Smithsonian Institution Awards $11M for Central Hall Construction to Associated Builders, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,020,399 ($11.0M)

Contractor: Associated Builders, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Smithsonian Institution

Start Date: 2005-10-26

End Date: 2014-04-19

Contract Duration: 3,097 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: CENTRAL HALL, BID SET II

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20560

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Smithsonian Institution obligated $11.0 million to ASSOCIATED BUILDERS, INC. for work described as: CENTRAL HALL, BID SET II Key points: 1. The contract value is $11.02 million. 2. Associated Builders, Inc. secured the award. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 4. The project falls under Commercial and Institutional Building Construction. 5. The contract duration is 3097 days.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $11.02 million for a 3097-day duration suggests a moderate per-day cost. Without specific project scope details, direct comparison to similar contracts is difficult, but the long duration may indicate a complex or phased project.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The competition method was 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES'. This suggests that while the competition was intended to be open, certain sources were excluded, potentially limiting the competitive landscape and impacting price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition, even with exclusions, aims to achieve fair pricing. However, the exclusion of sources could lead to a less competitive environment, potentially resulting in higher costs for taxpayers than a truly unrestricted competition.

Public Impact

Construction of the Central Hall will likely enhance public access and experience at the Smithsonian Institution. The project's long duration suggests a significant undertaking that could impact visitor flow or access to certain areas during construction. Associated Builders, Inc. will be responsible for delivering the construction services, impacting local employment and the construction sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition due to source exclusion.
Long contract duration (3097 days) may indicate potential for cost overruns or scope creep.
No specific small business participation noted.

Positive Signals

Awarded under a form of open competition.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty.
Project located in the District of Columbia, potentially benefiting local economy.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector. Spending in this sector can vary significantly based on project size, complexity, and location. The $11 million value for a long-duration project is substantial but not unusual for major institutional construction.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a noted factor in this award (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the prime contractor, Associated Builders, Inc., may not be a small business, and there was no explicit requirement or achievement of small business subcontracting goals in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Smithsonian Institution, a federal agency with established oversight mechanisms. The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method implies a structured procurement process, but the specifics of the exclusion and subsequent oversight are not detailed here.

Related Government Programs

Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
Smithsonian Institution Contracting
Smithsonian Institution Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for reduced competition due to source exclusion.
Long contract duration increases risk of cost escalation and delays.
Lack of noted small business participation.
Unclear justification for source exclusion.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Smithsonian Institution awarded $11.0 million to ASSOCIATED BUILDERS, INC.. CENTRAL HALL, BID SET II

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ASSOCIATED BUILDERS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Smithsonian Institution (Smithsonian Institution).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $11.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-10-26. End: 2014-04-19.

What was the rationale for excluding specific sources in the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' procurement method, and did this exclusion impact the final price?

The rationale for excluding sources typically relates to specific technical requirements, past performance issues, or security concerns. Without further documentation, it's impossible to definitively state the reasons for exclusion in this case. However, limiting the pool of potential bidders can reduce competition, potentially leading to a higher price than if all qualified sources were allowed to compete.

Given the 3097-day duration, what are the primary risks associated with cost escalation and project delays for this Central Hall construction contract?

The primary risks for a project spanning over 8 years include significant material cost escalation, labor market fluctuations, and potential changes in regulatory requirements. Delays can arise from unforeseen site conditions, weather impacts, or contractor performance issues. While a firm fixed price contract offers some protection, the long duration increases the likelihood of encountering events that could necessitate change orders or claims, impacting the overall cost and schedule.

How effectively does the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method balance the need for specialized expertise with achieving optimal value for taxpayer dollars in large constructio

This method attempts to balance specialized needs by allowing broad competition while filtering out non-suitable bidders. It can be effective if exclusions are well-justified and narrowly defined. However, it risks reducing competition and potentially increasing costs if exclusions are overly broad or arbitrary. Optimal value is best achieved when the exclusions are minimal and clearly tied to essential project requirements, ensuring a robust competitive field remains.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4903 BALTIMORE AVE., HYATTSVILLE, MD, 04

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,020,399

Exercised Options: $11,020,399

Current Obligation: $11,020,399

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: F0436CC10248

IDV Type: BOA

Timeline