Fort Carson hangar construction contract awarded to David Boland Inc. for $26.6M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,576,437 ($26.6M)

Contractor: David Boland Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2015-07-07

End Date: 2017-01-28

Contract Duration: 571 days

Daily Burn Rate: $46.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF - 396358 - CONSTRUCT UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS HANGAR AT FORT CARSON, COLORADO.

Place of Performance

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

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $26.6 million to DAVID BOLAND INC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF - 396358 - CONSTRUCT UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS HANGAR AT FORT CARSON, COLORADO. Key points: 1. Contract value of $26.6M for construction services. 2. Awarded under a firm-fixed-price definitive contract. 3. Competition was full and open, with 6 bidders. 4. Project duration was 571 days. 5. Construction falls under commercial and institutional building. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $26.6 million for constructing an Unmanned Aircraft Systems hangar at Fort Carson, Colorado, appears within a reasonable range for large-scale construction projects of this nature. Benchmarking against similar military construction projects would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price contract type suggests that the contractor assumed the majority of the cost risk, which can be beneficial for the government if managed effectively. However, without detailed cost breakdowns or comparisons to industry standards for hangar construction, a definitive assessment of pricing efficiency is challenging.

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 six bidders suggests a reasonably competitive environment for this project. A higher number of bidders generally leads to more competitive pricing and a wider selection of qualified contractors. The fact that six bids were received implies that the solicitation was attractive enough to draw multiple interested parties, potentially benefiting the government through price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition with multiple bidders likely resulted in a more competitive price for taxpayers compared to a sole-source or limited competition award. This process helps ensure that the government is not overpaying for the construction services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Army and its personnel at Fort Carson, Colorado, who will utilize the new UAS hangar. The contract delivers a critical infrastructure facility to support unmanned aircraft systems operations and maintenance. The geographic impact is localized to Fort Carson, Colorado. The project likely involved a significant construction workforce, contributing to local employment and economic activity during the construction period.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions or scope changes arise, despite the fixed-price nature.
Ensuring timely completion within the 571-day duration is crucial to avoid operational delays for the military.
Quality of construction must meet stringent military standards for UAS facilities.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract shifts cost risk to the contractor.
Full and open competition with multiple bidders suggests a competitive pricing environment.
Awarded to David Boland Inc., a contractor with experience in construction projects.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the construction sector, specifically for institutional and commercial building. The market for military construction is substantial, driven by the Department of Defense's continuous need for infrastructure upgrades and new facilities. Projects like this are common within the defense sector, supporting various operational needs. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing the cost per square foot or per cubic foot for similar military hangar constructions across different bases and agencies.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements specifically for small businesses in the provided data. This means that larger, established construction firms were likely the primary participants in bidding and execution. The absence of a small business set-aside may limit direct opportunities for small businesses to participate as prime contractors on this specific project, though they could potentially be involved as subcontractors if David Boland Inc. chooses to engage them.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant project management office within the Department of the Army. Quality assurance representatives would likely monitor construction progress and adherence to specifications. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, though detailed project-specific oversight reports may not always be publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Military Construction Projects
Department of Defense Facilities
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Infrastructure
Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen issues arise.
Risk of schedule delays impacting military operations.
Ensuring adherence to stringent military construction quality standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $26.6 million to DAVID BOLAND INC. IGF::OT::IGF - 396358 - CONSTRUCT UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS HANGAR AT FORT CARSON, COLORADO.

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 $26.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2015-07-07. End: 2017-01-28.

What is the track record of David Boland Inc. with federal contracts, particularly within the Department of Defense?

David Boland Inc. has a history of securing federal contracts, primarily within the Department of Defense. While specific details on the number and value of past contracts are not provided in this data snippet, their award for this $26.6 million UAS hangar project indicates a capacity to handle significant construction endeavors for the military. A comprehensive review would involve examining their performance history on previous projects, including any reported issues, timeliness, and adherence to budget, as well as their experience with similar types of facilities or construction challenges. Their ability to win this full and open competition suggests they met the government's requirements and demonstrated capability.

How does the $26.6 million contract value compare to similar UAS hangar construction projects at other military installations?

Benchmarking the $26.6 million contract value against similar UAS hangar constructions requires access to a broader dataset of comparable projects. Factors such as size, complexity, specific technological requirements for UAS support (e.g., specialized power, climate control, maintenance bays), geographic location (influencing labor and material costs), and the specific year of award all significantly impact pricing. Without these comparative data points, it is difficult to definitively state whether this contract represents excellent, fair, or questionable value. However, for a large-scale military construction project, $26.6 million is within a plausible range, especially considering the specialized nature of UAS facilities.

What are the primary risks associated with this firm-fixed-price contract for constructing a UAS hangar?

The primary risks associated with this firm-fixed-price contract, while generally favorable to the government by capping costs, still include potential for contractor performance issues. If David Boland Inc. underestimated the complexity or encountered unforeseen site conditions, they might face financial strain, potentially impacting quality or schedule. There's also a risk of scope creep if the government requires modifications not covered by the original contract, which could lead to change orders and increased costs. Ensuring robust oversight and quality assurance is critical to mitigate risks related to construction defects or non-compliance with military specifications, even under a fixed-price arrangement.

How effective is the full and open competition process in ensuring competitive pricing for military construction projects of this scale?

The full and open competition process is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring competitive pricing for military construction projects. By allowing all responsible sources to bid, it fosters a market-driven environment where contractors are incentivized to offer their best prices to win the contract. The presence of six bidders in this case suggests that the competition was sufficiently robust to facilitate price discovery. However, the effectiveness can be influenced by factors such as the complexity of the solicitation, the availability of qualified contractors in the market, and the clarity of the requirements. In this instance, receiving six bids indicates a healthy level of competition.

What are the historical spending patterns for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) related infrastructure within the Department of Defense?

Historical spending patterns for UAS-related infrastructure within the Department of Defense have shown a significant upward trend over the past decade, driven by the increasing reliance on and integration of unmanned systems across all military branches. This includes investments in hangars, maintenance facilities, training areas, and command and control centers. While specific aggregate figures for UAS infrastructure alone are not readily available without deep dives into defense budget allocations, the overall growth in UAS procurement and operations necessitates corresponding infrastructure development. Contracts like the one for Fort Carson represent a portion of this broader, growing investment in supporting technologies.

What is the significance of the definitive contract type (AW: DEFINITIVE CONTRACT) in the context of this construction project?

A definitive contract is a type of contract that is fixed in price and is not subject to renegotiation. In the context of this construction project, it signifies that the terms, including price and scope, were finalized and agreed upon at the time of award. This provides a high degree of certainty for both the government and the contractor regarding financial obligations and project deliverables. For a construction project like the UAS hangar, a definitive contract, especially when combined with a firm-fixed-price payment structure, aims to minimize financial uncertainty and provides a clear basis for project execution and oversight, shifting most of the cost risk to the contractor.

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: W9128F15R0047

Offers Received: 6

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: $26,900,437

Exercised Options: $26,576,437

Current Obligation: $26,576,437

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 132

Total Subaward Amount: $74,130,088

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline