DHS awards $127M NBACC construction contract to Gilbane Building Company under full and open competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $127,064,697 ($127.1M)
Contractor: Gilbane Building Company
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2005-07-01
End Date: 2010-07-30
Contract Duration: 1,855 days
Daily Burn Rate: $68.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 10
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: CONSTRUCT NATIONAL BIODEFENSE ANALYSIS & COUNTERMEASURES CENTER (NBACC)
Place of Performance
Location: FREDERICK, FREDERICK County, MARYLAND, 21701
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $127.1 million to GILBANE BUILDING COMPANY for work described as: CONSTRUCT NATIONAL BIODEFENSE ANALYSIS & COUNTERMEASURES CENTER (NBACC) Key points: 1. Contract awarded for construction of the National Biodefense Analysis & Countermeasures Center (NBACC). 2. Gilbane Building Company secured the $127M contract. 3. The project falls under the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector. 4. Awarded via full and open competition, suggesting broad market participation. 5. Firm Fixed Price contract type aims to control costs.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $127M for a large-scale biodefense center appears reasonable given the scope and complexity. Benchmarking against similar large construction projects would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders likely participated. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive bidding process is expected to have resulted in a fair price, maximizing taxpayer value for this critical infrastructure project.
Public Impact
Enhances national biodefense capabilities. Supports critical research and development in countermeasure development. Creates jobs in construction and related industries. Located in Maryland, potentially boosting the local economy.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 60 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns in large construction projects.
- Schedule delays are common in complex builds.
Positive Signals
- Strategic investment in national security infrastructure.
- Competitive award process likely secured favorable pricing.
- Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector. Spending in this sector can vary significantly based on government infrastructure needs and economic conditions. The $127M value is substantial for a single project.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates the prime contractor is Gilbane Building Company, a large firm. There is no specific information provided regarding small business subcontracting participation in this award.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Homeland Security is responsible for overseeing this contract. Oversight would focus on ensuring timely completion, adherence to specifications, and budget management.
Related Government Programs
- Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- Federal Law Enforcement Training Center Programs
Risk Flags
- Large contract value increases potential for cost overruns.
- Complexity of biodefense facility construction.
- Potential for schedule delays.
- Dependence on a single prime contractor.
Tags
commercial-and-institutional-building-co, department-of-homeland-security, md, dca, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $127.1 million to GILBANE BUILDING COMPANY. CONSTRUCT NATIONAL BIODEFENSE ANALYSIS & COUNTERMEASURES CENTER (NBACC)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GILBANE BUILDING COMPANY.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Federal Law Enforcement Training Center).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $127.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2005-07-01. End: 2010-07-30.
What is the projected economic impact of the NBACC construction on the local Maryland economy?
The construction of the NBACC is expected to generate significant economic benefits for Maryland. This includes direct job creation for construction workers and indirect employment in supporting industries such as material supply, logistics, and professional services. The project may also stimulate local businesses through increased demand for goods and services during the construction phase.
What are the primary risks associated with the construction of a specialized biodefense facility?
Key risks include the highly specialized nature of biodefense facilities, requiring stringent safety protocols and advanced construction techniques, which can lead to complexity and potential delays. Ensuring compliance with all regulatory and security requirements is paramount. Furthermore, unforeseen site conditions or material availability issues could impact the schedule and budget.
How effectively does the firm fixed price contract mitigate cost escalation for this project?
A firm fixed price (FFP) contract is designed to provide maximum certainty regarding the final price. It shifts most of the risk to the contractor, obligating them to complete the work for the agreed-upon price, regardless of their actual costs. This structure is highly effective in preventing cost escalation for the government, provided the initial scope is well-defined and the contractor's bid is competitive.
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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: LGL05R00008
Offers Received: 10
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Gilbane, Inc. (UEI: 022726165)
Address: 7901 SANDY SPRING RD, LAUREL, MD, 90
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $127,064,697
Exercised Options: $127,064,697
Current Obligation: $127,064,697
Timeline
Start Date: 2005-07-01
Current End Date: 2010-07-30
Potential End Date: 2010-07-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2010-06-02
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