VA awards $40M for San Antonio rehab center construction, completed in 2011

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $40,007,919 ($40.0M)

Contractor: THE Robins & Morton Group

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2009-02-02

End Date: 2011-07-29

Contract Duration: 907 days

Daily Burn Rate: $44.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: PRECONSTRUCTION SERVICES, POLYTRAUMA REHABILITATION CENTER, VA SOUTH TEXAS HEALTH CARE SYSTE, SAN ANTONIO, TX

Place of Performance

Location: SAN ANTONIO, BEXAR County, TEXAS, 78201

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $40.0 million to THE ROBINS & MORTON GROUP for work described as: PRECONSTRUCTION SERVICES, POLYTRAUMA REHABILITATION CENTER, VA SOUTH TEXAS HEALTH CARE SYSTE, SAN ANTONIO, TX Key points: 1. Contract awarded for preconstruction services and construction of a polytrauma rehabilitation center. 2. The contract was awarded to The Robins & Morton Group. 3. The project was funded through a firm-fixed-price contract. 4. The contract duration was 907 days. 5. The contract was awarded by the Department of Veterans Affairs. 6. The project was located in San Antonio, Texas.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $40,007,919 for a polytrauma rehabilitation center appears to be within a reasonable range for a project of this scale and complexity, especially considering it includes preconstruction services. Benchmarking against similar large-scale healthcare construction projects would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor assumed most of the cost risk, which can be beneficial for the government if managed effectively.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The presence of 9 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this significant construction project. A competitive environment generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition for this contract likely resulted in a more competitive bid environment, potentially saving taxpayer dollars compared to a sole-source or limited competition award.

Public Impact

Veterans requiring polytrauma rehabilitation services will benefit from the new facility. The construction project created jobs in the San Antonio, Texas area. The facility aims to provide specialized care for severely injured veterans. The project contributes to the VA's infrastructure supporting veteran healthcare.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen issues arise during construction, though mitigated by fixed-price contract.
Ensuring the quality of construction meets the specialized needs of polytrauma rehabilitation.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process.
Firm-fixed-price contract shifts cost risk to the contractor.
Project addresses a critical need for specialized veteran healthcare facilities.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, specifically for healthcare facilities. The construction of specialized medical centers like polytrauma rehabilitation units represents a significant segment of the construction market, often involving complex requirements and high standards. Spending on such facilities is driven by government healthcare needs and infrastructure investment.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. Further investigation would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved in the subcontracting process and to what extent.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for the oversight of this contract. As a large federal contract, it would likely be subject to standard procurement regulations, performance monitoring, and potentially audits by the VA Office of Inspector General to ensure compliance and proper execution.

Related Government Programs

VA Medical Center Construction
Polytrauma Rehabilitation Programs
Federal Healthcare Infrastructure Projects

Risk Flags

Potential for cost escalation if scope changes significantly.
Ensuring specialized construction meets long-term healthcare needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $40.0 million to THE ROBINS & MORTON GROUP. PRECONSTRUCTION SERVICES, POLYTRAUMA REHABILITATION CENTER, VA SOUTH TEXAS HEALTH CARE SYSTE, SAN ANTONIO, TX

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE ROBINS & MORTON GROUP.

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 $40.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-02-02. End: 2011-07-29.

What was the final cost of the project compared to the initial award amount?

The initial award amount for the preconstruction services and construction of the Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center was $40,007,919. Without access to final payment data or project closeout reports, it is difficult to determine the exact final cost. However, firm-fixed-price contracts are designed to cap the government's liability at the agreed-upon price, unless significant change orders are issued. Any deviations from the award amount would typically be documented through contract modifications. Further analysis of contract modification history would be necessary to ascertain if the final cost differed from the initial award.

How does the cost per square foot of this facility compare to similar VA polytrauma centers?

To compare the cost per square foot, we would need the total square footage of the completed Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center, which is not provided in the available data. Assuming a typical size for such a specialized facility, the $40 million award suggests a significant investment. Benchmarking against other VA polytrauma centers would require accessing their construction contract data, including award amounts and facility sizes. Generally, specialized medical facilities have higher per-square-foot costs due to complex systems, equipment integration, and stringent regulatory requirements compared to standard commercial buildings.

What specific preconstruction services were included in the contract?

The contract explicitly mentions 'PRECONSTRUCTION SERVICES' alongside the construction of the Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center. These services typically encompass a range of activities performed before the main construction phase begins. This can include detailed cost estimating, constructability reviews, value engineering, scheduling, site investigations, and preliminary design development. The inclusion of these services in the initial contract aims to refine the project scope, identify potential issues early, and establish a solid foundation for the subsequent construction phase, thereby mitigating risks and optimizing the project's overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

What was the track record of The Robins & Morton Group on similar VA projects prior to this award?

Information regarding The Robins & Morton Group's specific track record on similar VA projects prior to the February 2009 award is not detailed in the provided data. However, as a large construction firm, they likely have experience with healthcare and institutional projects. A comprehensive assessment would involve reviewing their past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), other federal contracts, and their portfolio of completed healthcare facilities to gauge their suitability and past success rates for complex projects like a polytrauma rehabilitation center.

Were there any significant challenges or disputes during the execution of this contract?

The provided data does not contain information about specific challenges, disputes, or litigation that may have occurred during the execution of this contract between 2009 and 2011. Contract performance issues, change order negotiations, or unforeseen site conditions can lead to disputes in large construction projects. To identify any such occurrences, one would need to examine contract modification logs, correspondence records, or reports from the VA's contracting officer or the Office of Inspector General related to this specific award.

How did the number of bidders (9) influence the final contract price?

A total of 9 bidders for this contract suggests a competitive procurement process. Generally, a higher number of bidders tends to drive down prices as companies compete to win the contract. This increased competition allows the government to potentially secure more favorable pricing and terms. While it's impossible to quantify the exact price reduction attributable to the number of bidders without a counterfactual scenario (e.g., what the price would have been with fewer bidders), the presence of 9 offers indicates that the government likely benefited from a robust bidding environment, leading to a price that reflects market competition.

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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 400 SHADES CREEK PKWY STE 200, BIRMINGHAM, AL, 90

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $40,007,919

Exercised Options: $40,007,919

Current Obligation: $40,007,919

Timeline