GSA Awards $29.6M for Lewis F. Powell Building Exterior Envelope Project to Whiting-Turner

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,598,081 ($29.6M)

Contractor: Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, the

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2023-03-20

End Date: 2025-06-03

Contract Duration: 806 days

Daily Burn Rate: $36.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: BASE CONSTRUCTION AWARD FOR LEWIS F. POWELL EXTERIOR ENVELOPE PROJECT IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA.

Place of Performance

Location: TOWSON, BALTIMORE County, MARYLAND, 21286

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $29.6 million to WHITING-TURNER CONTRACTING COMPANY, THE for work described as: BASE CONSTRUCTION AWARD FOR LEWIS F. POWELL EXTERIOR ENVELOPE PROJECT IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA. Key points: 1. The award represents a significant investment in federal building infrastructure. 2. Whiting-Turner Contracting Company secured the contract through full and open competition. 3. The project addresses critical exterior envelope needs for a key federal facility. 4. The firm fixed price contract type aims to control costs for this construction project.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award amount of $29.6 million for a building envelope project appears reasonable given the scale and complexity of federal building renovations. Benchmarking against similar large-scale federal construction projects would provide further context.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust process for selecting the best value contractor. This method typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider pool of qualified bidders.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive bidding process is expected to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for this essential building repair.

Public Impact

Enhances the longevity and functionality of a significant federal building. Supports local jobs and economic activity in Richmond, Virginia. Ensures the security and operational continuity of federal services housed within the building.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen structural issues arise during construction.
Schedule delays due to weather or supply chain disruptions.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty.
Awarded through full and open competition, indicating competitive pricing.
Project addresses critical infrastructure needs, ensuring long-term asset value.

Sector Analysis

This project falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a vital area for maintaining federal facilities. Spending benchmarks for similar envelope repair projects on large government buildings can vary widely based on size, materials, and specific repair needs.

Small Business Impact

While the prime contractor is Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, the extent of small business participation in subcontracting opportunities is not detailed in this award notice. Further analysis would be needed to assess small business inclusion.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) oversees the management and maintenance of federal buildings. Oversight mechanisms for this project would include regular site inspections, progress reports, and adherence to contract specifications to ensure quality and timely completion.

Related Government Programs

Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
General Services Administration Contracting
Public Buildings Service Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for unforeseen conditions impacting cost and schedule.
Reliance on a single prime contractor for overall project execution.
Schedule risk due to weather dependency for exterior work.
Need for detailed monitoring of subcontractor performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $29.6 million to WHITING-TURNER CONTRACTING COMPANY, THE. BASE CONSTRUCTION AWARD FOR LEWIS F. POWELL EXTERIOR ENVELOPE PROJECT IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA.

Who is the contractor on this award?

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

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Public Buildings Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $29.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-03-20. End: 2025-06-03.

What is the estimated cost per square foot for this exterior envelope project, and how does it compare to industry benchmarks for similar federal buildings?

Without the total square footage of the Lewis F. Powell Building, calculating a precise cost per square foot is not possible from the provided data. However, typical federal building envelope projects can range from $100 to $500+ per square foot depending on the scope of work, materials used, and specific structural challenges. A detailed cost breakdown would be necessary for a robust comparison.

What specific components of the exterior envelope are being addressed, and what are the primary risks associated with these repairs?

The award focuses on the 'exterior envelope,' which generally includes the roof, walls, windows, and foundations. Primary risks often involve discovering unforeseen structural damage, hazardous materials (like asbestos or lead paint), or issues with existing systems during demolition and repair. The firm fixed price contract aims to mitigate financial risk, but schedule risks related to discovery remain.

How will the success and effectiveness of this exterior envelope project be measured post-completion?

Effectiveness will likely be measured by the reduction in water infiltration, improved energy efficiency (e.g., reduced HVAC load), enhanced building aesthetics, and extended structural integrity. Performance metrics could include post-completion inspections, energy audits, and monitoring of maintenance requests related to the envelope over a specified warranty period.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR NONBUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 47PD0222R0050

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 300 E JOPPA RD, BALTIMORE, 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: $29,598,081

Exercised Options: $29,598,081

Current Obligation: $29,598,081

Actual Outlays: $47,549

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47PH0821D0011

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline