Fort Campbell Barracks Complex Construction Contract Awarded to BL Harbert International for $23.6 Million
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $23,569,713 ($23.6M)
Contractor: BL Harbert International LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2007-03-29
End Date: 2009-10-16
Contract Duration: 932 days
Daily Burn Rate: $25.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF SUPPORT BRIGADE BARRACKS COMPLEX, AT FORT CAMPBELL, KY
Place of Performance
Location: FORT CAMPBELL, CHRISTIAN County, KENTUCKY, 42223
State: Kentucky Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $23.6 million to BL HARBERT INTERNATIONAL LLC for work described as: DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF SUPPORT BRIGADE BARRACKS COMPLEX, AT FORT CAMPBELL, KY Key points: 1. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The fixed-price contract type indicates that the contractor assumes the risk for cost overruns. 3. The project duration of 932 days (approximately 2.5 years) suggests a significant construction undertaking. 4. The award was made by the Department of the Army, a major component of the Department of Defense. 5. The contract falls under the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction industry.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $23.6 million for a barracks complex at Fort Campbell appears to be within a reasonable range for a project of this scale. Benchmarking against similar military construction projects would provide a more precise assessment of value for money. The fixed-price nature of the contract shifts cost risk to the contractor, which can be beneficial for the government if managed effectively. However, without detailed cost breakdowns or comparisons to industry standards for similar construction, a definitive value assessment is challenging.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of two bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this project. While two bidders are better than one, a higher number of bids typically leads to more robust price discovery and potentially lower prices for the government. The specific details of the bidding process and the evaluation criteria would further illuminate the effectiveness of the competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down costs and encourage efficiency. However, with only two bidders, the potential for significant cost savings may have been limited compared to a scenario with more robust competition.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries of this contract are the U.S. Army personnel stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, who will be provided with updated barracks facilities. The project delivers essential construction services, specifically the design and construction of a support brigade barracks complex. The geographic impact is localized to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, contributing to the infrastructure of a major military installation. The contract supports the construction workforce in Kentucky, likely creating jobs in the building trades and related industries during the project's duration.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns if the fixed-price contract did not adequately account for all project contingencies.
- Risk of construction delays impacting the readiness and quality of life for soldiers.
- Ensuring the quality of construction meets military standards and long-term durability requirements.
Positive Signals
- Fixed-price contract structure transfers cost risk to the contractor.
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a fair and transparent procurement process.
- Project addresses critical infrastructure needs for a major military installation.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Construction sector, specifically Commercial and Institutional Building Construction. The market for military construction is substantial, driven by the need to maintain and upgrade aging facilities and build new infrastructure to support evolving military requirements. Spending in this area is often characterized by large, complex projects awarded through competitive bidding processes, with a focus on meeting specific government standards and timelines. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale barracks or facility construction contracts awarded by the Department of Defense.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. The award to BL Harbert International LLC, a large construction firm, suggests that the primary contract was likely beyond the scope typically awarded to small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any subcontracting opportunities were made available to small businesses within the broader ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of the Army contracting and project management offices at Fort Campbell. Accountability measures would include adherence to contract terms, performance milestones, and quality control standards. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Fort Campbell Infrastructure Projects
- Department of Defense Barracks Construction
- Army Corps of Engineers Construction Contracts
- Military Family Housing Construction
Risk Flags
- Moderate competition level (2 bidders)
- Fixed-price contract risk assessment needed
- Potential for construction delays
Tags
construction, department-of-defense, department-of-the-army, fort-campbell, kentucky, definitive-contract, fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, barracks-construction, commercial-and-institutional-building-construction, large-project
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $23.6 million to BL HARBERT INTERNATIONAL LLC. DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF SUPPORT BRIGADE BARRACKS COMPLEX, AT FORT CAMPBELL, KY
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BL HARBERT INTERNATIONAL 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 $23.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-03-29. End: 2009-10-16.
What is the track record of BL Harbert International LLC with Department of Defense contracts?
BL Harbert International LLC has a significant history of working with the Department of Defense on various construction projects. Their portfolio includes a range of military facilities, from barracks and training centers to administrative buildings and infrastructure upgrades. Analyzing their past performance on similar fixed-price contracts, their on-time delivery rates, and any past disputes or contract modifications would provide a clearer picture of their reliability and capability. This specific contract for the Fort Campbell barracks complex represents one of many engagements, and its successful completion would add to their established track record with the DoD.
How does the $23.6 million cost compare to similar barracks construction projects at other military bases?
Benchmarking the $23.6 million cost against similar barracks construction projects requires access to detailed cost data for comparable facilities at other military bases. Factors such as square footage, number of personnel housed, specific amenities, regional construction costs, and the year of award significantly influence project costs. Generally, military barracks construction can range from $150,000 to over $300,000 per bed, depending on these variables. Without specific details on the capacity and features of the Fort Campbell barracks, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the award value suggests a substantial project, and further research into similar DoD construction awards would be necessary for a robust value-for-money assessment.
What were the primary risk factors identified during the procurement process for this contract?
Primary risk factors for a construction contract of this magnitude typically include potential cost overruns (mitigated by the fixed-price structure), construction delays due to weather, labor shortages, or unforeseen site conditions, and ensuring the final construction meets stringent military quality and safety standards. For this specific contract, awarded under full and open competition with two bidders, risks might also include the adequacy of the competition to ensure optimal pricing and the contractor's capacity to manage a project of this scale and complexity within the specified timeframe. The Department of the Army would have likely conducted a thorough risk assessment as part of the procurement process.
How effective was the competition for this contract in ensuring a fair price for taxpayers?
The effectiveness of the competition for this contract in ensuring a fair price for taxpayers is moderate, given that only two bids were received. While full and open competition was utilized, allowing all eligible firms to participate, a higher number of bidders generally leads to more aggressive pricing and better price discovery. The fixed-price nature of the contract helps lock in a price, but the initial bid price is crucial. Without knowing the details of the bids submitted or the government's cost estimates, it's challenging to definitively state if the price was the absolute lowest achievable. However, the competitive process did provide a basis for negotiation and selection.
What is the historical spending trend for barracks construction at Fort Campbell or within the Department of the Army?
Historical spending trends for barracks construction at Fort Campbell and within the Department of the Army generally show consistent investment in military infrastructure. The Army, as a major branch of the DoD, regularly procures construction services to modernize facilities, replace aging structures, and accommodate troop levels. Spending fluctuates based on military readiness needs, budget allocations, and the lifecycle of existing infrastructure. Analyzing past contracts for similar projects at Fort Campbell or across Army installations would reveal patterns in contract values, project durations, and the types of construction services procured, indicating a sustained need for such facilities.
Were there any significant contract modifications or change orders issued during the performance of this contract?
Information regarding significant contract modifications or change orders for this specific contract (awarded in 2007 and completed in 2009) is not readily available in the provided summary data. Typically, such modifications arise from unforeseen site conditions, changes in project scope requested by the government, or adjustments to timelines. A thorough review of the contract's official record, often accessible through federal procurement databases or agency archives, would be necessary to determine if any substantial modifications occurred and their impact on the final cost and schedule.
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: W912QR07R0004
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: B.L. Harbert Holdings, L.L.C. (UEI: 147371236)
Address: 820 SHADES CREEK, BIRMINGHAM, AL, 35209
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $23,569,713
Exercised Options: $23,569,713
Current Obligation: $23,569,713
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-03-29
Current End Date: 2009-10-16
Potential End Date: 2009-10-16 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-07-14
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