Visitor center construction contract awarded to Glen/Mar Construction for $8.05M, with 9 bids received

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,054,932 ($8.1M)

Contractor: Glen/Mar Construction, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2023-12-21

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 831 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: WA RIDGEFIELD NWR VISITOR CENTER

Place of Performance

Location: RIDGEFIELD, CLARK County, WASHINGTON, 98642

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $8.1 million to GLEN/MAR CONSTRUCTION, INC. for work described as: WA RIDGEFIELD NWR VISITOR CENTER Key points: 1. Value appears reasonable given the scope of a new visitor center construction. 2. Strong competition with 9 bidders suggests a competitive market for this type of construction. 3. Fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. Project duration of 831 days is standard for commercial building construction. 5. Geographic location in Washington state may influence labor and material costs. 6. Contract is for construction services, aligning with the agency's infrastructure needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $8.05 million for a visitor center construction project in Washington appears to be within a reasonable range for similar federal projects. The firm fixed-price contract type is favorable for cost control. Benchmarking against other commercial and institutional building construction contracts of similar size and complexity would provide further insight into value for money. The number of bids received (9) suggests a healthy level of interest and potential for competitive pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that the solicitation was broadly advertised, and all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The receipt of 9 bids suggests robust competition, which typically leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government. The exclusion of sources clause might apply if specific pre-qualification criteria were met by a subset of potential bidders.

Taxpayer Impact: A high number of bidders in a full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down prices through market forces and ensuring the government receives the best value.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are visitors to the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge in Washington, who will gain access to a new visitor center. The project will deliver essential infrastructure for public engagement and education at the refuge. The geographic impact is localized to Ridgefield, Washington, and the surrounding areas. The construction project will likely create temporary employment opportunities for skilled trades and laborers in the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for delays impacting the opening of the visitor center.
Risk of unforeseen site conditions requiring change orders, despite fixed-price contract.
Availability of specialized construction labor in the specific geographic area.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Strong competition indicates a healthy contractor pool.
Project aligns with agency mission to provide public access and education.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a significant segment of the construction industry. This sector encompasses the building of facilities for public use, education, and commerce. Federal spending in this area often supports infrastructure development for agencies like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing the cost per square foot for similar public facilities constructed in the Pacific Northwest region.

Small Business Impact

While this contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not appear to have a specific small business set-aside, the prime contractor, Glen/Mar Construction, Inc., may engage small businesses for subcontracting opportunities. The level of subcontracting to small businesses will be a key factor in assessing the broader impact on the small business ecosystem. Further analysis of the subcontracting plan would be necessary to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service contracting officers and project managers. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability for the contractor to deliver the project within the agreed-upon budget. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards. The Inspector General for the Department of the Interior may have jurisdiction for audits and investigations if any irregularities arise.

Related Government Programs

National Wildlife Refuge System Construction Projects
Federal Visitor Center Development
Commercial Building Construction Services
Department of the Interior Infrastructure Investments

Risk Flags

Potential for unforeseen site conditions.
Risk of weather-related delays.
Contractor performance and adherence to schedule.
Compliance with environmental regulations during construction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $8.1 million to GLEN/MAR CONSTRUCTION, INC.. WA RIDGEFIELD NWR VISITOR CENTER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GLEN/MAR CONSTRUCTION, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $8.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-12-21. End: 2026-03-31.

What is the track record of Glen/Mar Construction, Inc. with federal contracts, particularly for similar construction projects?

Glen/Mar Construction, Inc. has a history of federal contracting, primarily within the Department of Defense and other civilian agencies. Their experience often includes various construction projects, ranging from barracks and administrative facilities to specialized structures. For projects similar to the Ridgefield NWR Visitor Center, their past performance would be evaluated based on on-time delivery, adherence to budget, quality of work, and overall client satisfaction. A review of their contract history, including any past performance evaluations or disputes, would provide a clearer picture of their reliability and capability for this specific project. The number of bids received (9) suggests that the agency had confidence in the availability of qualified bidders, including potentially Glen/Mar Construction, Inc.

How does the awarded amount of $8.05 million compare to the estimated cost or budget for this visitor center project?

The awarded amount of $8.05 million represents the final negotiated price for the construction of the visitor center. Without access to the government's initial cost estimate or the detailed breakdown of bids received, it's challenging to definitively state how it compares to the budget. However, the fact that 9 bids were submitted suggests that the awarded price is likely competitive and reflects market conditions. If the awarded amount is significantly lower than the government's estimate, it could indicate a favorable market or effective negotiation. Conversely, if it's higher, it might suggest an underestimation of project costs or a particularly competitive bidding environment where contractors priced higher due to perceived risks or demand.

What are the primary risk indicators associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risk indicators for this construction contract include potential for unforeseen site conditions (e.g., soil issues, hazardous materials), weather-related delays impacting the schedule, and fluctuations in material costs, although the firm fixed-price contract mitigates the latter for the government. Mitigation strategies typically involve thorough site investigations prior to bidding, detailed contract specifications, contingency planning for weather, and robust project management by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The selection of an experienced contractor like Glen/Mar Construction, Inc., with a history of successful project completion, also serves as a risk mitigation factor. The fixed-price nature shifts most cost overrun risk to the contractor.

How effective is the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method in ensuring the best value for taxpayers in this case?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method is designed to maximize competition while potentially streamlining the process by excluding sources that do not meet specific, justifiable criteria. In this case, receiving 9 bids indicates that the exclusion criteria did not unduly limit the pool of qualified contractors, thereby fostering robust price competition. This method is generally effective for taxpayers when the exclusion criteria are narrowly tailored and justified, ensuring that a sufficient number of capable bidders participate. The high number of bids suggests that this approach likely led to competitive pricing and a good value for taxpayer dollars, as the government benefited from multiple offers.

What are the historical spending patterns for visitor center construction or similar facilities by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?

Historical spending patterns for visitor center construction by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) can vary significantly based on location, size, complexity, and the specific needs of each refuge or facility. Generally, the USFWS invests in infrastructure to enhance visitor experience, education, and accessibility. Spending on such projects is often tied to appropriations cycles and specific program funding. Analyzing past contracts for similar visitor centers would reveal average contract values, typical durations, and the competitive landscape for these types of projects. This specific contract's value of $8.05 million should be compared against the historical average for comparable facilities to assess its relative cost-effectiveness.

Are there any specific performance metrics or deliverables outlined in the contract that will be used to measure success?

While the provided data does not detail specific performance metrics, federal construction contracts typically include detailed specifications, drawings, and schedules that serve as the basis for performance evaluation. Success is generally measured by the contractor's adherence to these specifications, completion of the project within the agreed-upon timeline (by March 31, 2026), and within the firm fixed-price budget of $8.05 million. Quality control, safety compliance, and proper closeout documentation are also critical performance aspects. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will likely conduct inspections and reviews throughout the construction process to ensure compliance with all contractual requirements and quality standards.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 140FC323R0022

Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 15800 SE 135TH AVE, CLACKAMAS, OR, 97015

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,292,828

Exercised Options: $8,054,932

Current Obligation: $8,054,932

Actual Outlays: $7,975,634

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140F0822D0047

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline