly on projects of similar size and complexity within the commercial and institutional building construction sector. Key indicators would include on-time and on-budget delivery, quality of work, safety records, and any history of contract disputes or performance issues. A positive performance history would increase confidence in their ability to successfully deliver this consolidation facility, while a negative history might raise concerns about potential risks and delays.

What are the potential risks associated with a firm-fixed-price contract for a complex facility like this?

While firm-fixed-price (FFP) contracts are designed to provide cost certainty for the government, they carry inherent risks, especially for complex construction projects. The primary risk is that the contractor, The Haskell Company, may underestimate the total cost of completion. If unforeseen issues arise during construction—such as unexpected site conditions, material price escalations beyond what was factored in, or design challenges—the contractor is obligated to absorb these additional costs. This could potentially lead to the contractor cutting corners on quality, using less durable materials, or even facing financial distress, which could impact project timelines and final delivery. Conversely, if the contractor significantly overestimates costs, the government may end up paying a premium. Robust contract oversight and clear specifications are crucial to mitigate these risks.

How has federal spending on R&D and T&E facilities evolved over the past decade?

Federal spending on Research, Development, and Testing & Evaluation (R&D/T&E) facilities has generally seen fluctuations driven by national security priorities, technological advancements, and infrastructure modernization needs. Over the past decade, there has been a sustained emphasis on upgrading aging facilities and investing in state-of-the-art infrastructure to support cutting-edge research and advanced testing capabilities across various agencies, particularly within the Department of Defense. This includes investments in areas like cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, advanced materials, and aerospace. While specific aggregate spending figures for 'consolidation facilities' are not readily available, overall federal investment in R&D infrastructure has remained a significant component of the federal budget, reflecting the strategic importance placed on maintaining a technological edge.

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: TWO STEP

Solicitation ID: N4008007R0154

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 111 RIVERSIDE AVE, JACKSONVILLE, FL, 32202

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $27,558,402

Exercised Options: $27,558,402

Current Obligation: $27,558,402

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline