Commerce Department awards $2.9M for electrical maintenance, with GCR-DEAN LLC securing the contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,913,546 ($2.9M)

Contractor: Gcr-Dean LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2020-08-27

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 2,042 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20230

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $2.9 million to GCR-DEAN LLC for work described as: ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the 6-year duration and fixed-price nature. 2. Competition was robust, indicating potential for competitive pricing. 3. Risk indicators are low due to the established nature of the service. 4. Performance context is within standard facilities maintenance operations. 5. Sector positioning is within the facilities support services industry.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's total value of $2.9 million over approximately 6 years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar facilities maintenance contracts for government buildings of comparable size and complexity would be necessary for a definitive value assessment. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government, but may limit flexibility if unforeseen issues arise.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that while initial solicitations may have had exclusions, the final award was made through a competitive process open to all eligible offerors. The presence of 5 bids suggests a healthy level of competition, which typically drives down prices and encourages innovation.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process generally benefits taxpayers by ensuring the government receives the best possible price and service quality through market forces.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Commerce facilities, ensuring operational continuity. Services delivered include essential electrical equipment maintenance, preventing outages and ensuring safety. The geographic impact is localized to the District of Columbia. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for skilled electricians and maintenance personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if maintenance needs exceed initial estimates.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical infrastructure maintenance.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Competitive bidding process suggests a fair market price was likely achieved.
Long-term contract allows for consistent service delivery and relationship building.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Facilities Support Services sector, a broad category encompassing a wide range of services necessary for the operation and maintenance of buildings and infrastructure. The market for these services is substantial, with significant government spending allocated annually to ensure federal facilities are safe, functional, and efficient. This specific contract addresses a critical component of facility management: electrical systems.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem appears minimal unless GCR-DEAN LLC voluntarily engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Department of Commerce. Performance reviews, site inspections, and adherence to contract terms are key accountability measures. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases, though specific performance metrics may not be publicly detailed.

Related Government Programs

Federal Buildings Maintenance Contracts
Electrical Infrastructure Services
Facilities Management Services

Risk Flags

Potential for price escalation over the contract duration if market conditions change significantly.
Risk of contractor performance degradation over the extended period.
Dependency on a single vendor for critical infrastructure maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $2.9 million to GCR-DEAN LLC. ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GCR-DEAN LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (Office of the Secretary).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-08-27. End: 2026-03-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for electrical equipment maintenance at the Department of Commerce?

Analyzing historical spending for electrical equipment maintenance at the Department of Commerce would involve reviewing past contract awards for similar services. This would include identifying the total amount spent annually, the number and types of contracts awarded (e.g., fixed-price, cost-plus), and the primary contractors. Understanding these patterns can reveal trends in service needs, cost fluctuations, and the agency's reliance on specific vendors or contract types. For instance, a consistent increase in spending might indicate aging infrastructure or expanded facility needs, while a shift towards longer-term contracts could suggest a strategy for cost savings and service stability. Without specific historical data for this agency, it's difficult to provide precise figures, but such an analysis is crucial for contextualizing the current $2.9 million award.

How does the per-unit cost of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for electrical maintenance?

Determining the per-unit cost for this contract requires breaking down the total award value by the specific services rendered and their quantities, which are not detailed in the provided data. For example, if the contract specifies a certain number of hours for preventative maintenance or a fixed price per electrical panel serviced, these figures could be compared. Industry benchmarks for electrical maintenance vary significantly based on factors like facility size, complexity of electrical systems, geographic location, and the specific services included (e.g., emergency repairs vs. routine checks). A general comparison might involve looking at average hourly rates for licensed electricians or cost-per-square-foot for facility maintenance. However, without a detailed breakdown of the work scope and associated quantities, a precise per-unit cost comparison to industry benchmarks is not feasible with the current information.

What is GCR-DEAN LLC's track record with federal contracts, particularly in facilities maintenance?

GCR-DEAN LLC's track record with federal contracts, especially in facilities maintenance, can be assessed by examining their past performance on similar awards. This includes reviewing the number of contracts they have held, their total value, the agencies they have served, and their performance ratings. A positive history typically involves successful completion of contracts, adherence to schedules and budgets, and favorable past performance evaluations. Conversely, a history of contract disputes, performance issues, or terminations would raise concerns. Information on their specific experience with electrical equipment maintenance would be particularly relevant. Accessing federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS can provide detailed insights into their contract history and performance.

What are the potential risks associated with a 6-year contract for electrical maintenance?

A significant risk associated with a 6-year contract for electrical maintenance is the potential for technological obsolescence or changes in maintenance best practices over its duration. Electrical equipment and diagnostic tools evolve, and a long-term contract might not fully capture the benefits of newer, more efficient technologies or methodologies. Another risk is contractor performance degradation over time; initial high performance may wane, leading to decreased service quality. Furthermore, unforeseen changes in facility needs or regulatory requirements could necessitate modifications to the contract, potentially leading to cost increases or disputes. Finally, locking in a fixed price for an extended period carries the risk of market price fluctuations for labor and materials, potentially disadvantaging either the contractor or the government depending on market trends.

How does the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' clause impact price discovery and value for taxpayers?

The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' clause suggests an initial phase where certain potential offerors might have been excluded, perhaps due to specific requirements or pre-qualification steps. However, the critical part is 'after exclusion of sources,' implying that the final award was indeed made through a broad, open competitive process among the remaining eligible bidders. This approach aims to balance the need for specialized capabilities or initial vetting with the principle of maximizing competition. When executed properly, this can still lead to robust price discovery as multiple qualified vendors compete. For taxpayers, this means the government likely received competitive pricing from a pool of capable contractors, mitigating the risk of inflated costs that might arise from a sole-source or narrowly competed contract. The key is ensuring the initial exclusions were justified and did not unduly limit the competitive field.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities Support Services

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 315 PAGE RD, PINEHURST, NC, 28374

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,913,546

Exercised Options: $2,913,546

Current Obligation: $2,913,546

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSHA19D000T

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline