State Department Awards $350M Design/Build Embassy in Trinidad to Caddell Construction

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $350,154,011 ($350.2M)

Contractor: Caddell Construction CO. (DE), LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2024-09-30

End Date: 2029-03-24

Contract Duration: 1,636 days

Daily Burn Rate: $214.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: DESIGN/BUILD NEW EMBASSY COMPOUND IN PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $350.2 million to CADDELL CONSTRUCTION CO. (DE), LLC for work described as: DESIGN/BUILD NEW EMBASSY COMPOUND IN PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Caddell Construction Co. (DE), LLC for $350.15M. 2. Full and open competition was utilized for this procurement. 3. The contract is a firm-fixed-price definitive contract. 4. Project duration is 1636 days, ending March 2029. 5. No small business participation was reported.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The $350.15M contract price appears reasonable for a large-scale embassy construction project of this scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar international embassy construction projects would provide further validation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The use of full and open competition is a positive indicator for price discovery. This method allows multiple qualified contractors to bid, fostering a competitive environment that should drive a more favorable price for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive bidding process is expected to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for this significant infrastructure investment.

Public Impact

Enhances diplomatic presence and security in Trinidad and Tobago. Supports U.S. foreign policy objectives through improved infrastructure. Potential for local economic impact through job creation and subcontracts (though not specified).

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Lack of reported small business participation.
  • Long project duration with potential for cost overruns.
  • Geopolitical risks in the region.

Positive Signals

  • Firm-fixed-price contract limits cost escalation risk.
  • Full and open competition promotes competitive pricing.
  • Experienced contractor likely selected.

Sector Analysis

This project falls under Commercial and Institutional Building Construction. Embassy construction is a specialized sector requiring adherence to strict security, design, and construction standards, often involving significant capital investment.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates no small business participation in this contract. Efforts should be made in future procurements to identify opportunities for small businesses to participate, either as prime contractors or subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of State is responsible for oversight. The firm-fixed-price contract structure provides some cost control, but diligent project management will be crucial to ensure adherence to schedule and quality standards.

Related Government Programs

  • Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
  • Department of State Contracting
  • Department of State Programs

Risk Flags

  • Potential for construction delays.
  • Lack of small business involvement.
  • Geopolitical instability in the region.
  • Supply chain vulnerabilities for specialized materials.

Tags

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $350.2 million to CADDELL CONSTRUCTION CO. (DE), LLC. DESIGN/BUILD NEW EMBASSY COMPOUND IN PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CADDELL CONSTRUCTION CO. (DE), LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $350.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-30. End: 2029-03-24.

What specific security and sustainability features are incorporated into the new embassy design, and how do these impact the overall cost?

The contract details do not specify the security and sustainability features. These elements are critical for embassy operations and often involve advanced technologies and materials, which can significantly influence project costs. A thorough review of the design specifications and cost breakdown would be necessary to assess their impact.

What is the risk assessment for construction delays given the project's 5-year duration and international location?

A 5-year duration for an international construction project carries inherent risks of delays due to supply chain disruptions, labor availability, unforeseen site conditions, and local regulatory hurdles. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract may incentivize the contractor to mitigate these risks, but robust project management and contingency planning by the State Department are essential.

How does the cost per square foot of this embassy compare to similar international embassy construction projects?

Without specific square footage data and detailed cost breakdowns, a direct cost-per-square-foot comparison is not feasible. However, the total contract value of $350.15 million suggests a substantial investment, typical for modern, secure, and technologically advanced diplomatic facilities. Benchmarking against publicly available data for comparable projects would be informative.

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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 19AQMM24R0133

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Caddell Construction CO., Inc.

Address: 445 DEXTER AVE, MONTGOMERY, AL, 36104

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $350,154,011

Exercised Options: $350,154,011

Current Obligation: $350,154,011

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline

Start Date: 2024-09-30

Current End Date: 2029-03-24

Potential End Date: 2029-03-24 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2026-03-13

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