GSA awards $27.8M for new DC construction, highlighting full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $27,762,132 ($27.8M)

Contractor: Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, the

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2016-09-22

End Date: 2019-10-31

Contract Duration: 1,134 days

Daily Burn Rate: $24.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF NEW CONSTRUCTION AWARD

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20520

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $27.8 million to WHITING-TURNER CONTRACTING COMPANY, THE for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF NEW CONSTRUCTION AWARD Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. 2. The firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government. 3. The project falls under commercial and institutional building construction, a significant sector for federal infrastructure. 4. Awarded by the Public Buildings Service, indicating a focus on federal facility development. 5. The contract duration of 1134 days suggests a substantial construction project. 6. The contractor, Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, is a major player in the construction industry.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $27.8 million for new construction appears reasonable for a project of this scale and duration. Benchmarking against similar GSA new construction awards would provide a more precise assessment of value for money. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs, but the ultimate value depends on the final delivered product and adherence to the original scope. Without detailed cost breakdowns or comparisons to similar projects, a definitive value assessment is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The presence of 3 bids indicates a moderate level of competition for this project. While more bidders could potentially drive prices lower, a competitive process was indeed followed, which is a positive sign for price discovery and ensuring the government receives fair market value.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more favorable pricing and a wider selection of qualified contractors.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are federal agencies requiring new facilities in the District of Columbia. The contract delivers new commercial and institutional building construction services. The geographic impact is concentrated in the District of Columbia. The project will likely create or sustain jobs within the construction sector workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions arise during construction.
Risk of schedule delays impacting the availability of the new facility.
Ensuring the final construction meets all specified quality standards and building codes.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive process.
Contractor has experience in large-scale construction projects.
Project managed by the Public Buildings Service, a dedicated federal real estate entity.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector (NAICS 236220). This sector is a significant component of the broader construction industry, encompassing the building of non-residential structures like government facilities, offices, and public institutions. Federal spending in this area is crucial for maintaining and expanding government infrastructure. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other GSA or agency-specific construction awards for similar building types and sizes.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting goals for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely limited unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily be managed by the General Services Administration's Public Buildings Service. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract structure, which penalizes cost overruns by the contractor. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though detailed project-specific oversight mechanisms and Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on the specific GSA policies and the project's lifecycle.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building Construction
GSA Capital Investments
Public Infrastructure Projects
Commercial Real Estate Development

Risk Flags

Potential for schedule delays
Risk of unforeseen site conditions
Quality control during construction
Cost management on fixed-price contract

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $27.8 million to WHITING-TURNER CONTRACTING COMPANY, THE. IGF::CL::IGF NEW CONSTRUCTION AWARD

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 $27.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-09-22. End: 2019-10-31.

What is the track record of Whiting-Turner Contracting Company with the federal government, particularly with the GSA?

Whiting-Turner Contracting Company has a significant history of working with the federal government, including numerous contracts with the General Services Administration (GSA). Their portfolio includes a wide range of construction projects, from renovations to new builds, across various agencies and locations. Analyzing their past performance on similar GSA projects, specifically those involving new construction and firm-fixed-price awards, would provide insight into their reliability, adherence to schedule, and cost control capabilities. Past performance data, often available through federal procurement databases or agency reports, can indicate their success rate in meeting contract requirements and client expectations.

How does the $27.8 million award compare to similar GSA new construction projects in the DC area?

To benchmark the $27.8 million award, one would compare it to the contract values of other new construction projects for commercial and institutional buildings undertaken by the GSA in the District of Columbia or surrounding metropolitan areas over a similar timeframe. Factors such as building size (square footage), complexity, specific facility requirements (e.g., security, specialized equipment), and the prevailing market conditions for construction labor and materials at the time of award are crucial for a fair comparison. Without access to a detailed database of comparable GSA projects, it's difficult to definitively state if this award represents a particularly high or low value, but the firm-fixed-price nature suggests an effort to establish a clear cost ceiling.

What are the primary risks associated with a large-scale new construction contract like this?

Large-scale new construction contracts carry several inherent risks. For the government, these include the potential for cost overruns if the initial estimates are inaccurate or if unforeseen site conditions (e.g., hazardous materials, unexpected soil issues) are encountered. Schedule delays are another significant risk, which can impact the operational readiness of the facility. Quality control is also paramount; ensuring the construction meets all building codes, specifications, and functional requirements is critical. For the contractor, risks involve managing labor, materials, subcontractors, and potential disputes over scope changes or unforeseen conditions. The firm-fixed-price structure shifts much of the cost risk to the contractor, incentivizing efficient management.

What is the expected effectiveness of this new construction in meeting federal facility needs in DC?

The effectiveness of this new construction hinges on how well the completed facility meets the specific functional requirements outlined in the contract and the overall strategic needs of the federal agencies it will serve in the District of Columbia. If the project successfully delivers a modern, efficient, and appropriately sized facility that enhances operational capabilities and provides a suitable working environment, its effectiveness will be high. The Public Buildings Service's involvement suggests a focus on meeting established federal building standards and long-term asset management. The duration of the contract (over three years) indicates a substantial undertaking, implying a significant need that the new construction aims to fulfill.

How has federal spending on commercial and institutional building construction trended in recent years, and where does this contract fit?

Federal spending on commercial and institutional building construction has historically fluctuated based on infrastructure needs, economic conditions, and government priorities. The GSA, as the primary civilian agency real estate arm, plays a key role in this spending. This $27.8 million award represents a specific investment within that broader trend. To understand its context, one would examine historical GSA capital investment budgets and actual expenditures for new construction. Analyzing trends in the number and value of similar construction contracts awarded by GSA and other agencies would reveal whether this award is part of an increasing, decreasing, or stable spending pattern in this sector.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR NONBUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SEALED BID

Solicitation ID: GS-11-P-15-MK-C-0033

Offers Received: 3

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: $27,762,132

Exercised Options: $27,762,132

Current Obligation: $27,762,132

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline