National Gallery of Art's $72M exterior stone repair contract awarded to Balfour Beatty/Smoot JV

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $72,076,782 ($72.1M)

Contractor: Balfour Beatty/Smoot, a Joint Venture

Awarding Agency: National Gallery of Art

Start Date: 2010-09-29

End Date: 2014-05-31

Contract Duration: 1,340 days

Daily Burn Rate: $53.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: CONSTRUCTION RENOVATION OF THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART EAST BUILDING EXTERIOR STONE REPAIRS

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20004

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Gallery of Art obligated $72.1 million to BALFOUR BEATTY/SMOOT, A JOINT VENTURE for work described as: CONSTRUCTION RENOVATION OF THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART EAST BUILDING EXTERIOR STONE REPAIRS Key points: 1. Contract value of $72.1 million for exterior stone repairs. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating broad market engagement. 3. Firm-fixed-price contract type suggests defined scope and cost certainty. 4. Project duration of 1340 days spans over 3.5 years. 5. Located in Washington D.C., impacting a significant cultural landmark. 6. No small business set-aside noted, raising questions about broader economic inclusion.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $72.1 million for exterior stone repairs at the National Gallery of Art's East Building appears substantial. Benchmarking against similar large-scale historical building restoration projects is necessary to fully assess value for money. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty but requires careful scope management to avoid change orders that could inflate the final cost. Without detailed cost breakdowns or comparisons to industry standards for stone repair, a definitive value assessment is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple qualified contractors were invited to bid. The presence of 8 bidders indicates a competitive marketplace for this type of specialized construction. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and can lead to more competitive pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs through market forces.

Public Impact

Preserves the architectural integrity and historical significance of the National Gallery of Art's East Building. Ensures the long-term structural soundness and aesthetic appeal of a major cultural institution. Supports specialized construction labor in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Benefits the public by maintaining access to and the visual quality of the museum. Protects a significant piece of national heritage for future generations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen structural issues arise beyond the initial scope.
Risk of project delays due to the complexity of historical building restoration.
Dependence on specialized materials and skilled labor, which could face supply chain or availability challenges.
Limited transparency on the specific breakdown of costs for different repair elements.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the base scope.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process and potential for competitive pricing.
Long project duration allows for meticulous execution of complex restoration work.
Award to a joint venture (Balfour Beatty/Smoot) may indicate a strong, experienced team.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, specifically focusing on specialized renovation and repair of a significant cultural landmark. The market for historic preservation and large-scale exterior building envelope repairs is niche, often requiring specialized expertise and materials. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found in large public works projects or major historical site restorations, where costs are driven by complexity, material preservation requirements, and labor intensity.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the data indicates no specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses were mandated. This suggests that the primary award went to a large joint venture. While large projects can sometimes offer subcontracting opportunities, the absence of a specific set-aside means small businesses may have had limited direct access to this prime contract. Further investigation into subcontracting plans would be needed to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the National Gallery of Art's contracting and facilities management departments. As a federal agency, it is subject to oversight from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and potentially the agency's Office of Inspector General (OIG), though the NGA does not have its own OIG. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, but detailed project progress and specific oversight activities may not be publicly accessible.

Related Government Programs

National Gallery of Art Capital Improvements
Smithsonian Institution Building Maintenance
Federal Historic Preservation Projects
Architectural Conservation Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to unforeseen conditions in historic structures.
Risk of project delays impacting museum operations or public access.
Dependence on specialized materials and skilled labor.
Limited visibility into detailed cost breakdowns and specific oversight activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Gallery of Art awarded $72.1 million to BALFOUR BEATTY/SMOOT, A JOINT VENTURE. CONSTRUCTION RENOVATION OF THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART EAST BUILDING EXTERIOR STONE REPAIRS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BALFOUR BEATTY/SMOOT, A JOINT VENTURE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Gallery of Art (National Gallery of Art).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $72.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-09-29. End: 2014-05-31.

What is the track record of Balfour Beatty and Smoot, Inc. as a joint venture on similar large-scale construction projects?

Balfour Beatty and Smoot, Inc. have a significant history in large-scale construction. Balfour Beatty is a global infrastructure group with extensive experience in complex projects, including heritage restoration and public buildings. Smoot Construction Company has a strong regional presence, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic, with a portfolio including institutional and commercial projects. As a joint venture, their combined expertise likely addresses the specific challenges of historic building envelope repair. Assessing their past performance on projects of similar scale, complexity, and value, particularly those involving sensitive historical materials and structures, would provide insight into their capability to deliver this National Gallery of Art project successfully and on time.

How does the awarded amount of $72.1 million compare to the estimated cost or bids from other competitors?

The awarded amount of $72.1 million represents the final contract value after a full and open competition involving 8 bidders. Without access to the pre-bid estimates or the specific bid amounts from the other seven competitors, it is difficult to definitively state how competitive this price was. However, the fact that it was awarded under full and open competition suggests that the price was deemed fair and reasonable by the National Gallery of Art's contracting officers relative to the bids received. Further analysis would require comparing this figure to industry benchmarks for similar large-scale exterior stone repair projects on historic buildings, considering factors like square footage, material types, and labor costs.

What are the primary risks associated with the exterior stone repair of a historic building like the National Gallery of Art's East Building?

The primary risks associated with repairing the exterior stone of a historic building like the National Gallery of Art's East Building are multifaceted. These include the potential for unforeseen structural issues or material degradation discovered during the repair process, which could lead to scope creep and cost overruns, despite the firm-fixed-price contract. The use of specialized materials and techniques required for historic preservation introduces risks related to material sourcing, quality control, and the availability of highly skilled labor. Furthermore, weather-related delays are a significant risk, especially given the project's extended duration. The sheer scale and complexity of working on a landmark structure also pose logistical and safety challenges. Finally, ensuring the aesthetic and material compatibility of repairs with the original historic fabric requires meticulous attention to detail and expert judgment.

What is the expected impact of this contract on the long-term preservation and functionality of the National Gallery of Art?

This contract is crucial for the long-term preservation and functionality of the National Gallery of Art's East Building. Exterior stone repairs are essential for maintaining the structural integrity of the building, preventing further deterioration caused by weathering and environmental factors. By addressing these issues, the contract will safeguard the building's historic architecture and aesthetic appeal, ensuring it remains a protected landmark. Functionally, by preventing water infiltration and structural damage, the repairs will help protect the museum's valuable art collection and interior spaces from environmental damage, thereby ensuring the continued safe and effective operation of the museum for visitors and staff.

How does historical spending on building maintenance and renovation at the National Gallery of Art compare to this specific contract?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for building maintenance and renovation at the National Gallery of Art is key to contextualizing this $72.1 million contract. Without specific historical data readily available, it's presumed that major capital projects like exterior stone repair are infrequent but substantial investments. Typically, federal agencies allocate funds for both routine maintenance and periodic major renovations. This contract appears to represent a significant, targeted investment in the building envelope, likely addressing issues that have accumulated over time. Comparing its value to the agency's overall capital budget, previous large-scale restoration efforts (if any), and the typical lifecycle costs for such repairs would provide a clearer picture of its scale within the NGA's financial history.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3924 PENDER DR, FAIRFAX, VA, 11

Business Categories: Category Business, Emerging Small Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $72,076,782

Exercised Options: $72,076,782

Current Obligation: $72,076,782

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 38

Total Subaward Amount: $52,926,949

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline