GSA awards $7.7M for Brooklyn security barrier construction, highlighting full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,708,549 ($7.7M)

Contractor: Benchmark Construction Services Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2025-05-02

End Date: 2026-05-09

Contract Duration: 372 days

Daily Burn Rate: $20.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: GENERAL CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FOR SECURITY BARRIER REPLACEMENT AT 225 CADMAN PLAZA, BROOKLYN NY

Place of Performance

Location: GREAT NECK, NASSAU County, NEW YORK, 11021

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $7.7 million to BENCHMARK CONSTRUCTION SERVICES INC for work described as: GENERAL CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FOR SECURITY BARRIER REPLACEMENT AT 225 CADMAN PLAZA, BROOKLYN NY Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Benchmark Construction Services Inc. for general construction services. 2. Project focuses on security barrier replacement at 225 Cadman Plaza, Brooklyn, NY. 3. The contract was procured through full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 4. A firm-fixed-price contract type was utilized. 5. The contract duration is 372 days, with an estimated completion date in May 2026. 6. This award falls under the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction NAICS code.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $7.7 million for general construction services for a security barrier replacement appears reasonable given the scope and location. Benchmarking against similar projects for federal building security upgrades in major metropolitan areas suggests this pricing is within expected ranges. The firm-fixed-price contract type helps control costs for the government, shifting some risk to the contractor.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be broad, specific sources may have been excluded based on predefined criteria. The number of bidders is not explicitly stated, but the 'limited' competition level suggests a potentially smaller pool than a truly unrestricted full and open process, which could impact price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: While the competition was not fully unrestricted, the process aimed for a competitive environment. Taxpayers benefit from the fixed-price structure which caps the government's financial exposure, and the competitive nature, even if limited, should drive a reasonable price.

Public Impact

Federal facilities in Brooklyn, NY, will benefit from enhanced security. The project will deliver essential security barrier replacement services. The geographic impact is localized to the Cadman Plaza area in Brooklyn. The construction services will likely involve a local workforce, supporting employment in the New York region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition impacting final price.
Scope of work for security barrier replacement needs clear definition to avoid overruns.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Project addresses critical security infrastructure needs.
Awarded by the General Services Administration, an experienced agency in federal construction.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, specifically NAICS code 236220. This sector encompasses a wide range of construction activities for non-residential buildings. Federal spending in this area is consistent, driven by the need to maintain and upgrade government facilities across the country. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar security infrastructure projects in urban environments would typically range from several hundred thousand to millions of dollars, depending on scale and complexity.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a primary set-aside consideration (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the procurement was not specifically targeted towards small businesses. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may arise depending on Benchmark Construction Services Inc.'s approach, but there is no explicit requirement mandated in the provided data. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless the prime contractor actively engages them.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) Public Buildings Service is responsible for overseeing this contract. Oversight mechanisms would include regular progress reports, site inspections, and adherence to the firm-fixed-price terms. Accountability is ensured through contract clauses and performance monitoring. Transparency is generally maintained through public contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building Security Upgrades
Infrastructure Modernization Projects
General Services Administration Construction Contracts
Public Buildings Service Projects

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition impacting optimal price discovery.
Need for clear scope definition to manage potential change orders.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $7.7 million to BENCHMARK CONSTRUCTION SERVICES INC. GENERAL CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FOR SECURITY BARRIER REPLACEMENT AT 225 CADMAN PLAZA, BROOKLYN NY

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 $7.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-05-02. End: 2026-05-09.

What is the track record of Benchmark Construction Services Inc. with federal contracts, particularly with the GSA?

A review of federal contract databases would be necessary to fully assess Benchmark Construction Services Inc.'s track record. Key metrics to examine include the number of previous federal awards, the total value of contracts held, performance ratings on past projects (if available), and any history of contract disputes or terminations. Understanding their experience with similar construction projects, especially those involving security infrastructure for government facilities, would provide valuable insight into their capability to successfully execute this current contract. Specific attention should be paid to their performance history with the General Services Administration, as agency-specific experience often correlates with successful project delivery.

How does the awarded amount compare to the original estimated value or bid range?

The provided data shows an awarded amount of $7,708,549.08. To assess value, this figure needs to be compared against the original solicitation's estimated cost or the range of bids received. If the awarded amount is significantly lower than the estimate or the lowest bid, it suggests strong negotiation or competitive pricing. Conversely, if it's at the high end or exceeds estimates, it might warrant further investigation into the justification for the price. Without the original solicitation details or bid tabulation, a precise value comparison is difficult, but the awarded amount serves as the definitive cost to the government.

What are the primary risks associated with this specific construction project?

Primary risks for this security barrier replacement project include potential construction delays due to unforeseen site conditions, weather disruptions, or supply chain issues affecting materials. Cost overruns are a risk, although mitigated by the firm-fixed-price contract, could still occur if the scope expands or change orders are necessary. Contractor performance risk exists, relating to the quality of work and adherence to schedule. Security risks during construction, given the nature of the facility, also need careful management. Finally, coordination with building occupants and ensuring minimal disruption to ongoing operations at 225 Cadman Plaza are operational risks.

What is the historical spending pattern for security barrier maintenance and replacement by the GSA?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for security barrier maintenance and replacement by the GSA would involve examining contract data over several fiscal years. This would reveal trends in the frequency and cost of such projects, identifying peak spending periods and average contract values. It would also highlight which GSA regions or specific facilities most frequently require these upgrades. Understanding this historical context allows for better budget forecasting, identification of potential cost-saving opportunities through preventative maintenance, and assessment of whether current spending levels are consistent with past investment in facility security infrastructure.

Are there any performance concerns or positive performance indicators from Benchmark Construction Services Inc.'s past contracts?

Assessing performance concerns or positive indicators for Benchmark Construction Services Inc. requires accessing their past performance records, often available through government databases like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS). CPARS reports provide ratings on factors such as technical performance, cost control, schedule adherence, and management. A review would identify any documented issues, such as late project completion, quality deficiencies, or cost overruns, which would be performance concerns. Conversely, consistently high ratings in CPARS would indicate positive performance, demonstrating reliability and capability for future contracts.

How does the competition level ('Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources') typically affect pricing compared to other competition types?

The competition level 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' implies that while the solicitation was broadly advertised, certain potential bidders were excluded based on specific criteria (e.g., past performance, specific certifications, or geographic limitations). This typically results in a more competitive environment than a sole-source or limited competition, but potentially less competitive than unrestricted full and open competition. With fewer bidders than an unrestricted process, there's a slightly increased risk that the lowest price offered might not be the absolute lowest achievable in a completely open market. However, it still allows for price discovery and generally leads to better pricing than limited or sole-source awards.

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: 47PC0324R0014

Offers Received: 3

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: $8,704,549

Exercised Options: $7,708,549

Current Obligation: $7,708,549

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