Howard S. Wright Construction Co. awarded $29.3M for JFB Building renovations, a firm-fixed-price contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,265,441 ($29.3M)

Contractor: Howard S. Wright Construction CO.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2005-05-26

End Date: 2008-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,223 days

Daily Burn Rate: $23.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: RENOVATIONS OF JFB BUILDING.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $29.3 million to HOWARD S. WRIGHT CONSTRUCTION CO. for work described as: RENOVATIONS OF JFB BUILDING. Key points: 1. The contract's firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs for the JFB Building renovations. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. The duration of 1223 days indicates a substantial and long-term renovation project. 4. The contract was awarded by the General Services Administration's Public Buildings Service. 5. The project is located in Washington, D.C., impacting federal building infrastructure in the capital. 6. The absence of small business set-aside flags suggests a focus on larger prime contractors.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $29.3 million renovation contract is challenging without specific scope details or comparable project data. However, the firm-fixed-price (FFP) award type suggests an attempt to establish a clear cost ceiling, which can be beneficial for value if the scope is well-defined. The number of bidders (8) provides some indication of market interest, but without knowing the size and complexity of the renovations, it's difficult to definitively assess if the pricing represents good value for money compared to similar large-scale federal building overhauls.

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 moderate to good, which typically aids in price discovery and can lead to more competitive pricing for the government. The agency's decision to use full and open competition suggests confidence in the market's ability to provide qualified contractors for this significant renovation project.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process generally benefits taxpayers by driving down costs and ensuring the government receives services at a fair market price. The presence of multiple bidders increases the likelihood that the awarded price reflects efficient project execution.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are federal agencies and employees who will utilize the renovated J. Edgar Hoover Building, potentially improving workspace functionality and safety. The services delivered include extensive renovations to a major federal building, likely encompassing structural, mechanical, electrical, and aesthetic upgrades. The geographic impact is concentrated in Washington, D.C., affecting federal infrastructure in the nation's capital. Workforce implications may include significant employment opportunities for construction workers, engineers, architects, and project managers involved in the renovation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if the scope of renovations is underestimated or unforeseen issues arise during the long project duration.
Risk of schedule delays given the extensive nature of the work and the 1223-day timeline.
Dependence on a single prime contractor (Howard S. Wright Construction Co.) for project execution, with potential risks related to their performance or financial stability.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for the government.
Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a potentially robust market response.
The General Services Administration (GSA) has experience managing large-scale building renovations.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Construction and Facilities Maintenance sector, specifically focusing on large-scale renovations of government-owned buildings. The General Services Administration (GSA) is a major player in federal real estate management and renovation projects. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other major federal building renovation contracts managed by GSA or other agencies, considering factors like building size, age, and the extent of the planned upgrades. The $29.3 million value positions this as a significant, but not unprecedented, investment in federal infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting goals for small businesses. This suggests that the prime contract was awarded to a large business, and any involvement of small businesses would likely be through subcontracting opportunities offered by Howard S. Wright Construction Co. The impact on the small business ecosystem depends on the prime contractor's subcontracting strategy and the availability of relevant small business capabilities for the renovation work.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically its Public Buildings Service. GSA typically employs project managers, contracting officers, and technical experts to monitor progress, ensure compliance with contract terms, and manage payments. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract, with penalties or incentives potentially tied to performance milestones. Transparency may be enhanced through GSA's public reporting mechanisms and contract databases, though detailed project-specific oversight reports are not always publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building Renovations
GSA Public Buildings Service Contracts
Major Construction Projects
Infrastructure Modernization

Risk Flags

Long project duration increases risk of delays and cost overruns.
Firm-fixed-price contracts require careful scope definition to avoid quality compromises.
Limited information on specific scope and comparable projects hinders precise value assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $29.3 million to HOWARD S. WRIGHT CONSTRUCTION CO.. RENOVATIONS OF JFB BUILDING.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HOWARD S. WRIGHT CONSTRUCTION CO..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $29.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-05-26. End: 2008-09-30.

What was the specific scope of work for the JFB Building renovations awarded to Howard S. Wright Construction Co.?

The provided data does not detail the specific scope of work for the JFB Building renovations. However, given the contract value of $29.3 million and the duration of 1223 days, it can be inferred that the project involved substantial upgrades. Typical large-scale federal building renovations include modernization of HVAC systems, electrical and plumbing infrastructure, interior space reconfiguration, facade improvements, accessibility upgrades (ADA compliance), and potentially structural repairs. A firm-fixed-price contract suggests a well-defined scope was established prior to bidding to ensure cost certainty.

How does the $29.3 million contract value compare to other GSA building renovation projects of similar scale?

Without specific details on the scope and size of the JFB Building renovations, a direct comparison is difficult. However, $29.3 million is a significant investment for a single building renovation. GSA manages a vast portfolio of federal buildings, and renovation costs can vary widely based on building age, condition, size, location, and the complexity of the required upgrades. Major renovations in high-cost areas like Washington D.C. can easily reach tens of millions of dollars. To provide a precise benchmark, one would need to compare this contract against other GSA projects involving similar square footage, age, and types of modernization (e.g., historical building preservation vs. modernizing core systems).

What are the potential risks associated with a 1223-day (approximately 3.35 years) renovation project?

A project duration of 1223 days presents several risks. Schedule slippage is a primary concern, as unforeseen issues (e.g., discovery of hazardous materials, structural problems, supply chain disruptions, labor shortages) can extend timelines. Cost escalation is also a risk, even with a firm-fixed-price contract, if scope creep occurs or if contingency funds are insufficient for unexpected challenges. Furthermore, prolonged renovations can disrupt building operations, potentially impacting the agencies housed within the JFB Building. Contractor performance and financial stability over such an extended period also pose risks, requiring diligent oversight from the GSA.

What does the award to Howard S. Wright Construction Co. indicate about their track record with federal contracts?

The award of a $29.3 million contract to Howard S. Wright Construction Co. suggests they possess the capacity and experience to handle large-scale federal construction projects. While this single award doesn't provide a complete picture, it indicates they were deemed qualified and competitive among the 8 bidders. To fully assess their track record, one would need to examine their past performance on similar federal contracts, including their history of on-time and on-budget delivery, quality of work, and any past disputes or contract terminations. Government contract databases often contain past performance information.

How might the firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type impact the final cost and quality of the JFB Building renovations?

A firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract aims to provide cost certainty for the government by establishing a ceiling price that is not subject to adjustment based on the contractor's cost experience. This incentivizes the contractor to control costs efficiently. For the JFB Building renovations, this means Howard S. Wright Construction Co. bears the primary risk of cost overruns. However, FFP contracts can sometimes lead contractors to cut corners on quality to protect their profit margin if not meticulously overseen. Conversely, a well-defined scope and strong government oversight can ensure both cost control and high-quality results under an FFP structure.

What is the significance of the contract being awarded by the General Services Administration (GSA)?

The General Services Administration (GSA) is the primary real estate and procurement arm of the federal government. When GSA awards a contract, particularly for building renovations, it signifies a formal process managed under federal acquisition regulations. GSA's Public Buildings Service (PBS) is responsible for managing, maintaining, and developing the federal building inventory. An award from GSA indicates the project aligns with federal infrastructure needs and has undergone GSA's rigorous review processes for procurement, design, and construction management. GSA's involvement suggests adherence to federal standards for building safety, accessibility, and sustainability.

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Contractor Details

Address: 501EASTLAKE AVENUE EAST, SUITE 100, SEATTLE, WA, 07

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $29,265,441

Exercised Options: $29,265,441

Current Obligation: $29,265,441

Timeline