State Department's $127M Dubai Embassy Construction Awarded to BL Harbert International

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $127,346,597 ($127.3M)

Contractor: BL Harbert International LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2008-09-30

End Date: 2011-07-31

Contract Duration: 1,034 days

Daily Burn Rate: $123.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: DESIGN BUILD NEW EMBASSY COMPOUND DUBAI, UAE.

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $127.3 million to BL HARBERT INTERNATIONAL LLC for work described as: DESIGN BUILD NEW EMBASSY COMPOUND DUBAI, UAE. Key points: 1. The contract value of $127.3 million for embassy construction is significant. 2. BL Harbert International, a large contractor, secured this award. 3. The project falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector. 4. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a robust price discovery process.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $127.3 million appears reasonable for a large embassy compound construction project. Benchmarking against similar international construction projects would provide further validation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The use of full and open competition indicates that multiple bidders were likely considered, promoting a competitive environment for price discovery. This method generally leads to more favorable pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive bidding process likely resulted in a fair price, maximizing taxpayer value for this significant infrastructure investment.

Public Impact

Construction of a new embassy compound impacts diplomatic relations and security. The project provides significant economic stimulus through construction jobs and material sourcing. The successful completion of the compound ensures a secure and functional U.S. diplomatic presence in Dubai.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Potential for cost overruns in large-scale international construction projects.
  • Geopolitical risks associated with operating in Dubai.
  • Delays in construction timelines can impact diplomatic operations.

Positive Signals

  • Awarded through full and open competition.
  • Firm Fixed Price contract type limits cost uncertainty.
  • Experienced contractor selected.

Sector Analysis

This project falls under Commercial and Institutional Building Construction, a sector that often involves large, complex projects with significant capital investment. Benchmarks for similar government construction projects would be useful for comparison.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that BL Harbert International, a large business, was awarded the contract. There is no specific information provided regarding small business participation or subcontracting goals.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of State is responsible for overseeing this construction project. Standard oversight mechanisms for large federal construction contracts would be in place to monitor progress, quality, and cost.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

  • Large contract value increases potential for significant financial impact if issues arise.
  • International construction projects face unique logistical and geopolitical risks.
  • Construction timelines can be subject to unforeseen delays.
  • Dependence on a single large contractor for a critical facility.
  • Lack of explicit small business participation data.

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 $127.3 million to BL HARBERT INTERNATIONAL LLC. DESIGN BUILD NEW EMBASSY COMPOUND DUBAI, UAE.

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 $127.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-09-30. End: 2011-07-31.

What was the final cost compared to the initial bid, and were there any significant change orders?

The provided data does not include information on the final cost versus the initial bid or details on change orders. Analyzing contract modifications and final expenditure reports would be necessary to assess cost performance and identify any deviations from the original plan.

What were the key performance indicators for contractor BL Harbert International, and how did they perform against them?

Specific performance metrics for BL Harbert International are not detailed in the provided data. A thorough review would require access to contract performance reports, quality assurance assessments, and any documented instances of exceeding or failing to meet contractual obligations.

How did the use of full and open competition impact the final negotiated price compared to other contracting methods?

Full and open competition generally drives down prices by encouraging multiple bids. While the exact impact isn't quantifiable from this data alone, it suggests the government likely secured a competitive price. Comparing this contract's price to similar sole-source or limited-competition contracts would highlight the benefit.

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

Solicitation ID: SAQMMA08R0080

Offers Received: 4

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, 35209

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $127,346,597

Exercised Options: $127,346,597

Current Obligation: $127,346,597

Timeline

Start Date: 2008-09-30

Current End Date: 2011-07-31

Potential End Date: 2011-07-31 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2017-05-04

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