Forest Service awards $655K renovation contract to Marrero, Couvillon & Associates for Oxford Lab

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $655,006 ($655.0K)

Contractor: Marrero, Couvillon & Associates, L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-01-12

End Date: 2026-06-25

Contract Duration: 164 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: FY25-001840 APPROVED 11142025 BY LAW: GAOA SRS OXFORD LAB RENOVATION AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS ED 11/12/2025

Place of Performance

Location: OXFORD, LAFAYETTE County, MISSISSIPPI, 38655

State: Mississippi Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $655,005.53 to MARRERO, COUVILLON & ASSOCIATES, L.L.C. for work described as: FY25-001840 APPROVED 11142025 BY LAW: GAOA SRS OXFORD LAB RENOVATION AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS ED 11/12/2025 Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, indicating potential for future task orders. 3. The fixed-price nature of the contract shifts performance risk to the contractor. 4. The project involves renovation of a laboratory facility, crucial for scientific research and operations. 5. The contract duration of approximately 5.5 months suggests a focused scope of work. 6. The award amount is relatively modest for a construction project, potentially indicating a smaller scope or specialized work.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $655,005.53 for a laboratory renovation appears reasonable given the scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar institutional building construction projects would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure is generally favorable for the government when the scope is well-defined, as it caps the government's financial exposure.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources,' which typically means that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 4 bidders (indicated by 'no': 4) suggests a healthy level of competition for this specific delivery order. This competitive environment is expected to drive more favorable pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive bidding process for this renovation project likely resulted in a more cost-effective outcome for taxpayers compared to a sole-source or limited competition award.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Forest Service researchers and staff at the Oxford Lab, who will gain an improved and potentially more functional workspace. The services delivered include commercial and institutional building construction, specifically renovation of the laboratory. The geographic impact is localized to the Oxford Lab facility. Workforce implications may include temporary employment for construction workers and subcontractors involved in the renovation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for unforeseen issues during renovation of an existing facility that could lead to cost overruns or schedule delays.
Dependence on the contractor's ability to manage subcontractors effectively to ensure quality and timely completion.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process.
Firm-fixed-price contract type limits the government's financial risk.
The contractor has a specific North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code of 236220, indicating specialization in commercial and institutional building construction.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Construction sector, specifically Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (NAICS 236220). The market for such services is generally robust, with numerous firms capable of undertaking renovation projects. The Forest Service, as a part of the Department of Agriculture, frequently engages in construction and renovation activities to maintain its facilities across various research and operational sites. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific size and complexity of the renovation, but projects of this magnitude are common within federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if this contract included a small business set-aside. However, with 4 bidders in a full and open competition, it's possible that small businesses participated. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were specifically directed towards small businesses or if the prime contractor has a history of engaging small business subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Forest Service contracting officer and potentially a contracting officer's representative (COR) who would monitor performance, quality, and adherence to the contract terms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Forest Service Facility Maintenance and Operations
Department of Agriculture Construction Projects
Federal Laboratory Renovations
General Services Administration (GSA) Public Buildings Service Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for unforeseen conditions in existing building renovation.
Contractor's past performance and capacity to manage complex construction projects.
Ensuring minimal disruption to ongoing laboratory operations during renovation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $655,005.53 to MARRERO, COUVILLON & ASSOCIATES, L.L.C.. FY25-001840 APPROVED 11142025 BY LAW: GAOA SRS OXFORD LAB RENOVATION AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS ED 11/12/2025

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MARRERO, COUVILLON & ASSOCIATES, L.L.C..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $655,005.53.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-01-12. End: 2026-06-25.

What is the track record of Marrero, Couvillon & Associates, L.L.C. with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Agriculture or Forest Service?

A review of federal contract databases would be necessary to fully assess Marrero, Couvillon & Associates, L.L.C.'s track record. This would involve examining past awards, performance reviews, and any history of contract disputes or terminations. Understanding their experience with similar laboratory renovation projects and their performance history with the Forest Service or other agencies would provide insight into their reliability and capability to execute this current contract successfully. Without specific historical data, it is difficult to definitively assess their track record.

How does the awarded amount of $655,005.53 compare to similar laboratory renovation projects undertaken by the Forest Service or other federal agencies?

Benchmarking this contract's value requires comparing it to similar projects in terms of size, scope, complexity, and geographic location. Laboratory renovations can vary significantly in cost based on specialized equipment installation, HVAC requirements, and safety standards. A direct comparison to other Forest Service lab renovations or similar scientific facility upgrades across agencies like the National Science Foundation or Department of Energy would be informative. If this project involves extensive upgrades to critical research infrastructure, the cost may be well within expected ranges. Conversely, if it's a more minor refurbishment, it might indicate a higher per-square-foot cost.

What are the primary risks associated with renovating an existing laboratory facility, and how are they mitigated in this contract?

Key risks in renovating existing labs include encountering unforeseen structural issues, outdated or hazardous materials (like asbestos or lead paint), and disruptions to ongoing operations. Mitigation strategies in this contract likely include detailed site assessments prior to award, contingency planning within the project scope, and clear change order procedures. The firm-fixed-price structure also incentivizes the contractor to identify and manage these risks proactively to avoid cost overruns. The Forest Service will likely maintain oversight through a COR to monitor progress and address emergent issues promptly.

What is the expected impact of this renovation on the Forest Service's research capabilities or operational efficiency at the Oxford Lab?

The renovation is expected to enhance the Oxford Lab's research capabilities and operational efficiency by providing an updated, safer, and potentially more technologically advanced workspace. Modernized facilities can improve workflow, accommodate new equipment, and ensure compliance with current safety and environmental standards. This can lead to more effective scientific outcomes, better data collection, and a more productive research environment for the scientists and staff working at the facility. The specific improvements will depend on the scope of the renovation detailed in the contract.

What has been the historical spending pattern for laboratory renovations by the Forest Service over the past five fiscal years?

Analyzing historical spending for Forest Service laboratory renovations would require accessing federal procurement data over the past five fiscal years. This would involve filtering for contracts with relevant NAICS codes (e.g., 236220) and keywords related to 'laboratory renovation' or 'research facility upgrade.' Understanding the average contract value, frequency of awards, and types of facilities renovated would provide context for the current $655K award. Significant fluctuations in spending could indicate shifts in agency priorities, infrastructure investment cycles, or changes in research focus.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 12445126B0001

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4354 S SHERWOOD FOREST BLVD D200, BATON ROUGE, LA, 70816

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Hispanic American Owned Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $655,006

Exercised Options: $655,006

Current Obligation: $655,006

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140F0822D0072

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline