GSA awards $12.8M for Javits Federal Building pavilion construction, completed in 2010

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,766,476 ($12.8M)

Contractor: Volmar Construction Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2006-09-26

End Date: 2010-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,557 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: CONSTRUCTION OF A PAVILION ON THE BROADWAY PLAZA, JACOB K. JAVITS FEDERAL BLDG., 26 FEDERAL PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY

Place of Performance

Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK County, NEW YORK, 10278

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $12.8 million to VOLMAR CONSTRUCTION INC for work described as: CONSTRUCTION OF A PAVILION ON THE BROADWAY PLAZA, JACOB K. JAVITS FEDERAL BLDG., 26 FEDERAL PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for a significant construction project of this nature. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Project duration was substantial, indicating potential for scope changes or complexities. 4. Fixed-price contract type generally transfers risk to the contractor. 5. Location in a major metropolitan area may influence labor and material costs. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized, potentially limiting opportunities for smaller firms.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $12.8 million for the construction of a pavilion at the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building is within a reasonable range for a project of this scale in New York City. Benchmarking against similar federal construction projects for public buildings of comparable size and complexity would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price contract type suggests that the price was determined upfront, which can be advantageous if costs remain stable.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. With 5 bidders, the competition level appears moderate, suggesting that while multiple firms were interested, it may not have been intensely contested. This level of competition generally supports fair price discovery, but a higher number of bidders could potentially drive prices lower.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages a wider range of bids, potentially leading to more cost-effective outcomes.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are federal employees and visitors to the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building, who gain access to a new pavilion facility. The project delivered a new pavilion structure, enhancing the functionality and aesthetics of the federal building's grounds. The geographic impact is localized to New York, New York, specifically at the 26 Federal Plaza. The construction activities likely involved a workforce of skilled tradespeople and laborers, contributing to local employment during the project's duration.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Extended project duration (over 4 years) could indicate unforeseen challenges or scope creep, potentially impacting final costs or quality.
Lack of specific details on the pavilion's purpose or features makes it difficult to fully assess its utility and value.
The absence of small business participation could mean missed opportunities for economic inclusion and potentially higher subcontracting costs if larger firms are less efficient in sourcing.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust and fair bidding process.
Firm fixed-price contract type generally provides cost certainty for the government.
Project completion, despite a long duration, indicates successful delivery of the contracted scope.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the construction sector, specifically commercial and institutional building construction. The General Services Administration (GSA) is a major federal agency that procures a vast amount of construction services for government facilities nationwide. The market for federal construction is competitive, with numerous firms capable of undertaking projects of this size. Spending benchmarks for similar federal building construction projects can vary significantly based on location, complexity, and specific requirements.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, and the data indicates no specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses were mandated. This suggests that opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific contract were likely limited to those that could compete directly or were subcontracted by the prime contractor on a voluntary basis. The absence of set-asides means the primary contract did not actively promote small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would have been managed by the General Services Administration (GSA), likely through its Public Buildings Service. Accountability measures would include adherence to the firm fixed-price contract terms, project milestones, and quality standards. Transparency is generally facilitated through federal contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected during the contract lifecycle.

Related Government Programs

GSA Federal Building Construction
Public Buildings Service Projects
Federal Courthouse Construction
Federal Office Building Renovations

Risk Flags

Extended project duration
Lack of detailed scope information

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $12.8 million to VOLMAR CONSTRUCTION INC. CONSTRUCTION OF A PAVILION ON THE BROADWAY PLAZA, JACOB K. JAVITS FEDERAL BLDG., 26 FEDERAL PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY

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 $12.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-09-26. End: 2010-12-31.

What was the specific purpose and scope of the pavilion constructed?

The provided data indicates the contract was for the 'CONSTRUCTION OF A PAVILION ON THE BROADWAY PLAZA, JACOB K. JAVITS FEDERAL BLDG., 26 FEDERAL PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY'. However, the specific functional purpose, design details, or intended use of the pavilion are not detailed in the summary data. Typically, pavilions can serve various purposes such as providing sheltered public gathering spaces, housing amenities, or enhancing the aesthetic appeal of a federal building's grounds. Further details would likely be found in the original contract statement of work or associated architectural plans.

How did the final cost compare to the initial estimated cost, if available?

The provided data shows the award amount was $12,766,476. There is no information available in the summary data regarding the initial estimated cost for this project. Therefore, a direct comparison between the final award cost and the initial estimate cannot be made. For projects awarded under full and open competition, the award amount typically reflects the price determined through the bidding process, which may or may not align closely with an agency's internal estimate. Understanding the initial estimate would require accessing pre-award documentation.

What were the key performance metrics or quality standards for this construction project?

Specific key performance metrics and quality standards for this construction project are not detailed in the provided summary data. However, for federal construction contracts, performance is generally measured against adherence to the contract's specifications, drawings, and schedule. Quality standards would typically align with industry best practices, building codes, and specific requirements outlined in the contract documents. The GSA, as the contracting agency, would have oversight to ensure the completed pavilion met all stipulated requirements before final acceptance.

Were there any significant delays or cost overruns during the contract period?

The contract duration was from September 26, 2006, to December 31, 2010, spanning over four years (approximately 1557 days). While the data does not explicitly state 'delays' or 'cost overruns' relative to an initial baseline, the extended period suggests the project may have encountered complexities or scope adjustments that prolonged its completion. Firm fixed-price contracts aim to prevent cost overruns for the government, but significant delays can still occur due to unforeseen site conditions, design changes, or contractor performance issues.

What is the typical cost range for similar federal pavilion construction projects in major metropolitan areas?

The cost range for similar federal pavilion construction projects in major metropolitan areas can vary widely based on size, materials, architectural complexity, site preparation needs, and prevailing labor/material costs. A $12.8 million contract for a pavilion at a prominent federal building in New York City suggests a substantial structure, potentially incorporating high-quality materials, significant site work, and complex integration with existing infrastructure. Without specific dimensions and feature details, a precise benchmark is difficult, but costs for such projects can range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 5

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: $12,766,476

Exercised Options: $12,766,476

Current Obligation: $12,766,476

Timeline