DOJ Awards $464M Design-Build Contract for Leavenworth FCI to Clark Construction

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $464,218,544 ($464.2M)

Contractor: Clark Construction Group LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2023-08-07

End Date: 2026-06-11

Contract Duration: 1,039 days

Daily Burn Rate: $446.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: DESIGN BUILD FCI LEAVENWORTH

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20814

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $464.2 million to CLARK CONSTRUCTION GROUP LLC for work described as: DESIGN BUILD FCI LEAVENWORTH Key points: 1. Significant investment in federal corrections infrastructure. 2. Large contract awarded through full and open competition. 3. Potential for cost overruns or schedule delays in large construction projects. 4. Construction sector is highly competitive with established players.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $464M is substantial for a design-build project of this nature. Benchmarking against similar large-scale federal correctional facility constructions would be necessary for a precise assessment, but the firm-fixed-price structure suggests an effort to control costs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The award was made under full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value offer.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being utilized for essential infrastructure upgrades within the federal prison system, aiming for long-term facility improvement and operational efficiency.

Public Impact

Modernization of federal correctional facilities to improve safety and living conditions. Job creation within the construction sector and related industries. Potential impact on local economies near the Leavenworth facility during construction.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Complexity of large-scale design-build projects can lead to unforeseen challenges.
  • Firm-fixed-price contracts may not fully account for all potential construction variables.
  • Dependence on a single prime contractor for both design and construction.

Positive Signals

  • Awarded through full and open competition, maximizing potential for competitive pricing.
  • Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
  • Project aims to improve critical federal infrastructure.

Sector Analysis

The Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector is a significant part of the economy, with federal contracts often involving large, complex projects. Benchmarks for similar federal correctional facility projects would indicate if this award is within the expected range.

Small Business Impact

While the prime contractor is Clark Construction Group LLC, a large entity, the contract details do not specify subcontracting goals for small businesses. Federal regulations typically encourage or mandate small business participation in large projects.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Justice, through the Bureau of Prisons, is responsible for overseeing this contract. Robust oversight will be crucial to ensure adherence to design specifications, timelines, and budget, especially given the project's scale.

Related Government Programs

  • Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
  • Department of Justice Contracting
  • Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons Programs

Risk Flags

  • Project complexity and scale.
  • Potential for unforeseen site conditions.
  • Reliance on a single prime contractor.
  • Firm-fixed-price contract limitations.

Tags

commercial-and-institutional-building-co, department-of-justice, md, definitive-contract, 100m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $464.2 million to CLARK CONSTRUCTION GROUP LLC. DESIGN BUILD FCI LEAVENWORTH

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CLARK CONSTRUCTION GROUP LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $464.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-08-07. End: 2026-06-11.

What is the historical cost performance of Clark Construction Group LLC on similar federal design-build projects?

Analyzing Clark Construction Group LLC's past performance on comparable federal design-build projects is crucial for assessing risk. Reviewing their track record regarding cost overruns, schedule adherence, and quality of work on similar-sized correctional or institutional facilities would provide valuable insights into their capability to deliver this project successfully within the awarded budget and timeframe.

How will the firm-fixed-price contract mitigate risks associated with potential material cost fluctuations or unforeseen site conditions?

A firm-fixed-price contract places the burden of cost overruns due to material price changes or unforeseen site conditions primarily on the contractor. However, the contract may include contingency clauses or escalation provisions for specific circumstances. The government's risk is mitigated by the price ceiling, but careful contract negotiation and robust oversight are still necessary to ensure the contractor manages these risks effectively.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) being used to measure the effectiveness and success of this design-build project?

Effectiveness will likely be measured against KPIs such as adherence to the approved design specifications, timely completion of project milestones, final facility functionality meeting operational requirements, and overall quality of construction. Post-occupancy evaluations and user feedback from the Bureau of Prisons staff will also be critical indicators of the project's long-term success and value.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ConstructionNonresidential Building ConstructionCommercial and Institutional Building Construction

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: TWO STEP

Solicitation ID: 15B70022R00000009

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Clark Construction LLC

Address: 7500 OLD GEORGETOWN RD FL 3, BETHESDA, MD, 20814

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $927,629,120

Exercised Options: $464,218,544

Current Obligation: $464,218,544

Actual Outlays: $431,457,506

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline

Start Date: 2023-08-07

Current End Date: 2026-06-11

Potential End Date: 2026-07-01 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2026-03-20

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