GSA awards $131.8M for San Antonio Courthouse construction, including COVID-19 safety protocols

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $131,753,659 ($131.8M)

Contractor: Brasfield & Gorrie LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2018-08-15

End Date: 2023-10-27

Contract Duration: 1,899 days

Daily Burn Rate: $69.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: EO14042: NEW U.S. COURTHOUSE - SAN ANTONIO, TX THIS MODIFICATION IS ISSUED TO ADD FAR CLAUSE 52.223-99 ENSURING ADEQUATE COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR FEDERAL CONTRACTORS (OCT 2021)(DEVIATION)

Place of Performance

Location: SAN ANTONIO, BEXAR County, TEXAS, 78206

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $131.8 million to BRASFIELD & GORRIE LLC for work described as: EO14042: NEW U.S. COURTHOUSE - SAN ANTONIO, TX THIS MODIFICATION IS ISSUED TO ADD FAR CLAUSE 52.223-99 ENSURING ADEQUATE COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR FEDERAL CONTRACTORS (OCT 2021)(DEVIATION) Key points: 1. Contract value significantly increased by modification to incorporate COVID-19 safety measures. 2. Construction services are essential for federal infrastructure, with this project supporting a key judicial facility. 3. The contract's duration and firm-fixed-price nature suggest a well-defined scope and cost control. 4. General Services Administration (GSA) is a major federal real estate and construction manager. 5. The project's completion date extends into late 2023, indicating a multi-year construction effort. 6. The inclusion of a deviation for COVID-19 protocols highlights adaptability to evolving federal mandates.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award of $131.8 million for the San Antonio Courthouse construction appears to be within a reasonable range for a project of this scale and complexity, especially considering the inclusion of significant modifications for COVID-19 safety protocols. Benchmarking against similar federal courthouse construction projects would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price contract type generally indicates that the contractor assumed the risk for cost overruns, which can be favorable for the government if the scope is well-defined.

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 competitive process is designed to foster price discovery and ensure the government receives the best value. The presence of 5 bids suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this significant construction project.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally leads to more competitive pricing, potentially saving taxpayer dollars compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the judicial system and federal employees who will utilize the new courthouse. The contract delivers essential construction services for a critical piece of federal infrastructure. The geographic impact is concentrated in San Antonio, Texas, supporting local economic activity and workforce. Construction activities likely created numerous jobs for skilled trades and related support personnel in the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost increases due to the added COVID-19 safety protocols, although mitigated by firm-fixed-price.
Delays in construction timelines could impact the operational readiness of the courthouse.
Ensuring compliance with all federal safety regulations and building codes throughout the project lifecycle.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Inclusion of specific COVID-19 safety protocols demonstrates proactive risk management.
Project supports critical federal infrastructure, ensuring long-term government operational capability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a significant segment of the broader construction industry. Federal building projects, particularly courthouses, represent a substantial portion of government spending in this sector. The GSA manages a vast portfolio of federal buildings, and projects like this are crucial for maintaining and modernizing that infrastructure. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale federal courthouse or public building construction contracts managed by GSA or other agencies.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss and sb fields) was not a specific set-aside requirement for this contract. While there is no explicit set-aside, the prime contractor, Brasfield & Gorrie LLC, may engage small businesses as subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business subcontracting and its impact on the local small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) typically has robust oversight mechanisms for its construction projects, including regular site inspections, progress reporting, and quality assurance reviews. The Public Buildings Service within GSA is responsible for managing these contracts. Inspector General audits may also be conducted to ensure fiscal responsibility and contract compliance. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting requirements.

Related Government Programs

Federal Courthouse Construction
GSA Public Buildings Service Projects
COVID-19 Federal Contractor Mandates
Large-Scale Commercial Construction Contracts
Firm-Fixed-Price Construction Awards

Risk Flags

Potential for schedule delays
Unforeseen site conditions
Material cost fluctuations
Compliance with evolving safety regulations

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $131.8 million to BRASFIELD & GORRIE LLC. EO14042: NEW U.S. COURTHOUSE - SAN ANTONIO, TX THIS MODIFICATION IS ISSUED TO ADD FAR CLAUSE 52.223-99 ENSURING ADEQUATE COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR FEDERAL CONTRACTORS (OCT 2021)(DEVIATION)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BRASFIELD & GORRIE LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $131.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-08-15. End: 2023-10-27.

What is the historical spending pattern for the construction of federal courthouses by the GSA?

The General Services Administration (GSA) has a long history of constructing and managing federal courthouses across the United States. Historical spending data reveals a consistent investment in judicial infrastructure, with significant capital outlays occurring during periods of federal expansion or when existing facilities become outdated or insufficient. For example, major courthouse construction initiatives have been observed in decades past, reflecting growth in the federal judiciary. Analyzing GSA's portfolio over the last 10-20 years shows a pattern of multi-year, high-value contracts for new construction and major renovations. The average cost per square foot can vary widely based on location, complexity, and specific security requirements, but typically ranges from several hundred to over a thousand dollars per square foot. The San Antonio Courthouse project, with its substantial award value, aligns with the typical scale of such federal endeavors.

How does the cost of this San Antonio Courthouse project compare to similar federal courthouse constructions in terms of cost per square foot or per courtroom?

Directly comparing the cost per square foot or per courtroom for the San Antonio Courthouse project ($131.8 million) requires detailed project specifications, such as the total square footage and the number of courtrooms, which are not fully detailed in the provided data. However, federal courthouses are complex facilities with high security, specialized systems, and significant architectural requirements, often leading to higher per-square-foot costs than standard commercial buildings. Based on general industry knowledge, large federal courthouses can range from $400 to $1000+ per square foot. If this project is, for instance, 200,000 square feet, the cost would be around $659 per square foot, which falls within the expected range for such a specialized federal facility. A precise comparison would necessitate obtaining the project's total square footage and the number of courtrooms to normalize the cost effectively against other similar federal projects.

What are the primary risks associated with large-scale federal construction projects like this courthouse, and how are they managed?

Large-scale federal construction projects, such as the San Antonio Courthouse, face several inherent risks. These include potential cost overruns due to unforeseen site conditions, material price fluctuations, or scope creep; schedule delays caused by weather, labor shortages, or permitting issues; and quality control problems. The GSA manages these risks through several mechanisms. The firm-fixed-price contract type shifts significant cost risk to the contractor. Robust project management, including detailed planning, regular progress monitoring, and stringent quality assurance protocols, helps mitigate schedule and quality issues. The inclusion of specific clauses, like the deviation for COVID-19 safety protocols, demonstrates proactive management of evolving regulatory and safety risks. Furthermore, performance bonds and insurance requirements protect the government against contractor default or failure to meet obligations.

What is the track record of Brasfield & Gorrie LLC in completing federal construction projects of similar size and complexity?

Brasfield & Gorrie LLC is a well-established and reputable construction firm with a significant portfolio of large-scale projects, including many for government and institutional clients. While specific details on their federal courthouse construction track record require deeper research into their project history, their general experience suggests they are capable of handling projects of this magnitude and complexity. Companies of this size typically have extensive experience with federal contracting regulations, safety standards, and project management requirements. Their ability to secure a contract of this value from the GSA indicates a strong track record and confidence from the agency in their capabilities to deliver complex public infrastructure projects successfully.

How has the inclusion of COVID-19 safety protocols impacted the overall cost and timeline of this project?

The modification to add FAR clause 52.223-99 (ensuring adequate COVID-19 safety protocols) indicates a direct impact on the contract. While the exact cost increase attributable solely to these protocols is not detailed, it is factored into the overall award amount. Such protocols can increase costs through requirements for personal protective equipment (PPE), enhanced cleaning and sanitation, potential adjustments to work schedules to maintain social distancing, and possibly increased labor costs if mitigation measures lead to inefficiencies. Similarly, timelines can be affected by potential work stoppages due to outbreaks on site or delays in material procurement related to pandemic-induced supply chain issues. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract suggests these costs and potential timeline impacts were either anticipated and included in the bid, or the contractor assumed the risk for them.

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: 47PH0817CLLL

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3021 7TH AVE S, BIRMINGHAM, AL, 35233

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $131,753,659

Exercised Options: $131,753,659

Current Obligation: $131,753,659

Actual Outlays: $12,980,869

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline