USDA's $34M BELTSVILLE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTER renovation awarded to Whiting-Turner Contracting Company

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $34,034,405 ($34.0M)

Contractor: Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, the

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2019-11-19

End Date: 2023-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,319 days

Daily Burn Rate: $25.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: BELTSVILLE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTER, BUILDING 307 RENOVATION

Place of Performance

Location: GREENBELT, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20770

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $34.0 million to WHITING-TURNER CONTRACTING COMPANY, THE for work described as: BELTSVILLE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTER, BUILDING 307 RENOVATION Key points: 1. Contract value of $34 million for building renovation. 2. Awarded under full and open competition. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests cost certainty. 4. Project duration of 1319 days indicates a substantial renovation. 5. Geographic location in Maryland. 6. Contractor has a significant presence in commercial and institutional building construction.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $34 million for the renovation of Building 307 at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center appears reasonable given the project's scope and duration. While specific cost breakdowns are not provided, the firm fixed-price nature of the contract offers a degree of cost certainty for the government. Benchmarking against similar large-scale institutional building renovations would provide a more precise value assessment, but the overall investment aligns with the scale of infrastructure upgrades typically seen in federal research facilities.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of 4 bids suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this project. This competitive environment is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive pricing for the services rendered.

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

Public Impact

Benefits agricultural research by modernizing critical infrastructure. Services delivered include comprehensive renovation of Building 307. Geographic impact is concentrated in Beltsville, Maryland. Workforce implications include construction jobs and support roles.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen issues arise during the extensive renovation.
Delays in project completion could impact research operations.
Ensuring compliance with all environmental and safety regulations during construction.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides budget predictability.
Full and open competition likely resulted in competitive pricing.
Experienced contractor selected, suggesting capability for complex projects.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a significant segment of the broader construction industry. Federal spending in this area supports the maintenance and upgrade of government facilities, including research centers, administrative buildings, and laboratories. The market for such projects is competitive, with numerous firms capable of undertaking large-scale renovations. This specific contract represents a substantial investment in specialized research infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. While the prime contractor, Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, is a large entity, there may be opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business subcontracting planned for this project and its overall impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is subject to standard federal procurement oversight mechanisms. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a clear financial framework. Accountability will be managed through contract performance monitoring and adherence to the specified renovation scope and timeline. Transparency is generally maintained through federal contract databases, though detailed project-specific oversight reports are not publicly detailed here.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building Renovations
Research Facility Construction
Agricultural Infrastructure Projects
Department of Agriculture Capital Investments

Risk Flags

Potential for unforeseen conditions impacting cost and schedule.
Risk of project delays affecting research operations.
Need for stringent oversight to ensure quality and compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $34.0 million to WHITING-TURNER CONTRACTING COMPANY, THE. BELTSVILLE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTER, BUILDING 307 RENOVATION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WHITING-TURNER CONTRACTING COMPANY, THE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Agricultural Research Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $34.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-11-19. End: 2023-06-30.

What is the track record of Whiting-Turner Contracting Company on federal projects?

Whiting-Turner Contracting Company has a substantial track record with federal agencies, including the Department of Agriculture. They are a large, well-established construction firm known for undertaking complex projects across various sectors, including institutional and commercial buildings. Their federal contract history typically involves large-scale construction and renovation projects, indicating experience with government procurement processes, regulations, and performance expectations. While specific performance ratings for individual federal contracts are not detailed here, their consistent engagement with federal clients suggests a generally positive performance history. Further due diligence might involve reviewing past performance evaluations or specific project outcomes if publicly available.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar federal building renovation projects?

The $34 million award for the renovation of Building 307 at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center is a significant but not extraordinary sum for a large-scale institutional building renovation. Federal spending on similar projects, such as upgrading laboratories, administrative facilities, or research centers, can range from several million to tens of millions of dollars, depending on the size, complexity, and scope of work. Factors influencing cost include the age and condition of the building, the extent of structural, mechanical, and electrical upgrades required, and the specific research needs necessitating specialized facilities. Without a detailed scope of work and specific benchmarks for comparable USDA or other agency facility renovations of similar size and type, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the amount is within the expected range for a project of this nature.

What are the primary risks associated with this type of renovation contract?

The primary risks associated with this firm fixed-price renovation contract include potential cost overruns due to unforeseen site conditions (e.g., asbestos, structural issues not identified during initial surveys), scope creep if additional requirements are added during the project, and delays caused by contractor performance issues, supply chain disruptions, or weather. For a research facility, disruptions to ongoing operations also pose a significant risk. The long duration (1319 days) increases the exposure to these risks. Mitigation strategies typically involve thorough pre-construction surveys, robust contract management, clear change order processes, and contingency planning by both the government and the contractor.

How effective is the firm fixed-price contract type in managing costs for this project?

The Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type is generally considered effective for managing costs when the scope of work is well-defined and the risks are understood. For a renovation project like Building 307, an FFP contract provides the government with a high degree of cost certainty, as the contractor assumes the risk of cost overruns. This incentivizes the contractor to manage their costs efficiently. However, if unforeseen issues arise that significantly alter the scope, the FFP structure can lead to contentious change order negotiations. The success of FFP in this case depends heavily on the thoroughness of the initial project definition and the contractor's ability to accurately estimate and control costs throughout the extensive renovation period.

What is the historical spending pattern for renovations at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for renovations at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) would provide valuable context for this $34 million contract. Without specific historical data readily available in this dataset, a general observation is that large research facilities often require continuous investment in infrastructure upgrades to maintain operational efficiency and accommodate evolving research needs. BARC, being a significant USDA research hub, likely undergoes periodic renovations and upgrades. Understanding the frequency, scale, and cost of past projects at BARC would help determine if this $34 million award represents a typical investment, a consolidation of deferred maintenance, or an unusually large single project. It would also inform whether past projects faced similar challenges or delivered expected value.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 123K2518R0010

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 300 E JOPPA RD, BALTIMORE, MD, 21286

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $34,034,405

Exercised Options: $34,034,405

Current Obligation: $34,034,405

Actual Outlays: $34,034,405

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline