Fort Carson Hangar Construction Contract Awarded to David Boland Inc. for Over $55 Million

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $55,431,970 ($55.4M)

Contractor: David Boland Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2014-09-15

End Date: 2017-12-07

Contract Duration: 1,179 days

Daily Burn Rate: $47.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF MILITARY - CONSTRUCT THE 4TH ID CAB ASSAULT BATTALION MAINTENANCE HANGAR, FORT CARSON, CO.

Place of Performance

Location: COLORADO SPRINGS, EL PASO County, COLORADO, 80913

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $55.4 million to DAVID BOLAND INC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF MILITARY - CONSTRUCT THE 4TH ID CAB ASSAULT BATTALION MAINTENANCE HANGAR, FORT CARSON, CO. Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in military infrastructure at Fort Carson. 2. The project was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The duration of the contract (1179 days) indicates a complex and lengthy construction project. 4. The firm-fixed-price contract type shifts cost risk to the contractor. 5. The project falls under the broad category of commercial and institutional building construction. 6. The contract was awarded to a single contractor, David Boland Inc.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific construction project is challenging without detailed cost breakdowns and comparable project data. However, the $55.4 million price tag for a military maintenance hangar of this scale suggests a substantial investment. The firm-fixed-price contract type aims to control costs, but the final value is dependent on the contractor's ability to manage expenses within the agreed-upon price. Further analysis would require comparing the cost per square foot or per unit of functionality against similar military construction projects.

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 7 bidders, this suggests a reasonably competitive environment for this type of specialized construction. The presence of multiple bidders generally supports price discovery and can lead to more favorable pricing for the government compared to sole-source or limited competition scenarios.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down prices and encouraging contractors to offer their best value.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Army's 4th Infantry Division Combat Aviation Brigade, who will gain a dedicated maintenance facility. The project delivers essential infrastructure for the maintenance and readiness of aviation assets. The geographic impact is concentrated at Fort Carson, Colorado, enhancing its operational capabilities. The construction project likely created numerous jobs in the construction sector within the Colorado region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen construction challenges arise, despite the fixed-price nature.
Dependence on a single contractor for project completion introduces risk if the contractor faces financial or operational difficulties.
The long duration of the contract could lead to potential delays impacting the operational readiness of the aviation brigade.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for the government.
Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
The contractor, David Boland Inc., has experience in construction projects, though specific military construction track record needs further review.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader construction sector, specifically commercial and institutional building construction. The market for military construction is a specialized segment driven by government funding and specific requirements. The size of this contract, over $55 million, positions it as a significant project within this niche. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale military facility construction projects awarded by the Department of Defense.

Small Business Impact

The contract details indicate that small business participation was not a specific set-aside requirement (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests the primary competition was likely among larger, established construction firms capable of undertaking a project of this magnitude. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses, which could be a missed opportunity to engage the small business ecosystem in this significant federal expenditure.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and project management personnel within the Department of the Army. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver the specified facility within budget. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed project progress and financial oversight reports may not be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Military Construction, Army
Aviation Maintenance Facilities
Fort Carson Infrastructure Projects
Department of Defense Construction Contracts
Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to fixed-price nature and long duration.
Contractor performance risk given the scale and duration of the project.
Dependency on a single contractor for critical infrastructure development.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $55.4 million to DAVID BOLAND INC. IGF::OT::IGF MILITARY - CONSTRUCT THE 4TH ID CAB ASSAULT BATTALION MAINTENANCE HANGAR, FORT CARSON, CO.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DAVID BOLAND INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $55.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2014-09-15. End: 2017-12-07.

What is the track record of David Boland Inc. in completing large-scale military construction projects on time and within budget?

Assessing David Boland Inc.'s track record requires a deeper dive into their past performance on similar federal contracts, particularly those involving military construction. While the award of this $55.4 million contract suggests they met initial qualification criteria, a comprehensive review would involve examining past project completion dates, final costs versus initial awards, any documented performance issues, and client feedback (e.g., CPARS reports). Without this specific data, it's difficult to definitively gauge their reliability for this substantial project. The duration of this current contract (1179 days) also implies a significant undertaking where performance monitoring will be crucial.

How does the awarded price of $55.4 million compare to the estimated cost or benchmark for similar military aviation maintenance hangars?

Directly comparing the $55.4 million award price to a precise benchmark is challenging without detailed specifications of the hangar's size, features, and complexity. However, the fact that it was awarded under full and open competition with 7 bidders suggests the price was deemed competitive within the market. To establish a benchmark, one would typically look at the cost per square foot or cost per functional unit (e.g., aircraft bay) for recently completed, comparable military aviation maintenance facilities. Factors like location (labor costs, material availability), specific technological requirements, and security enhancements significantly influence these costs. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract indicates the government sought cost certainty at the time of award.

What are the primary risks associated with the firm-fixed-price contract type for this large-scale construction project?

The primary risk associated with a firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract for a large construction project like this hangar is that the contractor bears the burden of any cost overruns. If David Boland Inc. underestimates material costs, labor, or encounters unforeseen site conditions (e.g., difficult soil, environmental issues), they must absorb those additional expenses, potentially impacting their financial stability or leading to disputes. Conversely, the government benefits from cost certainty. However, risks for the government can include the contractor cutting corners on quality to maintain profitability, or potential contractor default if cost overruns are severe. Robust oversight and clear contract specifications are crucial to mitigate these risks.

What is the significance of awarding this contract through 'full and open competition' with 7 bidders?

Awarding this contract through 'full and open competition' signifies that the Department of the Army actively sought bids from all responsible sources, maximizing the pool of potential contractors. The presence of 7 bidders indicates a healthy level of interest and competition for this specific project. This competitive environment generally leads to better price discovery, encouraging bidders to offer competitive pricing and terms to win the contract. It also increases the likelihood that the government selects the offeror providing the best overall value, considering both price and technical qualifications, rather than being limited to a few pre-selected or sole-source providers.

How does the 1179-day contract duration (approximately 3.2 years) impact the project's risk profile and the operational needs of the 4th ID CAB?

A contract duration of 1179 days for a major construction project introduces several risk factors. Firstly, the extended timeline increases the potential for market fluctuations in material costs and labor availability, which the contractor must manage under the fixed-price agreement. Secondly, unforeseen site conditions or complexities discovered during construction are more likely to arise over a longer period. For the 4th ID CAB, a lengthy construction period means delayed access to the new, presumably improved, maintenance facility, potentially impacting their operational readiness and maintenance efficiency until completion. Effective project management and clear communication are vital to mitigate risks associated with such a long duration.

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: SEALED BID

Solicitation ID: W9128F14B0014

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: HZE

Contractor Details

Address: 219 INDIAN RIVER AVE STE 201, TITUSVILLE, FL, 32796

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, HUBZone Firm, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $57,419,970

Exercised Options: $55,431,970

Current Obligation: $55,431,970

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 249

Total Subaward Amount: $285,716,319

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline