Interior Department awards $17.8M for Boulder Canyon Operations Office green building construction

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,811,044 ($17.8M)

Contractor: Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, the

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2010-04-08

End Date: 2012-10-31

Contract Duration: 937 days

Daily Burn Rate: $19.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 14

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: RECOVERY--LOWER COLORADO RIVER OPERATIONS PROGRAM, DESIGN/BUILD A NEW GREEN BUILDING FOR THE BOULDER CANYON OPERATIONS OFFICE, CONSTRUCTION OF NEW FACILITY - PROJECT NO. 26.000 - TAS::14 0681::TAS

Place of Performance

Location: BOULDER CITY, CLARK County, NEVADA, 89005

State: Nevada Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $17.8 million to WHITING-TURNER CONTRACTING COMPANY, THE for work described as: RECOVERY--LOWER COLORADO RIVER OPERATIONS PROGRAM, DESIGN/BUILD A NEW GREEN BUILDING FOR THE BOULDER CANYON OPERATIONS OFFICE, CONSTRUCTION OF NEW FACILITY - PROJECT NO. 26.000 - TAS::14 0681::TAS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Whiting-Turner Contracting Company for a fixed-price definitive contract. 2. Project aims to construct a new green building for the Boulder Canyon Operations Office. 3. The contract duration was 937 days, indicating a substantial construction timeline. 4. Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 5. The project is located in Nevada, potentially impacting local construction workforce and economy. 6. The use of a firm fixed-price contract shifts cost risk to the contractor.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $17.8 million for a new government building appears within a reasonable range for a project of this scope and complexity. However, without specific details on the building's size, features, and the prevailing construction market conditions at the time of award (2010), a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar federal or commercial green building projects of comparable square footage and LEED certification level would provide a more robust comparison.

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 a bid. The presence of 14 bids suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this construction project. This competitive environment is generally expected to drive down prices and encourage contractors to offer their best value propositions.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process for this project likely resulted in a more favorable price for taxpayers compared to a sole-source or limited competition award.

Public Impact

The Bureau of Reclamation benefits from a new, modern, and environmentally friendly facility to support its operations. Construction services were delivered, contributing to the development of federal infrastructure. The project's geographic impact is centered in Nevada, potentially creating local construction jobs and economic activity. The construction workforce, including skilled trades, likely benefited from employment opportunities during the project's execution.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions or material price escalations occurred, despite the fixed-price nature.
Delays in construction could impact the Bureau of Reclamation's operational efficiency if the new facility was urgently needed.
Ensuring the 'green building' standards were met and certified could require rigorous oversight.

Positive Signals

The use of full and open competition suggests a robust process to select the most qualified and cost-effective contractor.
A firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government, transferring most of the financial risk to the contractor.
The project's focus on a 'green building' aligns with federal sustainability goals and may lead to long-term operational cost savings.

Sector Analysis

The construction sector is a significant component of federal spending, particularly for infrastructure and facility development. This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sub-sector. Federal agencies frequently procure construction services for offices, operational facilities, and specialized structures. Benchmarking this project against similar federal building constructions would involve comparing costs per square foot, LEED certification levels, and project complexity.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting goals for small businesses. While Whiting-Turner Contracting Company is a large firm, the absence of specific small business set-aside provisions means that opportunities for small businesses would likely arise through their general subcontracting activities, if any. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this construction contract would typically be managed by the Bureau of Reclamation's contracting officers and project managers. They would be responsible for monitoring progress, ensuring compliance with contract terms and specifications, and approving payments. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, though detailed project-specific oversight reports may not always be publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building Construction
Green Building Initiatives
Bureau of Reclamation Projects
Department of the Interior Facilities

Risk Flags

Potential for schedule slippage
Unforeseen site conditions
Cost escalation risks (mitigated by FFP)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $17.8 million to WHITING-TURNER CONTRACTING COMPANY, THE. RECOVERY--LOWER COLORADO RIVER OPERATIONS PROGRAM, DESIGN/BUILD A NEW GREEN BUILDING FOR THE BOULDER CANYON OPERATIONS OFFICE, CONSTRUCTION OF NEW FACILITY - PROJECT NO. 26.000 - TAS::14 0681::TAS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WHITING-TURNER CONTRACTING COMPANY, THE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Reclamation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-04-08. End: 2012-10-31.

What was the specific square footage and LEED certification level targeted for the new Boulder Canyon Operations Office building?

The provided data does not specify the exact square footage or the targeted LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification level for the new Boulder Canyon Operations Office building. This information is crucial for a comprehensive value assessment, as it directly influences construction costs and complexity. Without these details, it's difficult to benchmark the $17.8 million award against industry standards for green buildings of similar size and environmental performance. Future analysis should seek to obtain these specifications to better evaluate the cost-effectiveness and sustainability outcomes of the project.

How did the final cost compare to the initial estimated cost for this project?

The available data does not include the initial estimated cost for the Boulder Canyon Operations Office building project, nor does it provide information on the final cost if it deviated from the awarded amount. As this was a firm fixed-price contract awarded at $17,811,044, the contractor, Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, bears the primary risk for cost overruns. However, without knowing the initial estimate, it's impossible to determine the degree of cost efficiency achieved or if the initial estimate was realistic. A comparison would require access to pre-award cost estimates and any post-award modifications or claims.

What is Whiting-Turner Contracting Company's track record with similar federal green building construction projects?

Whiting-Turner Contracting Company has a significant track record in large-scale construction projects, including those with federal agencies and a focus on sustainable building practices. While specific details on their past federal 'green building' projects are not in this dataset, their general portfolio often includes complex commercial and institutional facilities that incorporate energy-efficient designs and materials. A deeper dive into their contract history with the General Services Administration (GSA) or other relevant agencies would reveal the extent and success of their experience with projects comparable in scope, budget, and environmental standards to the Boulder Canyon Operations Office facility.

Were there any significant delays or disputes during the construction period?

The provided data indicates a contract duration of 937 days (approximately 2.5 years) from the award date (April 8, 2010) to the estimated completion date (October 31, 2012). However, it does not contain information regarding whether the project was completed on schedule, experienced delays, or encountered any significant disputes between the Bureau of Reclamation and Whiting-Turner Contracting Company. Such details would typically be found in project management records, contract modification logs, or official correspondence, which are not included in this summary data.

How does the cost per square foot of this project compare to other federal green building constructions in the region?

To compare the cost per square foot, the total square footage of the new Boulder Canyon Operations Office building is required, which is not provided in the data. Assuming a hypothetical square footage, one could divide the $17.8 million contract value by that number. This figure could then be benchmarked against average costs for similar federal green building projects in Nevada or the broader Western United States. Factors like specific green technologies implemented, site conditions, and market fluctuations at the time of award would influence this comparison, making a precise benchmark challenging without more detailed project specifications.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: R10PS30R01

Offers Received: 14

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: $17,825,744

Exercised Options: $17,811,044

Current Obligation: $17,811,044

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline