Commerce Awards $96.5M for NIST Boulder Building Renovation to Whiting-Turner
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $96,448,823 ($96.4M)
Contractor: Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, the
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2020-07-16
End Date: 2025-10-06
Contract Duration: 1,908 days
Daily Burn Rate: $50.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: RENOVATION OF BUILDING 1 WINGS 5, 4 AND PARTIAL SPINE, NIST BOULDER CO.
Place of Performance
Location: BOULDER, BOULDER County, COLORADO, 80305
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $96.4 million to WHITING-TURNER CONTRACTING COMPANY, THE for work described as: RENOVATION OF BUILDING 1 WINGS 5, 4 AND PARTIAL SPINE, NIST BOULDER CO. Key points: 1. Significant investment in critical federal infrastructure. 2. Whiting-Turner is a large, established contractor. 3. Potential for cost overruns in long-term construction projects. 4. Construction sector is subject to material and labor volatility.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $96.5 million for a multi-year renovation project appears within a reasonable range for large-scale institutional construction. However, without specific details on the scope of work and comparable projects, a precise valuation is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process that should drive price discovery. The use of a definitive contract indicates a well-defined scope, but the long duration could introduce risks.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential facility upgrades, aiming to improve operational efficiency and extend the lifespan of federal assets.
Public Impact
Ensures continued operation of NIST research facilities. Supports economic activity through construction jobs and materials. Modernized facilities may lead to improved research outcomes.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long project duration increases risk of scope creep and cost escalation.
- Potential for unforeseen site conditions impacting schedule and budget.
- Reliance on a single large contractor for a complex project.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Firm Fixed Price contract type limits cost risk to the government.
- Project aims to modernize critical federal research infrastructure.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector. Spending in this sector is influenced by government infrastructure needs, economic conditions, and material/labor costs. Benchmarks for similar large-scale renovations are highly project-specific.
Small Business Impact
While the prime contractor is a large business, the project's scale may offer subcontracting opportunities for small businesses in specialized trades or material supply. Further analysis would be needed to confirm actual small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The long duration of this definitive contract necessitates robust oversight from the National Institute of Standards and Technology to manage scope, schedule, and budget effectively and ensure compliance with contract terms.
Related Government Programs
- Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- National Institute of Standards and Technology Programs
Risk Flags
- Long project duration
- Potential for unforeseen site conditions
- Reliance on a single large contractor
- Market volatility in construction materials and labor
Tags
commercial-and-institutional-building-co, department-of-commerce, co, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $96.4 million to WHITING-TURNER CONTRACTING COMPANY, THE. RENOVATION OF BUILDING 1 WINGS 5, 4 AND PARTIAL SPINE, NIST BOULDER CO.
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 Commerce (National Institute of Standards and Technology).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $96.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-07-16. End: 2025-10-06.
What is the estimated cost per square foot for this renovation, and how does it compare to similar NIST or federal building renovations?
Determining the exact cost per square foot requires detailed project plans and square footage data, which are not provided. However, for large institutional renovations, costs can range significantly based on complexity, age of the building, and specific upgrades. Benchmarking against similar federal projects would be essential for a thorough value assessment.
What are the specific risks associated with the 1908-day duration, and what mitigation strategies are in place?
The extended duration presents risks such as inflation, material price volatility, potential for unforeseen structural issues, and changes in regulatory requirements. Mitigation strategies likely include detailed contingency planning, escalation clauses where appropriate, and rigorous project management by NIST to monitor progress and address issues proactively.
How will the success of this renovation be measured in terms of improved facility performance and research enablement?
Success will likely be measured by the project's completion on time and within budget, adherence to quality standards, and the achievement of specific performance improvements in the renovated wings. This could include enhanced energy efficiency, improved laboratory conditions, increased structural integrity, and compliance with modern safety codes, ultimately supporting NIST's research mission.
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: TWO STEP
Solicitation ID: 1333ND19RNB190004
Offers Received: 2
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: $111,428,108
Exercised Options: $96,448,823
Current Obligation: $96,448,823
Actual Outlays: $3,162,695
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 30
Total Subaward Amount: $17,284,290
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-07-16
Current End Date: 2025-10-06
Potential End Date: 2025-10-06 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-04-03
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