Smithsonian Institution Awards $24.3M Contract for NMNH South Side Improvements to Grunley Construction

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,348,431 ($24.3M)

Contractor: Grunley Construction CO., Inc.

Awarding Agency: Smithsonian Institution

Start Date: 2017-09-18

End Date: 2021-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,565 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF NMNH SOUTH SIDE IMPROVEMENTS&BAIRD AUDITORIUM PER F17SOL10027

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 $24.3 million to GRUNLEY CONSTRUCTION CO., INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF NMNH SOUTH SIDE IMPROVEMENTS&BAIRD AUDITORIUM PER F17SOL10027 Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Grunley Construction Co., Inc. for $24.3 million. 2. Project involves improvements to the National Museum of Natural History's South Side and Baird Auditorium. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 4. The project duration is 1565 days, ending December 31, 2021.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $24.3 million appears reasonable for a large-scale institutional building construction project of this duration. Benchmarking against similar Smithsonian or other federal museum renovation projects would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method typically leads to more competitive pricing as multiple qualified contractors can bid.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently by securing the best value through a competitive bidding process.

Public Impact

Enhances visitor experience at the National Museum of Natural History. Supports preservation and modernization of a key cultural institution. Potential for job creation in the construction sector within Washington D.C.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Contract duration is lengthy (over 4 years).
Specific details on the scope of 'improvements' are not provided.
No indication of small business participation.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty.
Project addresses critical infrastructure at a major museum.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector. Federal spending in this sector is substantial, supporting infrastructure development and maintenance across various agencies. Benchmarks vary widely based on project type and location.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation in this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

The Smithsonian Institution is responsible for oversight of this contract. The long duration suggests ongoing monitoring and management will be critical to ensure project completion and adherence to specifications.

Related Government Programs

Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
Smithsonian Institution Contracting
Smithsonian Institution Programs

Risk Flags

Long contract duration.
Lack of detail on project scope.
No explicit mention of small business utilization.
Potential for cost escalation in construction projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Smithsonian Institution awarded $24.3 million to GRUNLEY CONSTRUCTION CO., INC.. IGF::OT::IGF NMNH SOUTH SIDE IMPROVEMENTS&BAIRD AUDITORIUM PER F17SOL10027

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GRUNLEY CONSTRUCTION CO., INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Smithsonian Institution (Smithsonian Institution).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $24.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-09-18. End: 2021-12-31.

What specific improvements are included in the NMNH South Side project, and how do they align with the museum's strategic goals?

The provided data lacks specifics on the exact improvements. Generally, such projects at major museums involve structural upgrades, modernization of facilities, exhibit enhancements, or accessibility improvements. Alignment with strategic goals would likely focus on enhancing visitor engagement, preserving collections, and ensuring operational efficiency.

What are the potential risks associated with a construction project of this magnitude and duration, and how are they being mitigated?

Risks include cost overruns due to unforeseen site conditions, material price fluctuations, labor shortages, and project delays. Mitigation strategies typically involve detailed planning, contingency budgeting, robust contract management, and proactive risk assessment throughout the project lifecycle.

How will the success of these improvements be measured in terms of visitor satisfaction and operational efficiency?

Success metrics could include post-renovation visitor surveys, increased attendance figures, improved accessibility ratings, reduced maintenance costs, and enhanced functionality of upgraded spaces. Operational efficiency might be gauged by energy savings or improved workflow for staff.

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

Solicitation ID: F17SOL10027

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 15020 SHADY GROVE RD STE 500, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20850

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,348,431

Exercised Options: $24,348,431

Current Obligation: $24,348,431

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline