GSA's $23.5M McAllen Land Port of Entry Design/Build Contract Awarded to Brasfield & Gorrie LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,523,689 ($23.5M)

Contractor: Brasfield & Gorrie LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2008-10-17

End Date: 2010-07-01

Contract Duration: 622 days

Daily Burn Rate: $37.8K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: DESIGN/BUILD OF NEW U.S. LAND PORT OF ENTRY, MCALLEN, TX, ANZALDUAS CROSSING

Place of Performance

Location: MCALLEN, HIDALGO County, TEXAS, 78501

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $23.5 million to BRASFIELD & GORRIE LLC for work described as: DESIGN/BUILD OF NEW U.S. LAND PORT OF ENTRY, MCALLEN, TX, ANZALDUAS CROSSING Key points: 1. The contract was awarded under a competitive delivery order, indicating a degree of market competition. 2. The project falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a common area for federal infrastructure spending. 3. The firm-fixed-price contract type aims to control costs, but potential risks exist in design/build projects. 4. The absence of small business participation is noted, which could be a missed opportunity for economic development.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $23.5M for a land port of entry design/build project appears within a reasonable range for similar federal construction projects. However, without specific benchmarks for this type of specialized facility, a precise comparison is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

Awarded as a competitive delivery order, suggesting it was part of a larger IDIQ or similar vehicle. The competition method impacts price discovery by leveraging pre-negotiated terms, but the extent of true market competition for this specific project is unclear.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are utilized for critical infrastructure. The competitive award aims for value, but the final cost relative to the scope and quality will determine the ultimate taxpayer impact.

Public Impact

Enhances border security and facilitates trade at the Anzalduas Crossing. Supports economic activity by improving infrastructure for commercial and personal travel. Creates jobs during the construction phase, though long-term employment impacts are not detailed.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of explicit small business participation.
Potential for cost overruns in design/build projects if scope is not tightly managed.
Limited information on the specific competitive process beyond 'delivery order'.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract helps control costs.
Project addresses a critical infrastructure need.
Awarded through a competitive process.

Sector Analysis

This project falls under the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector. Federal spending in this sector is substantial, driven by infrastructure upgrades and agency facility needs. Benchmarks for design/build land ports of entry are specific and depend heavily on size, complexity, and security requirements.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates no small business participation in this contract. This suggests that either small businesses were not involved in the bidding process or were not selected for this specific award, potentially limiting opportunities for smaller firms in federal contracting.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) is responsible for overseeing federal building construction. Oversight would typically involve monitoring project progress, adherence to design specifications, and budget management to ensure accountability and taxpayer value.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Lack of small business participation.
Potential for cost overruns in design/build.
Limited transparency on specific competitive evaluation.
No explicit mention of performance metrics or quality assurance beyond contract type.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $23.5 million to BRASFIELD & GORRIE LLC. DESIGN/BUILD OF NEW U.S. LAND PORT OF ENTRY, MCALLEN, TX, ANZALDUAS CROSSING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BRASFIELD & GORRIE LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $23.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-10-17. End: 2010-07-01.

What was the specific competitive process for this delivery order, and how did it ensure optimal value for the taxpayer?

The data states 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER,' implying it was likely awarded from a pre-existing contract vehicle (like an IDIQ). While competitive, the specific evaluation criteria and number of bidders are not provided. Optimal value depends on the thoroughness of the competition and the effectiveness of the firm-fixed-price structure in managing risks and ensuring quality construction within budget.

What are the key risks associated with the design/build delivery method for this land port of entry, and how were they mitigated?

Design/build projects carry inherent risks such as potential scope creep, coordination issues between design and construction phases, and contractor control over specifications. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust contract language, clear performance metrics, stringent oversight, and contingency planning. The firm-fixed-price nature aims to transfer some risk to the contractor, but effective management is crucial.

How does the final cost of $23.5 million compare to similar land port of entry construction projects in terms of cost-effectiveness?

A direct cost-effectiveness comparison is challenging without detailed project specifics (size, security features, complexity) and access to benchmarks for similar land ports of entry. The $23.5M figure represents the total contract value. Assessing cost-effectiveness requires analyzing the delivered facility against its intended function, lifespan, and the prevailing market rates for comparable construction.

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: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: GS-07P-08-HH-C-0100

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 729 30TH STREET SOUTH, BIRMINGHAM, AL, 90

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $23,523,689

Exercised Options: $23,523,689

Current Obligation: $23,523,689

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS07P03HHD0157

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline