DoD's $32M Medical Center Addition Contract Awarded to Whiting-Turner Under Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $32,006,590 ($32.0M)

Contractor: Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, the

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2017-09-28

End Date: 2021-03-12

Contract Duration: 1,261 days

Daily Burn Rate: $25.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF P114, DBB, SET #1, MEDICAL CENTER ADDITION/ALTERATION (MCAA), NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BETHESDA

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20889

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $32.0 million to WHITING-TURNER CONTRACTING COMPANY, THE for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF P114, DBB, SET #1, MEDICAL CENTER ADDITION/ALTERATION (MCAA), NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BETHESDA Key points: 1. The contract awarded to Whiting-Turner Contracting Company for the Medical Center Addition/Alteration (MCAA) project at Naval Support Activity Bethesda totals $32,007,000. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, this project falls under the 'Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction' NAICS code. 3. The project duration was 1261 days, indicating a significant, long-term construction effort. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 5. No small business participation was reported for this contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $32,006,590 for a medical center addition/alteration appears within a reasonable range for a project of this scale and complexity, though specific benchmarks for similar MCAA projects at naval facilities are not readily available.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust process for soliciting bids and ensuring competitive pricing. This method generally leads to better price discovery and value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is intended to maximize taxpayer value by ensuring the government receives the best possible price and quality through a competitive bidding process.

Public Impact

Enhances critical medical infrastructure at a key naval installation. Supports military readiness and healthcare services for personnel and their families. Potential for job creation within the construction sector in Maryland. The long duration suggests a substantial impact on the local operational environment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of small business participation.
Long project duration (1261 days) may indicate potential for cost overruns or delays if not managed effectively.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Firm Fixed Price contract type shifts risk to the contractor.
Project addresses critical healthcare infrastructure needs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the heavy and civil engineering construction sector, specifically for facility upgrades. Spending in this sector is often driven by infrastructure needs, modernization efforts, and national security requirements. Benchmarks for similar large-scale construction projects at federal facilities would be necessary for a more precise comparison.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates no small business participation (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the prime contractor, Whiting-Turner, did not subcontract with small businesses for this project, or that the scope of work did not lend itself to small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Department of the Navy, part of the Department of Defense. Oversight would typically involve contract officers, project managers, and potentially inspectors general to ensure compliance with terms, quality standards, and budget.

Related Government Programs

Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Navy Programs

Risk Flags

No small business participation.
Long contract duration.
Potential for disruption to active medical facility operations.
Complexity of integrating new construction with existing infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $32.0 million to WHITING-TURNER CONTRACTING COMPANY, THE. IGF::OT::IGF P114, DBB, SET #1, MEDICAL CENTER ADDITION/ALTERATION (MCAA), NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BETHESDA

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 Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $32.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-09-28. End: 2021-03-12.

What was the specific scope of the Medical Center Addition/Alteration (MCAA) project, and how did its complexity justify the $32 million price tag?

The specific scope of the MCAA project involved significant additions and alterations to the existing medical facility at Naval Support Activity Bethesda. This likely included expanding patient care areas, upgrading specialized medical equipment infrastructure, and modernizing building systems to meet current healthcare standards and operational demands. The $32 million cost reflects the scale of construction, specialized requirements for medical facilities (e.g., HVAC, power, infection control), and the integration with existing infrastructure.

Given the 1261-day duration, what were the primary risk factors that contributed to this extended timeline, and how were they mitigated?

The extended 1261-day duration likely stemmed from factors such as the complexity of integrating new construction with an active medical facility, potential site constraints, the need for specialized medical equipment installation, and coordination with numerous stakeholders. Risk mitigation strategies would typically involve detailed project phasing, proactive scheduling, robust communication protocols, contingency planning for unforeseen conditions, and strong on-site management by the contractor.

How effectively did the full and open competition process ensure optimal value and pricing for this substantial construction contract?

The full and open competition process is designed to maximize value by allowing all qualified contractors to bid, fostering a competitive environment that drives down prices and encourages innovation. For this $32 million contract, it suggests that multiple capable firms submitted proposals, enabling the Department of the Navy to select the offer that best balanced price, technical approach, and past performance, thereby achieving optimal taxpayer value.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering 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: N4008017R0677

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 300 E JOPPA RD, BALTIMORE, MD, 21286

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $32,006,590

Exercised Options: $32,006,590

Current Obligation: $32,006,590

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline