DoD's $51.6M Tyndall AFB renovation awarded to BL Harbert International LLC, set for completion in 2028

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $51,637,187 ($51.6M)

Contractor: BL Harbert International LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-09-29

End Date: 2028-04-09

Contract Duration: 923 days

Daily Burn Rate: $55.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: B1117 AND B1120 RENOVATION PROJECT, TYNDALL AFB, FL

Place of Performance

Location: PANAMA CITY, BAY County, FLORIDA, 32403

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $51.6 million to BL HARBERT INTERNATIONAL LLC for work described as: B1117 AND B1120 RENOVATION PROJECT, TYNDALL AFB, FL Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in critical infrastructure modernization. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a potentially competitive bidding process for this large-scale project. 3. Project duration of over 3 years indicates a complex and extensive scope of work. 4. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide budget certainty. 5. Geographic focus on Florida highlights regional infrastructure development priorities. 6. The project falls under the broad category of commercial and institutional building construction.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $51.6 million for the B1117 and B1120 Renovation Project at Tyndall AFB appears reasonable for a large-scale construction undertaking of this nature. Benchmarking against similar large-scale military base renovation projects would provide a more precise assessment of value for money. The firm-fixed-price structure is a positive indicator for cost control, assuming the initial bid was competitive and well-estimated. The duration of the project (over 3 years) suggests a substantial scope, which, if managed efficiently, can represent good value.

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 bids. The presence of two bids (no: 2) suggests a degree of competition, though the exact number of bidders can influence price discovery. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing. Without knowing the specific number of proposals received and the nature of the bidding process, it's difficult to definitively assess the extent of price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages multiple contractors to offer their best pricing, potentially leading to lower overall costs for the government.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense and its personnel stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base, who will gain modernized facilities. The project will deliver essential renovation and construction services to improve infrastructure. The geographic impact is concentrated in Florida, specifically at Tyndall AFB. The project will likely create or sustain jobs in the construction sector within the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen issues arise during the extensive renovation period.
Risk of schedule delays due to the complexity of construction and potential supply chain disruptions.
Ensuring the quality of work meets stringent military standards throughout the project lifecycle.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive bid process.
Award to an established contractor like BL Harbert International LLC may indicate a track record of successful project execution.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a significant segment of the broader construction industry. Federal spending in this area often supports military readiness, government operations, and public infrastructure. The market size for federal construction projects is substantial, with agencies like the Department of Defense being major clients. This specific project contributes to the ongoing modernization efforts at military installations, aligning with broader government objectives for facility upgrades and maintenance.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb: false) and there is no explicit mention of subcontracting goals for small businesses. This suggests that the primary award went to a large business. While this contract may not directly benefit small businesses through a set-aside, large prime contractors are often required to have small business subcontracting plans. The impact on the small business ecosystem will depend on whether BL Harbert International LLC actively seeks out and utilizes small business subcontractors for specialized services or materials.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the relevant contracting office within the Department of the Army, overseeing the Department of Defense's interests. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, which places a strong emphasis on the contractor delivering the specified work within the agreed budget. Transparency is typically facilitated through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction may be involved if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise during the contract's performance.

Related Government Programs

Tyndall Air Force Base Infrastructure Projects
Military Construction Projects
Department of Defense Facility Renovations
Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) related construction

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to unforeseen site conditions.
Risk of schedule delays impacting base operations.
Limited competition may result in suboptimal pricing.
Ensuring adequate small business subcontracting participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $51.6 million to BL HARBERT INTERNATIONAL LLC. B1117 AND B1120 RENOVATION PROJECT, TYNDALL AFB, FL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BL HARBERT INTERNATIONAL LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $51.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-29. End: 2028-04-09.

What is BL Harbert International LLC's track record with similar large-scale federal construction projects, particularly within the Department of Defense?

BL Harbert International LLC has a significant history of executing large-scale construction projects for various federal agencies, including the Department of Defense. Their portfolio often includes military construction, renovations, and infrastructure development at bases across the United States and internationally. Analyzing their past performance on projects of comparable size and complexity, such as barracks, training facilities, or administrative buildings, would provide insight into their capabilities, on-time delivery rates, and budget adherence. Reviewing contract award histories and any reported performance issues or commendations would offer a clearer picture of their reliability and expertise in handling projects like the Tyndall AFB renovation.

How does the awarded amount of $51.6 million compare to the estimated cost or budget for the B1117 and B1120 Renovation Project?

The provided data does not include the estimated cost or budget for the B1117 and B1120 Renovation Project, making a direct comparison to the awarded amount of $51.6 million impossible. In a typical procurement process, the government establishes an independent government cost estimate (IGCE) before soliciting bids. The awarded price is then compared against this estimate to gauge whether it represents good value. If the awarded amount is significantly lower than the IGCE, it may indicate a highly competitive bidding environment or a favorable market. Conversely, if it's close to or exceeds the estimate, further scrutiny might be warranted to ensure cost-effectiveness.

What are the primary risks associated with a multi-year, firm-fixed-price renovation project of this magnitude at a military installation?

Multi-year, firm-fixed-price renovation projects of this magnitude carry several inherent risks. For the contractor, the primary risk is underestimating costs or encountering unforeseen site conditions (e.g., hazardous materials, structural issues not apparent during initial surveys) that could erode profit margins or lead to financial losses, especially under a fixed-price contract. For the government, risks include potential schedule delays if the contractor struggles with execution or faces supply chain issues, which can impact base operations. There's also the risk that the fixed price might not adequately account for significant market fluctuations in material costs over the project's duration. Ensuring robust oversight and contingency planning is crucial to mitigate these risks.

What is the historical spending trend for similar building construction and renovation projects at Tyndall Air Force Base or within the Department of the Army?

Historical spending data for building construction and renovation at Tyndall Air Force Base and across the Department of the Army would reveal trends in investment in military infrastructure. Analyzing past contract awards for similar projects (e.g., facility upgrades, new construction, major renovations) over the last 5-10 years would indicate the typical scale of such undertakings, average contract values, and the frequency of major renovation efforts. This context helps determine if the current $51.6 million award is consistent with historical spending patterns, unusually high, or represents a significant increase in investment for infrastructure modernization at the base or within the service branch.

How does the competition level (2 bids) for this contract potentially impact the final price and overall value for taxpayers?

A competition level of two bids for this contract presents a mixed picture regarding value for taxpayers. While competition is generally beneficial, having only two bidders might suggest a less robust market for this specific type of large-scale renovation project, or perhaps a highly specialized requirement that limits the pool of qualified contractors. If these two bidders were highly competitive and aggressively priced their proposals, the outcome could still be favorable. However, with fewer bidders, there is a reduced likelihood of achieving the most aggressive pricing that might be seen in a more crowded field. Taxpayers benefit most when multiple capable firms vie for a contract, driving down costs through intense bidding.

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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 820 SHADES CREEK PKWY STE 3000, BIRMINGHAM, AL, 35209

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $55,400,175

Exercised Options: $51,637,187

Current Obligation: $51,637,187

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $2,830,540

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W912HN21D3000

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline