DoD awards $67.1M for B-21 fuel system maintenance dock at Ellsworth AFB, SD

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $67,154,433 ($67.2M)

Contractor: Conti Federal Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-04-18

End Date: 2026-12-07

Contract Duration: 963 days

Daily Burn Rate: $69.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: CONSTRUCT B-21 FUEL SYSTEM MAINT. DOCK, CONSTRUCTION DESIGN-BUILD ELLSWORTH AFB, SD

Place of Performance

Location: ELLSWORTH AFB, MEADE County, SOUTH DAKOTA, 57706

State: South Dakota Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $67.2 million to CONTI FEDERAL SERVICES, LLC for work described as: CONSTRUCT B-21 FUEL SYSTEM MAINT. DOCK, CONSTRUCTION DESIGN-BUILD ELLSWORTH AFB, SD Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Conti Federal Services, LLC for construction of a specialized facility. 2. Project aims to support the B-21 bomber program, a high-priority defense initiative. 3. Fixed-price contract type suggests cost certainty for the government. 4. The contract duration is over two years, indicating a significant construction effort. 5. Awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 6. Location in South Dakota may have implications for local workforce and material sourcing.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $67.1 million for a specialized construction project appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar large-scale military construction projects would provide further context. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract helps manage cost risks for the government, assuming the initial bid accurately reflected project requirements. The award to Conti Federal Services, a known entity in federal construction, suggests a level of confidence in their ability to deliver.

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. With five bids received, the competition level appears healthy, suggesting that the government received a range of pricing and technical proposals. This level of competition is generally expected to drive competitive pricing and encourage contractors to offer their best value.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition process for this significant construction project is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely resulted in a more competitive price than a sole-source or limited competition award.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Air Force and the B-21 bomber program, ensuring operational readiness. The project will deliver a critical infrastructure component for aircraft maintenance. Geographic impact is concentrated at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. Construction activities will likely create temporary jobs for skilled trades in the local South Dakota area. The successful completion of this facility will support long-term national defense capabilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for construction delays impacting B-21 program timelines.
Risk of cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions arise, despite fixed-price contract.
Dependence on specialized construction materials and labor availability.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Award to an experienced federal contractor with a track record.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive pricing environment.
Strategic importance of the B-21 program may prioritize timely execution.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the commercial and institutional building construction sector, specifically supporting defense infrastructure. The market for large-scale military construction is specialized, often involving design-build capabilities and adherence to stringent government standards. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other major construction projects at military installations, particularly those supporting new or advanced aircraft programs. The value of this contract is substantial within its niche.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded via full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. While the prime contractor, Conti Federal Services, is a significant entity, there is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans or goals for small businesses within this award. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of the Army's contracting and engineering divisions, given their role in the award. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, with penalties or incentives potentially tied to performance and schedule. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though specific project details and oversight reports may be internal.

Related Government Programs

B-21 Raider Program
Military Construction Projects
Air Force Base Infrastructure
Aircraft Maintenance Facilities
Department of Defense Construction Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for schedule slippage impacting program timelines.
Risk of unforeseen site conditions requiring change orders.
Dependence on specialized materials and skilled labor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $67.2 million to CONTI FEDERAL SERVICES, LLC. CONSTRUCT B-21 FUEL SYSTEM MAINT. DOCK, CONSTRUCTION DESIGN-BUILD ELLSWORTH AFB, SD

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CONTI FEDERAL SERVICES, 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 $67.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-04-18. End: 2026-12-07.

What is Conti Federal Services' track record with large-scale Department of Defense construction projects?

Conti Federal Services has a notable history of performing construction work for the Department of Defense and other federal agencies. They specialize in various types of construction, including design-build projects, infrastructure development, and facility modernization. Their portfolio often includes projects at military bases, requiring adherence to strict security, environmental, and construction standards. Reviewing their past performance on similar-sized projects, particularly those involving specialized facilities or aircraft support, would provide a clearer picture of their capabilities and reliability in executing contracts of this magnitude. Past performance evaluations and contract close-out data from the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or other government databases would be key resources for this assessment.

How does the $67.1 million cost compare to similar military fuel system maintenance dock constructions?

Benchmarking the $67.1 million cost requires identifying comparable projects in terms of size, complexity, and location. Factors such as the specific requirements for B-21 fuel systems (e.g., specialized containment, environmental controls, security features), the chosen construction method (design-build vs. traditional design-bid-build), and regional construction cost variations significantly influence pricing. Without specific data on similar, recently completed fuel system maintenance docks for advanced aircraft, a direct cost comparison is challenging. However, the firm fixed-price nature of this award suggests the government sought to establish a definitive cost upfront. A detailed cost analysis would involve comparing the per-square-foot cost, the complexity of specialized systems installed, and the duration of construction against other large military facility projects.

What are the primary risks associated with constructing a facility for a next-generation aircraft like the B-21?

Constructing a facility for a next-generation aircraft like the B-21 presents several unique risks. Foremost is the potential for evolving program requirements; as the B-21 program matures, design or operational needs might change, potentially impacting the facility's specifications and requiring costly modifications. Technical risks include integrating highly specialized fuel handling and maintenance systems that may be cutting-edge or classified, demanding precise engineering and construction. Schedule risks are also significant, as delays in facility completion could impede the B-21's operational deployment or testing schedules. Furthermore, ensuring the facility meets stringent security and environmental standards for advanced aircraft fuels adds complexity. The contractor must navigate these uncertainties while adhering to the firm fixed-price contract.

What is the expected impact of this contract on the B-21 program's operational readiness?

This contract is crucial for establishing the necessary infrastructure to support the B-21 program's operational readiness. The fuel system maintenance dock is a specialized facility designed to handle the unique requirements of the B-21's fuel systems, ensuring safe and efficient maintenance. Its completion will enable the Air Force to perform essential upkeep, diagnostics, and potential repairs on the aircraft's fuel systems, which are vital for flight safety and mission capability. Without this dedicated facility, maintenance operations could be hampered, potentially leading to delays in aircraft availability, increased operational costs, or reliance on less suitable, temporary solutions. Therefore, the timely and successful construction of this dock directly contributes to the B-21's ability to be mission-ready.

How does this $67.1M award fit into the broader context of recent Department of Defense construction spending?

The $67.1 million award for the B-21 fuel system maintenance dock represents a significant but focused investment within the Department of Defense's overall construction budget. DoD construction spending encompasses a vast array of projects, from barracks and training facilities to airfields and specialized research labs, often totaling billions annually. This particular contract addresses a critical, high-priority need directly tied to the sustainment and operationalization of a new strategic asset, the B-21 bomber. While not the largest single construction award DoD might issue, its strategic importance to a flagship program makes it noteworthy. It reflects a commitment to investing in the foundational infrastructure required for next-generation military capabilities, ensuring that advanced platforms are adequately supported throughout their lifecycle.

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: W9128F24R0019

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 11486 CORPORATE BLVD STE 190, ORLANDO, FL, 32817

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: $135,127,581

Exercised Options: $134,109,381

Current Obligation: $67,154,433

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline