Smithsonian Institution awards $23.6M for Cheetah Conservation Station construction, highlighting commercial building expertise

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,624,715 ($23.6M)

Contractor: Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, the

Awarding Agency: Smithsonian Institution

Start Date: 2024-08-22

End Date: 2026-10-28

Contract Duration: 797 days

Daily Burn Rate: $29.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: NZP-DC RENEW CHEETAH CONSERVATION STATION AFRICA TRAIL (CCS-AT)

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20008

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Smithsonian Institution obligated $23.6 million to WHITING-TURNER CONTRACTING COMPANY, THE for work described as: NZP-DC RENEW CHEETAH CONSERVATION STATION AFRICA TRAIL (CCS-AT) Key points: 1. Contract value of $23.6 million represents a significant investment in specialized conservation infrastructure. 2. The award to Whiting-Turner Contracting Company suggests a focus on established players with demonstrated construction capabilities. 3. A definitive contract type indicates a clear scope and pricing structure for the project. 4. The project's duration of approximately 797 days points to a substantial construction timeline. 5. Fixed-price contract terms aim to provide cost certainty for the Smithsonian Institution. 6. The project is located in the District of Columbia, impacting local construction workforce and resources.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $23.6 million for the Cheetah Conservation Station appears reasonable given the scope of commercial and institutional building construction. Benchmarking against similar specialized facility projects would provide further context, but the fixed-price nature suggests an effort to control costs. The award to a single, established contractor implies a competitive process that resulted in a price deemed acceptable by the agency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders were likely considered. The presence of four bidders suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this specialized construction project. This broad competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensures the government receives offers from a wide range of qualified contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically leads to more competitive pricing, potentially saving taxpayer dollars by ensuring the Smithsonian Institution secures the best value for its investment in the conservation station.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the cheetahs and other wildlife that will be housed and studied at the new conservation station. The project will deliver a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to cheetah conservation research and public education. The geographic impact is concentrated in the District of Columbia, potentially creating local jobs and economic activity. The construction phase will likely involve a significant number of skilled tradespeople and construction workers.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for construction delays impacting the operational readiness of the conservation facility.
Cost overruns, although mitigated by fixed-price terms, remain a risk in large construction projects.
Ensuring the specialized needs of cheetah habitats are met within the construction design and execution.

Positive Signals

Award to a contractor with a strong track record in commercial and institutional building construction.
Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty and limits financial risk for the agency.
Full and open competition suggests a robust bidding process and competitive pricing.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a vital part of the broader construction industry. The market for specialized facilities, such as conservation centers, often involves unique design and construction requirements. The Smithsonian Institution, as a major federal entity, frequently engages in construction projects to maintain and expand its facilities, representing significant but specialized spending within this sector.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the awardee, The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, is a large firm. There is no explicit indication of small business subcontracting requirements in the provided data, which could limit opportunities for smaller firms to participate in this project. Further review of the contract details would be needed to assess subcontracting plans and their impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

The Smithsonian Institution is responsible for the oversight of this contract. As a federal agency, it is subject to various oversight mechanisms, including internal audits and reviews. The Inspector General for the Smithsonian Institution would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this construction project. Transparency is generally maintained through public contract databases and reporting requirements.

Related Government Programs

Smithsonian Institution Facilities Management
Federal Building Construction Projects
Conservation and Wildlife Programs
Animal Habitat Construction

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep during construction.
Ensuring compliance with specialized environmental and animal welfare standards.
Coordination challenges between design and construction teams for unique facility requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Smithsonian Institution awarded $23.6 million to WHITING-TURNER CONTRACTING COMPANY, THE. NZP-DC RENEW CHEETAH CONSERVATION STATION AFRICA TRAIL (CCS-AT)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WHITING-TURNER CONTRACTING COMPANY, THE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Smithsonian Institution (Smithsonian Institution).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $23.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-08-22. End: 2026-10-28.

What is the track record of The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company with the Smithsonian Institution and similar federal agencies?

The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company has a substantial history of working with federal agencies, including the Smithsonian Institution, on various construction projects. Their portfolio often includes large-scale institutional, commercial, and research facilities. A review of federal procurement data would reveal the number and value of previous contracts awarded to Whiting-Turner by the Smithsonian and other agencies like the General Services Administration (GSA) or the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This historical data can indicate their performance, reliability, and experience with government contracting regulations and requirements. Their consistent selection for significant projects suggests a positive track record, though specific performance metrics for past contracts would offer a more detailed assessment.

How does the per-square-foot construction cost of this Cheetah Conservation Station compare to similar specialized facilities?

Without specific square footage data for the Cheetah Conservation Station, a direct per-square-foot cost comparison is challenging. However, the total contract value of $23.6 million for a specialized conservation facility suggests a significant investment. Projects involving animal habitats, specialized environmental controls, and research areas typically command higher per-square-foot costs than standard commercial buildings due to the complexity of design and construction. To benchmark effectively, one would need to identify comparable projects (e.g., zoological exhibits, research labs with animal facilities) awarded recently by other federal agencies or major non-profits. Analyzing the cost breakdown within the contract, if available, could also reveal specific cost drivers related to materials, labor, and specialized equipment, allowing for a more nuanced comparison against market rates for similar construction endeavors.

What are the primary risks associated with the construction of a specialized conservation facility like this, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks in constructing a specialized conservation facility include design complexities to meet specific animal welfare and research needs, potential environmental impacts during construction, and the integration of specialized life support or containment systems. Schedule delays are also a common risk in large construction projects. The Smithsonian Institution mitigates these risks through the selection of experienced contractors like Whiting-Turner, the use of a fixed-price contract to control costs, and likely through rigorous project management and oversight. The full and open competition process also helps ensure that qualified bidders with proven experience in similar projects are selected, reducing the risk of poor execution. Detailed site assessments and environmental reviews prior to construction would further address potential environmental concerns.

What is the historical spending pattern of the Smithsonian Institution on construction and facility development?

The Smithsonian Institution historically allocates substantial funds towards the construction, renovation, and maintenance of its numerous museums, research facilities, and animal care centers. Annual spending can fluctuate significantly based on major capital projects, but typically runs into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars over multi-year periods. This spending supports its mission of education, research, and conservation. The Cheetah Conservation Station project represents a specific instance of this ongoing investment in infrastructure. Analyzing past Smithsonian budgets and contract awards for similar capital improvements would reveal trends in their spending priorities, the types of construction projects undertaken, and the average contract values, providing context for the current $23.6 million award.

How does the competition level (4 bidders) for this contract potentially influence the final price and quality of the construction?

Having four bidders for this construction contract indicates a moderate to good level of competition. With more bidders, there is generally increased pressure on each company to offer competitive pricing and demonstrate superior qualifications to win the contract. This can lead to a lower final price for the government and potentially higher quality work as contractors vie for the award. A limited number of bidders, such as one or two, might suggest less competitive pricing and potentially fewer options for the agency. The fact that four firms submitted bids suggests that the project was attractive enough to draw multiple qualified companies, which is a positive sign for the Smithsonian Institution in securing a fair price and a competent contractor for the Cheetah Conservation Station.

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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 33330224RF0010014

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 300 E JOPPA RD, TOWSON, 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: $23,624,715

Exercised Options: $23,624,715

Current Obligation: $23,624,715

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline