EPA awards $10.4M for Athens lab construction, Skinner Development Inc. to lead Phase 3B

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,376,740 ($10.4M)

Contractor: Skinner Development Inc

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2021-09-29

End Date: 2025-05-30

Contract Duration: 1,339 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: ATHENS LABORATORY CONSOLIDATION (ALC) PHASE 3B MAIN LAB BUILDING CONSTRUCTION-PHASE 1 FOR EPA ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LABORATORY, ATHENS, GA IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ATTACHED SOW.

Place of Performance

Location: ATHENS, CLARKE County, GEORGIA, 30605

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $10.4 million to SKINNER DEVELOPMENT INC for work described as: ATHENS LABORATORY CONSOLIDATION (ALC) PHASE 3B MAIN LAB BUILDING CONSTRUCTION-PHASE 1 FOR EPA ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LABORATORY, ATHENS, GA IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ATTACHED SOW. Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in environmental research infrastructure. 2. The project is a firm-fixed-price delivery order, indicating defined scope and cost. 3. Construction is slated to span nearly two years, suggesting a complex build. 4. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, implying a robust bidding process. 5. Skinner Development Inc. is the sole contractor for this phase of the project. 6. The project is located in Athens, Georgia, potentially impacting the local economy and workforce.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $10.4 million for Phase 3B of the Athens Laboratory Consolidation (ALC) project appears to be a substantial investment. Benchmarking this against similar large-scale institutional building construction projects would be necessary for a precise value-for-money assessment. However, given the firm-fixed-price nature, the EPA has a defined cost ceiling. The duration of nearly two years suggests a complex undertaking, and the final cost will be a key indicator of efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources.' While the 'full and open' aspect suggests a broad solicitation, the 'exclusion of sources' clause warrants further investigation to understand if specific pre-qualification criteria limited the pool of potential bidders. The number of bidders is not specified, but the competitive nature should theoretically drive price discovery and ensure a reasonable market price for the construction services.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process is generally favorable for taxpayers, as it aims to secure the best value through multiple offers. Understanding the specific reasons for excluding certain sources, if any, is crucial to confirm that taxpayer funds were used efficiently and that the most capable and cost-effective contractor was selected.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the EPA's Environmental Research Laboratory in Athens, GA, which will gain enhanced facilities. The project will deliver new laboratory and associated building infrastructure, supporting critical environmental research. The geographic impact is concentrated in Athens, Georgia, potentially creating local jobs and stimulating the regional economy. Workforce implications include construction jobs during the project's execution and long-term employment opportunities at the research facility.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type requires clarification to ensure maximum competition was achieved.
Lack of specific bidder count makes it difficult to fully assess the intensity of competition and its impact on pricing.
The firm-fixed-price contract, while providing cost certainty, could lead to change orders if the scope is not perfectly defined initially.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a broad market solicitation.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability for the EPA.
The project addresses a clear need for infrastructure upgrades at a key EPA research facility.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector. This sector is characterized by a wide range of project sizes and complexities, from small renovations to large-scale new builds like research laboratories. The market for federal construction contracts is competitive, with numerous firms capable of undertaking such projects. Benchmarking against similar government-funded laboratory construction projects would provide further context on cost-effectiveness.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications specifically tied to small business set-asides for this particular award. The impact on the broader small business ecosystem would depend on whether Skinner Development Inc. utilizes small businesses as subcontractors, which is not detailed in this data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily fall under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, it likely adheres to the oversight mechanisms of that parent contract. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases and public reporting. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

EPA Research Facilities Construction
Federal Laboratory Infrastructure Projects
Environmental Research and Development Spending
General Services Administration (GSA) Construction Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep in large construction projects.
Dependency on timely material and labor availability.
Unforeseen site conditions could impact schedule and cost.
Ensuring adherence to stringent environmental and safety regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $10.4 million to SKINNER DEVELOPMENT INC. ATHENS LABORATORY CONSOLIDATION (ALC) PHASE 3B MAIN LAB BUILDING CONSTRUCTION-PHASE 1 FOR EPA ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LABORATORY, ATHENS, GA IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ATTACHED SOW.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SKINNER DEVELOPMENT INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-29. End: 2025-05-30.

What is the track record of Skinner Development Inc. in completing similar federal construction projects, particularly those involving research laboratories?

Information regarding Skinner Development Inc.'s specific track record on similar federal projects, especially those involving research laboratories, is not provided in the data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract completion history, and any reported issues or successes on prior government contracts. This would help determine their capacity, reliability, and experience in delivering complex scientific infrastructure. Without this data, it's difficult to gauge their suitability beyond the current award.

How does the awarded amount of $10.4 million compare to the estimated cost or bids from other competitors?

The provided data does not include the estimated cost or the bids from other competitors for this contract. While the award amount is $10.4 million, understanding the competitive landscape requires knowing the range of proposals received. If multiple bids were significantly lower or higher, it would provide context on whether this award represents a particularly strong or weak outcome from a pricing perspective. The 'full and open competition' suggests a bidding process occurred, but the specifics of the bids are not detailed here.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this construction project, and how will success be measured?

The specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this construction project are not detailed in the provided data. Typically, for construction contracts, KPIs would include adherence to schedule (milestones and final completion date), quality of workmanship (meeting building codes and specifications), safety compliance, and budget management. The EPA would likely have internal metrics and inspection processes to monitor progress and ensure the project meets the requirements outlined in the Statement of Work (SOW). Formal acceptance of the completed work would signify project success.

What is the historical spending pattern for the Athens Laboratory Consolidation (ALC) project, and how does this phase fit into the overall budget?

Historical spending data for the Athens Laboratory Consolidation (ALC) project, and how this Phase 3B fits into the overall budget, is not available in the provided data. This award represents a specific delivery order for Phase 3B, valued at $10.4 million. To understand the historical context, one would need access to previous phases' funding, expenditures, and the total projected budget for the entire ALC initiative. This would allow for an analysis of spending trends and whether current expenditures align with projections.

Are there any identified risks associated with Skinner Development Inc. or the project's execution, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

The provided data does not explicitly list identified risks associated with Skinner Development Inc. or the execution of this specific construction project. General risks in large construction projects include potential delays due to unforeseen site conditions, material shortages, labor issues, or weather. Mitigation strategies would typically be outlined in the contract's terms and conditions, potentially including performance bonds, liquidated damages for delays, and clear change order processes. A thorough risk assessment would be part of the EPA's due diligence during the procurement phase.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 68HERC21R0197

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1705 ENTERPRISE WAY STE 200, MARIETTA, GA, 30067

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, HUBZone Firm, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,376,740

Exercised Options: $10,376,740

Current Obligation: $10,376,740

Actual Outlays: $10,376,740

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HERC20D0031

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline