NIH renovates lab space for infectious disease research for $897,905, impacting continuity of operations

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $897,905 ($897.9K)

Contractor: Snodgrass Contracting LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2025-06-03

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 484 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.9K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: C200783- BUILDING 50 SUITE 6241 LHIM TISSUE CULTURE ROOM RENOVATION. THIS LAB RENOVATION IS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE SPACE FOR CONTINUITY OF LAB OPERATIONS OF NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES COR: ASIA CUFFEE

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20814

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $897,905 to SNODGRASS CONTRACTING LLC for work described as: C200783- BUILDING 50 SUITE 6241 LHIM TISSUE CULTURE ROOM RENOVATION. THIS LAB RENOVATION IS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE SPACE FOR CONTINUITY OF LAB OPERATIONS OF NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES COR: ASIA CUFFEE Key points: 1. Spending is for essential lab renovation to maintain critical research operations. 2. The contract was awarded to SNODGRASS CONTRACTING LLC. 3. The project is necessary for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, indicating defined costs. 5. The renovation aims to ensure continuity of lab operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $897,905 for a lab renovation appears within a reasonable range for specialized construction projects of this nature. Benchmarking against similar NIH or other federal agency lab renovations would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not available for competition, suggesting a limited source selection. This method may impact price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs compared to a fully competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for a necessary renovation to support critical public health research, ensuring the continuity of NIAID's operations.

Public Impact

Ensures continued critical research by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Supports the infrastructure necessary for studying infectious diseases. Maintains operational capacity for a key federal health research agency. Funds specialized construction services for a government facility.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may result in suboptimal pricing.
Contract duration of 484 days is substantial for a renovation.

Positive Signals

Supports critical public health research infrastructure.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

This project falls under Commercial and Institutional Building Construction. Federal spending in this sector often involves specialized renovations for research facilities, with costs varying significantly based on complexity, location, and specific requirements.

Small Business Impact

Information on small business participation is not available in the provided data. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved or had opportunities to compete.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract award details are available, but further oversight would focus on project execution, adherence to budget, and timely completion to ensure accountability for taxpayer funds.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen issues arise
Dependency on a single contractor for project completion
Ensuring minimal disruption to ongoing critical research

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $897,905 to SNODGRASS CONTRACTING LLC. C200783- BUILDING 50 SUITE 6241 LHIM TISSUE CULTURE ROOM RENOVATION. THIS LAB RENOVATION IS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE SPACE FOR CONTINUITY OF LAB OPERATIONS OF NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES COR: ASIA CUFFEE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SNODGRASS 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 $897,905.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-06-03. End: 2026-09-30.

What specific factors contributed to the decision for a limited competition award for this lab renovation?

The limited competition award likely stems from specific requirements of the renovation, such as the need for specialized expertise, unique site conditions, or an urgent timeline that restricted the pool of eligible contractors. Understanding these specific factors is crucial to assessing whether the limited competition was justified and if it truly served the government's best interest in terms of cost and performance.

How does the $897,905 cost compare to similar NIH lab renovation projects of comparable scope and complexity?

Benchmarking this contract's cost against similar NIH lab renovations is essential for a thorough value assessment. Without comparative data, it's difficult to definitively determine if the $897,905 represents a fair market price. Factors like specialized equipment integration, hazardous material abatement, and specific architectural requirements can significantly influence costs, making direct comparisons challenging but necessary.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) being used to measure the success of this renovation project?

Key performance indicators for this renovation would likely include adherence to the project schedule (484 days), staying within the $897,905 budget, meeting all technical specifications for the tissue culture room, and ensuring minimal disruption to ongoing NIAID research operations. Post-occupancy evaluations to confirm functionality and safety would also be critical measures of success.

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: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 75N99025R00010

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 114 E WASHINGTON ST, SEYMOUR, MO, 65746

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $897,905

Exercised Options: $897,905

Current Obligation: $897,905

Actual Outlays: $115,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline