NIH Awards $2.3M for Building 31 Renovation to Cutlass Contracting LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,335,737 ($2.3M)

Contractor: Cutlass Contracting LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2021-05-21

End Date: 2026-05-30

Contract Duration: 1,835 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: C108602 RENOVATION TO B1W30 IN BUILDING 31 FOR DFP CO/CS: CHRIS POSTEK COR: CLESHETTE BROOKS CPARS: HEATH ABBOTT

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $2.3 million to CUTLASS CONTRACTING LLC for work described as: C108602 RENOVATION TO B1W30 IN BUILDING 31 FOR DFP CO/CS: CHRIS POSTEK COR: CLESHETTE BROOKS CPARS: HEATH ABBOTT Key points: 1. The contract is for renovation work on Building 31 at NIH. 2. Cutlass Contracting LLC was awarded the contract. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 4. The project duration is 1835 days, ending in May 2026.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.3M for a renovation project of this duration appears within a reasonable range for commercial and institutional building construction. Benchmarking against similar NIH renovation projects would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method typically leads to competitive pricing as multiple vendors have the opportunity to bid.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers, as it aims to secure the best value through market forces.

Public Impact

Renovation of Building 31 will improve facilities at the National Institutes of Health. The project supports the operational needs of the Department of Health and Human Services. The long duration indicates a significant scope of work impacting facility operations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long project duration may lead to cost overruns or scope creep.
Potential for unforeseen issues during renovation impacting schedule and budget.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing.
Clear contract type (Firm Fixed Price) limits cost uncertainty.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Commercial and Institutional Building Construction, a sector that can see significant variation in project costs based on scope, location, and complexity. Benchmarks for similar renovations at federal facilities are crucial for detailed analysis.

Small Business Impact

The awardee, Cutlass Contracting LLC, is not indicated as a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was sought or achieved through subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract includes CPARS reporting, which provides a mechanism for evaluating contractor performance. Oversight by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and Contracting Officer (CO) is essential for ensuring successful project completion.

Related Government Programs

Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
National Institutes of Health Programs

Risk Flags

Long contract duration increases risk of cost escalation and scope creep.
Potential for unforeseen site conditions impacting schedule and budget.
Contractor performance over an extended period requires diligent oversight.
Lack of small business participation noted in awardee information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $2.3 million to CUTLASS CONTRACTING LLC. C108602 RENOVATION TO B1W30 IN BUILDING 31 FOR DFP CO/CS: CHRIS POSTEK COR: CLESHETTE BROOKS CPARS: HEATH ABBOTT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CUTLASS CONTRACTING LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (National Institutes of Health).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-05-21. End: 2026-05-30.

What is the specific scope of the renovation work in Building 31, and how does it align with NIH's strategic objectives?

The provided data does not detail the specific renovation tasks. However, such projects typically involve upgrades to infrastructure, modernization of spaces, or repairs to ensure building safety and functionality. Aligning with NIH's strategic objectives would likely involve enhancing research capabilities, improving laboratory environments, or ensuring compliance with current building codes and standards.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this renovation contract, and how will contractor performance be measured against them?

Key performance indicators for renovation contracts often include adherence to schedule, budget compliance, quality of workmanship, and safety protocols. Performance will likely be measured through regular site inspections, progress reports, milestone completion tracking, and adherence to the Firm Fixed Price terms. CPARS reporting will formally document performance throughout and upon completion of the contract.

Are there any identified risks associated with the long duration of this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

The 1835-day duration presents risks such as potential material price escalation, changes in regulatory requirements, and contractor performance degradation over time. Mitigation strategies may include phased delivery schedules, robust contract management, clear change order procedures, and regular performance reviews to address issues proactively.

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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 11415 ORANGE BLOSSOM CT, SMITHSBURG, MD, 21783

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,335,737

Exercised Options: $2,335,737

Current Obligation: $2,335,737

Actual Outlays: $2,152,903

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75N99019D00024

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline