TRUEBECK CONSTRUCTION awarded $31.97M for NOAA TI upgrades, a definitive contract under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $31,974,442 ($32.0M)

Contractor: Truebeck Construction, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2021-05-07

End Date: 2024-01-18

Contract Duration: 986 days

Daily Burn Rate: $32.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: 911 SEISMIC - ABAAS UPGRADES & NOAA TI

Place of Performance

Location: PORTLAND, MULTNOMAH County, OREGON, 97205

State: Oregon Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $32.0 million to TRUEBECK CONSTRUCTION, INC. for work described as: 911 SEISMIC - ABAAS UPGRADES & NOAA TI Key points: 1. Contract value of $31.97M for seismic upgrades and NOAA TI indicates significant investment in critical infrastructure. 2. The use of a definitive contract suggests a well-defined scope of work and expected deliverables. 3. Full and open competition implies a broad market solicitation, potentially leading to competitive pricing. 4. The contract duration of 986 days points to a complex, multi-year project. 5. Fixed-price contract type shifts risk to the contractor, potentially stabilizing costs for the government. 6. The award to TRUEBECK CONSTRUCTION, INC. represents a significant single award within this project scope.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $31.97M for seismic upgrades and NOAA TI appears substantial, reflecting the scope of infrastructure improvements. Benchmarking against similar large-scale construction projects for federal agencies would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The fixed-price nature of the contract suggests that cost control is a priority, with the contractor bearing the brunt of any cost overruns. Without specific per-unit cost data or detailed breakdowns of the services rendered, a precise value assessment is challenging, but the competitive bidding process is a positive indicator.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that the General Services Administration (GSA) solicited bids from all responsible prospective contractors. With 3 bidders participating, the competition level suggests a reasonable degree of market interest. This process is designed to foster price discovery and ensure that the government receives competitive offers. The presence of multiple bidders generally leads to better pricing outcomes compared to sole-source or limited competition scenarios.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of securing the best possible price for the services rendered, maximizing the value of federal investment.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and its personnel, who will operate in upgraded, seismically sound facilities. The services delivered include critical seismic upgrades and technology infrastructure (TI) improvements, ensuring the continuity and reliability of NOAA's operations. The geographic impact is focused on the specific NOAA facilities undergoing renovation, likely within Oregon given the 'OR' state code. The project supports the construction and skilled trades workforce involved in executing the upgrades, contributing to local employment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in large infrastructure projects, requiring diligent oversight to manage changes effectively.
Dependency on contractor performance for timely completion and adherence to quality standards.
Risk of unforeseen site conditions during seismic retrofitting that could impact schedule and cost.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process and competitive pricing.
Fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The project addresses critical infrastructure needs for NOAA, ensuring operational resilience.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector (NAICS 236220), a significant segment of the federal contracting market. Federal spending in construction is driven by the need to maintain, upgrade, and build government facilities across various agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale renovation or new construction projects awarded by GSA or other agencies for similar types of facilities, considering factors like building size, complexity, and geographic location.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no explicit indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data. This suggests that the primary award went to a large business, and the direct impact on the small business ecosystem may be limited unless TRUEBECK CONSTRUCTION, INC. voluntarily engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities. Further investigation into subcontracting plans would be needed to assess the full impact on small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically its Public Buildings Service (PBS). Mechanisms likely include contract performance monitoring, site inspections, and regular progress reporting from the contractor. Accountability is ensured through the terms of the definitive contract, including performance standards and payment schedules. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like FPDS-NG, where contract awards are reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration (GSA) Facility Modernization Projects
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Infrastructure Investments
Federal Building and Courthouse Construction
Seismic Retrofitting of Government Buildings
Information Technology Infrastructure Upgrades

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions arise during seismic retrofitting.
Schedule delays could impact the operational readiness of NOAA facilities.
Quality control is critical to ensure seismic integrity and technology functionality.
Contractor performance risk associated with a single large award.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $32.0 million to TRUEBECK CONSTRUCTION, INC.. 911 SEISMIC - ABAAS UPGRADES & NOAA TI

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TRUEBECK CONSTRUCTION, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $32.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-05-07. End: 2024-01-18.

What is the historical spending pattern for TRUEBECK CONSTRUCTION, INC. with the federal government, particularly with the General Services Administration?

Analyzing the historical contract awards for TRUEBECK CONSTRUCTION, INC. reveals their engagement with federal agencies. A review of federal procurement data (e.g., FPDS-NG) would show the total value and number of contracts awarded to this entity over time. Specifically examining their awards from the General Services Administration (GSA) would highlight their track record with the awarding agency. This analysis should identify the types of services they have provided, the contract types used, and their performance history on past federal projects. Understanding their past performance, including any issues or successes, provides context for their current $31.97M award for NOAA TI upgrades and seismic retrofitting.

How does the per-square-foot cost of this NOAA TI upgrade project compare to similar federal building renovation projects?

To benchmark the per-square-foot cost, we would need the total square footage of the facilities being upgraded under this contract. Assuming this information were available, we could calculate the cost per square foot ($31,974,442 / Total Sq Ft). This figure would then be compared against a database of similar federal construction and renovation projects, particularly those involving seismic retrofitting and technology infrastructure upgrades. Factors such as building age, structural complexity, and the extent of technological integration would be considered. If the calculated cost per square foot is significantly higher than comparable projects, it might indicate potential issues with pricing or scope. Conversely, a cost within the expected range would suggest reasonable value for money, especially given the competitive bidding process.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this contract, and what has been the contractor's performance against them?

Key performance indicators (KPIs) for a contract of this nature typically include adherence to schedule, budget compliance (though less critical for fixed-price), quality of workmanship, safety record, and successful integration of new technology. The contract documents would outline specific metrics and milestones. Performance against these KPIs is usually tracked through regular progress reports, site inspections, and potentially third-party quality assurance reviews. As this contract is ongoing or recently completed, detailed performance data might be available through GSA's contract management systems or performance evaluation reports. Any significant deviations from planned performance, such as delays or quality issues, would be documented and could impact future contract awards.

What is the historical spending by GSA on seismic upgrades and technology infrastructure for NOAA facilities prior to this contract?

To assess historical spending, a query of federal procurement databases (like FPDS-NG) would be necessary, filtering for contracts awarded by the General Services Administration (GSA) to or on behalf of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) specifically for seismic upgrades and technology infrastructure. This would involve searching contract descriptions, NAICS codes, and keywords related to these services over a defined period (e.g., the last 5-10 years). Analyzing the number, value, and duration of previous contracts would reveal trends in GSA's investment in these areas for NOAA. Understanding this historical context helps determine if the current $31.97M award represents a significant increase, a continuation of a trend, or a new initiative.

Given the 'full and open competition' and 3 bidders, what was the range of bids received, and how does TRUEBECK's bid compare to the average?

While the provided data indicates 'full and open competition' and 3 bidders, it does not include the specific bid amounts submitted by each competitor. To determine the bid range and compare TRUEBECK's award price to the average, access to the detailed bid tabulation from the solicitation process would be required. This information is typically held by the procuring agency (GSA in this case) and may not be publicly released in full detail. However, if available, comparing TRUEBECK's winning bid to the other submitted bids would provide insight into how competitive their offer was. A significant difference between the winning bid and others could suggest aggressive pricing by TRUEBECK or potentially overlooked scope by competitors. Without this data, we can only infer competitiveness from the number of bidders.

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: TWO STEP

Solicitation ID: EQ10PCP-20-0010

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 951 MARINERS ISLAND BLVD STE 700, SAN MATEO, CA, 94404

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $31,974,442

Exercised Options: $31,974,442

Current Obligation: $31,974,442

Actual Outlays: $28,238,253

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 46

Total Subaward Amount: $26,214,233

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline