NIH Awards $18.5M for Building 59 Electrical Upgrade, Construction Contract Awarded to Gilbane
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $18,489,983 ($18.5M)
Contractor: Gilbane Building Company
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2007-11-20
End Date: 2012-11-13
Contract Duration: 1,820 days
Daily Burn Rate: $10.2K/day
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: OTHER (APPLIES TO AWARDS WHERE NONE OF THE ABOVE APPLY)
Sector: Construction
Official Description: INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL MV PREPARED (SPACE ONLY) IN THE SHALLBETTER SWITCHGEAR, FOR FUTURE BREAKER, TO BE INSTALLED IN BUILDING 59 - CHANGE #1 - NJE25984 - HQF60038 - LOG #22521 - R&I - (HOWARD DROGIN)
Place of Performance
Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $18.5 million to GILBANE BUILDING COMPANY for work described as: INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL MV PREPARED (SPACE ONLY) IN THE SHALLBETTER SWITCHGEAR, FOR FUTURE BREAKER, TO BE INSTALLED IN BUILDING 59 - CHANGE #1 - NJE25984 - HQF60038 - LOG #22521 - R&I - (HOWARD DROGIN) Key points: 1. The contract is for a specific electrical upgrade in Building 59 at NIH. 2. Gilbane Building Company is the contractor, with a significant award value. 3. The project involves preparing space for future breaker installation, indicating a phased approach. 4. This falls under the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The award value of $18.5 million for a specific electrical upgrade appears substantial. Without comparable contract data for similar electrical infrastructure projects at federal facilities, a precise pricing assessment is difficult. However, the duration of the contract (5 years) suggests a complex, multi-phase project.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: unknown
The competition method is not specified, but the award is a Delivery Order. The impact on price discovery is unclear without knowing if this was competed or a sole-source modification. If competed, it likely led to better pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential infrastructure upgrades at a federal research facility. The value suggests a significant investment in maintaining operational capacity.
Public Impact
Ensures continued operational capacity for critical research at NIH facilities. Supports the modernization of aging infrastructure within federal buildings. The project's long duration implies a sustained commitment to facility improvement.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of transparency on competition method.
- Potential for cost overruns on long-term infrastructure projects.
- Unclear if the 'prepared space' cost is justified without immediate breaker installation.
Positive Signals
- Addresses critical infrastructure needs for a key federal agency.
- Awarded to a known entity (Gilbane Building Company).
- Project duration aligns with complex construction timelines.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, specifically focusing on electrical infrastructure upgrades. Federal spending in this sector often involves large, long-term projects to maintain and modernize government facilities, with costs varying widely based on project scope and location.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication in the provided data whether small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The award is a Delivery Order, suggesting it might be part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. Oversight would typically involve monitoring project progress, adherence to specifications, and financial expenditures by the contracting agency (HHS/NIH).
Related Government Programs
- Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- National Institutes of Health Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of detailed competition information.
- Significant award value without clear benchmarks.
- Potential for deferred costs if future installation is delayed.
- Ambiguity in the scope of 'prepared space'.
Tags
commercial-and-institutional-building-co, department-of-health-and-human-services, md, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $18.5 million to GILBANE BUILDING COMPANY. INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL MV PREPARED (SPACE ONLY) IN THE SHALLBETTER SWITCHGEAR, FOR FUTURE BREAKER, TO BE INSTALLED IN BUILDING 59 - CHANGE #1 - NJE25984 - HQF60038 - LOG #22521 - R&I - (HOWARD DROGIN)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GILBANE BUILDING COMPANY.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (National Institutes of Health).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $18.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-11-20. End: 2012-11-13.
What was the specific justification for awarding this delivery order, and what was the competitive process?
The provided data does not specify the justification or the competitive process for this delivery order. It is listed as a Delivery Order under a larger contract (implied by the 'na' field for contract number). Further investigation into the parent contract and the specific modification would be required to understand the procurement strategy and rationale behind this award.
How does the $18.5 million cost compare to similar electrical infrastructure upgrades in federal buildings of comparable size and complexity?
Benchmarking this $18.5 million award against similar federal projects is challenging without access to a broader dataset of construction contracts. Factors like building age, specific electrical system requirements, location, and the scope of 'prepared space' significantly influence costs. A detailed cost-benefit analysis against industry standards for federal facilities would be necessary for a robust comparison.
What is the long-term value and effectiveness of preparing space for future breaker installation versus installing the breaker concurrently?
The long-term value hinges on the strategic phasing of the upgrade. Preparing space now might allow for future flexibility, potentially accommodating technological advancements or budget cycles. However, it also means the full benefit of the breaker installation is deferred, and there's a risk of obsolescence or increased costs if the subsequent installation is delayed or requires rework.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Gilbane, Inc. (UEI: 022726165)
Address: 7901 SANDY SPRING RD, LAUREL, MD, 20707
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $18,489,983
Exercised Options: $18,489,983
Current Obligation: $18,489,983
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 292030107
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-11-20
Current End Date: 2012-11-13
Potential End Date: 2012-11-13 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-04-30
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