DOJ awards $142M for new FBI facility in West Virginia, highlighting construction sector spending

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $142,478,409 ($142.5M)

Contractor: Turner Construction Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2010-09-14

End Date: 2014-05-19

Contract Duration: 1,343 days

Daily Burn Rate: $106.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: CONSTRUCTION OF NEW BTC FACILITY

Place of Performance

Location: CLARKSBURG, HARRISON County, WEST VIRGINIA, 26306

State: West Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $142.5 million to TURNER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY for work described as: CONSTRUCTION OF NEW BTC FACILITY Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in federal infrastructure. 2. Turner Construction Company secured this large-scale project. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 4. Project duration spans over three years, indicating a substantial construction undertaking. 5. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs for the government. 6. This award falls within the broader category of commercial and institutional building construction.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific construction project is challenging without detailed cost breakdowns and comparable project data. However, the award amount of $142 million for a new FBI facility suggests a significant investment. The firm-fixed-price contract type indicates an attempt to establish a ceiling on costs, which is generally favorable for the government if well-defined. Further analysis would require comparing the cost per square foot or per unit of functionality against similar government or private sector construction projects of comparable complexity and location.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. With 10 bids received, this suggests a healthy level of competition for this significant construction project. A competitive bidding process generally leads to better price discovery and can result in more favorable terms for the government, as contractors vie to win the award.

Taxpayer Impact: The extensive competition for this contract likely resulted in a more competitive price for taxpayers, as multiple firms worked to offer their best terms to secure the project.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which will gain a new facility. The project delivers essential infrastructure for law enforcement operations. The geographic impact is concentrated in West Virginia, potentially creating local jobs and economic activity. Construction activities will likely involve a significant workforce, including skilled trades and project management personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions arise, despite the fixed-price nature.
Delays in construction could impact the FBI's operational readiness.
Ensuring compliance with all environmental and safety regulations during a large-scale build.

Positive Signals

The firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive pricing environment.
The project addresses a critical infrastructure need for a federal agency.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the construction sector, specifically commercial and institutional building construction. The federal government is a major consumer of construction services, awarding billions annually for facilities, infrastructure, and renovations. This project represents a substantial investment in a specialized facility for a federal law enforcement agency. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale government building projects, such as courthouses, agency headquarters, or research facilities, considering factors like size, complexity, and location.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting goals for small businesses. As a large-scale construction project awarded to a major contractor, there may be opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors. However, the primary awardee is a large firm, and the direct impact on small business set-asides is not evident from this data alone. Further review of the contract's subcontracting plan would be necessary to assess the full impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program office within the FBI or Department of Justice. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract places a significant portion of the cost risk on the contractor, but government oversight is still crucial to ensure adherence to specifications, timelines, and quality standards. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, though detailed project progress reports may not always be publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building Construction
Law Enforcement Facilities
Government Infrastructure Projects
Department of Justice Contracts
FBI Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for schedule delays
Risk of unforeseen site conditions impacting cost
Ensuring quality control throughout construction

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $142.5 million to TURNER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY. CONSTRUCTION OF NEW BTC FACILITY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TURNER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Investigation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $142.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-09-14. End: 2014-05-19.

What is the track record of Turner Construction Company with federal contracts, particularly for facilities of similar size and scope?

Turner Construction Company has a significant history of performing large-scale federal construction projects. While specific details on past FBI facility projects are not provided here, their portfolio often includes major government buildings, military installations, and institutional facilities. Analyzing their past performance ratings, any documented disputes or claims on federal contracts, and their experience with firm-fixed-price agreements would provide a clearer picture of their suitability and reliability for this project. A review of their federal contracting history would likely reveal numerous awards and successful completions, indicating a capacity to manage complex projects, but also highlighting the importance of diligent oversight to ensure continued success.

How does the awarded amount compare to the estimated cost or budget for this FBI facility project?

The provided data shows the awarded amount ($142,478,409) but does not include the initial estimated cost or the approved budget for the project. To assess value for money, a comparison between the awarded price and the government's independent cost estimate is crucial. If the award was significantly below the estimate, it could indicate strong competition or potentially an underestimated scope. Conversely, if it was at or above the estimate, it warrants scrutiny to ensure the estimate was realistic and the contractor's pricing is justified. Without the estimated cost, it's difficult to definitively gauge the financial efficiency of this award.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this construction contract?

For a construction contract of this nature, key performance indicators would likely include adherence to the project schedule (on-time completion), quality of construction (meeting specifications and standards, minimizing defects), safety performance (incident rates, compliance with safety protocols), and cost control (staying within the firm-fixed-price, managing change orders effectively). The government would monitor these KPIs through regular site inspections, progress reports from the contractor, and potentially third-party quality assurance reviews. Successful completion would be defined by the delivery of a fully functional, safe, and compliant facility meeting all the requirements outlined in the contract.

What is the historical spending trend for similar FBI facility construction projects over the past five years?

Analyzing historical spending trends for similar FBI facility construction projects would provide context for the $142 million award. This would involve examining contract databases for FBI or DOJ construction awards within a relevant timeframe (e.g., the last 5-10 years), filtering for projects of comparable size, type (new construction vs. renovation), and complexity. Trends might reveal an increase or decrease in average project costs, indicating inflation, changes in construction techniques, or shifts in agency priorities. Understanding this historical context helps determine if the current award is in line with past investments or represents a significant deviation, potentially due to market conditions or specific project requirements.

What specific risks were identified during the procurement process, and how were they mitigated?

While the provided data does not detail specific risks identified during procurement, common risks for large federal construction projects include potential cost overruns (even with fixed-price contracts, due to unforeseen conditions or scope creep), schedule delays, contractor performance issues, technical challenges, and regulatory compliance hurdles. Mitigation strategies typically involve thorough pre-bid site investigations, robust contract language defining responsibilities and performance standards, clear change order procedures, performance bonds, and active government oversight throughout the project lifecycle. The selection of an experienced contractor like Turner Construction and the use of full and open competition are also risk mitigation factors.

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: SEALED BID

Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Vinci (UEI: 462009101)

Address: 375 HUDSON ST, NEW YORK, NY, 90

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $142,478,409

Exercised Options: $142,478,409

Current Obligation: $142,478,409

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline