GSA Awards $114M for Mobile Federal Courthouse Design and Construction, Including Historic Building Repairs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $114,283,887 ($114.3M)

Contractor: W. G. Yates & Sons Construction Company

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2015-04-24

End Date: 2021-03-31

Contract Duration: 2,168 days

Daily Burn Rate: $52.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF MOBILE, ALABAMA- DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW 155,000 GROSS SQUARE FOOT FEDERAL COURTHOUSE AND THE REPAIR AND ALTERNATION OF THE HISTORIC JOHN CAMPBELL COURTHOUSE IN MOBILE, ALABMA.

Place of Performance

Location: MOBILE, MOBILE County, ALABAMA, 36628

State: Alabama Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $114.3 million to W. G. YATES & SONS CONSTRUCTION COMPANY for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF MOBILE, ALABAMA- DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW 155,000 GROSS SQUARE FOOT FEDERAL COURTHOUSE AND THE REPAIR AND ALTERNATION OF THE HISTORIC JOHN CAMPBELL COURTHOUSE IN MOBILE, ALABMA. Key points: 1. The contract covers both new construction and renovation of historic facilities, indicating a complex project scope. 2. Awarded to W. G. Yates & Sons Construction Company, the project aims to deliver a significant federal building. 3. The project's duration of 2168 days suggests a long-term commitment and potential for cost overruns. 4. The use of a Firm Fixed Price contract aims to control costs, but the scale of the project presents inherent risks.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $114.3 million for a 155,000 sq ft federal courthouse and historic building repair appears within a reasonable range for large-scale construction projects. However, without specific benchmarks for courthouse construction and historic preservation in Mobile, Alabama, a precise valuation is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. The use of a definitive contract with a firm fixed price aims to establish clear cost expectations from the outset.

Taxpayer Impact: The significant investment in federal infrastructure is intended to provide long-term public service benefits. The competitive award process should ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently, though the total cost will be closely watched.

Public Impact

Improved federal judicial facilities for the Mobile, Alabama region. Preservation and modernization of a historic courthouse, maintaining architectural heritage. Potential for job creation during the design and construction phases. Ensuring continued operation of essential government services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Project duration significantly exceeds typical construction timelines.
Potential for scope creep in renovation of historic structures.
Reliance on a single contractor for a large, multi-faceted project.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Firm Fixed Price contract type to control costs.
Significant investment in critical federal infrastructure.

Sector Analysis

The construction sector, particularly for large public buildings and historic renovations, is capital-intensive and subject to market fluctuations. Federal courthouse construction benchmarks vary widely based on size, complexity, and location, but $114 million for a project of this scale is substantial.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific provisions or set-asides for small businesses in this contract. Large federal construction projects often involve subcontracting opportunities, but direct participation by small businesses in the prime contract is not evident.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) is responsible for overseeing federal building projects. Oversight will be critical to manage the project's extended timeline, budget adherence, and quality of construction, especially concerning the historic courthouse repairs.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Extended project duration.
Complexity of historic building renovation.
Potential for unforeseen site conditions.
Reliance on a single prime contractor for a large scope.
Budgetary risks associated with long-term, large-scale construction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $114.3 million to W. G. YATES & SONS CONSTRUCTION COMPANY. IGF::OT::IGF MOBILE, ALABAMA- DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW 155,000 GROSS SQUARE FOOT FEDERAL COURTHOUSE AND THE REPAIR AND ALTERNATION OF THE HISTORIC JOHN CAMPBELL COURTHOUSE IN MOBILE, ALABMA.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is W. G. YATES & SONS CONSTRUCTION COMPANY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $114.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2015-04-24. End: 2021-03-31.

What specific factors contributed to the extended project duration of over 2000 days, and what measures are in place to mitigate further delays?

The extended duration likely stems from the dual nature of the project: designing and constructing a new facility alongside the complex repair and alteration of a historic building. Historic renovations often encounter unforeseen challenges, such as structural issues or material compatibility problems. Mitigation measures would typically include detailed site assessments, phased construction planning, robust project management, and contingency budgeting to address potential delays.

How does the $114 million cost compare to similar federal courthouse construction and historic renovation projects in comparable regions, and what is the projected cost per square foot?

Benchmarking this project's cost requires detailed comparison with similar federal courthouses and historic preservation projects in the Southeast region. Factors like local labor costs, material prices, and specific historical preservation requirements significantly influence per-square-foot costs. Without access to proprietary cost databases or specific project details, a precise cost-per-square-foot benchmark is difficult, but the overall award suggests a significant investment.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) being tracked to ensure the successful completion of both the new construction and the historic renovation aspects of this project?

Key performance indicators would likely include adherence to schedule milestones for both the new build and renovation phases, budget variance tracking, quality control reports (e.g., inspections, material testing), safety incident rates, and stakeholder satisfaction surveys. Specific KPIs for historic preservation might involve compliance with preservation standards and the successful restoration of key architectural features.

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: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: THE Yates Companies Inc (UEI: 017041232)

Address: ONE GULLY AVE, PHILADELPHIA, MS, 39350

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $114,283,887

Exercised Options: $114,283,887

Current Obligation: $114,283,887

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline