Atherton Construction LLC awarded $25.6M for Army housing, highlighting single-family construction needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,552,861 ($25.6M)

Contractor: Atherton Construction LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2016-09-29

End Date: 2018-10-20

Contract Duration: 751 days

Daily Burn Rate: $34.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF - FY16 ARMY FAMILY HOUSING AT ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, IL. THE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS AND AWARDS THE BASE AND ALL OPTIONS WITH THIS AWARD.

Place of Performance

Location: ROCK ISLAND, ROCK ISLAND County, ILLINOIS, 61299

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $25.6 million to ATHERTON CONSTRUCTION LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF - FY16 ARMY FAMILY HOUSING AT ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, IL. THE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS AND AWARDS THE BASE AND ALL OPTIONS WITH THIS AWARD. Key points: 1. Contract awarded for new single-family housing construction, indicating a need for residential facilities. 2. The contract was competed under 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources', suggesting a deliberate but potentially limited bidding process. 3. Atherton Construction LLC is the sole awardee, raising questions about the breadth of competition. 4. The contract duration of 751 days suggests a significant construction project. 5. The base and all options were accepted, indicating full commitment to the project scope. 6. The fixed-price nature of the contract shifts risk to the contractor. 7. The contract falls under the 'New Single-Family Housing Construction' NAICS code.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific cost breakdowns or comparable project data. The total award of $25.6 million for new single-family housing construction over approximately two years suggests a substantial investment. However, without details on the number of units, square footage, or specific amenities, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. The fixed-price contract type implies that the contractor is responsible for cost overruns, which can be a positive indicator if the price was competitive.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources'. This solicitation method indicates that while the competition was intended to be open, certain sources were excluded, potentially limiting the pool of bidders. The presence of 3 bidders suggests some level of competition, but the exclusion of sources warrants further investigation into why certain contractors were not considered.

Taxpayer Impact: The exclusion of sources, even with multiple bidders, may have limited price discovery and potentially led to a higher cost for taxpayers than a truly open competition.

Public Impact

Military families stationed at Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, will benefit from new housing. The contract delivers new single-family homes, addressing potential housing shortages or outdated facilities. The geographic impact is localized to Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois. The construction project will likely create jobs in the local construction sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Positive Signals

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the construction sector, specifically focusing on new residential building. The market for government housing construction is significant, driven by the need to provide adequate facilities for military personnel and their families. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing the cost per square foot or cost per unit for similar government housing projects in different regions or time periods. The NAICS code 236115, 'New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders)', indicates a specialized segment of the construction industry.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans or their impact on the small business ecosystem. Given the nature of large-scale construction projects, it is common for prime contractors to utilize small business subcontractors, but specific details are absent here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Army and potentially the Department of Defense's Inspector General. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, which places the financial risk on the contractor. Transparency regarding the bidding process and award decision is partially addressed by the contract type designation, but further details on the evaluation criteria and the rationale for excluding sources would enhance transparency.

Related Government Programs

Risk Flags

Tags

construction, department-of-defense, department-of-the-army, rock-island-arsenal, illinois, definitive-contract, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition-after-exclusion-of-sources, new-single-family-housing-construction, large-contract, residential-construction

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $25.6 million to ATHERTON CONSTRUCTION LLC. IGF::OT::IGF - FY16 ARMY FAMILY HOUSING AT ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, IL. THE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS AND AWARDS THE BASE AND ALL OPTIONS WITH THIS AWARD.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ATHERTON CONSTRUCTION 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 $25.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-09-29. End: 2018-10-20.

What was the specific rationale for excluding certain sources in this 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources' award?

The provided data does not specify the rationale for excluding certain sources. This contract type, 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources,' implies that while the competition was intended to be open to all responsible sources, specific contractors or types of contractors were deliberately excluded. Common reasons for such exclusions can include national security concerns, specific technological requirements that only a limited number of firms possess, or prior performance issues with certain contractors. Without further documentation from the awarding agency (Department of the Army), the precise justification remains unknown. This lack of transparency can raise concerns about whether the exclusion unduly limited competition and potentially inflated costs for the government.

How does the awarded price of $25.6 million compare to market rates for similar new single-family housing construction projects?

A direct comparison of the $25.6 million award to market rates for similar new single-family housing construction is difficult without knowing the exact scope of work, such as the number of units, average size (square footage), quality of materials, and specific amenities included in the Rock Island Arsenal project. Government construction projects often have unique requirements and specifications that can differ from private sector builds. However, to benchmark, one would typically look at the cost per unit or cost per square foot for comparable projects in the Illinois region or for similar Department of Defense housing initiatives. If this award translates to a significantly higher cost per unit or square foot compared to recent, similar projects, it could indicate potential issues with value for money. Conversely, if it aligns with or is below market rates, it suggests a competitive procurement.

What is Atherton Construction LLC's track record with federal contracts, particularly in housing construction?

Information regarding Atherton Construction LLC's specific track record with federal contracts, especially in housing construction, is not detailed in the provided data snippet. To assess their performance, one would need to examine their contract history, including past awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of disputes or terminations. A review of federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS could reveal the extent of their federal contracting experience. A strong history of successful, on-time, and within-budget project completion, particularly in similar construction types, would be a positive indicator for this award. Conversely, a history of performance issues could represent a risk.

What are the potential risks associated with a firm fixed-price contract for a project of this duration and scope?

A firm fixed-price (FFP) contract, while generally favorable to the government by shifting cost overrun risk to the contractor, can present risks for a project of this duration (751 days) and scope. If the initial cost estimates were inaccurate or unforeseen issues arise during construction (e.g., material price volatility, unexpected site conditions), Atherton Construction LLC might face significant financial strain. This could potentially lead to pressure on the contractor to cut corners on quality to maintain profitability, although the FFP structure theoretically incentivizes efficient project management. Another risk is that the contractor may have built a substantial contingency into their bid to account for these uncertainties, potentially leading to a higher initial price than a cost-reimbursable contract might have achieved if managed effectively by the government. The government's ability to manage scope changes tightly is crucial under an FFP.

How does this $25.6 million award compare to historical federal spending on new single-family housing construction?

Comparing this $25.6 million award to historical federal spending on new single-family housing construction requires access to broader government spending data. The Department of Defense, particularly the Army, is a significant investor in military family housing. Historical data would show trends in the volume and value of such contracts awarded annually. Factors influencing historical spending include military readiness requirements, budget allocations, and the age and condition of existing housing stock. A single award of $25.6 million represents a substantial investment for one project, but within the context of the entire DoD's housing portfolio, it might be a typical or even modest expenditure depending on the scale (number of units). Analyzing trends over several fiscal years would provide better context on whether this award is indicative of increased or decreased federal investment in this area.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ConstructionResidential Building ConstructionNew Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders)

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W912QR16R0043

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Woodside Group Inc. (UEI: 024288230)

Address: 50 N GIBSON RD STE 115, HENDERSON, NV, 89014

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,552,861

Exercised Options: $25,552,861

Current Obligation: $25,552,861

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline

Start Date: 2016-09-29

Current End Date: 2018-10-20

Potential End Date: 2018-10-20 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2021-02-25

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