Airfield lighting repair at Dobbins AFB awarded to Weston Solutions Inc. for $11.99M
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $11,996,078 ($12.0M)
Contractor: Weston Solutions Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2008-09-11
End Date: 2009-02-03
Contract Duration: 145 days
Daily Burn Rate: $82.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: REPAIR AIRFIELD LIGHTING AT DOBBINS AFB, GA
Place of Performance
Location: MARIETTA, COBB County, GEORGIA, 30069
State: Georgia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $12.0 million to WESTON SOLUTIONS INC for work described as: REPAIR AIRFIELD LIGHTING AT DOBBINS AFB, GA Key points: 1. Contract value of $11.99M for airfield lighting repair. 2. Awarded to Weston Solutions Inc. with a firm fixed price. 3. Duration of 145 days for project completion. 4. Geographic location: Dobbins Air Force Base, Georgia. 5. Contract type: Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources. 6. North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code: 562910 (Remediation Services).
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $11.99M for airfield lighting repair appears to be within a reasonable range for such specialized infrastructure work, though a direct comparison to similar airfield lighting projects is needed for a definitive value assessment. The firm fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor assumed the risk for cost overruns, which can be a positive indicator for the government if the scope was well-defined. However, without detailed cost breakdowns or benchmarks for specific components like lighting systems, it's difficult to ascertain the precise value for money achieved.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that while competition was sought, certain sources may have been excluded for specific reasons, potentially limiting the breadth of bidders. The presence of two bids suggests some level of competition, but it's unclear if this was sufficient to drive optimal pricing. The exclusion of sources warrants further investigation to understand its impact on the competitive landscape and potential price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition, due to the exclusion of sources, may have resulted in a higher price for taxpayers than if a broader, unrestricted competition had been conducted.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Air Force personnel and operations at Dobbins Air Force Base, ensuring safe and efficient airfield operations. The service delivered is critical infrastructure repair, specifically focusing on airfield lighting systems. The geographic impact is localized to Dobbins Air Force Base in Georgia. Workforce implications include employment for skilled labor in construction, electrical, and remediation services during the contract period.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition due to exclusion of sources could impact price competitiveness.
- The 'Remediation Services' NAICS code might not fully capture the specialized nature of airfield lighting repair, potentially affecting contractor pool.
- The contract duration of 145 days is relatively short for a project of this scale, raising questions about potential rushed work or scope limitations.
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed-price contract shifts cost risk to the contractor.
- Awarded to a single contractor, suggesting a focused and potentially efficient execution.
- Project addresses critical safety and operational infrastructure at a military installation.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the broader construction and remediation services sector, specifically addressing critical infrastructure maintenance for military airfields. The market for airfield maintenance and repair is specialized, often involving a limited number of contractors with the requisite security clearances and technical expertise. Comparable spending benchmarks for airfield lighting upgrades or repairs can vary significantly based on the size of the airfield, the type of lighting systems, and the extent of the work required.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small business participation was not a primary focus for this contract, as the 'sb' (small business) indicator is false. There is no explicit mention of small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. This suggests that the contract was likely awarded to a larger firm, and the impact on the small business ecosystem would be minimal unless the prime contractor actively engaged small businesses for subcontracting opportunities, which is not detailed here.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant Air Force base personnel responsible for infrastructure maintenance. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, where the contractor is responsible for delivering the specified work within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed project progress and specific oversight reports may not always be publicly accessible.
Related Government Programs
- Airfield Operations and Maintenance
- Military Infrastructure Modernization
- Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) related projects
- Federal Construction Contracts
- Department of Defense Facilities Management
Risk Flags
- Limited competition due to exclusion of sources.
- Potential for scope creep if not clearly defined.
- Risk of schedule delays due to weather or unforeseen conditions.
- Contractor performance risk.
Tags
defense, department-of-defense, air-force, dobbins-afb, georgia, construction, infrastructure, airfield-lighting, firm-fixed-price, limited-competition, remediation-services, weston-solutions-inc
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $12.0 million to WESTON SOLUTIONS INC. REPAIR AIRFIELD LIGHTING AT DOBBINS AFB, GA
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is WESTON SOLUTIONS INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $12.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-09-11. End: 2009-02-03.
What is the track record of Weston Solutions Inc. in performing similar airfield lighting repair contracts for the Department of Defense?
Weston Solutions Inc. has a history of performing various construction and environmental services for government agencies, including the Department of Defense. While specific details on their past airfield lighting repair contracts are not immediately available in this dataset, their general experience in infrastructure projects suggests a capability to undertake such work. A deeper dive into their contract history, performance reviews (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any past issues or commendations related to airfield infrastructure would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their track record for this specific type of service. It's important to assess if they have successfully completed projects of similar scale and complexity within the required timelines and budget constraints.
How does the awarded amount of $11.99M compare to the estimated cost or benchmark for similar airfield lighting repair projects?
Without specific cost breakdowns or access to a database of comparable airfield lighting repair projects, it is challenging to definitively benchmark the $11.99M award. However, airfield lighting systems are complex and critical infrastructure, often involving specialized materials, installation techniques, and adherence to stringent aviation safety standards. The cost can be influenced by factors such as the size and type of the airfield, the extent of the repair (e.g., replacing entire circuits, upgrading to LED, repairing runway lights), and the specific geographic location impacting labor and material costs. Generally, such projects can range from several hundred thousand dollars for minor repairs to tens of millions for complete overhauls of large international airports. The $11.99M for Dobbins AFB appears to be a significant investment, suggesting a substantial scope of work.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how were they mitigated?
Key risks for this contract likely include potential delays due to weather or unforeseen site conditions, contractor performance issues, and scope creep. Given the firm fixed-price nature, the primary risk of cost overrun is borne by Weston Solutions Inc. Mitigation strategies would typically involve detailed contract specifications, a clear statement of work, regular progress monitoring by the Air Force, and potentially performance bonds. The 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources' might introduce a risk of not selecting the most capable or cost-effective vendor if the exclusion criteria were overly restrictive. The relatively short duration (145 days) could also pose a risk of schedule slippage if not managed meticulously.
What is the expected effectiveness of the repaired airfield lighting system in enhancing safety and operational efficiency at Dobbins AFB?
The effectiveness of the repaired airfield lighting system is expected to be high, as functional and up-to-date lighting is crucial for safe aircraft navigation, takeoff, and landing, especially during nighttime or adverse weather conditions. Modernized lighting can improve visibility, reduce pilot workload, and potentially increase the operational capacity of the airfield by allowing for more consistent operations. The repair or upgrade aims to ensure compliance with current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Department of Defense standards, thereby minimizing the risk of accidents and improving overall air traffic management efficiency at Dobbins AFB. The specific improvements in safety and efficiency will depend on the exact nature of the repairs and any technological upgrades implemented.
How does historical spending on airfield maintenance and repair at Dobbins AFB compare to this specific contract award?
To assess historical spending patterns, one would need to analyze past contracts awarded for airfield maintenance and repair specifically at Dobbins Air Force Base. This would involve querying federal procurement databases for similar services over several fiscal years. Comparing the $11.99M award to previous expenditures would reveal whether this contract represents a significant increase, a decrease, or is in line with historical investment in airfield infrastructure. Factors such as inflation, changes in operational tempo, and deferred maintenance could explain variations in spending. Without access to that historical data, it's impossible to provide a comparative analysis of spending trends for this specific contract.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Remediation and Other Waste Management Services › Remediation Services
Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: ARCHITECT-ENGINEER FAR 6.102
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Weston Solutions Holdings, Inc. (UEI: 118341234)
Address: 1400 WESTON WAY, WEST CHESTER, PA, 06
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $11,996,078
Exercised Options: $11,996,078
Current Obligation: $11,996,078
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA890304D8681
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-09-11
Current End Date: 2009-02-03
Potential End Date: 2009-02-03 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2008-11-07
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