DOJ Awards $82.45M Design-Build Contract for NS&I Center to BL Harbert International
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $82,450,154 ($82.5M)
Contractor: BL Harbert International LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2024-09-13
End Date: 2027-01-26
Contract Duration: 865 days
Daily Burn Rate: $95.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: NATIONAL SECURITY & INTELLIGENCE CENTER OF EXCELLENCE (NS&I COE) DESIGN BUILD CONTRACT
Place of Performance
Location: BIRMINGHAM, JEFFERSON County, ALABAMA, 35209
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $82.5 million to BL HARBERT INTERNATIONAL LLC for work described as: NATIONAL SECURITY & INTELLIGENCE CENTER OF EXCELLENCE (NS&I COE) DESIGN BUILD CONTRACT Key points: 1. The contract is a firm-fixed-price award, indicating clear cost expectations. 2. BL Harbert International, the awardee, is a significant player in large-scale construction. 3. The project aims to enhance national security and intelligence capabilities. 4. The duration of 865 days suggests a complex and substantial construction undertaking.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $82.45M for a design-build project of this scale appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar large-scale government construction projects would provide further validation.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method typically yields competitive pricing for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract helps control costs and provides predictability for taxpayer investment in this critical national security facility.
Public Impact
Enhances critical national security and intelligence infrastructure. Supports job creation in the construction sector in Alabama. Ensures modern facilities for federal law enforcement operations.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions arise.
- Dependency on a single prime contractor for design and construction.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
- Experienced contractor selected for a complex project.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector. Government spending in this area is substantial, driven by infrastructure needs and facility upgrades across various agencies.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific requirement or outcome of this contract award (ss: false, sb: false). Future contracts may need to explore opportunities for small business subcontracting.
Oversight & Accountability
The award process under full and open competition suggests a degree of oversight. However, ongoing monitoring of project milestones, budget adherence, and quality control will be crucial for accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Federal Bureau of Investigation Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for scope creep impacting budget.
- Contractor performance risk.
- Dependency on timely completion for operational readiness.
- Unforeseen site conditions.
Tags
commercial-and-institutional-building-co, department-of-justice, al, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $82.5 million to BL HARBERT INTERNATIONAL LLC. NATIONAL SECURITY & INTELLIGENCE CENTER OF EXCELLENCE (NS&I COE) DESIGN BUILD CONTRACT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BL HARBERT INTERNATIONAL LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Investigation).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $82.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-09-13. End: 2027-01-26.
What are the specific national security and intelligence capabilities this new center is intended to support?
The National Security & Intelligence Center of Excellence is designed to consolidate and modernize critical functions for federal agencies, likely focusing on data analysis, threat assessment, and operational command. This includes providing advanced technological infrastructure and secure workspaces to enhance information sharing and response capabilities against evolving national security threats.
What are the primary risks associated with the firm-fixed-price contract for a project of this magnitude and duration?
The primary risk with a firm-fixed-price contract for a large, long-duration project is that the contractor may face unforeseen cost increases (e.g., material price hikes, labor shortages) that erode their profit margin, potentially leading to pressure to cut corners on quality or scope. Conversely, the government bears the risk if the initial scope was underestimated, as change orders can become costly.
How will the effectiveness of the NS&I COE be measured post-construction?
Effectiveness will likely be measured through a combination of operational metrics, such as improved response times to threats, enhanced data processing capabilities, and successful inter-agency collaboration. User satisfaction surveys from personnel operating within the facility, along with assessments of its contribution to achieving national security objectives, will also be key indicators.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: TWO STEP
Solicitation ID: 15F06724R0000022
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 820 SHADES CREEK PKWY, BIRMINGHAM, AL, 35209
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $82,450,154
Exercised Options: $82,450,154
Current Obligation: $82,450,154
Actual Outlays: $22,328,170
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 30
Total Subaward Amount: $57,850,582
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-09-13
Current End Date: 2027-01-26
Potential End Date: 2027-01-26 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-23
More Contracts from BL Harbert International LLC
- TAS::19 0535 000::TAS NEW Embassey Compound and Housing, Islamabad, Pakistan — $871.5M (Department of State)
- Base Award for Construction Manager AS Constructor Clin-001 for Design-Phase Services for Hanoi NEC — $815.9M (Department of State)
- Beirut, Lebanon NEW Embassy Constructionigf::cl::igf — $731.6M (Department of State)
- Construction Services for the NEW Embassy Compound in NEW Delhi, India — $685.1M (Department of State)
- Construction Services for NEW Emabssy Compound in London, England. Igf::ot::igf — $636.0M (Department of State)
Other Department of Justice Contracts
- Contractor Owned and Operated Existing Correctional Facility for Approximately 3,500 LOW Security Male Inmates — $794.5M (Cornell Companies, Inc.)
- Detention Services - SAN Diego — $776.9M (THE GEO Group, Inc.)
- CO: Telly Renfroe Award of NEW Task Order Base Year Initial Funding — $616.4M (AT&T Enterprises, LLC)
- TAS 151060 - Services for the Management and Operation of a Contractor-Owned, Contractor-Operated, Correctional Facility for 2,567 Beds in Adams County, Mississippi — $574.3M (Corecivic, Inc.)
- Provide Services for the Management and Operation of a Correctional Facility in Accordance With Rfp-Pcc-0014 — $568.9M (Cornell Companies, Inc.)