GSA awards $198M design-build contract for BLS & Census consolidation, highlighting construction sector activity

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $198,434,576 ($198.4M)

Contractor: Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, the

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2022-12-15

End Date: 2026-02-28

Contract Duration: 1,171 days

Daily Burn Rate: $169.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: DESIGN BUILD AWARD FOR THE REIMAGINED BLS & CENSUS CONSOLIDATION AT THE GSA SUITLAND FEDERAL CENTER

Place of Performance

Location: SUITLAND, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20746

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $198.4 million to WHITING-TURNER CONTRACTING COMPANY, THE for work described as: DESIGN BUILD AWARD FOR THE REIMAGINED BLS & CENSUS CONSOLIDATION AT THE GSA SUITLAND FEDERAL CENTER Key points: 1. The contract focuses on a significant consolidation project for the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Census Bureau. 2. Awarded to Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, this project signifies substantial federal investment in infrastructure. 3. The project's fixed-price nature aims to control costs and provide budget certainty. 4. The duration of the contract extends over three years, indicating a complex and lengthy construction process. 5. This award falls within the broader context of federal efforts to modernize government facilities. 6. The project's location in Maryland suggests a regional economic impact through construction jobs and materials.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $198.4 million for a design-build project of this scale appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar large-scale federal building construction projects, the price seems competitive, especially considering the inclusion of design services. The firm-fixed-price structure provides a degree of cost certainty for the government, mitigating risks associated with potential cost overruns common in construction.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders were likely considered. This competitive process is expected to drive better pricing and service quality. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust bidding environment, which is generally favorable for government procurement.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically results in better value for taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to lower prices and higher quality services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Census Bureau, who will gain consolidated and modernized facilities. The project will deliver new or renovated building space, improving operational efficiency for these agencies. The geographic impact is centered in Suitland, Maryland, potentially boosting the local economy through job creation and related services. The construction workforce in Maryland and surrounding areas will likely see increased employment opportunities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for construction delays impacting agency operational readiness.
Risk of unforeseen site conditions requiring change orders and budget adjustments.
Ensuring compliance with environmental and safety regulations throughout the construction lifecycle.

Positive Signals

Design-build approach can streamline project delivery and reduce overall timelines.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Whiting-Turner has a track record in large-scale construction projects.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a significant segment of the broader construction industry. Federal building projects, especially those involving design-build delivery, represent a substantial portion of government spending on infrastructure. Comparable projects include other large federal agency consolidations or new construction initiatives, where costs can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars depending on scope and complexity.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate a specific small business set-aside. While the prime contractor is Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, a large entity, there may be opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors. The extent of small business subcontracting will depend on the prime contractor's strategy and GSA's oversight requirements.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) Public Buildings Service is responsible for overseeing this contract. Oversight mechanisms likely include regular progress reviews, site inspections, and adherence to contract milestones. Transparency is generally maintained through public contract databases, and accountability is enforced through the firm-fixed-price contract terms and potential penalties for non-performance.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building Construction
Government Agency Consolidation Projects
Design-Build Contracts
Bureau of Labor Statistics Facilities
Census Bureau Facilities

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep impacting budget and schedule.
Coordination challenges between two distinct agency requirements.
Ensuring long-term facility maintenance and operational efficiency post-construction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $198.4 million to WHITING-TURNER CONTRACTING COMPANY, THE. DESIGN BUILD AWARD FOR THE REIMAGINED BLS & CENSUS CONSOLIDATION AT THE GSA SUITLAND FEDERAL CENTER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WHITING-TURNER CONTRACTING COMPANY, THE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $198.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-12-15. End: 2026-02-28.

What is the historical spending pattern for the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Census Bureau facility upgrades or new constructions?

Analyzing historical spending for BLS and Census Bureau facility projects reveals a pattern of significant investment in infrastructure, particularly during periods of agency expansion or modernization efforts. While specific figures for past upgrades are not detailed here, large-scale projects like this consolidation are indicative of a strategic approach to optimizing agency operations through improved physical space. Past investments would likely have varied based on the scope of renovations, new construction needs, and the prevailing economic conditions influencing construction costs at the time. The current $198 million award suggests a substantial, multi-year commitment to addressing the long-term facility requirements of these critical government entities.

How does the cost per square foot of this project compare to similar federal building construction projects?

Without the specific square footage of the consolidated space, a direct cost-per-square-foot comparison is not feasible. However, the total award of $198.4 million for a design-build project encompassing consolidation for two major agencies suggests a significant undertaking. Federal building construction costs can vary widely based on location, complexity, materials, and the inclusion of specialized design elements. For large-scale institutional or commercial buildings, costs can range from $300 to over $800 per square foot. Given the 'design-build' nature and the consolidation aspect, this project likely involves complex space planning and integration, which could place it at the higher end of the typical cost spectrum, but a precise benchmark requires detailed project specifications.

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

Key performance indicators for this design-build contract would likely focus on several critical areas. Schedule adherence, ensuring the project is completed by the February 28, 2026, deadline, is paramount. Cost control, maintaining the project within the $198.4 million firm-fixed-price budget, is another crucial KPI. Quality of construction, meeting all specified building codes, design standards, and functional requirements for the BLS and Census Bureau, will be rigorously assessed. Additionally, safety performance on-site, minimizing accidents and ensuring a secure working environment, is a standard KPI for construction projects. Finally, successful handover and occupancy, ensuring the facilities are fully functional and meet the agencies' operational needs, will be the ultimate measure of success.

What is Whiting-Turner Contracting Company's track record with similar large-scale federal design-build projects?

Whiting-Turner Contracting Company has a substantial track record in executing large-scale federal design-build projects across various sectors, including government facilities, research laboratories, and institutional buildings. Their portfolio often includes complex projects requiring significant coordination between design and construction phases. While specific details of past federal contracts are not provided here, their repeated success in securing and completing such projects indicates a demonstrated capability in managing large budgets, adhering to strict timelines, and meeting the rigorous quality and security standards demanded by federal agencies. Their experience likely encompasses a wide range of construction types, making them a suitable candidate for this BLS & Census consolidation project.

Are there any specific risks identified by the GSA or other oversight bodies related to this particular consolidation project?

While the provided data does not explicitly list GSA-identified risks for this specific consolidation, common risks in large federal building projects include potential delays due to unforeseen site conditions, complexities in integrating the needs of two distinct agencies into a single facility, and ensuring seamless transitions for agency personnel. The design-build nature, while efficient, requires meticulous coordination to ensure the final design meets all functional and operational requirements. Furthermore, managing a firm-fixed-price contract of this magnitude involves inherent risks related to material cost fluctuations and labor availability, which the contractor must mitigate. GSA's oversight would focus on proactive risk management and contingency planning throughout the project lifecycle.

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

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 47PM0122R0020

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 300 E JOPPA RD, BALTIMORE, MD, 21286

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $254,249,552

Exercised Options: $198,434,576

Current Obligation: $198,434,576

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47PH0821D0011

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline