Smithsonian Institution Awards $32.4M for Zoo Life Support and Facility Renewal to Forrester Construction
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $32,428,631 ($32.4M)
Contractor: Forrester Construction Company
Awarding Agency: Smithsonian Institution
Start Date: 2009-09-30
End Date: 2014-05-31
Contract Duration: 1,704 days
Daily Burn Rate: $19.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: SEAL/SEA LION LIFE SUPPORT, FACILITY AND SITE RENEWAL FOR SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION'S NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK LOCATED IN WASHINGTON, DC.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20008
Plain-Language Summary
Smithsonian Institution obligated $32.4 million to FORRESTER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY for work described as: SEAL/SEA LION LIFE SUPPORT, FACILITY AND SITE RENEWAL FOR SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION'S NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK LOCATED IN WASHINGTON, DC. Key points: 1. The contract focuses on critical life support systems and facility renewal for the National Zoo. 2. Forrester Construction Company secured the award through full and open competition. 3. The project duration spans over 1700 days, indicating a significant scope of work. 4. The firm fixed price contract type suggests a defined cost structure for the government.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The award amount of $32.4 million for a multi-year construction project appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar large-scale institutional building projects would provide further context.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and potentially better value for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award suggests taxpayers are likely receiving fair value for the funds expended on this essential zoo infrastructure.
Public Impact
Ensures the welfare and proper living conditions for the zoo's animals. Maintains and upgrades critical infrastructure at a prominent national institution. Supports local construction jobs and economic activity in Washington, D.C.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen issues arise during renewal.
- Dependence on a single contractor for a long-duration project.
Positive Signals
- Competitive award process.
- Clear contract type (firm fixed price).
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Commercial and Institutional Building Construction. Spending in this sector can vary significantly based on project size, complexity, and location. The Smithsonian's need for specialized facilities likely places this project at the higher end for institutional construction.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was awarded to Forrester Construction Company and does not specify any subcontracting to small businesses. Further investigation would be needed to determine if small business participation was a requirement or occurred.
Oversight & Accountability
The Smithsonian Institution is responsible for oversight. The firm fixed price contract provides a degree of cost control, but ongoing monitoring will be crucial to ensure project completion and quality.
Related Government Programs
- Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
- Smithsonian Institution Contracting
- Smithsonian Institution Programs
Risk Flags
- Long project duration increases risk exposure.
- Potential for scope creep if not managed tightly.
- Dependence on contractor's expertise for specialized zoo environments.
- Aging infrastructure may present unforeseen challenges.
Tags
commercial-and-institutional-building-co, smithsonian-institution, dc, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Smithsonian Institution awarded $32.4 million to FORRESTER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY. SEAL/SEA LION LIFE SUPPORT, FACILITY AND SITE RENEWAL FOR SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION'S NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK LOCATED IN WASHINGTON, DC.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is FORRESTER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Smithsonian Institution (Smithsonian Institution).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $32.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2009-09-30. End: 2014-05-31.
What specific life support systems are being renewed, and what is the expected lifespan extension?
The specific life support systems are not detailed in the provided data. However, renewal typically aims to upgrade outdated equipment, improve efficiency, and extend the operational lifespan of critical infrastructure, ensuring the health and safety of the animals and the longevity of the facilities.
Were there any significant cost deviations or change orders during the contract period?
The provided data reflects the initial award amount and does not include information on potential cost deviations or change orders that may have occurred during the contract's execution from 2009 to 2014. A review of contract modifications would be necessary to assess this.
How does the final cost compare to the initial bid and the estimated value of the work performed?
The data shows the awarded amount ($32.4M) and the contract type (firm fixed price). Without knowing the initial bids or the final settled cost, a direct comparison is not possible. However, a firm fixed price contract generally aims to lock in costs, suggesting the final cost should align closely with the award.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR NONBUILDINGS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: F09SOL00042
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 12231 PARKLAWN DR, ROCKVILLE, MD, 08
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $32,440,841
Exercised Options: $32,440,841
Current Obligation: $32,428,631
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2009-09-30
Current End Date: 2014-05-31
Potential End Date: 2014-05-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2014-03-20
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