Smithsonian Awards $12.7M HVAC Renovation Contract to Associated Builders, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,713,879 ($12.7M)

Contractor: Associated Builders, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Smithsonian Institution

Start Date: 2007-09-18

End Date: 2010-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,108 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: CONTRACT AWARD FOR: TOTAL SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE HVAC RENOVATIONS FOR SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION'S NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, WEST WING BASEMENT

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20001

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Smithsonian Institution obligated $12.7 million to ASSOCIATED BUILDERS, INC. for work described as: CONTRACT AWARD FOR: TOTAL SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE HVAC RENOVATIONS FOR SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION'S NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, WEST WING BASEMENT Key points: 1. Contract awarded for HVAC renovations at the National Museum of Natural History. 2. Associated Builders, Inc. secured the $12.7 million contract. 3. The award was made under full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 4. This project falls under the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $12.7 million for HVAC renovations appears reasonable for a large institution like the Smithsonian. Benchmarking against similar projects would provide a more precise assessment of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition after excluding other sources, indicating a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and ensures fair market value.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential infrastructure upgrades at a national museum, ensuring its long-term preservation and operational efficiency.

Public Impact

Ensures climate control for valuable natural history exhibits. Modernizes aging infrastructure at a prominent national institution. Supports local economy through construction services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Contract duration significantly exceeds the award date, suggesting potential for delays or scope changes.
Exclusion of sources in a 'full and open' competition warrants further review.

Positive Signals

Awarded to a single entity, potentially streamlining project management.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

This contract is within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, which involves significant investment in public facilities. Spending benchmarks for similar renovations can vary widely based on building size and complexity.

Small Business Impact

Despite the contract being a total small business set-aside, the awardee is Associated Builders, Inc., which is not identified as a small business in the provided data. This discrepancy requires clarification.

Oversight & Accountability

The Smithsonian Institution is responsible for oversight. The contract's long duration and the 'exclusion of sources' clause necessitate diligent monitoring to ensure adherence to terms and taxpayer value.

Related Government Programs

Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
Smithsonian Institution Contracting
Smithsonian Institution Programs

Risk Flags

Contract duration significantly exceeds award date.
Potential discrepancy regarding small business set-aside status.
Rationale for 'exclusion of sources' needs clarification.
Long contract duration increases risk of cost escalation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Smithsonian Institution awarded $12.7 million to ASSOCIATED BUILDERS, INC.. CONTRACT AWARD FOR: TOTAL SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE HVAC RENOVATIONS FOR SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION'S NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, WEST WING BASEMENT

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 $12.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-09-18. End: 2010-09-30.

What was the rationale for excluding other sources in a 'full and open' competition?

The rationale for excluding other sources in a 'full and open' competition needs further investigation. Typically, 'full and open' implies maximum participation. The exclusion of sources suggests a specific justification, possibly related to unique capabilities or prior performance, which should be documented and publicly accessible to ensure transparency and accountability in the procurement process.

How does the contract's extended duration impact cost and risk?

The contract's duration of 1108 days (approximately 3 years) from the award date (2007-09-18) to the end date (2010-09-30) significantly exceeds the award date. This extended timeline increases the risk of cost overruns due to inflation, material price fluctuations, and potential scope creep. It also necessitates sustained oversight to manage potential delays and ensure project completion within budget.

What is the expected impact of these HVAC renovations on the museum's operational efficiency and preservation efforts?

These HVAC renovations are expected to significantly improve the museum's operational efficiency by ensuring stable environmental conditions crucial for preserving delicate artifacts and exhibits. Modernized systems should reduce energy consumption, lower maintenance costs, and enhance the overall visitor experience by maintaining comfortable temperatures and air quality throughout the West Wing basement.

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: SEALED BID

Solicitation ID: F07SOL00049

Offers Received: 5

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: $12,713,879

Exercised Options: $12,713,879

Current Obligation: $12,713,879

Timeline