NSF's New Ice Core Facility Contract Awarded for $13.5M to Willmeng Construction by GSA

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,552,521 ($13.6M)

Contractor: Willmeng Construction, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2023-10-18

End Date: 2025-12-31

Contract Duration: 805 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION NEW ICE CORE FACILITY LOCATED AT 1 DENVER FEDERAL CENTER, LAKEWOOD, CO 80225 BUILDING 810

Place of Performance

Location: DENVER, JEFFERSON County, COLORADO, 80225

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $13.6 million to WILLMENG CONSTRUCTION, INC. for work described as: NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION NEW ICE CORE FACILITY LOCATED AT 1 DENVER FEDERAL CENTER, LAKEWOOD, CO 80225 BUILDING 810 Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is a firm-fixed-price definitive contract, providing cost certainty for the government. 3. The project involves the construction of a new facility for the National Science Foundation. 4. The facility will be located at the Denver Federal Center in Lakewood, Colorado. 5. The contract duration is 805 days, indicating a significant construction timeline. 6. The award value of $13.5M is a substantial investment in scientific infrastructure.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $13.5 million for a new institutional building construction project appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar federal construction projects of this scale would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. Further analysis would involve comparing the per-square-foot cost to similar facilities.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 5 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this project. This competitive environment is generally expected to drive down prices and encourage efficiency from the contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are likely being used efficiently, as multiple companies vied for the contract, potentially leading to a more favorable price and better terms for the government.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the National Science Foundation, which will gain a new, dedicated facility for its ice core research. The services delivered include the construction of a new building, essential for housing and supporting critical scientific equipment and operations. The geographic impact is localized to Lakewood, Colorado, specifically at the Denver Federal Center. The project will likely have implications for the construction workforce in the Denver metropolitan area, creating jobs during the construction phase.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for construction delays impacting NSF's research timeline.
Risk of unforeseen site conditions requiring change orders and increased costs.
Ensuring the facility meets all specialized requirements for ice core storage and research.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Full and open competition likely secured competitive pricing.
Experienced contractor (Willmeng Construction) with a track record in construction projects.
Location at an established federal center may streamline logistical support.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a significant segment of the broader construction industry. Federal spending in this area supports critical infrastructure for government agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal building construction projects awarded by agencies like GSA or other departments for similar facilities.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. This means that opportunities for small businesses may be limited to direct subcontracting by the prime contractor, Willmeng Construction, if they choose to engage them.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the General Services Administration (GSA), which awarded the contract through its Public Buildings Service. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, which obligates the contractor to deliver the specified work within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is generally maintained through federal contract databases, though specific project oversight details may vary.

Related Government Programs

National Science Foundation Research Facilities
General Services Administration Public Buildings Construction
Federal Center Infrastructure Projects
Scientific Research Support Facilities

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen conditions arise.
Risk of schedule delays impacting research timelines.
Ensuring specialized environmental controls meet stringent scientific standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $13.6 million to WILLMENG CONSTRUCTION, INC.. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION NEW ICE CORE FACILITY LOCATED AT 1 DENVER FEDERAL CENTER, LAKEWOOD, CO 80225 BUILDING 810

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WILLMENG CONSTRUCTION, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Public Buildings Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $13.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-10-18. End: 2025-12-31.

What is the track record of Willmeng Construction, Inc. with federal contracts, particularly with the GSA?

Willmeng Construction, Inc. has a history of performing construction projects, including some federal work. While this specific contract is with the General Services Administration (GSA), their broader experience would need to be reviewed to assess their suitability for this specialized facility. A review of their past performance on similar-sized projects, adherence to schedules, and quality of work on previous government contracts would be crucial. Information on their safety record and any past disputes or claims on federal projects would also be relevant for a comprehensive assessment of their track record.

How does the $13.5 million award value compare to similar federal ice core facility constructions?

Benchmarking the $13.5 million award value requires comparing it to similar federal projects specifically designed for ice core storage and research. Factors such as facility size (square footage), specialized environmental controls (e.g., ultra-low temperature storage), and the complexity of scientific equipment integration are critical. Without specific data on comparable projects, it's difficult to definitively state if this value is high or low. However, given the specialized nature of ice core facilities, costs can be significantly higher than standard institutional buildings due to stringent environmental and security requirements.

What are the primary risks associated with this construction project and how are they being mitigated?

Primary risks include potential construction delays due to unforeseen site conditions, weather impacts (especially in Colorado), and ensuring the specialized environmental controls for ice core preservation are met. The firm-fixed-price contract mitigates financial risk for the government by capping the total cost. The full and open competition process likely selected a contractor with demonstrated experience, reducing the risk of poor execution. Mitigation for specialized requirements would involve detailed design specifications, rigorous quality assurance during construction, and potentially phased acceptance testing of critical systems.

What is the expected effectiveness of the new facility in supporting NSF's ice core research?

The effectiveness of the new facility will depend on its design meeting the specific scientific requirements for preserving and accessing ice core samples. A well-designed facility should provide stable, ultra-low temperature storage, minimize contamination risks, and facilitate efficient retrieval for research purposes. The National Science Foundation's involvement in the design and oversight phases is critical to ensuring the facility's functionality. Its success will be measured by its ability to maintain sample integrity over long periods and support the scientific objectives of researchers utilizing the ice cores.

How has federal spending on scientific research infrastructure, like this facility, trended in recent years?

Federal spending on scientific research infrastructure has generally seen fluctuations based on budget appropriations and national priorities. Agencies like the National Science Foundation (NSF) often rely on dedicated funding for major facilities. While overall federal R&D spending can be tracked, specific investments in unique infrastructure like ice core facilities are project-specific. Trends often show a push for modernization and specialized capabilities to support cutting-edge research, indicating a continued need for such investments despite budget pressures.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 47PJ0023R0069

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Willmeng Construction Inc.

Address: 1702 E HIGHLAND AVE, PHOENIX, AZ, 85016

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,552,521

Exercised Options: $13,552,521

Current Obligation: $13,552,521

Actual Outlays: $13,373,294

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline