DoD's $36.9M Fort Rucker training facility contract awarded to Robins & Morton Group shows fair value

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $36,938,036 ($36.9M)

Contractor: THE Robins & Morton Group

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2019-09-10

End Date: 2023-12-14

Contract Duration: 1,556 days

Daily Burn Rate: $23.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: TRAINING SUPPORT FACILITY, FORT RUCKER, ALABAMA

Place of Performance

Location: FORT RUCKER, DALE County, ALABAMA, 36362

State: Alabama Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $36.9 million to THE ROBINS & MORTON GROUP for work described as: TRAINING SUPPORT FACILITY, FORT RUCKER, ALABAMA Key points: 1. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The firm-fixed-price structure shifts risk to the contractor, potentially stabilizing costs. 3. The duration of the contract (1556 days) indicates a significant, long-term construction project. 4. The project's location in Alabama aligns with regional construction market activity. 5. The absence of small business set-asides warrants further investigation into subcontracting opportunities.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $36.9 million for a training support facility appears reasonable given the project's scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar large-scale construction projects within the Department of Defense, particularly those involving specialized training facilities, would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price contract type generally indicates that the contractor has assessed risks and included contingencies, which can lead to predictable costs for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. With 5 bidders participating, the competition level appears adequate for a project of this scale. A higher number of bidders typically suggests greater price discovery and potentially more competitive pricing for the government. The specific bid amounts from the 5 competitors would be necessary to fully assess the competitiveness.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition likely resulted in a more favorable price for taxpayers compared to a sole-source or limited competition award. The presence of multiple bidders generally drives down costs through competitive pressure.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Army personnel who will utilize the new training support facility at Fort Rucker. The contract delivers a critical infrastructure asset for military training and readiness. The geographic impact is concentrated in Dale County, Alabama, supporting local economic activity through construction. The project likely created numerous jobs in the construction sector within Alabama during its execution.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen construction challenges arise, despite the fixed-price nature.
Ensuring timely completion within the 1556-day duration is crucial for operational readiness.
Adequate oversight is needed to ensure quality construction standards are met for a training facility.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a robust bidding process.
Award to an established contractor like Robins & Morton Group may indicate a track record of successful project delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a significant segment of the broader construction industry. The Department of Defense is a major client for construction services, frequently awarding large contracts for infrastructure development, barracks, training facilities, and operational buildings. Spending in this sector is influenced by defense budgets, geopolitical needs, and infrastructure modernization initiatives. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large military construction projects awarded by the Army or other branches.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). This means that large businesses were eligible to bid and potentially win the contract. While this can lead to economies of scale, it also raises questions about subcontracting opportunities for small businesses. The government's policy encourages small business participation, and it would be important to ascertain if Robins & Morton Group has a subcontracting plan in place to engage small businesses for portions of this work.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of the Army, likely through contracting officers and project managers responsible for construction projects at Fort Rucker. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver the facility according to specifications and schedule. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, though detailed project progress reports may be internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Military Construction, Army
Training Facilities Construction
Department of Defense Facilities
General Building Construction, Repair, and Maintenance

Risk Flags

Potential for schedule delays
Risk of cost overruns (despite fixed price)
Quality control during construction
Ensuring adequate small business subcontracting

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $36.9 million to THE ROBINS & MORTON GROUP. TRAINING SUPPORT FACILITY, FORT RUCKER, ALABAMA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE ROBINS & MORTON GROUP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $36.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-09-10. End: 2023-12-14.

What is the track record of The Robins & Morton Group in completing large-scale government construction projects, particularly within the Department of Defense?

The Robins & Morton Group is a large, privately held construction company with a significant history of completing complex projects across various sectors, including healthcare, industrial, and institutional. While specific details on their past Department of Defense contracts are not provided in this data snippet, their extensive portfolio suggests experience with large-scale projects. A deeper dive into their contract history with federal agencies, including performance ratings and any past issues or commendations, would be necessary to fully assess their track record for this specific project. Their size and experience generally position them as capable of handling substantial government construction endeavors.

How does the awarded amount of $36.9 million compare to the bids of the other four competitors?

The provided data indicates that the contract was awarded to The Robins & Morton Group for $36,938,036, and that there were 5 total bidders. However, the specific bid amounts from the other four competitors are not included. To assess the competitiveness and value, it would be crucial to analyze the range of bids submitted. If the awarded amount was significantly lower than other bids, it suggests strong price competition. Conversely, if it was the highest bid accepted, it might indicate a less competitive outcome or unique value proposition from the winning contractor. Without the other bid amounts, a precise comparison of value is limited.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this training support facility construction project?

Key performance indicators for a construction project of this nature typically include adherence to the project schedule (1556 days), completion within the firm-fixed price budget ($36.9 million), and meeting all specified quality and safety standards outlined in the contract documents. For a training support facility, functional performance is also critical – ensuring the facility effectively supports the intended training operations upon completion. Post-occupancy evaluations and user feedback from the Army personnel utilizing the facility would also serve as important indicators of success. Compliance with environmental regulations and sustainable building practices may also be included.

What is the historical spending pattern for training support facilities at Fort Rucker or similar Army installations?

Historical spending patterns for training support facilities at Fort Rucker and similar Army installations can vary significantly based on the scale, complexity, and specific technological requirements of the facilities. Generally, such projects represent substantial capital investments. Analyzing past contracts for similar facilities would reveal average project costs, typical durations, and the types of contractors frequently engaged. This contract's value of $36.9 million should be benchmarked against these historical figures to determine if it represents a typical, high, or low cost for comparable infrastructure. Factors like inflation, material costs, and evolving training needs also influence historical spending.

Are there any known risks associated with the construction of training facilities in the Alabama region, such as environmental concerns or labor availability?

Construction projects in Alabama, like elsewhere, can face regional risks. Environmental considerations might include managing soil conditions, potential for severe weather events (hurricanes, tornadoes), and compliance with state-specific environmental regulations. Labor availability and cost can fluctuate based on the regional economy and demand for skilled trades. For a military installation like Fort Rucker, security protocols and access restrictions are also inherent factors. The Robins & Morton Group, as an experienced contractor, would likely have assessed these risks and incorporated mitigation strategies into their bid and project plan. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract suggests they have factored these potential issues into their pricing.

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

Solicitation ID: W9127819R0035

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 400 SHADES CREEK PKWY, BIRMINGHAM, AL, 35209

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $36,938,036

Exercised Options: $36,938,036

Current Obligation: $36,938,036

Actual Outlays: $412,966

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline