GSA Awards $21.6M for Federal Building Construction in Ohio to Messer Construction Co

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,591,784 ($21.6M)

Contractor: Messer Construction CO

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2024-05-03

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 727 days

Daily Burn Rate: $29.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE ALL LABOR AND MATERIALS TO BUILDOUT SPACE FOR THE U.S. BANKRUPTCY COURT AND THE U.S. MARSHAL SERVICE AT THE JOHN W. BRICKER FEDERAL BUILDING IN COLUMBUS, OH.

Place of Performance

Location: COLUMBUS, FRANKLIN County, OHIO, 43215

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $21.6 million to MESSER CONSTRUCTION CO for work described as: CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE ALL LABOR AND MATERIALS TO BUILDOUT SPACE FOR THE U.S. BANKRUPTCY COURT AND THE U.S. MARSHAL SERVICE AT THE JOHN W. BRICKER FEDERAL BUILDING IN COLUMBUS, OH. Key points: 1. Construction project for U.S. Bankruptcy Court and U.S. Marshal Service. 2. Significant investment in federal infrastructure in Columbus, Ohio. 3. Potential for cost overruns in fixed-price construction contracts. 4. Sector: Construction, specifically commercial and institutional building.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $21.6 million for a build-out project appears within a reasonable range for commercial construction of this scale. However, without specific details on the scope of work and location, a precise comparison is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process that should have driven a fair price. The firm fixed-price structure aims to control costs, but unforeseen issues can still arise.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers are funding the construction of essential federal facilities. The competitive award process aims to ensure value for money, but the final cost depends on efficient project execution.

Public Impact

Enhances operational capacity for critical federal judicial and law enforcement agencies. Supports local economy through construction jobs and material procurement in Ohio. Modernizes federal workspace, potentially improving efficiency and security.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep impacting fixed-price contract.
Unforeseen site conditions could increase costs.
Contractor performance risk during a multi-year project.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Addresses critical needs for judicial and law enforcement.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the commercial and institutional building construction sector. Spending in this sector can vary significantly based on infrastructure needs, economic conditions, and government priorities. Benchmarks would typically be based on cost per square foot for similar build-outs.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Messer Construction Co., a large business. There is no indication of specific set-asides or subcontracting goals for small businesses in the provided data, which could be an area for further review.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) is responsible for managing federal real estate. Oversight would involve monitoring project progress, adherence to budget, and quality of work to ensure accountability and taxpayer value.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns despite fixed-price contract.
Dependence on contractor's ability to manage complex build-out.
Risk of unforeseen site conditions impacting schedule and budget.
Limited visibility into small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $21.6 million to MESSER CONSTRUCTION CO. CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE ALL LABOR AND MATERIALS TO BUILDOUT SPACE FOR THE U.S. BANKRUPTCY COURT AND THE U.S. MARSHAL SERVICE AT THE JOHN W. BRICKER FEDERAL BUILDING IN COLUMBUS, OH.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MESSER CONSTRUCTION CO.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $21.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-05-03. End: 2026-04-30.

What specific square footage and scope of work are included in this build-out to justify the $21.6 million cost?

The provided data lacks specifics on the exact square footage and detailed scope of work for the build-out. A comprehensive analysis would require access to the full contract statement of work, architectural plans, and detailed cost breakdowns to assess if the $21.6 million is justified based on industry standards for similar federal facility renovations or constructions.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and risk mitigation strategies outlined in the contract to manage potential construction delays or cost overruns?

The contract details are limited, but a firm fixed-price contract inherently shifts some cost overrun risk to the contractor. Key performance indicators would likely include schedule adherence, quality control, and safety compliance. Robust risk mitigation would involve detailed project management plans, contingency planning for unforeseen issues, and clear communication protocols between GSA and Messer Construction.

How does the completed build-out align with the long-term space needs and operational efficiency goals of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and U.S. Marshal Service?

The alignment depends on the initial requirements gathering and design process. A successful build-out should provide adequate, secure, and functional space tailored to the specific operational needs of both agencies. Post-occupancy evaluations would be crucial to determine if the new space effectively supports their mission and enhances efficiency.

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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 47PF0022R0038

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 643 W COURT ST, CINCINNATI, OH, 45203

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $21,591,784

Exercised Options: $21,591,784

Current Obligation: $21,591,784

Actual Outlays: $13,217,947

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline