NASA's $52.7M Langley Research Center IESB Project Awarded to Whiting-Turner Under Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $52,725,298 ($52.7M)
Contractor: Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, the
Awarding Agency: General Services Administration
Start Date: 2012-01-06
End Date: 2015-03-31
Contract Duration: 1,180 days
Daily Burn Rate: $44.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: DESIGN / BUILD AWARD INTEGRATED ENGINEERING SERVICES BUILDING (IESB) NASA LANGLEY RESEARCH CENTER IN HAMPTON CITY, VIRGINIA
Place of Performance
Location: HAMPTON, HAMPTON (CITY) County, VIRGINIA, 23630, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
General Services Administration obligated $52.7 million to WHITING-TURNER CONTRACTING COMPANY, THE for work described as: DESIGN / BUILD AWARD INTEGRATED ENGINEERING SERVICES BUILDING (IESB) NASA LANGLEY RESEARCH CENTER IN HAMPTON CITY, VIRGINIA Key points: 1. The project involves the design and construction of an Integrated Engineering Services Building at NASA Langley. 2. Awarded to Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, a large, established firm. 3. The contract was secured through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The sector is Commercial and Institutional Building Construction, a significant area of federal spending.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The award amount of $52.7 million for a design/build integrated engineering services building appears reasonable given the scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar large-scale federal construction projects would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating multiple bidders likely participated. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value offer.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award suggests taxpayers likely benefited from a fair market price for the construction services.
Public Impact
Enhances NASA's research capabilities at Langley by providing new integrated engineering facilities. Supports the local economy in Hampton City, Virginia, through construction jobs and related activities. Represents federal investment in scientific infrastructure and technological advancement.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns in large construction projects.
- Schedule delays are common in complex building endeavors.
Positive Signals
- Design/build approach can streamline project delivery.
- Full and open competition generally leads to better pricing.
- Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Sector Analysis
This project falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a substantial component of federal infrastructure spending. Benchmarks for similar large-scale government building projects would be relevant for detailed cost analysis.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates the prime contractor is Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, a large firm. There is no explicit information on small business subcontracting participation in this award notice.
Oversight & Accountability
The General Services Administration (GSA) managed this award through its Public Buildings Service, indicating established oversight processes for federal construction projects. The contract type (firm fixed price) also aids in cost control.
Related Government Programs
- Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
- General Services Administration Contracting
- Public Buildings Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Contract duration is lengthy, increasing exposure to potential risks.
- Large construction projects carry inherent risks of cost overruns and delays.
- Lack of explicit small business subcontracting information.
- Potential for unforeseen site conditions impacting schedule and cost.
Tags
commercial-and-institutional-building-co, general-services-administration, va, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
General Services Administration awarded $52.7 million to WHITING-TURNER CONTRACTING COMPANY, THE. DESIGN / BUILD AWARD INTEGRATED ENGINEERING SERVICES BUILDING (IESB) NASA LANGLEY RESEARCH CENTER IN HAMPTON CITY, VIRGINIA
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is WHITING-TURNER CONTRACTING COMPANY, THE.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Public Buildings Service).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $52.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2012-01-06. End: 2015-03-31.
What was the basis for selecting Whiting-Turner Contracting Company over other potential bidders?
While the award was made under full and open competition, the specific evaluation criteria and scoring that led to Whiting-Turner's selection are not detailed in this notice. Typically, such awards consider factors like technical approach, past performance, price, and small business utilization. A deeper dive into the source selection document would clarify the decision-making process.
Are there any identified risks associated with the construction timeline or potential cost escalations for this project?
The contract duration is 1180 days (approximately 3.2 years), which is substantial for a construction project. While firm fixed price offers cost certainty, large-scale construction is inherently susceptible to unforeseen site conditions, material price fluctuations, or design challenges that could lead to schedule delays or require contract modifications, impacting the final cost.
How effectively does this new facility integrate engineering services to enhance NASA's research capabilities?
The effectiveness of the Integrated Engineering Services Building (IESB) in enhancing NASA's research capabilities hinges on its design, equipment, and operational integration. While the award signifies investment in infrastructure, the actual impact on research output and collaboration will depend on how well the facility meets the specific needs of NASA Langley's engineers and scientists post-occupancy.
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: TWO STEP
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 300 E JOPPA RD, BALTIMORE, MD, 21286
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $52,725,298
Exercised Options: $52,725,298
Current Obligation: $52,725,298
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2012-01-06
Current End Date: 2015-03-31
Potential End Date: 2015-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2016-10-17
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