Robins & Morton Group receives $26.7M for Fort Bragg medical center renovations, awarded via full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,669,597 ($26.7M)

Contractor: THE Robins & Morton Group

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2012-08-10

End Date: 2015-08-16

Contract Duration: 1,101 days

Daily Burn Rate: $24.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: WOMACK ARMY MEDICAL CENTER RENOVATIONS, FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, PN70351

Place of Performance

Location: FORT BRAGG, CUMBERLAND County, NORTH CAROLINA, 28307

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $26.7 million to THE ROBINS & MORTON GROUP for work described as: WOMACK ARMY MEDICAL CENTER RENOVATIONS, FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, PN70351 Key points: 1. The contract value represents a significant investment in military healthcare infrastructure. 2. The use of a firm-fixed-price contract suggests a clear scope and budget expectation. 3. The duration of the contract (1101 days) indicates a substantial renovation project. 4. The award to a single contractor implies a competitive bidding process that identified a preferred offeror. 5. The project's location in North Carolina may have implications for local construction workforce utilization.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $26.7 million for renovations at Womack Army Medical Center appears reasonable given the scope of a large-scale medical facility upgrade. Benchmarking against similar large-scale healthcare construction projects would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor assumed significant cost risk, which can be beneficial for the government if managed effectively. However, without detailed cost breakdowns or comparisons to independent cost estimates, 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 a bid. The presence of 6 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this significant renovation project. A competitive environment generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government, as contractors vie to win the award by offering competitive pricing and technical solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition with multiple bidders likely resulted in a more cost-effective outcome for taxpayers by driving down prices through market forces.

Public Impact

Military personnel and their families stationed at Fort Bragg will benefit from improved medical facilities. The renovation services will enhance the capacity and quality of healthcare delivery at the Womack Army Medical Center. The project's geographic impact is concentrated at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The construction activities will likely involve a significant number of skilled tradespeople, potentially boosting local employment in the construction sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen issues arise during renovation of an existing medical facility.
Risk of schedule delays impacting the availability of critical medical services.
Ensuring minimal disruption to ongoing medical operations during construction.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract structure shifts cost risk to the contractor.
Award to an established contractor like Robins & Morton Group suggests a track record of performance.
Full and open competition indicates a robust selection process.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a vital part of the broader construction industry. The market for healthcare construction is substantial, driven by the need for modern, efficient, and technologically advanced medical facilities. Projects like this renovation are critical for maintaining and upgrading healthcare infrastructure, especially within government and military installations. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing the cost per square foot or per bed for similar medical facility renovations.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). While the prime contractor, Robins & Morton Group, is a large entity, the subcontracting opportunities generated by this project could potentially benefit small businesses in the construction trades and supply chain within North Carolina. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and their representatives within the Department of the Army. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, which obligates the contractor to deliver the specified work within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

Military Construction (MILCON)
Healthcare Facility Renovations
Department of Defense Facilities Management
Army Medical Command Projects

Risk Flags

Potential for schedule delays impacting medical services.
Risk of unforeseen conditions in existing building infrastructure.
Ensuring infection control standards are met during renovation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $26.7 million to THE ROBINS & MORTON GROUP. WOMACK ARMY MEDICAL CENTER RENOVATIONS, FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, PN70351

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 $26.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-08-10. End: 2015-08-16.

What is the track record of The Robins & Morton Group on similar government contracts?

The Robins & Morton Group has a significant history of undertaking large-scale construction projects, including healthcare facilities. While specific details on their past government contracts require deeper database searches, their established presence in the commercial and institutional building sector suggests experience with complex projects. Analyzing their past performance ratings, any past performance issues, and the types of projects they have completed for federal agencies would provide a clearer picture of their suitability and reliability for this specific renovation. Their ability to secure a contract of this magnitude from the Department of the Army indicates a level of trust and demonstrated capability.

How does the awarded amount compare to the estimated cost or independent government cost estimate for this renovation?

The awarded amount of $26.7 million is the definitive contract value. To assess value for money, this figure needs to be compared against the government's independent cost estimate (ICE) or a pre-negotiated budget ceiling. If the awarded amount is significantly below the ICE, it suggests strong pricing from the competition. Conversely, if it's at or above the ICE, further scrutiny of the bidding process and the contractor's proposed costs would be warranted. Without access to the ICE, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents optimal value, though the competitive nature of the award is a positive indicator.

What are the primary risks associated with renovating an active medical facility?

Renovating an active medical facility like Womack Army Medical Center presents several key risks. These include the potential for disruption to ongoing patient care and critical medical operations, which requires meticulous phasing and scheduling. Infection control during construction is paramount to prevent healthcare-associated infections. There's also the risk of encountering unforeseen structural, environmental, or utility issues within an older building that could lead to scope changes and cost overruns. Managing noise, dust, and access for both construction crews and medical staff/patients requires careful coordination and communication to mitigate negative impacts.

What is the historical spending pattern for renovations at Womack Army Medical Center or similar Army medical facilities?

Analyzing historical spending for renovations at Womack Army Medical Center and comparable Army medical facilities would provide context for the $26.7 million award. This involves examining past contract awards for similar projects, noting their scope, duration, and final costs. Significant fluctuations in spending or a pattern of cost overruns on previous projects could indicate underlying issues with planning, execution, or contractor performance. Conversely, consistent, well-managed renovation spending suggests a stable approach to infrastructure maintenance and upgrades. Understanding this history helps in evaluating whether the current investment is in line with past trends or represents a new strategic focus.

What specific performance metrics or milestones were likely included in the contract to ensure successful project completion?

A contract of this magnitude for medical facility renovations would typically include detailed performance metrics and milestones. These likely encompass adherence to construction schedules, quality control standards for materials and workmanship, infection control protocols, and safety compliance. Key milestones might include completion of specific phases (e.g., demolition, structural work, MEP systems installation, finishes), successful inspections, and final project closeout. The firm-fixed-price nature implies that meeting these defined requirements within the budget and timeframe is the primary performance expectation, with potential penalties for delays or deficiencies.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR NONBUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W912HN12R0001

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 400 SHADES CREEK PKWY STE 200, 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: $26,669,597

Exercised Options: $26,669,597

Current Obligation: $26,669,597

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline