VA awards $21M master plan contract to Christner, Inc. for St. Louis VAMC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $20,979,800 ($21.0M)
Contractor: Christner, Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs
Start Date: 2008-04-22
End Date: 2022-08-17
Contract Duration: 5,230 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES NECESSARY TO DEVELOP A MASTER PLAN FOR THE ST. LOUIS VAMC.
Place of Performance
Location: SAINT LOUIS, SAINT LOUIS CITY County, MISSOURI, 63105
State: Missouri Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $21.0 million to CHRISTNER, INC for work described as: PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES NECESSARY TO DEVELOP A MASTER PLAN FOR THE ST. LOUIS VAMC. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Christner, Inc. for architectural services. 2. The contract has a long duration, spanning from 2008 to 2022. 3. The total award value is over $20.9 million. 4. This contract falls under the architectural services sector. 5. The contract was awarded under full and open competition.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $20.98 million for architectural services over a 14-year period appears reasonable given the scope of developing a master plan for a VAMC. Benchmarking against similar large-scale architectural planning contracts would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust process for selecting the best offer. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures fair market value is obtained.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for necessary services.
Public Impact
Veterans in the St. Louis area will benefit from improved facilities planning. The master plan will guide future infrastructure development at the VAMC. This long-term contract signifies a significant investment in healthcare infrastructure.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration (14 years) may indicate potential for scope creep or changing needs.
- Fixed price contract with significant value requires careful monitoring of performance and deliverables.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Clear objective: development of a master plan.
- Long-term planning can lead to more efficient future investments.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Architectural Services sector (NAICS 541310). Spending in this sector is crucial for government infrastructure projects, including healthcare facilities. The $20.98 million award is substantial for a single master planning project.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Christner, Inc. and there is no indication of small business participation in the provided data. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business subcontracting goals were set or met.
Oversight & Accountability
The long duration of the contract necessitates ongoing oversight from the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure the master plan development remains on track and aligned with VA objectives. Performance reviews and milestone tracking are critical.
Related Government Programs
- Architectural Services
- Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
- Department of Veterans Affairs Programs
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration (14 years).
- Significant contract value.
- Potential for evolving requirements over the contract period.
- Lack of explicit small business participation data.
Tags
architectural-services, department-of-veterans-affairs, mo, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $21.0 million to CHRISTNER, INC. PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES NECESSARY TO DEVELOP A MASTER PLAN FOR THE ST. LOUIS VAMC.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CHRISTNER, INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (Department of Veterans Affairs).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $21.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-04-22. End: 2022-08-17.
What specific deliverables were expected from the master plan, and how was their quality assessed?
The master plan was expected to outline a comprehensive strategy for the St. Louis VAMC's future development, including facility needs, space utilization, and modernization plans. Quality assessment would typically involve reviews by VA stakeholders, ensuring the plan met functional requirements, regulatory compliance, and long-term strategic goals for veteran healthcare delivery.
Given the 14-year duration, what mechanisms were in place to manage potential cost overruns or scope changes?
As a firm-fixed-price contract, the initial price was set. However, mechanisms for managing changes over such a long period likely included formal change order processes, requiring justification and potential price adjustments approved by the contracting officer. Regular performance reviews and milestone completions would also inform oversight.
How effectively did the master plan address the evolving needs of veteran healthcare over its development period?
The effectiveness of the master plan in addressing evolving veteran healthcare needs would depend on the VA's contract management and any provisions for plan updates or amendments. A well-executed plan should be adaptable or provide a framework that can accommodate changes in medical technology, patient demographics, and healthcare delivery models.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Architectural Services
Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - CONSTRUCTION
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ARCHITECT-ENGINEER FAR 6.102
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 7711 BONHOMME AVE, SAINT LOUIS, MO, 63105
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Subchapter S Corporation
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $20,979,800
Exercised Options: $20,979,800
Current Obligation: $20,979,800
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-04-22
Current End Date: 2022-08-17
Potential End Date: 2022-08-17 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2022-02-02
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