Coast Guard courtroom refurbishment contract awarded to JNB Services LLC for over $5.2M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,270,632 ($5.3M)

Contractor: JNB Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2025-05-26

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 492 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: CHARLESTON REGIONAL CENTER US COAST GUARD COURT ROOM REFURBISHMENT

Place of Performance

Location: NORTH CHARLESTON, CHARLESTON County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29405

State: South Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $5.3 million to JNB SERVICES LLC for work described as: CHARLESTON REGIONAL CENTER US COAST GUARD COURT ROOM REFURBISHMENT Key points: 1. The contract value of $5.27 million for a courtroom refurbishment appears to be within a reasonable range for similar construction projects. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process that should drive favorable pricing. 3. The contract type is a firm-fixed-price definitive contract, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 4. The project duration of approximately 492 days indicates a substantial scope of work. 5. The contract is managed by the Department of State, not directly by the Coast Guard, which is an interesting oversight structure. 6. The awarded contractor, JNB Services LLC, has a track record that warrants further investigation for performance on similar projects.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $5.27 million for courtroom refurbishment is benchmarked against similar commercial and institutional building construction projects. While specific cost breakdowns are not available, the overall price appears competitive given the scope and duration. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests the government has secured a predictable cost, assuming the contractor can manage their expenses effectively. Further analysis would involve comparing the cost per square foot or per major component against industry standards for similar renovations.

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 multiple bidders were likely considered. The presence of three bids suggests a healthy level of competition for this project. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and ensures that the government receives proposals from a range of qualified contractors, potentially leading to innovation and cost savings.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive bidding process for this refurbishment project is beneficial for taxpayers as it likely resulted in a lower overall cost compared to a sole-source or limited competition award. It ensures that public funds are used efficiently by leveraging market forces to obtain the best value.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries of this contract are the judicial personnel and staff who will utilize the refurbished courtroom facilities. The services delivered include comprehensive refurbishment of a courtroom, likely encompassing structural, electrical, plumbing, and aesthetic upgrades. The geographic impact is localized to Charleston, South Carolina, where the Charleston Regional Center is located. The project will likely involve a workforce of construction professionals, tradespeople, and project managers, providing employment opportunities in the skilled trades sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen issues arise during refurbishment, despite the firm-fixed-price contract.
Dependence on the contractor's ability to meet the quality standards and timeline for a sensitive government facility.
The exclusion of sources clause in the competition type warrants scrutiny to ensure it did not unduly limit competition.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract structure transfers cost risk to the contractor.
Full and open competition suggests a robust bidding process.
The project aims to improve critical judicial infrastructure, enhancing operational efficiency.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a broad category encompassing the renovation and construction of non-residential buildings. The market for such services is highly competitive, with numerous firms capable of undertaking projects of this scale. The value of this contract, approximately $5.27 million, is moderate within the context of large-scale government construction projects, but significant for a regional refurbishment effort. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar government facility renovations can vary widely based on location, scope, and specific requirements.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). While there is no explicit requirement for small business subcontracting mentioned, the prime contractor, JNB Services LLC, may still engage small businesses for specialized services. The absence of set-aside provisions means that larger, established firms were likely the primary focus of the competition. Further investigation into JNB Services LLC's subcontracting plans would clarify the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is managed by the Department of State. Accountability measures are embedded within the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver the specified refurbishment within the agreed-upon price and timeline. Transparency is facilitated through the contract award process and public availability of contract data. Inspector General jurisdiction would typically fall under the Department of State's IG, who could investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration (GSA) Public Buildings Service contracts
Department of Defense facility renovation projects
Federal courthouse construction and maintenance

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined.
Contractor performance risk on firm-fixed-price contracts.
Justification for 'exclusion of sources' needs review.
Inter-agency coordination effectiveness between Dept. of State and Coast Guard.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $5.3 million to JNB SERVICES LLC. CHARLESTON REGIONAL CENTER US COAST GUARD COURT ROOM REFURBISHMENT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JNB SERVICES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-05-26. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the track record of JNB Services LLC on similar government construction projects?

A review of federal contract databases indicates that JNB Services LLC has been awarded multiple contracts, primarily in the construction and maintenance domain. While specific details on courtroom refurbishments are not immediately apparent, their past performance on projects of comparable value and complexity would be a key indicator of their capability. Analyzing past performance reviews, any instances of contract modifications, delays, or disputes associated with their previous government work is crucial. Understanding their experience with firm-fixed-price contracts and adherence to project timelines and budgets will provide insight into their reliability for this Charleston Regional Center project.

How does the awarded price compare to industry benchmarks for courtroom renovations?

Benchmarking the $5.27 million contract value for this courtroom refurbishment requires detailed cost breakdowns, which are not publicly available. However, general industry data for commercial and institutional building construction suggests that costs can range significantly based on square footage, complexity of work (e.g., AV systems, security features), and location. For a substantial refurbishment, this price point is not inherently excessive, but a detailed cost-per-square-foot analysis against similar government or private sector projects in South Carolina would provide a more precise value assessment. Factors like historical building preservation requirements could also influence costs.

What are the primary risks associated with this firm-fixed-price contract?

The primary risk with a firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract, while generally favorable to the government by capping costs, lies in the contractor's ability to manage unforeseen issues. If JNB Services LLC encounters unexpected structural problems, material cost escalations beyond their projections, or labor shortages, they bear the financial burden. This could potentially lead to a reduction in quality if the contractor seeks to cut corners to maintain profitability, or in extreme cases, contractor default. The government's risk is mitigated by thorough pre-award assessments and robust oversight during execution, ensuring adherence to specifications and quality standards.

What is the significance of the 'after exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type?

The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' clause indicates that while the competition was intended to be broad, certain potential sources were deliberately excluded. This exclusion must be justified by the agency, often due to specific technical requirements, security concerns, or prior performance issues with excluded entities. The significance for taxpayers is that while competition was sought, the exclusion might have limited the pool of bidders, potentially impacting the final price. A thorough review of the justification for excluding sources is necessary to ensure it was reasonable and did not unnecessarily restrict competition, thereby potentially increasing costs.

How does the Department of State managing a Coast Guard facility project impact oversight?

The Department of State managing a Coast Guard facility project introduces an interesting layer of inter-agency coordination and oversight. Typically, facilities management aligns with the agency that occupies them. In this case, the Department of State is acting as the contracting authority for a U.S. Coast Guard facility. This could stem from specific expertise within the State Department's facilities division or a unique funding mechanism. The impact on oversight means that communication channels between the State Department (contracting officer, COR) and the Coast Guard (end-user, facility requirements) must be exceptionally clear and efficient to ensure the project meets the Coast Guard's operational needs while adhering to State Department contracting protocols.

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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 19AQMM25R0111

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 467 S DALEVILLE AVE, DALEVILLE, AL, 36322

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,270,632

Exercised Options: $5,270,632

Current Obligation: $5,270,632

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline