DOJ awards $40.9M contract for early works package to Brasfield & Gorrie LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $40,947,417 ($40.9M)

Contractor: Brasfield & Gorrie LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2024-07-08

End Date: 2026-02-03

Contract Duration: 575 days

Daily Burn Rate: $71.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: PRACTICAL PROBLEM VENUES EARLY WORKS PACKAGE

Place of Performance

Location: BIRMINGHAM, JEFFERSON County, ALABAMA, 35233

State: Alabama Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $40.9 million to BRASFIELD & GORRIE LLC for work described as: PRACTICAL PROBLEM VENUES EARLY WORKS PACKAGE Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is a firm fixed-price delivery order, providing cost certainty for the government. 3. The duration of 575 days indicates a significant project timeline. 4. The contract is for commercial and institutional building construction, falling under the construction sector. 5. The award is a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger contract vehicle. 6. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, nor does it indicate specific subcontracting goals.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific delivery order is challenging without knowing the scope of the parent contract or the specific nature of the 'early works package'. However, the firm fixed-price structure is generally favorable for cost control. Further analysis would require comparing the unit costs or overall project cost against similar construction projects of comparable scale and complexity within the federal or commercial sectors.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. With three bidders participating, the competition level appears moderate. This suggests that the price discovery mechanism was likely effective, leading to a competitive price, although the exact number of bids received is not as high as might be seen in some highly contested procurements.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process generally benefits taxpayers by driving down costs and ensuring the government receives fair market value for the services rendered.

Public Impact

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the primary beneficiary of this contract, likely for facility development or expansion. The services delivered involve construction, specifically an 'early works package,' which typically includes site preparation, foundational work, or initial infrastructure development. The geographic impact is localized to Alabama (AL), where the contractor Brasfield & Gorrie LLC is based and where the project will be executed. The contract will likely involve a workforce of construction laborers, tradespeople, project managers, and administrative staff, contributing to employment in the construction sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on the 'early works package' makes it difficult to assess the full scope and potential risks.
The duration of over 1.5 years for an 'early works package' could indicate potential for delays or unforeseen complexities.
No explicit mention of small business subcontracting goals may limit opportunities for smaller firms in this project.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
The contractor, Brasfield & Gorrie LLC, is an established entity in the construction industry, suggesting experience.
The contract is a delivery order, implying it is part of a potentially larger, pre-vetted contract vehicle.

Sector Analysis

The construction sector is a significant component of federal spending, encompassing a wide range of projects from infrastructure to facility development. This contract for an 'early works package' fits within the broader category of commercial and institutional building construction. Federal spending in this area is often driven by the need to modernize facilities, expand agency capacity, or undertake new construction projects. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing the cost per square foot or cost per phase for similar government construction projects.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no explicit indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This means that opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific contract are likely limited to direct subcontracting by the prime contractor, Brasfield & Gorrie LLC, if they choose to engage them. The absence of set-aside provisions means the primary focus was on full and open competition, potentially overlooking targeted support for the small business ecosystem in this instance.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. As a delivery order, it is likely governed by the terms and conditions of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or similar vehicle, which would have its own oversight mechanisms. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, but detailed project-specific oversight reports or inspector general involvement would depend on the nature and scale of any issues that arise during performance.

Related Government Programs

Federal Bureau of Investigation Facilities
Department of Justice Construction Projects
General Services Administration (GSA) Public Buildings Service
Military Construction Projects
Federal Buildings Fund

Risk Flags

Potential for delays due to project duration
Unforeseen site conditions
Limited small business subcontracting opportunities

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $40.9 million to BRASFIELD & GORRIE LLC. PRACTICAL PROBLEM VENUES EARLY WORKS PACKAGE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BRASFIELD & GORRIE 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 $40.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-07-08. End: 2026-02-03.

What is the specific scope and purpose of the 'early works package' being procured?

The provided data indicates the contract is for an 'early works package' valued at $40.9 million, awarded to Brasfield & Gorrie LLC by the FBI. Early works packages typically encompass the initial phases of a construction project, such as site preparation, demolition, excavation, utility relocation, and foundational groundwork. The specific purpose would be to lay the groundwork for subsequent construction phases of a larger FBI facility or project in Alabama. Without access to the detailed SOW (Statement of Work) or contract modifications, the precise deliverables and objectives remain unspecified in the summary data.

How does the $40.9 million cost compare to similar federal construction projects for early works packages?

Directly comparing the $40.9 million cost to similar federal 'early works packages' is challenging without more granular data on project scope, location, and specific deliverables. However, for large-scale federal construction, this amount represents a significant investment in the initial phase. Benchmarking would typically involve analyzing cost per acre for site preparation, cost per cubic yard for excavation, or the overall percentage of the total project cost that early works represent. Given the firm fixed-price nature, the government has a defined cost ceiling, but the value proposition hinges on the efficiency and effectiveness of the work performed relative to industry standards for similar undertakings.

What is Brasfield & Gorrie LLC's track record with federal contracts, particularly with the FBI or DOJ?

Brasfield & Gorrie LLC is a large, well-established construction firm with a significant history of undertaking complex projects across various sectors, including federal government work. While specific contract history with the FBI or DOJ is not detailed in the provided data, their extensive experience in commercial and institutional building construction suggests they possess the necessary qualifications and capacity. Federal procurement databases would likely contain records of their past performance on government contracts, which would be reviewed during the source selection process. Their size and established presence imply a track record of managing large budgets and project timelines.

What are the potential risks associated with a 575-day construction project for an 'early works package'?

A 575-day duration (approximately 1.5 years) for an 'early works package' suggests a substantial undertaking. Potential risks include unforeseen site conditions (e.g., soil contamination, underground obstructions), weather delays, material cost fluctuations (though mitigated by fixed price), labor availability issues, and potential scope creep if not tightly managed. For early works, delays can have a cascading effect on the entire project timeline. Effective risk mitigation would involve thorough site investigations prior to award, robust scheduling, contingency planning, and proactive communication between the contractor and the government.

How does the 'full and open competition' with three bidders impact the value for taxpayers?

Awarding the contract under 'full and open competition' with three bidders generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment. This process allows multiple qualified firms to propose their best offers, driving prices down and encouraging innovation. Having three bidders suggests a reasonable level of competition, likely resulting in a price that reflects market conditions. While more bidders could potentially yield even lower prices, three is often considered a sufficient number to ensure meaningful price discovery and prevent monopolistic pricing, thereby maximizing value for taxpayer dollars.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar construction services by the FBI or DOJ?

Historical spending patterns for similar construction services by the FBI and DOJ would reveal trends in contract values, types of projects, and durations. Without specific historical data, it's presumed that agencies like the FBI and DOJ regularly procure construction services for facility maintenance, upgrades, and new builds. Spending can fluctuate based on agency needs, budget allocations, and infrastructure modernization initiatives. Analyzing past contracts for similar 'early works packages' or facility construction projects would provide context for the current $40.9 million award, indicating whether it aligns with historical norms or represents an outlier in terms of scale or cost.

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: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3021 7TH AVE S, BIRMINGHAM, AL, 35233

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $40,947,417

Exercised Options: $40,947,417

Current Obligation: $40,947,417

Actual Outlays: $39,445,088

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 4

Total Subaward Amount: $30,755,351

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15F06719D0003691

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline