Army awards $65.1M design-build contract for Winchester Engineering and Analytical Center, Massachusetts

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $65,119,747 ($65.1M)

Contractor: Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, the

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2018-07-26

End Date: 2022-12-12

Contract Duration: 1,600 days

Daily Burn Rate: $40.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: DESIGN BUILD, CONSTRUCT NEW WINCHESTER ENGINEERING AND ANALYTICAL CENTER (WEAC)FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION WINCHESTER, MASSACHUSETTS

Place of Performance

Location: WINCHESTER, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01890

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $65.1 million to WHITING-TURNER CONTRACTING COMPANY, THE for work described as: DESIGN BUILD, CONSTRUCT NEW WINCHESTER ENGINEERING AND ANALYTICAL CENTER (WEAC)FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION WINCHESTER, MASSACHUSETTS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Whiting-Turner Contracting Company for a new facility. 2. Project involves design and construction of the Winchester Engineering and Analytical Center (WEAC). 3. The contract type is a Firm Fixed Price Definitive Contract. 4. Funding was secured through full and open competition. 5. The contract duration is approximately 1600 days. 6. The facility is located in Winchester, Massachusetts.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $65.1 million for a design-build project of this scale appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar federal construction projects for specialized analytical centers suggests that the pricing is within expected ranges. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract helps mitigate cost overruns for the government, provided the scope is well-defined. Further analysis would require detailed cost breakdowns and comparison to private sector construction of equivalent facilities.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple interested parties were allowed to bid. The presence of 6 bids suggests a healthy level of competition for this project. This competitive environment is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive pricing. The specific details of the bidding process and the number of proposals received would provide further insight into the intensity of the competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically leads to better value for taxpayers by driving down prices through multiple bids. It ensures that the most capable and cost-effective contractor is selected.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of the Army, who will gain a new, modern analytical facility. The project will deliver a new engineering and analytical center, enhancing research and testing capabilities. The geographic impact is concentrated in Winchester, Massachusetts, with potential indirect benefits to the local economy through construction jobs. The construction phase will likely involve a significant workforce, including skilled trades and project management personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if design requirements are not meticulously managed.
Risk of construction delays due to unforeseen site conditions or material availability.
Ensuring long-term operational and maintenance costs are factored into the overall value.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Full and open competition likely resulted in a competitive bid.
Experienced contractor selected for a complex design-build project.
Project supports critical government research and analytical functions.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Industrial Building Construction sector, a significant segment of the broader construction industry. Federal spending in this area often supports specialized facilities for research, development, and operational needs across various agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar government-owned, contractor-built facilities can vary widely based on size, complexity, and location. The market for design-build services is competitive, with many firms capable of undertaking such projects.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'sb': false. The prime contractor, Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, is a large business. There is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans or goals for small businesses. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether the prime contractor actively seeks to engage small businesses for specialized services or materials.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the project management team within the Department of the Army. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract, which incentivizes the contractor to adhere to the agreed-upon price and schedule. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, although detailed project progress and cost breakdowns may not always be publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building Construction
Military Construction
Research Facility Construction
Design-Build Contracts
Food and Drug Administration Facilities

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if scope is not well-defined.
Risk of construction delays.
Ensuring compliance with all federal regulations and standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $65.1 million to WHITING-TURNER CONTRACTING COMPANY, THE. DESIGN BUILD, CONSTRUCT NEW WINCHESTER ENGINEERING AND ANALYTICAL CENTER (WEAC)FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION WINCHESTER, MASSACHUSETTS

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 Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $65.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-07-26. End: 2022-12-12.

What is the track record of Whiting-Turner Contracting Company on similar federal design-build projects?

Whiting-Turner Contracting Company has a substantial track record with federal agencies, including the Department of Defense and other branches of the government, on a variety of construction projects. They are known for undertaking complex design-build initiatives. While specific project details and performance metrics for past federal contracts are not provided in this data snippet, their extensive experience suggests a capacity to manage large-scale federal construction. A deeper dive into their past performance evaluations, such as those available through the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or agency-specific past performance databases, would offer more granular insights into their reliability, quality of work, and adherence to schedule and budget on comparable projects.

How does the awarded amount compare to the estimated cost or baseline for this project?

The provided data indicates an awarded amount of $65,119,746.79. However, there is no explicit information on the government's estimated cost or baseline for this design-build project. In federal contracting, the awarded amount is the final negotiated price. Without knowing the initial estimate or the range of bids received, it's challenging to definitively assess if the award represents a significant deviation from expectations or a particularly strong negotiation. Typically, a successful competition results in an award that is competitive relative to the government's independent government cost estimate. Further analysis would require access to the solicitation documents and bid tabulation.

What are the primary risks associated with a design-build contract of this magnitude and type?

Design-build contracts, while offering potential efficiencies, carry inherent risks. For a project of this magnitude ($65.1M), key risks include potential design deficiencies that could lead to costly changes during construction, integration challenges between the design and construction phases, and schedule overruns if coordination is poor. Site-specific risks, such as unforeseen environmental conditions or geotechnical issues at the Winchester, Massachusetts location, could also impact cost and schedule. Furthermore, managing stakeholder expectations, particularly with a specialized facility like the WEAC, and ensuring compliance with stringent federal regulations and building codes are critical risk factors. The firm fixed-price nature shifts much of the cost risk to the contractor, but significant scope changes or unforeseen conditions can still lead to claims and disputes.

What is the expected impact of the new WEAC facility on the FDA's or Army's operational capabilities?

The construction of a new Winchester Engineering and Analytical Center (WEAC) is expected to significantly enhance the operational capabilities of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and potentially the Department of the Army, depending on its specific utilization. Modern analytical centers are crucial for research, development, testing, and regulatory compliance. A new facility implies upgraded infrastructure, potentially incorporating advanced laboratory equipment, improved safety features, and greater capacity. This could lead to more efficient workflows, increased throughput for analyses, the ability to conduct more complex or novel research, and better support for national health and safety initiatives. The enhanced capabilities would bolster the agencies' missions in areas such as product safety, environmental monitoring, and scientific advancement.

How has federal spending on industrial building construction, particularly for research facilities, trended in recent years?

Federal spending on industrial building construction, including specialized facilities like research centers, has generally seen fluctuations influenced by defense budgets, infrastructure initiatives, and agency-specific modernization needs. In recent years, there has been a sustained focus on upgrading aging federal infrastructure and investing in facilities that support critical national functions, such as scientific research, national security, and public health. Spending on R&D facilities, in particular, has been a priority for agencies like the FDA, NIH, and various defense research arms. While specific year-over-year trends require detailed analysis of historical federal procurement data (e.g., from FPDS), the overall trajectory suggests continued investment in modern, capable facilities to meet evolving governmental requirements and technological advancements.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Industrial 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: W912WJ17R0001

Offers Received: 6

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: $65,119,747

Exercised Options: $65,119,747

Current Obligation: $65,119,747

Actual Outlays: $6,713,989

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline