GSA awards $2.68M for Javits Center security upgrades, including ballistic guard stations

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,681,123 ($2.7M)

Contractor: Benchmark Construction Services Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2023-03-09

End Date: 2025-12-05

Contract Duration: 1,002 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: DESIGN, CONSTRUCT, MANUFACTURE & INSTALLATION OF BALLISTIC RATED GUARD STATIONS AND OTHER SECURITY UPGRADES FOR THE JACOB JAVITS FOB CHILDCARE IN MANHATTAN NEW YORK

Place of Performance

Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK County, NEW YORK, 10007

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $2.7 million to BENCHMARK CONSTRUCTION SERVICES INC for work described as: DESIGN, CONSTRUCT, MANUFACTURE & INSTALLATION OF BALLISTIC RATED GUARD STATIONS AND OTHER SECURITY UPGRADES FOR THE JACOB JAVITS FOB CHILDCARE IN MANHATTAN NEW YORK Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential security infrastructure for a federal facility. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty. 4. Project duration extends over two years, indicating a significant scope. 5. The award is a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle. 6. Geographic focus on New York City highlights specific facility needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.68 million for security upgrades at the Jacob Javits Federal Building Childcare Center appears reasonable given the scope of work, which includes ballistic-rated guard stations. Benchmarking against similar construction projects for federal facilities, especially those requiring specialized security features in high-cost urban areas like New York City, suggests this pricing is within expected ranges. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost control for the government.

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 multiple bidders were likely considered. While the exact number of bids received isn't specified, this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, allowing the government to solicit proposals from a wide range of qualified contractors. This approach is designed to ensure fair pricing and access to the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically leads to more favorable pricing for taxpayers by encouraging multiple companies to bid, driving down costs through market forces.

Public Impact

Benefits federal employees and children at the Jacob Javits Federal Building Childcare Center by enhancing security. Services include the design, construction, manufacture, and installation of ballistic-rated guard stations and other security upgrades. Geographic impact is concentrated in Manhattan, New York City. Workforce implications include construction jobs and specialized security installation roles.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions arise during construction.
Dependence on timely delivery of specialized materials for ballistic-rated components.
Risk of schedule delays due to complex urban construction environment and permitting.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract limits the government's exposure to cost increases.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process for the contractor.
Experienced contractor likely selected through a competitive process.
Project addresses critical security needs for a sensitive government facility.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, specifically addressing security infrastructure enhancements for a federal facility. The market for specialized security construction, particularly for government buildings requiring high levels of protection, is significant. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar security upgrades in urban federal buildings can vary widely based on specific requirements, but projects involving ballistic protection often command premium pricing due to material and engineering complexities.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate a small business set-aside. There is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is not detailed, though larger prime contractors may engage small businesses for specific trades or materials.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Public Buildings Service. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver specified goods and services within the agreed budget. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific oversight activities like site inspections or progress reviews are internal GSA processes.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building Security Upgrades
General Services Administration Construction Contracts
Ballistic Protection Systems
Childcare Facility Security

Risk Flags

Potential for schedule delays in urban construction environments.
Ensuring specialized ballistic materials meet required standards.
Integration complexity with existing building infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $2.7 million to BENCHMARK CONSTRUCTION SERVICES INC. DESIGN, CONSTRUCT, MANUFACTURE & INSTALLATION OF BALLISTIC RATED GUARD STATIONS AND OTHER SECURITY UPGRADES FOR THE JACOB JAVITS FOB CHILDCARE IN MANHATTAN NEW YORK

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BENCHMARK CONSTRUCTION SERVICES INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Public Buildings Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-03-09. End: 2025-12-05.

What is the track record of Benchmark Construction Services Inc. with federal contracts, particularly those involving security infrastructure?

Benchmark Construction Services Inc. has a history of performing federal contracts, as indicated by its presence in federal procurement databases. While specific details on their track record with security infrastructure projects require deeper analysis of past awards and performance reviews, their selection for this contract suggests they met the government's criteria for capability and experience. Further investigation into their past performance ratings, any past performance issues, and the types of federal projects they have completed would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their suitability for this specialized security upgrade work.

How does the cost of these security upgrades compare to similar projects at other federal childcare facilities?

Directly comparing the $2.68 million cost for the Jacob Javits FOB Childcare security upgrades to similar projects is challenging without access to detailed cost breakdowns and specific project scopes for other federal childcare facilities. However, the inclusion of ballistic-rated guard stations suggests a higher cost component than standard construction. Factors such as location (New York City's high construction costs), specific security threat assessments, and the complexity of integrating new systems into an existing facility will influence the overall price. A comprehensive benchmark would require analyzing contracts with similar security requirements, geographic locations, and facility types.

What are the primary risks associated with the construction and installation of ballistic-rated guard stations?

The primary risks associated with constructing and installing ballistic-rated guard stations include material sourcing and quality control, as specialized ballistic materials must meet stringent performance standards. Installation complexity is another significant risk, requiring precise engineering and construction to ensure the protective integrity of the structure. Furthermore, integration with existing building systems and potential delays due to site-specific challenges or regulatory approvals in a dense urban environment like Manhattan can pose risks. Ensuring the contractor has robust quality assurance processes and experienced personnel is crucial to mitigate these risks.

What is the expected effectiveness of these security upgrades in enhancing the safety of the childcare facility?

The expected effectiveness of these security upgrades, particularly the ballistic-rated guard stations, is to provide a significantly enhanced layer of protection against potential external threats. Ballistic-rated materials are designed to withstand impacts from firearms, offering a critical defense for occupants. The overall security upgrades aim to create a more secure perimeter and controlled access points, thereby improving the safety and security posture of the federal childcare facility. The effectiveness will depend on the proper installation, integration with other security measures, and the specific threat environment the facility is designed to counter.

What has been the historical spending pattern for security upgrades at GSA-managed facilities, and how does this award fit within that trend?

Historical spending patterns for security upgrades at GSA-managed facilities are generally driven by evolving security requirements, threat assessments, and infrastructure modernization needs. GSA consistently allocates funds for facility security, encompassing a range of measures from access control systems to structural hardening. This $2.68 million award for the Jacob Javits FOB Childcare Center appears to be a targeted investment addressing specific security vulnerabilities, including ballistic threats, at a particular facility. Without a broader analysis of GSA's total security budget and spending trends across its portfolio, it's difficult to definitively state how this single award fits into the overall pattern, but it aligns with the agency's mandate to maintain secure federal properties.

Are there any specific performance metrics or key performance indicators (KPIs) associated with this contract to measure success?

While the provided data does not explicitly list specific performance metrics or KPIs for this contract, typical performance expectations for construction and installation projects of this nature would include adherence to the project schedule, completion within the firm fixed-price budget, and meeting all technical specifications and quality standards outlined in the contract documents. The government would likely conduct inspections and reviews to ensure the installed security features meet the required ballistic protection levels and operational functionality. Successful completion and acceptance of the work by the GSA would serve as the primary indicator of contract success.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 47PC0223R0015

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 801 CORPORATE CIR, TOMS RIVER, NJ, 08755

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,681,123

Exercised Options: $2,681,123

Current Obligation: $2,681,123

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47PC0220D0005

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline