USDA Awards $207M Firm Fixed Price Contract to Whiting-Turner for Ames Lab Modernization

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $207,375,706 ($207.4M)

Contractor: Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, the

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2005-08-09

End Date: 2011-02-11

Contract Duration: 2,012 days

Daily Burn Rate: $103.1K/day

Competition Type: NON-COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT CMC FOR CONSOLIDATED LABORATORY FACILITY OF AMES MODERNIZATION PROJECT

Place of Performance

Location: AMES, STORY County, IOWA, 50010

State: Iowa Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $207.4 million to WHITING-TURNER CONTRACTING COMPANY, THE for work described as: CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT CMC FOR CONSOLIDATED LABORATORY FACILITY OF AMES MODERNIZATION PROJECT Key points: 1. The contract value of $207.4 million is significant for a construction management project. 2. Whiting-Turner Contracting Company is a large, established firm, suggesting potential for strong execution. 3. The non-competitive nature of this delivery order raises questions about price discovery and potential value. 4. Construction management for large-scale research facilities falls within the broader Construction sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract is a firm fixed price, which can offer cost certainty. However, without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if the $207.4 million price represents fair market value compared to similar projects.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

This was a non-competitive delivery order, meaning there was no formal bidding process. This limits price discovery and may result in a higher cost to taxpayers than if multiple firms had competed.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for a contract of this magnitude could lead to suboptimal pricing, potentially increasing the financial burden on taxpayers.

Public Impact

Modernization of agricultural research facilities can lead to improved scientific outcomes. The long duration of the contract (2005-2011) suggests a complex and extensive project. Investment in infrastructure like this can stimulate local economies through job creation and material sourcing.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Non-competitive award
High contract value
Long project duration

Positive Signals

Firm fixed price contract type
Project aims to modernize critical research infrastructure

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Construction sector, specifically for commercial and institutional building construction. The value of $207.4 million is substantial for a single construction management project, indicating a large-scale undertaking.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a stated factor (sb: false) in this contract award. This suggests that opportunities for small businesses may have been limited.

Oversight & Accountability

The non-competitive nature of this delivery order warrants further oversight to ensure the government received fair value and that the project was managed efficiently and effectively.

Related Government Programs

Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Agricultural Research Service Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competition may have led to inflated costs.
Potential for reduced innovation due to no competitive pressure.
Difficulty in verifying fair market value.
Long project duration increases risk of cost overruns or scope creep.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $207.4 million to WHITING-TURNER CONTRACTING COMPANY, THE. CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT CMC FOR CONSOLIDATED LABORATORY FACILITY OF AMES MODERNIZATION PROJECT

Who is the contractor on this award?

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

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Agricultural Research Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $207.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-08-09. End: 2011-02-11.

What was the justification for awarding this contract on a non-competitive basis?

The justification for a non-competitive award typically stems from specific circumstances, such as a sole source provider, urgent need, or a follow-on contract where only one vendor can meet the requirements. Without further documentation, it's impossible to determine the precise reason, but it significantly impacts the potential for competitive pricing.

How was the price determined if not through competitive bidding?

In non-competitive procurements, pricing is often determined through negotiation, cost analysis, or by referencing established price lists or previous contract data. The agency would likely have conducted a price analysis to ensure the proposed price was fair and reasonable, but the absence of competition limits the assurance of the best possible price.

What mechanisms were in place to ensure project success and cost control given the lack of competition?

Despite the non-competitive award, robust project management, clear performance metrics, and regular progress reviews are crucial for success. The government likely relied on contract clauses, oversight teams, and potentially independent cost estimators to monitor progress and control expenditures throughout the project's lifecycle.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - CONSTRUCTION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NON-COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 300 E JOPPA RD STE 800, BALTIMORE, MD, 90

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $207,375,709

Exercised Options: $207,375,706

Current Obligation: $207,375,706

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 503K1522900

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline