USDA awards $5.1M contract for building envelope repairs at NCAUR, Peoria, IL

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,103,563 ($5.1M)

Contractor: J & B Builders Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2023-09-30

End Date: 2025-08-31

Contract Duration: 701 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: BUILDING 1: REPAIR BUILDING EXTERIOR ENVELOPE PHASE 2, 3, AND 4 NATIONAL CENTER FOR AGRICULTURAL UTILIZATION RESEARCH (NCAUR) USDA-ARS, PEORIA, IL

Place of Performance

Location: PEORIA, PEORIA County, ILLINOIS, 61604

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $5.1 million to J & B BUILDERS INC for work described as: BUILDING 1: REPAIR BUILDING EXTERIOR ENVELOPE PHASE 2, 3, AND 4 NATIONAL CENTER FOR AGRICULTURAL UTILIZATION RESEARCH (NCAUR) USDA-ARS, PEORIA, IL Key points: 1. Contract value of $5.1M for multi-phase building envelope repairs. 2. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources. 3. Contract type is Firm Fixed Price, indicating price certainty. 4. Performance period spans nearly two years, from late 2023 to mid-2025. 5. The contract falls under the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction NAICS code. 6. J & B Builders Inc. is the awarded contractor. 7. The project is located at the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research (NCAUR) in Peoria, Illinois.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $5.1 million for building envelope repairs appears to be within a reasonable range for a project of this scope and duration. Without specific benchmarks for similar multi-phase exterior envelope repairs at agricultural research facilities, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor has priced the work with a degree of certainty, which can benefit the government by limiting cost overruns. Further analysis would require comparing this contract's unit costs (e.g., per square foot of facade repaired) to similar projects in the region or for federal buildings.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be broad, certain sources were excluded prior to the solicitation. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'exclusion of sources' suggests a potentially narrower competitive field than a purely full and open competition. This approach might be used for specific technical requirements or to leverage existing relationships, but it can limit the range of potential bidders and potentially impact price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The exclusion of sources, even within a full and open framework, could mean that taxpayers may not benefit from the lowest possible price achievable through the widest possible competition. It is important to understand the justification for the exclusion to ensure fair market access and optimal taxpayer value.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) by ensuring the structural integrity and operational efficiency of the NCAUR facility. The services delivered include critical repairs to the building's exterior envelope, protecting the facility from environmental damage and ensuring a stable internal climate for research. The geographic impact is localized to Peoria, Illinois, supporting the continued operation of a key federal agricultural research center. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for construction workers and related trades managed by J & B Builders Inc. in the Peoria area.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost increases if unforeseen issues arise during phased repairs not fully captured in the initial scope.
Risk of schedule delays impacting research operations if construction timelines are not strictly adhered to.
Dependence on a single contractor (J & B Builders Inc.) for the entirety of the multi-phase project.
The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition process may limit the range of competitive pricing.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Multi-phase approach allows for systematic repair and management of the building envelope.
Project duration of nearly two years allows for thorough execution of repairs.
Award to a single contractor for all phases can ensure continuity and consistent quality.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a significant segment of the construction industry focused on non-residential structures. Federal spending in this area supports the maintenance and upgrade of government facilities nationwide. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing the cost per square foot for similar envelope repair projects on federal or large commercial buildings, considering regional labor and material costs. The USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) operates numerous facilities, and maintaining their infrastructure is crucial for ongoing research.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific benefits for the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside. The prime contractor, J & B Builders Inc., may engage small businesses as subcontractors, but this is not mandated by the contract terms provided. The overall impact on the small business ecosystem is neutral unless J & B Builders Inc. voluntarily utilizes small business partners.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the purview of the USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) contracting officers and project managers. They are responsible for monitoring performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and approving payments. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases like SAM.gov. While no specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction is mentioned, the USDA Office of Inspector General typically has broad authority to investigate waste, fraud, and abuse in federal programs and contracts.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building and Facilities Maintenance
USDA Construction Projects
Agricultural Research Facilities Modernization
Commercial Building Envelope Repair Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep due to phased repairs.
Risk of schedule delays impacting facility operations.
Limited competition due to exclusion of sources.
Dependence on a single contractor for multi-phase work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $5.1 million to J & B BUILDERS INC. BUILDING 1: REPAIR BUILDING EXTERIOR ENVELOPE PHASE 2, 3, AND 4 NATIONAL CENTER FOR AGRICULTURAL UTILIZATION RESEARCH (NCAUR) USDA-ARS, PEORIA, IL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is J & B BUILDERS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Agricultural Research Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-30. End: 2025-08-31.

What is the track record of J & B Builders Inc. with federal contracts, particularly for building envelope repairs?

A review of J & B Builders Inc.'s federal contract history would be necessary to assess their track record. This would involve examining past performance on similar projects, including the scope, value, and timeliness of completion. Specifically, looking for experience with large-scale building envelope repairs, especially on institutional or government facilities, would provide insight into their capabilities. Any history of contract disputes, performance issues, or successful project completions would be relevant. Without access to detailed past performance information, it's difficult to definitively assess their suitability beyond the fact they were awarded this contract.

How does the $5.1 million contract value compare to similar building envelope repair projects for federal facilities?

Benchmarking the $5.1 million contract value requires comparing it to similar projects in terms of scope (e.g., square footage of facade repaired, types of materials used), location (considering regional cost differences), and facility type (e.g., research centers, administrative buildings). A preliminary assessment suggests the value is substantial, reflecting a multi-phase, comprehensive repair effort. However, without specific cost-per-square-foot data or comparisons to other federal building envelope projects of comparable complexity, it's challenging to definitively state if it represents excellent or questionable value. Further analysis would involve accessing databases of federal construction contracts to identify comparable projects and their associated costs.

What are the primary risks associated with a multi-phase building envelope repair contract of this nature?

The primary risks associated with this multi-phase building envelope repair contract include potential cost overruns if unforeseen structural issues are discovered during subsequent phases, leading to scope creep or change orders. Schedule delays are also a significant risk, which could impact the operational continuity of the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research (NCAUR). Furthermore, ensuring consistent quality across all phases and managing the interface between different repair stages can be complex. The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition process might also pose a risk if it limited the pool of qualified bidders, potentially impacting the final price and overall value.

How effective is the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' approach in ensuring competitive pricing for taxpayers?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' approach aims to balance broad competition with specific requirements. While it allows for a wider range of potential bidders than a sole-source award, the exclusion of certain sources inherently narrows the competitive field compared to a purely 'full and open' process. The effectiveness in ensuring competitive pricing for taxpayers depends heavily on the justification for the exclusion. If the exclusions are based on legitimate technical capabilities or security requirements that only a few firms possess, the resulting competition might still yield fair prices. However, if exclusions are arbitrary or overly restrictive, it could limit price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers.

What is the historical spending pattern for building maintenance and repair at the NCAUR facility or similar USDA research centers?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for building maintenance and repair at the NCAUR facility or comparable USDA research centers would provide crucial context for this $5.1 million contract. This would involve examining past expenditures on envelope repairs, HVAC systems, roofing, and other major maintenance activities over several fiscal years. Understanding the frequency and cost of previous repairs can help determine if this current contract represents a significant increase, a routine upgrade, or a necessary catch-up on deferred maintenance. It would also help identify any recurring issues or patterns of deterioration that might inform the scope and necessity of the current project.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 12505B23R0010

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2000 W MAIN ST, SAINT CHARLES, IL, 60174

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,103,563

Exercised Options: $5,103,563

Current Obligation: $5,103,563

Actual Outlays: $5,103,563

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline