DOJ awards $47.1M for construction at FBI's Explosive Device Analytical Center, with BL Harbert International LLC as prime

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $47,150,887 ($47.2M)

Contractor: BL Harbert International LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2019-09-25

End Date: 2021-11-12

Contract Duration: 779 days

Daily Burn Rate: $60.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: REGIONAL MULTIPLE AWARD CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS REGION 1 SEED PROJECT TERRORIST EXPLOSIVE DEVICE ANALYTICAL CENTER - EXPLOSIVE TECHNICAL LABORATORY

Place of Performance

Location: BIRMINGHAM, JEFFERSON County, ALABAMA, 35209

State: Alabama Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $47.2 million to BL HARBERT INTERNATIONAL LLC for work described as: REGIONAL MULTIPLE AWARD CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS REGION 1 SEED PROJECT TERRORIST EXPLOSIVE DEVICE ANALYTICAL CENTER - EXPLOSIVE TECHNICAL LABORATORY Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in critical national security infrastructure. 2. The fixed-price contract type suggests a defined scope and potential for cost certainty. 3. The duration of the contract (779 days) indicates a substantial construction project. 4. The award was made under full and open competition, implying a competitive bidding process. 5. The project is located in Alabama, potentially bringing economic benefits to the region. 6. The contract falls under the broad category of commercial and institutional building construction.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $47.1 million for construction services at a specialized FBI facility appears reasonable given the nature of the work. While specific benchmarks for terrorist explosive device analytical centers are not readily available, construction projects of this scale for sensitive government facilities typically involve significant costs due to security, specialized equipment, and stringent building requirements. The firm-fixed-price contract type generally aims to control costs, suggesting the agency sought to establish a clear budget. Further analysis would require comparing this to similar construction projects for federal law enforcement or research facilities.

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. This approach generally fosters a competitive environment, encouraging multiple contractors to offer their best pricing and technical solutions to win the award. The number of bidders is not specified in the provided data, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competition was intended and likely occurred, which is beneficial for price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process like full and open competition is favorable for taxpayers as it typically drives down costs through market forces, ensuring the government receives the best value for its investment.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and its Explosive Technical Laboratory, which will receive enhanced or new facilities. The services delivered include the construction of a facility designed to support critical counter-terrorism and explosive analysis operations. The geographic impact is concentrated in Alabama, where the construction will take place, potentially creating local jobs and economic activity. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for construction workers, engineers, architects, and project managers in the region during the contract period.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen construction challenges arise, despite the firm-fixed-price structure.
Delays in project completion could impact the FBI's operational capabilities.
Ensuring the specialized security and technical requirements of the facility are met throughout construction.

Positive Signals

The firm-fixed-price contract type provides a degree of cost certainty for the government.
Awarding under full and open competition suggests a competitive process that likely yielded a fair price.
The contractor, BL Harbert International LLC, is an established entity in the construction sector.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a broad category encompassing the building of non-residential structures. The specific nature of the facility for the FBI's Explosive Technical Laboratory places it within a niche segment focused on government and security infrastructure. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within federal construction spending data for law enforcement agencies, research facilities, or specialized laboratories. The market for such specialized construction is often characterized by a limited number of firms with the requisite security clearances, expertise, and capacity to handle complex government projects.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests the primary award was not directed towards small businesses. However, the prime contractor, BL Harbert International LLC, may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill portions of the construction work. The extent of small business subcontracting would depend on the contractor's own policies and any specific requirements or goals set by the agency, which are not detailed here. The impact on the small business ecosystem would be indirect, through potential subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Given the nature of the facility, stringent oversight regarding security protocols, construction quality, and adherence to specifications would be expected. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards and payment schedules tied to milestones. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, though specific operational details of the facility itself may be restricted for security reasons. The Inspector General for the Department of Justice would likely have jurisdiction for audits and investigations related to potential fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Bureau of Investigation Facilities Construction
Department of Justice Capital Investments
National Security Infrastructure Projects
Counter-Terrorism Facility Development

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if scope changes significantly.
Risk of project delays impacting operational capabilities.
Ensuring adherence to highly specialized security and technical requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $47.2 million to BL HARBERT INTERNATIONAL LLC. REGIONAL MULTIPLE AWARD CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS REGION 1 SEED PROJECT TERRORIST EXPLOSIVE DEVICE ANALYTICAL CENTER - EXPLOSIVE TECHNICAL LABORATORY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BL HARBERT INTERNATIONAL LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Investigation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $47.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-09-25. End: 2021-11-12.

What is the track record of BL Harbert International LLC with federal construction contracts, particularly for sensitive government facilities?

BL Harbert International LLC has a significant history of performing federal construction contracts. While specific details on their past performance with highly sensitive facilities like explosive analytical centers are not immediately available in this dataset, the company has a broad portfolio including projects for various government agencies, often involving complex requirements and large contract values. Their experience typically spans military installations, government offices, and other institutional buildings. A deeper dive into their contract history with agencies like the Department of Defense, General Services Administration, and other federal entities would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their capabilities and past performance in similar environments. Reviewing past performance evaluations and any reported issues on federal contract databases would be crucial for a complete assessment.

How does the $47.1 million contract value compare to similar construction projects for federal law enforcement or research facilities?

Comparing the $47.1 million contract value requires context regarding the scope, size, and specific requirements of the facility. Construction for specialized government facilities, especially those related to law enforcement, research, or national security (like an Explosive Technical Laboratory), often incurs higher costs than standard commercial buildings. Factors such as enhanced security measures, specialized ventilation and containment systems, advanced laboratory infrastructure, and stringent site preparation contribute to increased expenses. Without detailed project specifications, a direct comparison is challenging. However, similar projects for federal agencies have ranged from tens of millions to hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on complexity. This contract appears to be within a moderate to significant range for such specialized construction.

What are the primary risks associated with this construction contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Primary risks include potential construction delays due to unforeseen site conditions, weather, or supply chain disruptions, which could impact the FBI's operational readiness. Cost overruns are a risk, although mitigated by the firm-fixed-price contract type, which shifts much of the cost risk to the contractor. Ensuring compliance with stringent security protocols and specialized technical requirements for an explosive laboratory is critical; failure here could compromise safety and functionality. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust project management by both the contractor and the agency, detailed planning, contingency budgeting, regular site inspections, and strict adherence to contract specifications and security directives. The contractor's experience and the competitive bidding process also serve as risk mitigation factors.

How effective is the firm-fixed-price contract type in ensuring value for money for this specific project?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally considered effective for ensuring value for money when the scope of work is well-defined and unlikely to change significantly. For a construction project like this, where the requirements for the facility are likely established, FFP provides cost certainty for the government. It incentivizes the contractor to manage costs efficiently to maximize profit. However, if unforeseen issues arise that necessitate significant scope changes, the FFP structure can sometimes lead to costly change orders if not managed carefully. In this context, assuming the project scope is stable, FFP is a strong mechanism for controlling costs and achieving value, as the contractor bears the primary risk of cost overruns.

What are the historical spending patterns for similar construction projects by the FBI or DOJ?

Historical spending patterns for similar construction projects by the FBI and DOJ indicate a consistent need for investment in specialized facilities to support law enforcement, intelligence gathering, and forensic analysis. These projects often involve substantial capital outlays, frequently in the tens to hundreds of millions of dollars, reflecting the complexity, security requirements, and technological demands of such infrastructure. Spending can fluctuate based on agency priorities, budget allocations, and the lifecycle of existing facilities requiring upgrades or replacement. Analyzing past awards for FBI field offices, training centers, or forensic laboratories would reveal trends in contract values, durations, and the types of construction services procured, providing a benchmark for the current $47.1 million award.

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

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: B.L. Harbert Holdings, L.L.C.

Address: 820 SHADES CREEK PKWY STE 3000, BIRMINGHAM, AL, 35209

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $47,150,887

Exercised Options: $47,150,887

Current Obligation: $47,150,887

Actual Outlays: $47,417,973

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15F06719D0003690

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline