State Dept. Awards $133M Construction Contract to BL Harbert International LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $133,060,669 ($133.1M)

Contractor: BL Harbert International LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2007-09-26

End Date: 2012-02-08

Contract Duration: 1,596 days

Daily Burn Rate: $83.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: SED NEC ADDIS ABABA

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $133.1 million to BL HARBERT INTERNATIONAL LLC for work described as: SED NEC ADDIS ABABA Key points: 1. The contract value of $133 million is substantial for a single construction project. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The project duration of 1596 days indicates a long-term, complex undertaking. 4. The absence of small business participation is noted.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award amount of $133,060,669.35 for a firm-fixed-price contract needs comparison to similar large-scale commercial building construction projects to assess value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically fosters competitive pricing. However, without benchmark data, it's difficult to definitively assess if the price discovery was optimal.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds were used for this large construction project. The effectiveness of the competition in securing the best price for taxpayers is a key consideration.

Public Impact

This contract supports infrastructure development, potentially impacting local economies where construction takes place. The long duration suggests a significant commitment of resources and potential for long-term employment. The lack of small business involvement may limit opportunities for smaller firms in this large federal contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • No small business participation
  • Long project duration

Positive Signals

  • Full and open competition
  • Firm fixed price contract

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector. Federal spending in this sector can fluctuate based on infrastructure needs and agency priorities. Benchmarks for similar large-scale projects are essential for value assessment.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded to small businesses, as indicated by 'sb': false. This suggests that larger firms dominated the bidding process for this substantial construction project, potentially missing opportunities for smaller enterprises.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of State managed this contract. Oversight would focus on project execution, adherence to timelines, quality of construction, and financial management to ensure taxpayer funds are used effectively.

Related Government Programs

  • Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
  • Department of State Contracting
  • Department of State Programs

Risk Flags

  • Lack of small business participation
  • Long contract duration may increase risk of scope creep or unforeseen issues
  • Need for detailed cost-performance analysis to confirm value

Tags

commercial-and-institutional-building-co, department-of-state, dca, 100m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $133.1 million to BL HARBERT INTERNATIONAL LLC. SED NEC ADDIS ABABA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BL HARBERT INTERNATIONAL LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $133.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-09-26. End: 2012-02-08.

What was the specific nature of the construction project and its strategic importance to the Department of State?

The specific nature of the construction project is not detailed in the provided data, beyond it being 'Commercial and Institutional Building Construction'. Its strategic importance to the Department of State would likely relate to diplomatic facilities, embassy infrastructure, or operational support buildings critical for foreign affairs missions.

How did the final cost compare to the initial bid estimates, and were there any significant cost overruns?

The provided data shows the awarded amount ($133,060,669.35) but does not include initial bid estimates or details on cost overruns. A full analysis would require access to the contract's financial history and any change orders or modifications that occurred during its execution.

What performance metrics were used to evaluate BL Harbert International LLC's success on this contract?

Performance metrics for this contract are not specified in the data. Typically, for construction contracts, metrics would include on-time completion, adherence to budget, quality of workmanship, safety compliance, and responsiveness to project requirements. The Department of State would have established these criteria.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ConstructionNonresidential Building ConstructionCommercial and Institutional Building Construction

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIESCONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SEALED BID

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: B.L. Harbert Holdings, L.L.C. (UEI: 147371236)

Address: 820 SHADES CREEK, BIRMINGHAM, AL, 90

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $133,060,669

Exercised Options: $133,060,669

Current Obligation: $133,060,669

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Timeline

Start Date: 2007-09-26

Current End Date: 2012-02-08

Potential End Date: 2012-02-08 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2012-09-17

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