Commerce Awards $2.46M Design-Build Contract for NIST Boiler Access Catwalk to HHI Corporation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,464,477 ($2.5M)

Contractor: HHI Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2025-08-28

End Date: 2027-02-19

Contract Duration: 540 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: OU19-25-NEW-243 DESIGN-BUILD CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FOR B42 CUP CATWALK FOR BOILERS ACCESS

Place of Performance

Location: BOULDER, BOULDER County, COLORADO, 80305

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $2.5 million to HHI CORPORATION for work described as: OU19-25-NEW-243 DESIGN-BUILD CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FOR B42 CUP CATWALK FOR BOILERS ACCESS Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential facility upgrade at NIST. 2. HHI Corporation secured the design-build contract. 3. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The project falls under commercial building construction.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.46M for a design-build catwalk project appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar specialized construction projects would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating a competitive process that aimed to solicit bids from all qualified sources. This method generally promotes price discovery and potentially better pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for a necessary infrastructure improvement at a federal research facility, ensuring continued operational capacity.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operational safety and access at NIST facilities. Supports infrastructure modernization within a key federal research agency. Potential for job creation within the construction sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Small business participation not explicitly mentioned.
Potential for cost overruns in design-build projects if scope is not tightly managed.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition utilized.
Firm fixed price contract type limits cost risk to the government.
Project addresses critical infrastructure needs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector. Spending in this sector for federal projects can vary significantly based on infrastructure needs and modernization efforts.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business subcontracting opportunities were included or pursued.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Commerce, specifically the National Institute of Standards and Technology, is responsible for oversight. The use of a firm fixed price contract and full and open competition are positive indicators for accountability.

Related Government Programs

Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
Department of Commerce Contracting
National Institute of Standards and Technology Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep in design-build projects.
Lack of explicit small business participation.
Reliance on 'exclusion of sources' could warrant further scrutiny.
Project duration is substantial, increasing exposure to market fluctuations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $2.5 million to HHI CORPORATION. OU19-25-NEW-243 DESIGN-BUILD CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FOR B42 CUP CATWALK FOR BOILERS ACCESS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HHI CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (National Institute of Standards and Technology).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-08-28. End: 2027-02-19.

What is the estimated cost per square foot or linear foot for the catwalk construction, and how does it compare to industry benchmarks?

Without detailed project specifications, calculating a precise per-unit cost is challenging. However, the total award of $2.46M for a 540-day duration project suggests a significant investment. Benchmarking would require comparing the scope of work, materials, and complexity against similar federal or commercial catwalk projects.

What specific risks were identified during the 'exclusion of sources' phase of the full and open competition, and how were they mitigated?

The 'exclusion of sources' designation typically implies that certain sources were initially excluded based on specific criteria (e.g., security clearances, specialized capabilities) before the broader competition. Mitigation strategies would involve ensuring the exclusion criteria were justified, documented, and did not unduly limit competition, thereby maintaining a fair and effective bidding environment.

How will the effectiveness of the completed catwalk be measured to ensure it meets NIST's operational and safety requirements?

Effectiveness will likely be measured through a combination of final inspections, adherence to design specifications, and post-completion operational testing. NIST personnel will verify that the catwalk provides safe and reliable access to the boilers as intended, meeting all relevant building codes and safety standards. Performance metrics may be tied to the contract's acceptance criteria.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 1333ND25RNB190018

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 736 W HARRISVILLE RD, OGDEN, UT, 84404

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,464,477

Exercised Options: $2,464,477

Current Obligation: $2,464,477

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA251720D0011

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline