HHS awards $17.3M for NIH building construction to Skanska USA, facing limited competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,319,545 ($17.3M)

Contractor: Skanska USA Building Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2010-08-16

End Date: 2017-04-03

Contract Duration: 2,422 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.2K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: TAS::75 0849::TAS BRC - SKANSKA BAYVIEW RESOLUTION AGREEMENT

Place of Performance

Location: BALTIMORE, BALTIMORE CITY County, MARYLAND, 21224

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $17.3 million to SKANSKA USA BUILDING INC. for work described as: TAS::75 0849::TAS BRC - SKANSKA BAYVIEW RESOLUTION AGREEMENT Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $17.3 million for construction services. 2. Limited competition raises questions about price discovery and potential overpayment. 3. Risk of higher costs due to sole-source justification and lack of competitive bidding. 4. Construction sector spending is substantial, but this specific award lacks transparency.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $17.3 million is substantial. Without competitive bids, it's difficult to assess if this price is reasonable compared to similar commercial and institutional building construction projects.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not available for competition, suggesting a sole-source or limited competition approach. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of robust competition may result in Skanska USA receiving a price higher than what could have been achieved through a fully competitive process.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may have overpaid due to limited competition on this $17.3 million contract. Lack of transparency in the procurement process hinders public trust. The NIH's reliance on non-competitive awards warrants further scrutiny.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Positive Signals

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector. Federal spending in this area is significant, but competitive bidding is crucial for ensuring value for money.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small businesses were not involved in this specific contract award, as Skanska USA Building Inc. is a large corporation and the contract was not set aside for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

The limited competition and lack of detailed justification for this procurement method raise concerns about oversight. Further review is needed to ensure accountability and adherence to procurement regulations.

Related Government Programs

Risk Flags

Tags

commercial-and-institutional-building-co, department-of-health-and-human-services, md, definitive-contract, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $17.3 million to SKANSKA USA BUILDING INC.. TAS::75 0849::TAS BRC - SKANSKA BAYVIEW RESOLUTION AGREEMENT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SKANSKA USA BUILDING INC..

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 $17.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-08-16. End: 2017-04-03.

What was the specific justification for limiting competition on this $17.3 million construction contract?

The provided data states the contract was 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' implying a sole-source or limited competition justification was used. However, the specific reasons, such as unique capabilities or urgent needs, are not detailed. Understanding this justification is critical for assessing the necessity of the limited competition and its impact on value.

How does the $17.3 million award compare to industry benchmarks for similar NIH construction projects?

Without access to detailed project specifications and a competitive bidding process, a direct comparison to industry benchmarks is challenging. However, the absence of competition suggests the possibility of a price premium. A thorough cost-benefit analysis or a review of similar, competitively awarded projects would be necessary to establish a reliable benchmark.

What measures are in place to ensure the effectiveness and quality of the construction services provided by Skanska USA under this contract?

While the contract type is 'FIRM FIXED PRICE,' which generally incentivizes contractor performance, the effectiveness and quality depend on the NIH's contract management and oversight. Specific performance metrics, quality assurance protocols, and inspection schedules would be detailed within the contract's statement of work and are crucial for ensuring successful project completion.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ConstructionNonresidential Building ConstructionCommercial and Institutional Building Construction

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIESCONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Skanska AB (UEI: 353937956)

Address: 1633 LITTLETON RD, PARSIPPANY, NJ, 07054

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,319,545

Exercised Options: $17,319,545

Current Obligation: $17,319,545

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline

Start Date: 2010-08-16

Current End Date: 2017-04-03

Potential End Date: 2017-04-03 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2021-04-30

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