Smithsonian Institution awards $19M contract for NMNH HVAC renovation, completed by Forrester Construction

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,061,746 ($19.1M)

Contractor: Forrester Construction Company

Awarding Agency: Smithsonian Institution

Start Date: 2010-10-11

End Date: 2013-10-31

Contract Duration: 1,116 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: NMNH HVAC RENOVATION GROUND 1ST FLOOR MAIN BUILDING

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 $19.1 million to FORRESTER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY for work described as: NMNH HVAC RENOVATION GROUND 1ST FLOOR MAIN BUILDING Key points: 1. The contract focused on renovating the HVAC system for the National Museum of Natural History's main building. 2. The project was awarded to Forrester Construction Company, a firm with experience in commercial and institutional building construction. 3. The contract was a firm-fixed-price type, indicating a defined scope and cost for the government. 4. The duration of the contract was 1116 days, suggesting a substantial renovation project. 5. The project was located in Washington D.C., impacting a key cultural institution. 6. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, implying a broad solicitation process.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $19 million for a major HVAC renovation of a large museum building appears within a reasonable range for such complex projects. Benchmarking against similar large-scale institutional building renovations would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests the government aimed to control costs, but the final cost relative to the initial scope and market rates for specialized HVAC work is key to determining true value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that a wide range of qualified contractors were solicited. With 4 bidders, the competition level suggests a healthy market interest for this type of project. This level of competition generally aids in price discovery and can lead to more competitive pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically benefits taxpayers by driving down prices through multiple bids, ensuring the government receives competitive rates for services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the visitors and staff of the National Museum of Natural History, who will experience improved environmental conditions. The services delivered include the modernization of a critical HVAC system, ensuring climate control for museum collections and public spaces. The geographic impact is concentrated in Washington D.C., at the National Museum of Natural History. The project likely involved a significant construction workforce, including specialized HVAC technicians and general laborers.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen issues arose during the extensive renovation of an older building's HVAC system.
Risk of project delays impacting museum operations or collection preservation if construction timelines were not strictly adhered to.
Dependence on a single contractor (Forrester Construction) for the entirety of the project, concentrating risk.
Ensuring the new HVAC system meets long-term energy efficiency standards and sustainability goals.

Positive Signals

The use of firm-fixed-price contract type helps to cap costs for the government.
The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process that likely secured a reasonable price.
The contract duration of over 1000 days indicates a comprehensive approach to the renovation, aiming for thoroughness.
The contractor, Forrester Construction Company, has experience in commercial and institutional building construction, suggesting relevant expertise.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Construction sector, specifically Commercial and Institutional Building Construction. The market for large-scale HVAC renovations in public institutions is significant, driven by the need to maintain aging infrastructure, improve energy efficiency, and ensure operational continuity. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal or major municipal projects for museum or similar large public building upgrades.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary contractor is likely a larger entity. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this data, but large construction projects often involve subcontracting opportunities, which could potentially benefit small businesses in specialized trades.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Smithsonian Institution's contracting officers and project managers. Accountability measures would be embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, performance standards, and payment schedules. Transparency is generally facilitated through federal contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

National Museum of Natural History Operations
Smithsonian Institution Facilities Management
Federal Building and Infrastructure Modernization
HVAC System Upgrades in Public Buildings

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to complexity of historic building renovations.
Risk of schedule delays impacting museum operations.
Ensuring long-term performance and maintainability of the new HVAC system.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Smithsonian Institution awarded $19.1 million to FORRESTER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY. NMNH HVAC RENOVATION GROUND 1ST FLOOR MAIN BUILDING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FORRESTER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Smithsonian Institution (Smithsonian Institution).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $19.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-10-11. End: 2013-10-31.

What was the specific scope of the NMNH HVAC renovation, and were there any significant changes or challenges during its execution?

The contract data indicates the scope was the 'NMNH HVAC RENOVATION GROUND 1ST FLOOR MAIN BUILDING'. While specific details on changes or challenges are not provided in the summary data, large-scale renovations of historic buildings like the National Museum of Natural History often encounter unforeseen issues such as asbestos abatement, structural complexities, or integration challenges with existing systems. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract suggests that the Smithsonian aimed to define the scope clearly upfront to manage costs, but change orders could have been issued if significant, unpredicted work was required. A thorough review of contract modifications and performance reports would be necessary to fully understand execution challenges.

How does the awarded amount of $19,061,746 compare to similar HVAC renovation projects in large public institutions?

The $19 million contract value for the NMNH HVAC renovation appears substantial, as expected for a project of this scale impacting a major national museum. To benchmark effectively, one would need to compare it against similar projects in terms of building size (square footage), complexity of the HVAC system, age and historical significance of the building, and geographic location (which influences labor and material costs). For instance, HVAC upgrades in other large Smithsonian facilities, or comparable museums and federal buildings in major metropolitan areas, could serve as benchmarks. Without access to a database of such comparable projects with detailed cost breakdowns, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents excellent or fair value, but it falls within the expected range for significant institutional infrastructure work.

What was Forrester Construction Company's track record with the Smithsonian Institution or similar federal agencies prior to this award?

The provided data indicates Forrester Construction Company was awarded this contract by the Smithsonian Institution. To assess their track record, one would need to examine their past performance on federal contracts, particularly with the Smithsonian or other agencies involved in large-scale construction and renovation. This would involve looking at contract history, past performance reviews (if publicly available), and any history of disputes or contract terminations. A positive track record with similar projects would suggest a lower risk profile for the government, while a history of issues might raise concerns about project execution and adherence to timelines and budgets.

Given the 1116-day duration, what were the potential impacts on museum operations and visitor access during the renovation?

An 1116-day duration (approximately 3 years) for an HVAC renovation in a main building of a museum like the NMNH suggests significant disruption. Potential impacts on museum operations could include temporary closures of certain galleries or floors, noise and dust pollution affecting staff and exhibits, and relocation of sensitive collections. Visitor access might be rerouted, limited, or impacted by construction zones. The Smithsonian Institution would have likely implemented a detailed phasing plan and communication strategy to mitigate these impacts, potentially scheduling disruptive work during off-peak hours or seasons, and providing clear signage and alternative access routes to minimize inconvenience.

What are the long-term implications of this HVAC renovation for the museum's energy efficiency and environmental sustainability?

Modernizing an HVAC system in a large, historic building like the NMNH presents a significant opportunity to improve energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. Newer systems typically incorporate advanced controls, variable speed drives, and higher-efficiency components that reduce energy consumption compared to older, outdated systems. The long-term implications could include substantial reductions in electricity and fuel usage, leading to lower operational costs and a smaller carbon footprint for the museum. Furthermore, modern HVAC systems can better manage humidity and temperature, which is crucial for the preservation of the museum's vast collections, contributing to both sustainability and artifact longevity.

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

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 12231 PARKLAWN DR, ROCKVILLE, MD, 08

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $19,061,746

Exercised Options: $19,061,746

Current Obligation: $19,061,746

Timeline