Mechanical Shops Building mods cost $195K, awarded to McClure Company by USDA

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $195,076 ($195.1K)

Contractor: Mcclure Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-02

End Date: 2026-10-18

Contract Duration: 199 days

Daily Burn Rate: $980/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MECHANICAL SHOPS BUILDING (MSB) LABORATORY ENVIRONMENTAL BOX MACHINERY MODS, ERRC, WYNDMOOR, PENNSYLVANIA

Place of Performance

Location: GLENSIDE, MONTGOMERY County, PENNSYLVANIA, 19038

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $195,076 to MCCLURE COMPANY for work described as: MECHANICAL SHOPS BUILDING (MSB) LABORATORY ENVIRONMENTAL BOX MACHINERY MODS, ERRC, WYNDMOOR, PENNSYLVANIA Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized lab equipment modifications. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Short performance period may indicate a focused scope of work. 4. Fixed-price contract shifts risk to the contractor. 5. Contract awarded to McClure Company, a known entity in the sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $195,076 for modifications to laboratory environmental box machinery seems within a reasonable range for specialized technical services. Benchmarking against similar projects is difficult without more specific details on the scope of work, but the fixed-price nature of the contract suggests that the government has a clear understanding of the costs involved. The award to McClure Company, a firm with experience in this area, further supports the assessment of good value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The data shows two bids were received, which is a relatively low number for a full and open competition. While the process was open, the limited number of bidders might suggest potential barriers to entry for other firms or a niche market for these specific services.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive process, even with few bidders, generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple firms to offer their best pricing and technical solutions to secure the contract.

Public Impact

The Agricultural Research Service benefits from updated laboratory equipment, enhancing research capabilities. Modifications to environmental box machinery will support critical research operations. The project is geographically located in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania. The contract is expected to support specialized technical labor within the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited number of bidders in a full and open competition could indicate market concentration or high barriers to entry.
Short contract duration might lead to rushed work if not managed effectively.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Award to an established contractor suggests a higher likelihood of successful completion.
Contract supports essential research infrastructure for the Agricultural Research Service.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors sector (NAICS 238210). This sector encompasses a wide range of services related to electrical systems and equipment installation and repair. The market for specialized laboratory equipment modification can be niche, often requiring specific expertise and certifications. The contract value of $195,076 is relatively modest within the broader construction and electrical contracting industry, but significant for specialized modifications.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the primary contractor, McClure Company, will likely perform the majority of the work with its own resources. The impact on the small business ecosystem is minimal for this specific award, as it does not appear to include provisions to encourage small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a delivery order under an existing contract, implying that some level of oversight and review has already occurred. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight by establishing a ceiling for costs. Further oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer's representative (COR) at the Agricultural Research Service to ensure work is performed according to specifications and schedule. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases.

Related Government Programs

Agricultural Research Service Facilities Maintenance
Laboratory Equipment Upgrades
Federal Construction and Renovation Projects

Risk Flags

Low number of bidders in full and open competition.
Short contract duration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $195,076 to MCCLURE COMPANY. MECHANICAL SHOPS BUILDING (MSB) LABORATORY ENVIRONMENTAL BOX MACHINERY MODS, ERRC, WYNDMOOR, PENNSYLVANIA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MCCLURE COMPANY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $195,076.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-10-18.

What is the specific scope of work for the 'MECHANICAL SHOPS BUILDING (MSB) LABORATORY ENVIRONMENTAL BOX MACHINERY MODS'?

The provided data does not detail the specific modifications required for the environmental box machinery. However, the contract title suggests work related to the mechanical systems and environmental controls within laboratory boxes. This could include upgrades to ventilation, temperature control, humidity regulation, or other environmental parameters critical for sensitive research. The Agricultural Research Service would have detailed specifications outlining the exact tasks, materials, and performance standards in the full contract documentation. Understanding the precise nature of these modifications is key to fully assessing the value and risks associated with this contract.

How does the $195,076 contract value compare to similar environmental control system modifications in research laboratories?

Directly comparing the $195,076 contract value to similar projects is challenging without detailed scope and location information. However, for specialized modifications to laboratory environmental control systems, this figure appears to be within a reasonable range, particularly given the fixed-price nature which implies a well-defined scope. Larger, more complex overhauls or new installations would typically cost significantly more. The fact that it's a delivery order suggests it might be part of a larger, pre-competed framework, which can sometimes offer better pricing. The Agricultural Research Service likely benchmarked this against internal estimates and market research for similar, albeit potentially less complex, tasks.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract for the McClure Company and the government?

For McClure Company, the primary risks stem from the fixed-price nature of the contract. If unforeseen technical challenges arise during the modifications, or if material costs increase unexpectedly, their profit margins could be squeezed. Scope creep, if not managed tightly by the government, could also lead to cost overruns for the contractor. For the government, the main risks include potential delays if the contractor encounters significant issues, or if the quality of the modifications does not meet the required standards for sensitive research. Ensuring the contractor has the necessary expertise for specialized environmental machinery is also a key consideration to mitigate performance risk.

What is the track record of McClure Company in performing similar government contracts?

McClure Company has a history of performing government contracts, particularly within the construction and mechanical services sectors. While specific details on their past performance for environmental box machinery modifications are not provided in this summary, their presence as a bidder and awardee suggests they possess relevant capabilities. A deeper dive into their contract history, including past performance evaluations and any reported issues on federal contracts, would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability and expertise in executing similar projects for agencies like the Department of Agriculture.

How has spending on 'Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors' (NAICS 238210) by the Department of Agriculture trended in recent years?

Analyzing the specific spending trends for NAICS 238210 by the Department of Agriculture requires access to historical federal procurement data. Generally, spending in this sector can fluctuate based on infrastructure needs, research facility upgrades, and maintenance requirements. The Agricultural Research Service, as a component of USDA, would contribute to this spending. Factors like aging facilities, new research initiatives, and budget allocations would influence the volume and value of contracts awarded to electrical and wiring contractors. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to provide a precise trend, but such contracts are typically recurring for maintaining and upgrading government facilities.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Building Equipment Contractors › Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 1232SA26Q0323

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Royal Dutch Shell PLC

Address: 4101 N 6TH ST, HARRISBURG, PA, 17110

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $195,076

Exercised Options: $195,076

Current Obligation: $195,076

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS21F0063V

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline