DoD Awards $45.4M Contract for Border Patrol Station Construction to Straub Construction

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $45,406,431 ($45.4M)

Contractor: Straub Construction, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2020-04-02

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 2,372 days

Daily Burn Rate: $19.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW BROWNFIELD BORDER PATROL STATION.

Place of Performance

Location: DULZURA, SAN DIEGO County, CALIFORNIA, 91917

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $45.4 million to STRAUB CONSTRUCTION, INC. for work described as: CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW BROWNFIELD BORDER PATROL STATION. Key points: 1. The contract value of $45.4 million is significant for a single construction project. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. The project duration of 2372 days (approx. 6.5 years) is extensive, raising questions about potential cost overruns and schedule delays. 4. The sector is Commercial and Institutional Building Construction, a common area for federal spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $45.4 million for a border patrol station appears substantial. Benchmarking against similar large-scale federal construction projects would be necessary to determine if this pricing is competitive.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically allows for the widest possible range of bidders and can lead to better price discovery. However, the long duration and firm fixed price nature may limit flexibility and potentially inflate initial bids.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for this significant infrastructure project. The long-term nature of the contract and the firm fixed price could lead to higher upfront costs to mitigate contractor risk.

Public Impact

Construction of a new border patrol station impacts border security infrastructure and operations. The project's location in California suggests a focus on a key border region. A long project timeline could mean extended disruption or impact on the local area.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Positive Signals

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector. Federal spending in this sector often involves large-scale infrastructure projects for various agencies. Benchmarks for similar border facilities or large government buildings would be relevant.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this contract award (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests the prime contractor is likely a large business, and there may be missed opportunities for subcontracting to small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of the Army is responsible for oversight of this contract. Given the long duration, robust oversight will be critical to ensure project completion on time and within budget, and to manage any potential change orders effectively.

Related Government Programs

Risk Flags

Tags

commercial-and-institutional-building-co, department-of-defense, ca, definitive-contract, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $45.4 million to STRAUB CONSTRUCTION, INC.. CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW BROWNFIELD BORDER PATROL STATION.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is STRAUB CONSTRUCTION, 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 $45.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-04-02. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the specific scope of work for the border patrol station, and how does it justify the $45.4 million cost and extensive timeline?

The provided data does not detail the specific scope of work beyond 'CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW BROWNFIELD BORDER PATROL STATION.' A comprehensive understanding of the facility's size, complexity, technological integration, and any environmental remediation required for the brownfield site is needed to properly assess the cost and timeline justification. Without this, it's difficult to determine if the investment aligns with the functional requirements.

Given the 6.5-year duration and firm fixed price, what are the primary risks to the government regarding cost escalation and contractor performance?

The primary risks include potential contractor claims for unforeseen conditions or scope creep, despite the firm fixed price. The extended timeline increases the likelihood of material price fluctuations or labor availability issues that the contractor may seek to pass on. Additionally, maintaining consistent oversight and ensuring contractor performance over such a long period presents a significant management challenge for the government.

How will the effectiveness of this border patrol station be measured, and what are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for its operational success?

The effectiveness of the border patrol station will likely be measured by its ability to support border security operations, including personnel housing, operational command, and logistical support. Key performance indicators could include response times to incidents, operational readiness of personnel, and the station's contribution to overall border control metrics. The contract itself may not specify these operational KPIs, but they would be crucial for evaluating the long-term value of the facility.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ConstructionNonresidential Building ConstructionCommercial and Institutional Building Construction

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIESCONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W912PL20R0001

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 202 W COLLEGE ST STE 201, FALLBROOK, CA, 92028

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $50,874,743

Exercised Options: $45,406,431

Current Obligation: $45,406,431

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline

Start Date: 2020-04-02

Current End Date: 2026-09-30

Potential End Date: 2026-09-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2025-11-03

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