NSF's $15.8M Facilities Support Contract with CH2M HILL CONSTRUCTORS INC awarded under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,843,526 ($15.8M)

Contractor: CH2M Hill Constructors Inc

Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation

Start Date: 2003-11-13

End Date: 2005-05-31

Contract Duration: 565 days

Daily Burn Rate: $28.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CONTRACT MODIFICATION

Place of Performance

Location: CENTENNIAL, ARAPAHOE County, COLORADO, 80112

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Science Foundation obligated $15.8 million to CH2M HILL CONSTRUCTORS INC for work described as: CONTRACT MODIFICATION Key points: 1. The contract value of $15.8 million for facilities support services indicates a significant investment in maintaining operational infrastructure. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, this suggests a robust market for such services, potentially leading to competitive pricing. 3. The duration of the contract (565 days) provides a reasonable timeframe for service delivery and performance evaluation. 4. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type may offer flexibility but requires careful monitoring to control costs. 5. The absence of small business set-aside or subcontracting flags suggests larger prime contractors were prioritized or involved. 6. The National Science Foundation's (NSF) reliance on this contract highlights the importance of facilities management for research operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

Benchmarking this $15.8 million contract requires specific data on facilities support services for research institutions. However, the CPFF structure necessitates diligent oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable relative to the fixed fee and the scope of work. Without direct comparisons, it's difficult to definitively assess value, but the competitive award process is a positive indicator.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. This process typically fosters a competitive environment, encouraging bidders to offer their best pricing and terms to secure the award. The number of bidders (8) suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this type of service.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition as it generally drives down costs through market forces, ensuring federal funds are used more efficiently.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the National Science Foundation's research facilities, ensuring their operational readiness and maintenance. Services delivered include essential facilities support, crucial for the uninterrupted functioning of scientific endeavors. The geographic impact is centered around NSF facilities, likely in Colorado given the 'COLORADO' designation. Workforce implications may include on-site personnel managed by CH2M HILL CONSTRUCTORS INC, supporting the facility's needs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can incentivize cost overruns if not managed tightly.
Limited visibility into specific performance metrics without further data.
Potential for scope creep in CPFF contracts if not clearly defined.
Lack of explicit small business participation could limit broader economic impact.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a fair and competitive process.
The contract duration provides a stable period for service delivery.
The fixed fee component provides some cost certainty for the government.
The contractor, CH2M HILL CONSTRUCTORS INC, likely has established expertise in facilities management.

Sector Analysis

Facilities support services are a critical component of the broader professional, scientific, and technical services sector. This contract falls under the umbrella of facility operations and maintenance, which includes a wide range of activities from janitorial services to complex building systems management. The market for these services is substantial, with government contracts representing a significant portion due to the extensive infrastructure managed by federal agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically look at per-square-foot maintenance costs or contract values for similar-sized facilities within the federal government.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the competition was open to all qualified offerors, including large businesses. While this may not directly benefit small businesses through set-asides, it is possible that CH2M HILL CONSTRUCTORS INC may engage small businesses as subcontractors. However, without specific subcontracting plans or data, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem remains unclear.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the National Science Foundation's contracting officers and program managers. The CPFF structure necessitates rigorous financial oversight to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable to the contract. Transparency would be enhanced through regular reporting requirements from the contractor and potentially through public contract databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

NSF Research Infrastructure Support
Federal Facilities Management Contracts
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Contracts
Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee Contracts

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent oversight.
Potential for cost overruns if not managed effectively.
Limited information on specific performance metrics and outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Science Foundation awarded $15.8 million to CH2M HILL CONSTRUCTORS INC. CONTRACT MODIFICATION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CH2M HILL CONSTRUCTORS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Science Foundation (National Science Foundation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $15.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2003-11-13. End: 2005-05-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for facilities support services at the National Science Foundation?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for facilities support services at the National Science Foundation (NSF) requires examining contract data over multiple fiscal years. While this specific contract represents $15.8 million awarded in 2003, a comprehensive view would involve aggregating spending on similar services across different NSF directorates and facilities. Trends might reveal increases or decreases in outsourcing, shifts in contract types (e.g., from cost-reimbursement to fixed-price), and the prevalence of specific service providers. Understanding these patterns helps in budgeting, identifying potential cost efficiencies, and assessing the long-term strategy for facility management within the agency. For instance, a consistent rise in spending could indicate growing infrastructure needs or a strategic decision to rely more heavily on external support.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure compare to other contract types for facilities support?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type, used here, allows the contractor to recover all allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. This structure offers flexibility, particularly when the scope of work is not precisely defined at the outset or is expected to evolve. However, it places a significant burden on the government to meticulously monitor and audit costs to prevent overruns. Compared to Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contracts, CPFF offers less cost certainty for the government but can be more suitable for complex services where defining all requirements upfront is challenging. Other types like Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) tie the fee to performance metrics, potentially aligning contractor and government interests more closely. For routine facilities support, FFP might be preferred for its cost predictability, but CPFF can be advantageous for specialized or evolving needs.

What is CH2M HILL CONSTRUCTORS INC's track record with federal facilities support contracts?

CH2M HILL CONSTRUCTORS INC has a substantial track record with federal agencies, including extensive experience in engineering, construction, and operations and maintenance, which encompasses facilities support. Their portfolio often includes large-scale infrastructure projects and facility management for government installations. Analyzing their past performance on similar federal contracts would involve reviewing past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), any past disputes or claims, and the overall success rate of their awarded contracts. A history of successful project completion, adherence to schedules and budgets, and positive client feedback would indicate a lower performance risk for this NSF contract. Conversely, any significant past issues would raise concerns about their capability and reliability.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) typically used for facilities support services contracts?

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for facilities support services contracts are crucial for measuring contractor performance and ensuring the government receives the expected value. Common KPIs include response times for service requests (e.g., maintenance, repairs), preventative maintenance completion rates, energy efficiency metrics, compliance with safety regulations, customer satisfaction scores (from facility users), and budget adherence. For a contract like this one with the NSF, KPIs might also focus on the operational readiness of research spaces, uptime of critical building systems (HVAC, power), and the effectiveness of grounds maintenance. The effectiveness of these KPIs is directly tied to the contract's statement of work and the clarity of performance standards defined within it.

How does the geographic location (Colorado) influence the cost and scope of this facilities support contract?

The geographic location, specified as Colorado, can influence the cost and scope of a facilities support contract in several ways. Labor costs, a significant component of service contracts, can vary based on regional wage rates and the cost of living in Colorado. The availability of skilled labor in the local market also plays a role. Furthermore, environmental factors specific to Colorado, such as climate conditions (e.g., snow removal, arid conditions), might necessitate specialized equipment or services, thereby affecting the scope and cost. Proximity to the NSF facilities also impacts logistical costs for the contractor. Understanding these location-specific factors is essential for benchmarking the contract's value accurately against national averages or contracts in different regions.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities Support Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: CH2M Hill Companies, Ltd. (UEI: 027620574)

Address: 9193 S JAMAICA ST, ENGLEWOOD, CO, 06

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $47,241,523

Exercised Options: $47,241,523

Current Obligation: $15,843,526

Timeline