GSA awards $3.18M contract for construction at St. Elizabeths East Campus, highlighting competition and long-term project needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,181,139 ($3.2M)

Contractor: Cfm/Severn Associates Joint Venture

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2021-03-18

End Date: 2026-02-28

Contract Duration: 1,808 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: PROVIDE LABOR, MATERIALS, SUPERVISION AND EQUIPMENT FOR MUNRO CONSTRUCTION FIT OUT ST ELIZABETHS W CAMPUS SE WASH DC

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20032

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $3.2 million to CFM/SEVERN ASSOCIATES JOINT VENTURE for work described as: PROVIDE LABOR, MATERIALS, SUPERVISION AND EQUIPMENT FOR MUNRO CONSTRUCTION FIT OUT ST ELIZABETHS W CAMPUS SE WASH DC Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. Project duration extends over 1800 days, indicating a significant, long-term construction effort. 3. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 236220 points to commercial and institutional building construction. 5. The award is a Delivery Order, likely part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. 6. The contractor, CFM/SEVERN ASSOCIATES JOINT VENTURE, is responsible for labor, materials, supervision, and equipment.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.18 million for construction services appears reasonable given the project's scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar large-scale construction projects managed by GSA would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The Firm Fixed Price structure is a positive indicator for cost control, as it caps the government's expenditure.

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 that multiple bidders were allowed to compete, but specific sources may have been excluded prior to the main competition. The presence of 7 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this project, which typically leads to more favorable pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely resulted in a more cost-effective solution compared to a sole-source or limited competition scenario.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the agencies or entities that will occupy or utilize the renovated or constructed spaces at St. Elizabeths East Campus. The contract delivers essential construction and fit-out services, contributing to the modernization and operational readiness of federal facilities. The geographic impact is localized to Washington D.C., specifically the St. Elizabeths East Campus. The project will likely involve a significant workforce, including skilled trades, project managers, and support staff, contributing to local employment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions arise, despite the FFP contract.
Dependency on the contractor's ability to manage complex construction logistics at a large campus.
Risk of schedule delays due to weather, permitting, or supply chain issues common in construction.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract structure mitigates cost escalation risk for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a robust vetting of potential contractors and competitive pricing.
Long contract duration allows for phased execution and potential for contractor learning curve efficiencies.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the construction sector, specifically commercial and institutional building construction. The General Services Administration (GSA) is a major procurer of construction and renovation services for federal buildings. Spending in this area is driven by the need to maintain, modernize, and expand federal infrastructure. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale GSA construction projects or similar federal agency building initiatives.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a primary set-aside factor for this specific award, as the 'sb' field is false. However, the joint venture structure of the awardee could potentially involve subcontracting opportunities for small businesses, depending on the internal agreements between CFM and SEVERN ASSOCIATES. Further analysis of subcontracting plans would be needed to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is likely managed by the General Services Administration's Public Buildings Service. Accountability measures are embedded in the Firm Fixed Price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver specified work within the agreed budget. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, though specific project-level oversight details may not be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

GSA Federal Buildings Fund
St. Elizabeths East Campus Redevelopment
Federal Construction Contracts
Public Buildings Service Projects

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep given the long duration and complex campus environment.
Contractor performance risk associated with joint venture structure.
Dependency on timely approvals and coordination with other campus stakeholders.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $3.2 million to CFM/SEVERN ASSOCIATES JOINT VENTURE. PROVIDE LABOR, MATERIALS, SUPERVISION AND EQUIPMENT FOR MUNRO CONSTRUCTION FIT OUT ST ELIZABETHS W CAMPUS SE WASH DC

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CFM/SEVERN ASSOCIATES JOINT VENTURE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-03-18. End: 2026-02-28.

What is the historical spending pattern for construction services at the St. Elizabeths East Campus by the GSA?

Analyzing historical spending at the St. Elizabeths East Campus requires access to detailed GSA procurement data beyond this single award. However, the redevelopment of St. Elizabeths East is a multi-year, multi-billion dollar initiative involving various federal agencies and private developers. GSA's role often involves managing infrastructure and building construction/renovation. Past spending would likely show a pattern of significant investment in site preparation, infrastructure upgrades, and building construction/renovation, reflecting the campus's transformation. This specific $3.18 million contract represents a portion of that larger investment, likely focused on a specific building fit-out or construction phase. Without access to GSA's detailed historical contract databases for this specific campus, a precise spending pattern cannot be determined, but it is indicative of ongoing capital investment.

How does the number of bidders (7) compare to similar GSA construction contracts of this value?

A competition level of 7 bidders for a $3.18 million construction contract awarded by the GSA is generally considered robust. For contracts in this value range within the commercial and institutional building construction sector (NAICS 236220), the number of bids can vary significantly based on project complexity, geographic location, and market conditions. However, having multiple bidders, especially in a 'full and open competition' scenario, suggests that the opportunity was attractive and accessible to a reasonable number of qualified firms. This level of competition typically provides the government with a good selection of proposals and increases the likelihood of achieving a fair market price. Lower numbers of bidders might indicate specialized requirements, limited local capacity, or less attractive contract terms.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) typically used to evaluate the success of such construction contracts?

Key performance indicators (KPIs) for construction contracts like this one typically revolve around schedule adherence, cost control, quality of work, and safety. For this Firm Fixed Price contract, meeting the delivery date (February 28, 2026) and staying within the $3.18 million budget are paramount. Quality of work is assessed through inspections and adherence to building codes and specifications. Safety KPIs include tracking incident rates (e.g., OSHA recordable incidents) and ensuring compliance with safety regulations. Customer satisfaction, often measured by the end-user agency's acceptance of the completed work, is also a critical KPI. The GSA's Public Buildings Service likely has established metrics and reporting requirements to monitor these KPIs throughout the contract duration.

What is the track record of CFM/SEVERN ASSOCIATES JOINT VENTURE with GSA or similar federal agencies?

Assessing the specific track record of the 'CFM/SEVERN ASSOCIATES JOINT VENTURE' requires accessing federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS. While this award indicates they were successful in winning this contract, their broader history with GSA or other federal agencies is not detailed in the provided data. Joint ventures often form to combine capabilities for specific projects. To evaluate their track record, one would look for past performance information, including the number and types of contracts previously awarded to each entity within the joint venture, their performance ratings on those contracts, and any history of disputes or contract terminations. A positive track record with GSA would involve successful completion of similar construction projects, adherence to schedules and budgets, and positive past performance evaluations.

How does the duration of this contract (1808 days) compare to typical construction delivery orders of this size?

A contract duration of 1808 days (approximately 5 years) for a $3.18 million construction delivery order is on the longer side, but not necessarily unusual, especially for projects involving phased construction, complex fit-outs, or integration with larger campus development plans like St. Elizabeths East. Typical delivery orders for smaller, straightforward construction tasks might range from a few months to a year or two. However, larger projects, or those that are part of a multi-phase initiative, often have longer durations to accommodate planning, execution, and potential changes. The extended duration here suggests this project may involve significant scope, potentially multiple phases of work, or is strategically aligned with the broader, long-term redevelopment goals for the St. Elizabeths campus.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 47PM0021Q0013

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1131 BENFIELD BLVD STE J, MILLERSVILLE, MD, 21108

Business Categories: Category Business, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Joint Venture Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Joint Venture Women Owned Small Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,181,139

Exercised Options: $3,181,139

Current Obligation: $3,181,139

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47PM0518D0001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline