GSA awards $22.3M contract for FDA parking facility construction, highlighting firm fixed-price terms

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,276,569 ($22.3M)

Contractor: Forrester Construction Company

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2006-05-17

End Date: 2006-06-30

Contract Duration: 44 days

Daily Burn Rate: $506.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW PARKING FACILITY AT THE FDA, WHITE OAK FEDERAL RESEARCH CENTER.

Place of Performance

Location: SILVER SPRING, PRINCE GEORGE'S County, MARYLAND, 20903

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $22.3 million to FORRESTER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY for work described as: CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW PARKING FACILITY AT THE FDA, WHITE OAK FEDERAL RESEARCH CENTER. Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The firm fixed-price contract type shifts risk to the contractor for cost overruns. 3. Project duration of 44 months indicates a significant construction undertaking. 4. The contract was awarded by the General Services Administration (GSA), a key federal real estate agency. 5. The facility is located at the FDA's White Oak Federal Research Center in Maryland. 6. The awarded amount of $22.3 million represents a substantial investment in federal infrastructure.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $22.3 million for a parking facility at a federal research center appears reasonable given the scale of construction. Benchmarking against similar federal or large-scale private sector parking garage projects would provide a more precise value assessment. The firm fixed-price structure suggests that the initial bid was considered competitive and reflected the expected costs.

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. The presence of 9 bids suggests a healthy level of competition for this construction project. This broad competition is generally favorable for price discovery and achieving a market-based price.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process like this one helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs through market forces.

Public Impact

Federal employees at the FDA's White Oak Federal Research Center will benefit from improved parking facilities. The construction project supports the operational needs of a critical federal research institution. The project's geographic impact is localized to the White Oak, Maryland area. The construction itself likely created temporary jobs in the local Maryland workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for construction delays impacting facility availability.
Risk of unforeseen site conditions affecting final costs, though mitigated by FFP.
Ensuring compliance with all federal building codes and environmental regulations.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Full and open competition likely resulted in a competitive price.
Experienced contractor (Forrester Construction Company) likely brings expertise to the project.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the construction sector, specifically for federal building and infrastructure projects. The General Services Administration (GSA) is a major procurer of such facilities. The market for federal construction is competitive, with numerous firms capable of undertaking projects of this magnitude. The spending aligns with federal efforts to maintain and upgrade its extensive real estate portfolio.

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. While Forrester Construction Company may engage small businesses as subcontractors, the primary award was not directed towards them. Further investigation into subcontracting plans would be needed to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) typically has robust oversight mechanisms for its construction projects, including regular site inspections, progress reporting, and quality control measures. The firm fixed-price contract structure itself imposes accountability on the contractor to deliver the project within the agreed-upon budget. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases and public contract awards.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building Construction
GSA Real Estate Portfolio
FDA Infrastructure Projects
Parking Facility Development

Risk Flags

Potential for construction cost overruns (mitigated by FFP)
Risk of project delays impacting facility availability
Ensuring compliance with environmental and safety regulations
Adequacy of temporary parking solutions during construction

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $22.3 million to FORRESTER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY. CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW PARKING FACILITY AT THE FDA, WHITE OAK FEDERAL RESEARCH CENTER.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FORRESTER 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 $22.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-05-17. End: 2006-06-30.

What is the track record of Forrester Construction Company on federal contracts?

Forrester Construction Company has a history of performing federal contracts, primarily with agencies like the GSA and the Department of Defense. Their portfolio includes various construction projects, ranging from renovations to new facility builds. Analyzing their past performance ratings, any contract disputes, and on-time completion rates for similar federal projects would provide a clearer picture of their reliability and expertise. Specific data on their past federal contract values and types would also be beneficial for comparison.

How does the awarded price compare to similar federal parking facility projects?

Direct comparison of the $22.3 million award for this FDA parking facility requires detailed project specifications (e.g., square footage, number of spaces, complexity of design, site conditions) from comparable federal projects. However, the General Services Administration (GSA) manages a vast portfolio, and their internal benchmarks for construction costs per square foot or per parking space would be the most relevant comparison. Given the firm fixed-price nature and the competitive bidding process involving 9 bidders, the price is likely aligned with market rates for federal construction of this type and scale.

What are the primary risks associated with this firm fixed-price construction contract?

The primary risk with a firm fixed-price (FFP) contract is shifted to the contractor, Forrester Construction Company. They bear the responsibility for cost overruns due to poor estimating, unforeseen site conditions (unless explicitly excluded), or labor/material price increases. For the government, the main risks are ensuring the contractor's financial stability to complete the project and verifying that the fixed price adequately covers all necessary quality standards and specifications. The GSA's oversight is crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the project's successful completion according to the contract terms.

How effective is the GSA's oversight for large construction projects like this?

The GSA generally employs a multi-layered oversight approach for its construction projects. This typically includes project managers, contracting officers' representatives (CORs), and on-site construction representatives who monitor progress, quality, and adherence to specifications. For a project of this magnitude ($22.3 million), regular progress meetings, site inspections, and review of contractor submittals are standard. The effectiveness hinges on the diligence of the oversight team, the clarity of the contract documents, and the contractor's commitment to quality. Past performance data and IG reports related to GSA construction oversight can offer further insights.

What has been the historical spending trend for similar federal parking facility constructions?

Analyzing historical spending trends for similar federal parking facility constructions requires access to comprehensive federal procurement data. Generally, spending in this category can fluctuate based on federal infrastructure investment cycles, agency-specific needs, and budget appropriations. Factors like inflation, material costs, and labor rates significantly influence year-over-year spending. The GSA, as a primary agency for federal building construction, would be the main source for such trend analysis. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to pinpoint precise trends, but overall federal construction spending is influenced by economic conditions and government priorities.

What are the implications of the 44-month duration for the FDA's operations?

A 44-month duration for the construction of a new parking facility implies a phased approach or a complex build process. This extended timeline could necessitate temporary parking solutions for FDA employees during the construction period, potentially causing inconvenience or requiring additional logistical planning. The prolonged construction might also impact surrounding areas due to noise, traffic, and site access limitations. However, a longer duration can also allow for more meticulous construction and integration of advanced features, potentially leading to a higher quality final product. The GSA and FDA would have coordinated to minimize operational disruptions.

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SEALED BID

Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 12231 PARKLAWN DR, ROCKVILLE, MD, 08

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $22,276,569

Exercised Options: $22,276,569

Current Obligation: $22,276,569

Timeline