DoD Awards $47.9M Lincoln Hall Renovation to E.W. Howell Co. Under Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $47,871,423 ($47.9M)
Contractor: E.W. Howell CO., LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2023-10-18
End Date: 2026-02-03
Contract Duration: 839 days
Daily Burn Rate: $57.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: LINCOLN HALL RENOVATION
Place of Performance
Location: WEST POINT, ORANGE County, NEW YORK, 10996
State: New York Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $47.9 million to E.W. HOWELL CO., LLC for work described as: LINCOLN HALL RENOVATION Key points: 1. The contract value of $47.9 million is significant for a single building renovation. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. The project duration of 839 days indicates a complex and lengthy undertaking. 4. The sector is Commercial and Institutional Building Construction, a common area for federal spending.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $47.9 million for a renovation project needs comparison against similar large-scale institutional building construction contracts. Without specific benchmarks for this type of renovation, assessing its value is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The use of full and open competition is a positive sign for price discovery. It allows all responsible sources to submit bids, theoretically leading to a more competitive price. However, the final price is fixed, so the effectiveness of competition is key.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for this renovation. The competitive bidding process aims to ensure a fair price, but the overall value for money will depend on project execution and final costs.
Public Impact
Military personnel and civilian staff will benefit from improved facilities at Lincoln Hall. The renovation is expected to create jobs in the construction sector in New York. The project's long duration could lead to temporary disruptions or relocation needs for occupants.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 57 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long project duration (839 days) increases risk of cost overruns and delays.
- Fixed-price contract may not fully account for unforeseen renovation challenges.
- Lack of specific small business participation noted.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition utilized.
- Clear contract type (Firm Fixed Price) for cost certainty.
- Project located in New York, potentially supporting local economy.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Commercial and Institutional Building Construction. Federal spending in this sector often involves large-scale projects like barracks, administrative buildings, and research facilities. Benchmarks for similar renovations are crucial for value assessment.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside or requirement for this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any small businesses were involved as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of the Army is the contracting agency. Oversight will be critical to manage the project's long duration and ensure it stays within budget and meets quality standards.
Related Government Programs
- Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Long project duration increases risk of delays and cost overruns.
- Potential for unforeseen conditions in building renovations.
- Firm Fixed Price contract may not fully account for extended-term market volatility.
- Lack of explicit small business subcontracting goals.
Tags
commercial-and-institutional-building-co, department-of-defense, ny, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $47.9 million to E.W. HOWELL CO., LLC. LINCOLN HALL RENOVATION
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is E.W. HOWELL CO., LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $47.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-10-18. End: 2026-02-03.
What is the historical cost performance for similar large-scale institutional building renovations awarded by the Department of Defense?
Historical data on similar renovations by the DoD is essential for a robust value assessment. Without it, determining if $47.9 million is a competitive price is challenging. Factors like building age, structural complexity, and required upgrades significantly influence costs, making direct comparisons difficult but necessary for effective oversight.
What are the specific risks associated with a renovation project of this duration and complexity?
A nearly two-year duration (839 days) for a renovation introduces significant risks, including potential for unforeseen structural issues, material price fluctuations, labor availability challenges, and extended disruption to building occupants. The firm fixed-price nature means the contractor absorbs cost overruns, but scope creep or change orders could still impact the final price and timeline.
How effectively will the firm fixed-price contract ensure value for money given the project's long timeline?
A firm fixed-price contract aims to provide cost certainty. However, for a long-duration renovation, it places the burden of managing cost increases due to market volatility or unforeseen site conditions on the contractor. Effective value for money will depend on the thoroughness of the initial scope definition and the contractor's ability to manage risks without resorting to costly change orders.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR NONBUILDINGS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: W912DS23R0009
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Obayashi Corporation
Address: 245 NEWTOWN RD STE 600, PLAINVIEW, NY, 11803
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $49,182,423
Exercised Options: $47,871,423
Current Obligation: $47,871,423
Actual Outlays: $-11,077,123
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-10-18
Current End Date: 2026-02-03
Potential End Date: 2026-02-03 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-26
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