Smithsonian Institution awards $32.1M contract for Cooper Hewitt Mansion renovations, completed in 2015

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $32,145,613 ($32.1M)

Contractor: E.W. Howell CO., LLC

Awarding Agency: Smithsonian Institution

Start Date: 2011-09-28

End Date: 2015-04-15

Contract Duration: 1,295 days

Daily Burn Rate: $24.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: COOPER HEWITT NATIONAL DESIGN MUSEUM MANSION RENOVATIONS OFEO PROJECT NO:0681105

Place of Performance

Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK County, NEW YORK, 10001, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Smithsonian Institution obligated $32.1 million to E.W. HOWELL CO., LLC for work described as: COOPER HEWITT NATIONAL DESIGN MUSEUM MANSION RENOVATIONS OFEO PROJECT NO:0681105 Key points: 1. The contract value of $32.1 million represents a significant investment in preserving a historic cultural asset. 2. The project was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The duration of 1295 days indicates a complex and lengthy renovation project. 4. The fixed-price contract type likely provided cost certainty for the Smithsonian Institution. 5. The project was completed in April 2015, indicating the renovation phase is concluded. 6. The contractor, E.W. Howell Co., LLC, was selected through a competitive process.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount of $32.1 million for the Cooper Hewitt Mansion renovations appears substantial. Without specific benchmarks for similar historic building renovations of this scale and complexity, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the fixed-price contract type suggests an attempt to control costs. Further analysis would require comparing the cost per square foot or per major renovation element against similar projects undertaken by other cultural institutions or government agencies.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 7 bids suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this project. This competitive environment is generally favorable for price discovery and potentially achieving a more economical outcome for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process for this renovation project likely resulted in a more favorable price for taxpayers compared to a sole-source or limited competition award.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the visitors and staff of the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, who will experience improved facilities. The services delivered include comprehensive renovations to a historic mansion, preserving its architectural integrity and enhancing its functionality. The geographic impact is localized to New York City, where the museum is situated. The project likely involved a significant number of construction workers and skilled tradespeople, providing employment opportunities in the New York area.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen issues arose during the extensive renovation of a historic structure.
The long project duration could have led to extended disruption for museum operations and public access.
Ensuring the preservation of historical architectural elements while modernizing facilities can be a complex challenge.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process.
Fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The project was successfully completed, delivering the intended renovations.
The contractor, E.W. Howell Co., LLC, has experience in commercial and institutional building construction.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Construction sector, specifically Commercial and Institutional Building Construction. The Smithsonian Institution, as a major federal cultural entity, frequently engages in construction and renovation projects to maintain its vast array of historic buildings and modern facilities. Benchmarking this $32.1 million project would involve comparing its cost and scope to other large-scale renovations of public buildings, museums, or historic landmarks.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (set-aside or subcontracting) was not a specific requirement or focus for this particular contract, as 'sb' is false. The primary contractor, E.W. Howell Co., LLC, is likely a larger entity. Further investigation would be needed to determine if any small businesses were involved as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would have been managed by the Smithsonian Institution's internal procurement and project management teams. Given the nature of federal construction projects, it's probable that regular site inspections, progress reports, and financial reviews were part of the oversight process. Transparency would be facilitated through the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), where contract awards are publicly recorded. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

National Park Service Historic Preservation Projects
General Services Administration Public Building Renovations
Architect of the Capitol Construction Projects
National Gallery of Art Facility Upgrades

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to the nature of historic building renovations.
Risk of project delays impacting museum operations and public access.
Ensuring preservation standards are met while integrating modern systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Smithsonian Institution awarded $32.1 million to E.W. HOWELL CO., LLC. COOPER HEWITT NATIONAL DESIGN MUSEUM MANSION RENOVATIONS OFEO PROJECT NO:0681105

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is E.W. HOWELL CO., LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Smithsonian Institution (Smithsonian Institution).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $32.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-09-28. End: 2015-04-15.

What was the specific scope of the Cooper Hewitt Mansion renovations?

The renovations encompassed a comprehensive overhaul of the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum's historic mansion. While specific details are not fully elaborated in the provided data, typical large-scale renovations of such structures include upgrades to HVAC systems, electrical and plumbing infrastructure, accessibility improvements (e.g., elevators, ramps), restoration of architectural features, interior finishes, and potentially reconfigurations of interior spaces to better suit museum functions. The project aimed to preserve the building's historical integrity while modernizing it to meet contemporary standards for a museum environment.

How does the $32.1 million cost compare to similar museum renovation projects?

Directly comparing the $32.1 million cost without detailed project scope, square footage, and specific renovation elements makes precise benchmarking difficult. However, major renovations for large cultural institutions can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars. For context, significant museum renovations in major cities often involve substantial costs due to the complexity of working with historic structures, specialized materials, and stringent preservation requirements. The number of bids (7) suggests the price was competitive within the market for such specialized work.

What were the key risks associated with this renovation project?

Key risks for a project of this nature include unforeseen structural issues common in historic buildings, potential delays due to the complexity of restoration work, and challenges in coordinating modern building systems within an old framework. Environmental concerns, such as asbestos abatement, could also pose risks. Furthermore, managing public access and museum operations during extensive construction requires careful planning to mitigate disruption. The fixed-price contract, while offering cost certainty, shifts some risk of cost overruns to the contractor.

What is the track record of E.W. Howell Co., LLC in federal contracting?

E.W. Howell Co., LLC has a history of federal contracting, primarily in construction. The data indicates they were awarded this significant contract by the Smithsonian Institution. Further investigation into their contract history within the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) would reveal the number and value of other federal contracts they have held, their performance ratings on those contracts, and the types of projects they have undertaken for government agencies. This would provide a clearer picture of their experience and reliability.

How did the 'full and open competition' impact the final price?

Full and open competition generally exerts downward pressure on prices. By allowing all qualified contractors to bid, the Smithsonian Institution likely received multiple proposals, enabling them to select the most cost-effective offer that met the technical requirements. The presence of seven bids suggests a competitive marketplace for this type of renovation, which typically leads to more favorable pricing for the government compared to sole-source or limited competition scenarios where options are restricted.

What is the significance of the 'Firm Fixed Price' contract type for this project?

A Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type is advantageous for the government when the scope of work is well-defined and risks are manageable. For this renovation project, it means the contractor, E.W. Howell Co., LLC, agreed to a set price for the work. This provides budget certainty for the Smithsonian Institution, as the final cost is not expected to exceed the agreed-upon amount, barring any contract modifications. The contractor assumes the primary risk for cost overruns.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SEALED BID

Solicitation ID: F11SOL10032

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Obayashi Corporation (UEI: 690540075)

Address: 245 NEWTOWN RD STE 600, PLAINVIEW, NY, 11803

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $32,586,677

Exercised Options: $32,586,677

Current Obligation: $32,145,613

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline