Department of Defense awards $37.7M for facility stabilization, with 3 bidders competing for the fixed-price contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $37,761,350 ($37.8M)

Contractor: BL Harbert International LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-08-17

End Date: 2024-10-21

Contract Duration: 1,161 days

Daily Burn Rate: $32.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: CCAD HANGAR 47 FACIILITY STABILIZATION

Place of Performance

Location: CORPUS CHRISTI, NUECES County, TEXAS, 78419

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $37.8 million to BL HARBERT INTERNATIONAL LLC for work described as: CCAD HANGAR 47 FACIILITY STABILIZATION Key points: 1. The contract's firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs, but the final value suggests potential for cost overruns or scope changes. 2. With three bidders, competition was present but may not have been robust enough to guarantee the lowest possible price. 3. The duration of over three years indicates a significant project with potential for long-term impact on facility readiness. 4. The project's focus on facility stabilization suggests it addresses critical infrastructure needs, potentially preventing further degradation. 5. The contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a common area for federal infrastructure spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The awarded amount of $37.7 million for facility stabilization appears substantial. Benchmarking against similar construction projects for institutional buildings is necessary to determine if this represents a fair market price. The firm-fixed-price contract type offers some cost certainty, but the total value over a multi-year period warrants scrutiny for potential cost efficiencies or areas where value could be enhanced.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, with three bids received. While competition existed, a higher number of bidders typically leads to more aggressive pricing and better value for the government. The presence of three bidders suggests a moderately competitive environment, but it's unclear if this was sufficient to drive down costs to the lowest feasible level.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition is positive for taxpayers, as it allows any qualified vendor to bid, theoretically leading to a more competitive price. However, with only three bidders, the potential for significant cost savings may have been limited compared to a more crowded field.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense and the Navy, who will see improved facility conditions. The services delivered include stabilization of a critical facility, likely a hangar, ensuring its operational readiness. The geographic impact is localized to Texas, where the facility is located. The project will likely involve a workforce of construction professionals and tradespeople in the Texas region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Positive Signals

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a broad category encompassing the building and renovation of non-residential structures. Federal spending in this sector is substantial, driven by the need to maintain and upgrade government facilities, including military installations, administrative buildings, and research centers. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale construction and renovation projects awarded by the Department of Defense or other federal agencies for similar types of facilities.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a primary focus, as the 'sb' (small business set-aside) field is false. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting goals for small businesses within the provided data. This suggests that the primary contractor, BL Harbert International LLC, will likely manage the majority of the work, with potential for some subcontracting opportunities that are not specifically designated for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Department of the Navy, ensuring adherence to contract terms and quality standards. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price structure, which incentivizes the contractor to complete the work within budget. Transparency is facilitated through public contract databases, though detailed project progress reports may not be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Risk Flags

Tags

construction, department-of-defense, department-of-the-navy, facility-maintenance, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, large-contract, texas, commercial-and-institutional-building-construction, infrastructure

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $37.8 million to BL HARBERT INTERNATIONAL LLC. CCAD HANGAR 47 FACIILITY STABILIZATION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BL HARBERT INTERNATIONAL LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $37.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-08-17. End: 2024-10-21.

What is the track record of BL Harbert International LLC with the federal government, particularly in large construction projects?

BL Harbert International LLC has a significant history of contracting with the federal government, primarily through the Department of Defense and other agencies. They specialize in large-scale construction projects, including military facilities, embassies, and other institutional buildings. Their past performance often involves complex projects with substantial budgets, similar to the CCAD Hangar 47 Facility Stabilization contract. A review of their federal contract history would reveal the number and value of previous awards, any instances of contract disputes or performance issues, and their overall success rate in delivering projects on time and within budget. This context is crucial for assessing the risk associated with their current contract.

How does the awarded amount of $37.7 million compare to similar facility stabilization projects for military installations?

Benchmarking the $37.7 million award requires detailed analysis of comparable projects. Factors such as the size and type of facility (e.g., hangar vs. barracks), the scope of 'stabilization' (e.g., structural repairs, environmental remediation, system upgrades), the geographic location (which impacts labor and material costs), and the contract duration are critical. Without specific project details, it's difficult to provide a precise comparison. However, for large-scale stabilization or renovation of significant military infrastructure like a hangar, $37.7 million over a multi-year period is within the expected range for substantial projects. A more granular comparison would involve looking at contracts for similar-sized hangars or critical infrastructure at other Department of Defense installations, considering the year of award and the specific work performed.

What are the primary risks associated with a multi-year, firm-fixed-price contract for facility stabilization?

The primary risks for a multi-year, firm-fixed-price contract like this involve potential cost overruns if the initial scope or cost estimates were inaccurate, and the contractor's ability to manage unforeseen conditions. While the firm-fixed-price structure protects the government from cost increases due to contractor inefficiency, it places the risk of unexpected site conditions or material price volatility on the contractor. If the contractor underestimated these risks, they might seek to reduce quality or cut corners to maintain profitability, or potentially face financial distress. For the government, the risk lies in the potential for delays if the contractor struggles, or if the initial scope doesn't fully address the stabilization needs, requiring future contracts.

What is the expected impact of this contract on the operational readiness of the CCAD facility?

The expected impact of this contract on the operational readiness of the CCAD facility is likely to be significant and positive. Facility stabilization projects are typically undertaken to address critical structural, environmental, or functional deficiencies that could impede or halt operations. By stabilizing the hangar, the Department of Defense ensures that this vital asset remains functional and capable of supporting its intended mission, whether that involves aircraft maintenance, storage, or deployment. This prevents further degradation, reduces the likelihood of costly emergency repairs, and contributes to the overall efficiency and reliability of the base's infrastructure.

How has federal spending on commercial and institutional building construction evolved over the past five years, and where does this contract fit?

Federal spending on commercial and institutional building construction has generally remained robust, driven by the ongoing need to maintain and modernize government infrastructure across various agencies, including defense, education, and health. While specific year-over-year figures fluctuate based on budget allocations and major project initiatives, the sector consistently represents a significant portion of federal procurement. This $37.7 million contract for facility stabilization at a Department of Defense installation fits within this broader trend. It represents a targeted investment in critical infrastructure maintenance rather than new construction, reflecting a common strategy to preserve existing assets and ensure their long-term utility and safety.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ConstructionNonresidential Building ConstructionCommercial and Institutional Building Construction

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTYMAINT, ALTER, REPAIR BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: N6945018R0700

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 820 SHADES CREEK PKWY STE 3000, BIRMINGHAM, AL, 35209

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $38,583,732

Exercised Options: $37,761,350

Current Obligation: $37,761,350

Actual Outlays: $172,986

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 30

Total Subaward Amount: $24,496,954

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N6945019D0908

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2021-08-17

Current End Date: 2024-10-21

Potential End Date: 2024-10-21 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2025-09-30

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