National Water Center construction contract awarded to Triune-Beck Joint Venture for over $20.3M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,319,953 ($20.3M)

Contractor: Triune-Beck Joint Venture V

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2011-09-20

End Date: 2014-02-14

Contract Duration: 878 days

Daily Burn Rate: $23.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: DESIGN BUILD CONSTRUCTION FOR THE NATIONAL WATER CENTER, TUSCALOOA, AL.

Place of Performance

Location: TUSCALOOSA, TUSCALOOSA County, ALABAMA, 35401

State: Alabama Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $20.3 million to TRIUNE-BECK JOINT VENTURE V for work described as: DESIGN BUILD CONSTRUCTION FOR THE NATIONAL WATER CENTER, TUSCALOOA, AL. Key points: 1. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 3. The project duration of 878 days indicates a significant construction undertaking. 4. The contract falls under the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction NAICS code. 5. The award was made by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 6. The project is located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $20.3 million for a design-build construction project of this nature requires benchmarking against similar federal or large-scale commercial building projects. Without specific details on the scope of work, square footage, and complexity of the National Water Center, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract provides some cost certainty. The award amount relative to the estimated value (if available) and the number of bids received would offer further insight into its competitiveness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which typically means that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 9 bidders (as indicated by 'no': 9) suggests a healthy level of competition for this project. A higher number of bidders generally leads to more competitive pricing and a greater likelihood of the government securing the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition indicates that taxpayer dollars were likely used efficiently, as multiple firms vied to offer the most attractive bid, potentially driving down costs.

Public Impact

The National Water Center, a critical facility for NOAA, will benefit from this construction. The project delivers essential infrastructure for water resource management and research. The geographic impact is focused on Tuscaloosa, Alabama, potentially creating local jobs. The construction activities will likely involve a skilled workforce in the building trades.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if the fixed-price contract does not adequately account for all project complexities.
Delays in construction could impact the operational readiness of the National Water Center.
Ensuring the quality of construction meets NOAA's standards is crucial for the facility's long-term functionality.

Positive Signals

The use of a design-build approach can streamline the construction process and potentially reduce overall project timelines.
Full and open competition with multiple bidders suggests a competitive pricing environment.
The firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a significant segment of the broader construction industry. Federal spending in this area supports the development and maintenance of government facilities, research centers, and administrative buildings. Benchmarking this contract's value would involve comparing it to other large-scale institutional construction projects, considering factors like project complexity, size, and location.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific small business set-asides for this contract. As a large design-build project, it is possible that the prime contractor may engage small businesses as subcontractors. However, without explicit subcontracting plans or goals, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is not detailed in this award information.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) contracting officers and project managers. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract shifts some risk to the contractor, but government oversight is still necessary to ensure adherence to the contract terms, quality standards, and schedule. The Inspector General for the Department of Commerce may also have jurisdiction for audits and investigations.

Related Government Programs

NOAA Facilities Construction
Federal Building and Infrastructure Projects
Design-Build Contracts
Commercial Building Construction

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep if not managed tightly within the fixed-price structure.
Risk associated with the duration of the project (878 days) and potential for unforeseen delays.
Dependence on the quality and completeness of the initial design phase.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $20.3 million to TRIUNE-BECK JOINT VENTURE V. DESIGN BUILD CONSTRUCTION FOR THE NATIONAL WATER CENTER, TUSCALOOA, AL.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TRIUNE-BECK JOINT VENTURE V.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $20.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-09-20. End: 2014-02-14.

What was the original estimated cost for the National Water Center construction project, and how does the awarded amount compare?

The provided data does not include the original estimated cost for the National Water Center construction project. Therefore, a direct comparison between the estimated cost and the awarded amount of $20,319,952.99 cannot be made. To assess the value, one would need to obtain the original solicitation documents or pre-award cost estimates. A significant difference between the estimate and the award could indicate issues with the initial budgeting or the competitiveness of the bidding process. Without this information, it's difficult to determine if the government secured a favorable price relative to expectations.

What specific capabilities or unique qualifications did Triune-Beck Joint Venture possess that led to this award?

The provided data does not detail the specific capabilities or unique qualifications of Triune-Beck Joint Venture that led to this award. In a full and open competition, the award is typically made to the responsible offeror whose proposal, conforming to the solicitation, is most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. For a design-build construction project, these factors often include technical approach, past performance, management capability, and price. To understand why Triune-Beck was selected, one would need to review the source selection decision document or award justification, which would outline the evaluation criteria and how the joint venture's proposal met or exceeded them compared to other bidders.

How does the cost per square foot of this project compare to similar federal institutional building constructions?

The provided data does not include the square footage of the National Water Center, making it impossible to calculate a cost per square foot for this project. To perform such a comparison, the total awarded amount ($20,319,952.99) would need to be divided by the building's total square footage. Subsequently, this figure would be benchmarked against the cost per square foot of comparable federal institutional buildings completed around the same time, considering regional construction cost variations and project complexity. Without the square footage, a meaningful cost-per-square-foot analysis and comparison is not feasible.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this construction contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this construction contract. However, for a federal construction project of this nature, typical KPIs would likely include adherence to the project schedule (completion by the estimated end date of February 14, 2014), quality of construction meeting specified standards and building codes, adherence to the firm fixed-price budget, safety performance on-site, and successful completion of all design and construction deliverables outlined in the contract. The contracting officer's final determination of acceptance and close-out would signify the formal completion and success of the project.

What is the historical spending trend for similar building construction contracts awarded by NOAA?

The provided data focuses on a single contract and does not offer historical spending trends for similar building construction contracts awarded by NOAA. To analyze historical spending, one would need access to a broader dataset of NOAA's procurement history, specifically for construction projects within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (NAICS 236220) category. This would involve examining contract values, award dates, and contract types over several fiscal years to identify patterns, average project costs, and fluctuations in spending within this sector for NOAA.

Were there any significant challenges or disputes encountered during the performance of this contract?

The provided data does not contain information regarding challenges or disputes encountered during the performance of this contract. Contract performance data, including any change orders, claims, or litigation, is typically found in contract management systems or agency records beyond the basic award details. Without access to these more detailed records, it is not possible to determine if Triune-Beck Joint Venture faced or resolved any significant issues during the 878-day performance period of the National Water Center construction.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 11615 FOREST CENTRAL DR STE 202, DALLAS, TX, 75243

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Emerging Small Business, Minority Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $20,319,953

Exercised Options: $20,319,953

Current Obligation: $20,319,953

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline