GSA's $117.5M Peter Rodino Federal Building Renovation Awarded to Tocci/Driscoll Under Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $117,531,201 ($117.5M)

Contractor: Tocci/Driscoll

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2010-03-31

End Date: 2015-02-22

Contract Duration: 1,789 days

Daily Burn Rate: $65.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: TAS::47 4543::TAS RECOVERY ACT: THIS IS A DESIGN/BUILD CONTRACT AWARDED FOR THE RENOVATION OF THE PETER W. RODINO FEDERAL BUILDING IN NEWARK, NJ.

Place of Performance

Location: NEWARK, ESSEX County, NEW JERSEY, 07102, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $117.5 million to TOCCI/DRISCOLL for work described as: TAS::47 4543::TAS RECOVERY ACT: THIS IS A DESIGN/BUILD CONTRACT AWARDED FOR THE RENOVATION OF THE PETER W. RODINO FEDERAL BUILDING IN NEWARK, NJ. Key points: 1. The contract was awarded under a firm-fixed-price structure, indicating a defined cost for the project. 2. Competition was robust with 8 bidders, suggesting a healthy market for this type of construction. 3. The project duration of 1789 days (approx. 4.9 years) points to a significant, long-term undertaking. 4. The award was made by the General Services Administration (GSA), a key federal agency for building management. 5. The contract falls under the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction NAICS code. 6. The project is located in Newark, New Jersey, impacting the local economy and workforce.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific renovation is challenging without comparable projects of identical scope and location. However, the firm-fixed-price nature suggests the government aimed to control costs upfront. The total award amount of over $117 million for a federal building renovation over nearly five years indicates a substantial investment. Further analysis would require comparing cost per square foot or per major system upgrade against similar GSA projects.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. With 8 bidders participating, the competition level appears healthy, which typically drives more competitive pricing and a wider range of solutions. The presence of multiple bidders suggests that the market for federal building construction and renovation services is sufficiently developed to support competitive procurement.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process for this large contract helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by encouraging contractors to offer their best prices and terms.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are federal agencies that will utilize the renovated Peter W. Rodino Federal Building, ensuring a modern and functional workspace. The project delivers essential renovation and construction services for a significant federal property. The geographic impact is concentrated in Newark, New Jersey, potentially creating local jobs and stimulating the regional construction industry. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for construction workers, engineers, architects, and project managers in the Newark area.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen issues arise during the extensive renovation period.
Risk of schedule delays impacting the availability of federal facilities.
Ensuring quality of work over a multi-year construction project requires diligent oversight.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Full and open competition likely resulted in a competitive price.
GSA's experience in managing large federal building projects mitigates some execution risks.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the construction sector, specifically Commercial and Institutional Building Construction. The federal government, through agencies like GSA, is a significant client for construction services, undertaking projects ranging from new builds to extensive renovations of existing facilities. The market for federal construction is competitive, with many firms capable of undertaking large-scale projects. Benchmarks for similar federal building renovations would typically consider factors like building size, age, scope of work (e.g., HVAC, electrical, structural), and location.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). While Tocci/Driscoll is the prime contractor, there may be opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors. The extent of small business subcontracting would depend on the prime contractor's strategy and GSA's subcontracting requirements, which are crucial for ensuring small business participation in federal contracting.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) typically employs robust oversight mechanisms for its construction projects, including regular site inspections, progress reporting, and quality assurance reviews. Accountability is managed through contract terms, performance metrics, and potential penalties for non-compliance. Transparency is often facilitated through public contract databases and GSA's own reporting. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building Renovations
GSA Construction Contracts
Public Buildings Service Projects
Design-Build Contracts
Infrastructure Investment

Risk Flags

Potential for schedule delays due to project complexity and duration.
Risk of unforeseen site conditions impacting cost and schedule.
Ensuring long-term quality and durability of renovated systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $117.5 million to TOCCI/DRISCOLL. TAS::47 4543::TAS RECOVERY ACT: THIS IS A DESIGN/BUILD CONTRACT AWARDED FOR THE RENOVATION OF THE PETER W. RODINO FEDERAL BUILDING IN NEWARK, NJ.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TOCCI/DRISCOLL.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $117.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-03-31. End: 2015-02-22.

What is the track record of Tocci/Driscoll on similar federal construction projects?

Assessing the track record of Tocci/Driscoll requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those managed by the GSA or involving similar building types and renovation scopes. Information on past performance, including adherence to schedule, budget, and quality standards, is typically available through federal procurement databases and performance evaluation systems. A review would look for consistent successful delivery, any history of disputes or contract terminations, and client feedback. Without specific data on Tocci/Driscoll's past federal project performance, it's difficult to definitively assess their suitability beyond the fact they were awarded this significant contract.

How does the awarded amount compare to the estimated cost or market rates for similar federal building renovations?

Direct comparison of the $117.5 million award to market rates is challenging without detailed project specifications (e.g., square footage, specific systems being upgraded, historical building significance). However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests GSA sought to establish a definitive cost. To benchmark, one would compare the cost per square foot or cost per major system upgrade against similar GSA or other federal agency renovation projects completed around the same time in comparable geographic regions. The number of bidders (8) suggests competitive pricing was likely achieved, but a detailed cost-benefit analysis would require access to the bid proposals and GSA's cost estimates.

What are the primary risks associated with a multi-year federal building renovation project of this scale?

Key risks for a project of this magnitude and duration include unforeseen structural or environmental issues discovered during demolition or renovation, which can lead to scope changes and cost increases. Schedule delays are also a significant risk, potentially caused by weather, material availability, labor shortages, or complex coordination among various trades. Furthermore, ensuring consistent quality of work over an extended period requires vigilant oversight. The firm-fixed-price contract helps mitigate budget overruns for defined scope, but change orders for unforeseen conditions can still impact the total cost. Cybersecurity risks related to building management systems could also be a concern.

How effective is the GSA's oversight in ensuring project completion on time and within budget for large renovations?

GSA generally has established processes for overseeing large construction projects, including project management teams, regular site inspections, and progress reporting requirements. Their effectiveness can vary depending on the specific project, the assigned personnel, and the complexity of the renovation. For a project spanning nearly five years, maintaining consistent oversight and adapting to evolving challenges is critical. While GSA aims for timely and budget-conscious completion, large-scale renovations inherently carry risks of delays and cost adjustments due to unforeseen circumstances. Success often hinges on proactive risk management and strong communication between GSA, the contractor, and stakeholders.

What has been the historical spending pattern for renovations of federal buildings managed by the GSA?

GSA's historical spending on federal building renovations is substantial and fluctuates based on infrastructure needs, budget appropriations, and economic conditions. They manage a vast portfolio of buildings, requiring ongoing maintenance and modernization. Spending patterns often reflect priorities such as energy efficiency upgrades, security enhancements, and modernization of aging facilities. The agency utilizes various contract vehicles, including design-build and traditional design-bid-build, to execute these projects. Analyzing historical spending data for GSA renovations can reveal trends in project types, average contract values, and the prevalence of different contracting methods.

What are the implications of this contract being a 'Design/Build' award?

A Design/Build contract, as indicated by the data ('THIS IS A DESIGN/BUILD CONTRACT AWARDED'), means that Tocci/Driscoll is responsible for both the design and construction phases of the Peter W. Rodino Federal Building renovation. This approach can streamline the project delivery process by having a single point of responsibility, potentially leading to faster completion times and better coordination between design and construction teams. It also allows for early construction input into the design, which can help identify constructability issues sooner and potentially reduce costs. However, it requires careful definition of performance requirements upfront to ensure the final design meets the government's needs.

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--09-DT-C-0018

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 660 MAIN STREET, WOBURN, MA, 01801

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $117,531,201

Exercised Options: $117,531,201

Current Obligation: $117,531,201

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Timeline