Smithsonian Institution awards $2.25M contract for roof replacement, highlighting construction sector activity

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,251,641 ($2.3M)

Contractor: Associated Builders, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Smithsonian Institution

Start Date: 2024-11-06

End Date: 2025-08-29

Contract Duration: 296 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: MSC: REPLACE POD 5 ROOF.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20002

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Smithsonian Institution obligated $2.3 million to ASSOCIATED BUILDERS, INC. for work described as: MSC: REPLACE POD 5 ROOF. Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for a commercial building roof replacement project of this scale. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for construction services. 3. Project duration of 296 days indicates a significant scope of work. 4. Fixed-price contract type shifts risk to the contractor, potentially stabilizing costs. 5. The project falls within the broader category of commercial building construction, a vital sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.25 million for roof replacement at the Smithsonian Institution seems aligned with typical costs for commercial building construction projects of this size. Benchmarking against similar projects for institutional buildings, especially those requiring specialized materials or historical preservation considerations, would provide a more precise value assessment. However, without specific details on the building's size, roof complexity, or material specifications, a definitive value-for-money judgment is challenging. The fixed-price nature of the contract suggests an effort to control costs.

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 had the opportunity to submit proposals. This approach generally fosters a competitive environment, encouraging contractors to offer competitive pricing and quality services to win the bid. The presence of four bidders, as indicated by the data, suggests a reasonable level of competition for this type of construction work.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically leads to lower prices and better value by leveraging market forces to drive down costs.

Public Impact

The Smithsonian Institution will benefit from a renewed and protected roof, preserving its facilities and collections. The project delivers essential building maintenance and repair services, ensuring the longevity of a significant public asset. The geographic impact is localized to Washington D.C., specifically the site of the facility requiring roof replacement. The project will likely involve skilled construction labor, contributing to employment within the local building trades.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for unforeseen site conditions or material availability issues impacting the schedule or cost, despite fixed-price contract.
Ensuring adherence to historical preservation standards if applicable to the building's architecture.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a robust bidding process and potential for competitive pricing.
The project addresses a critical infrastructure need for the Smithsonian Institution.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the commercial and institutional building construction sector, a significant segment of the broader construction industry. This sector encompasses the building, renovation, and repair of non-residential structures such as museums, government buildings, and educational facilities. Spending in this area is often driven by the need for infrastructure maintenance, upgrades, and the expansion of public facilities. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be assessed based on square footage, complexity of the structure, and specific repair requirements.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is not detailed. However, the prime contractor, Associated Builders, Inc., may engage small businesses as subcontractors, depending on their own procurement practices and the nature of the work required for the roof replacement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Smithsonian Institution's contracting officers and project managers. They are responsible for monitoring performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and approving payments. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases and public reporting mechanisms. The Inspector General for the Smithsonian Institution would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building and Facilities Maintenance
Historic Preservation Projects
Government Building Construction
Infrastructure Repair and Modernization

Risk Flags

Potential for schedule delays due to weather or unforeseen site conditions.
Risk of cost increases if hidden structural issues are discovered, despite fixed-price contract.
Ensuring compliance with any specific historical or architectural preservation requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Smithsonian Institution awarded $2.3 million to ASSOCIATED BUILDERS, INC.. MSC: REPLACE POD 5 ROOF.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ASSOCIATED BUILDERS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Smithsonian Institution (Smithsonian Institution).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-11-06. End: 2025-08-29.

What is the track record of Associated Builders, Inc. with the Smithsonian Institution and similar federal agencies?

A review of Associated Builders, Inc.'s contract history with the Smithsonian Institution and other federal agencies would be necessary to assess their track record. This would involve examining past performance evaluations, any history of contract disputes or terminations, and the types and values of previous contracts awarded. A strong history of successful project completion, adherence to schedules and budgets, and positive performance reviews would indicate a reliable contractor. Conversely, a history of issues could raise concerns about their capacity to deliver on this current roof replacement project effectively and on time.

How does the $2.25 million cost compare to similar roof replacement projects for institutional buildings of comparable size and complexity?

Benchmarking this $2.25 million contract against similar roof replacement projects for institutional buildings requires access to a broader dataset of construction costs. Factors such as the building's square footage, the type of roofing materials specified (e.g., asphalt shingles, metal, membrane), the complexity of the roof structure (e.g., flat, sloped, multiple levels), and any specific requirements like historical preservation or energy efficiency upgrades significantly influence cost. Without these details, a precise comparison is difficult. However, for a large institutional building, this figure could represent a fair market price if the scope is extensive, or it could be on the higher end if the project is relatively straightforward.

What are the primary risks associated with this roof replacement project, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risks associated with this roof replacement project include potential weather delays impacting the construction schedule, unforeseen structural issues discovered during demolition that could increase costs, and the availability of specialized materials or skilled labor. The fixed-price contract structure mitigates cost overrun risks for the government by placing that burden on the contractor. However, the contractor's ability to manage these risks effectively depends on their project management expertise and contingency planning. The Smithsonian Institution's oversight will be crucial in monitoring progress and addressing any emergent issues promptly to ensure successful project completion.

What is the expected impact of this contract on the Smithsonian Institution's operational continuity and facility preservation?

This contract is critical for ensuring the operational continuity and long-term preservation of the Smithsonian Institution's facilities. A failing roof can lead to water damage, compromising valuable collections, exhibits, and sensitive equipment, as well as impacting building usability and safety. By replacing the roof, the institution mitigates these risks, protecting its assets and ensuring that its public spaces remain functional and secure. The project's timely completion, as outlined by the contract end date, is essential to prevent further deterioration and maintain the integrity of the building envelope.

How does current spending on commercial and institutional building construction by the Smithsonian Institution compare to historical patterns?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for commercial and institutional building construction by the Smithsonian Institution would provide context for this $2.25 million contract. This would involve examining annual or multi-year budgets allocated to facilities maintenance, repair, and construction. Comparing this award to the average annual expenditure in this category, as well as the number and size of similar projects undertaken in previous years, would reveal whether this contract represents a typical investment, an increase, or a decrease in spending. Such analysis helps in understanding the institution's long-term infrastructure investment strategy and resource allocation.

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: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4903 BALTIMORE AVE, HYATTSVILLE, MD, 20781

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,251,641

Exercised Options: $2,251,641

Current Obligation: $2,251,641

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: F16CC10364

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline