GSA's $108M Emanuel Celler Courthouse Modernization Awarded to Volmar Construction Under Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $108,045,018 ($108.0M)

Contractor: Volmar Construction Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2005-06-14

End Date: 2014-12-31

Contract Duration: 3,487 days

Daily Burn Rate: $31.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: MODERNIZATION OF THE EMANUEL CELLER US COURTHOUSE AT 225 CADMAN PLAZA EAST, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK

Place of Performance

Location: BROOKLYN, KINGS County, NEW YORK, 11210

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $108.0 million to VOLMAR CONSTRUCTION INC for work described as: MODERNIZATION OF THE EMANUEL CELLER US COURTHOUSE AT 225 CADMAN PLAZA EAST, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK Key points: 1. The project involved significant modernization of a federal courthouse, indicating a substantial investment in public infrastructure. 2. Volmar Construction Inc. secured the contract, suggesting a competitive bidding process for this large-scale construction project. 3. The project's duration of nearly 10 years and substantial cost raise questions about potential cost overruns and efficiency. 4. The sector is commercial and institutional building construction, a critical area for government facility maintenance and upgrades.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $108 million for a courthouse modernization over nearly 10 years appears substantial. Benchmarking against similar large-scale federal building construction projects would be necessary to definitively assess its value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust process for selecting the contractor. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows for a wide range of qualified bidders.

Taxpayer Impact: The significant investment in courthouse modernization aims to ensure the long-term functionality and security of a vital public service, ultimately benefiting taxpayers through improved judicial infrastructure.

Public Impact

Modernization ensures continued operation of a key federal judicial facility. The extended project timeline may have caused temporary disruptions to surrounding areas. Investment in infrastructure supports local construction jobs and economic activity.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Extended project duration (nearly 10 years)
High contract value ($108M)

Positive Signals

Full and open competition utilized
Firm fixed price contract type

Sector Analysis

This project falls within the commercial and institutional building construction sector, which is crucial for maintaining and upgrading government facilities. Spending benchmarks in this sector vary widely based on project scope and location.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that Volmar Construction Inc. was the prime contractor and that small business participation was not explicitly noted as a factor (ss: false, sb: false). Further investigation would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) is responsible for overseeing federal building projects. Oversight would typically involve monitoring project progress, quality, and adherence to budget and schedule.

Related Government Programs

Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
General Services Administration Contracting
Public Buildings Service Programs

Risk Flags

Extended project duration
High contract value
Potential for scope creep
Lack of explicit small business participation noted

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $108.0 million to VOLMAR CONSTRUCTION INC. MODERNIZATION OF THE EMANUEL CELLER US COURTHOUSE AT 225 CADMAN PLAZA EAST, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VOLMAR CONSTRUCTION INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Public Buildings Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $108.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-06-14. End: 2014-12-31.

What factors contributed to the nearly 10-year duration of this courthouse modernization project?

The extended duration could be attributed to various factors, including the complexity of courthouse renovations, phased construction to maintain operational capacity, unforeseen site conditions, changes in scope, or potential delays in funding or approvals. A detailed project history would be required to pinpoint the exact reasons for the prolonged timeline.

How did the firm fixed price contract type mitigate risks for the government given the project's long duration?

A firm fixed price contract generally shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor. For a long-duration project, this structure provides budget certainty for the government, assuming the initial price accurately reflected the anticipated costs and risks. However, it could also lead to contractor claims if unforeseen issues significantly impacted their costs.

What was the overall effectiveness of this modernization in terms of improving courthouse functionality and security?

Assessing the effectiveness requires post-completion analysis. Key metrics would include whether the modernization met its objectives for improved security, accessibility, energy efficiency, and operational capacity. User feedback from court staff and the public, along with any post-occupancy evaluations, would provide insights into its success.

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: GS-02P-04-DTC-0029

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4400 2ND AVE, BROOKLYN, NY, 90

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $108,045,018

Exercised Options: $108,045,018

Current Obligation: $108,045,018

Timeline