GSA awards $141K for water leak remediation at Philadelphia Customs House, highlighting facilities support needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $141,053 ($141.1K)

Contractor: Elwyn of Pennsylvania and Delaware

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-06-15

Contract Duration: 75 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.9K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: WATER LEAK REMEDIATION AT THE U.S. CUSTOMS HOUSE IN PHILADELPHIA, PA.

Place of Performance

Location: PHILADELPHIA, PHILADELPHIA County, PENNSYLVANIA, 19106

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $141,053.15 to ELWYN OF PENNSYLVANIA AND DELAWARE for work described as: WATER LEAK REMEDIATION AT THE U.S. CUSTOMS HOUSE IN PHILADELPHIA, PA. Key points: 1. Contract addresses critical infrastructure maintenance for a federal building. 2. Limited competition may impact price efficiency for this specialized service. 3. Performance period is short, suggesting a focused scope of work. 4. The fixed-price contract type shifts risk to the contractor. 5. This award falls within the broader Facilities Support Services sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $141,053.15 for 75 days of work appears reasonable for specialized remediation services. Benchmarking against similar water leak remediation contracts for federal buildings of comparable size and complexity would provide a more definitive assessment of value. The General Services Administration (GSA) typically manages a large portfolio of facilities, and while specific cost data for this exact service is not readily available, the price seems within a plausible range for emergency or critical repairs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not openly competed. This approach is often used when a specific contractor possesses unique capabilities, or in situations where urgency or a lack of available alternatives necessitates a direct award. The absence of a competitive bidding process means that the government did not benefit from multiple offers, which could potentially lead to higher prices than if the contract had been competed.

Taxpayer Impact: A sole-source award limits opportunities for other qualified businesses to secure federal contracts and may result in less favorable pricing for taxpayers compared to a fully competed procurement.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the U.S. Customs House in Philadelphia, ensuring its operational integrity. Services delivered include the remediation of water leaks, preventing further damage to the facility. The geographic impact is localized to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This contract supports specialized labor in facilities maintenance and repair.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing advantages for taxpayers.
Lack of competition may indicate a limited market for this specific remediation expertise.
Short performance duration could imply a reactive rather than proactive maintenance approach.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Awarding to a known entity (Elwyn of Pennsylvania and Delaware) may leverage existing knowledge of the facility.
Addresses a critical infrastructure need to prevent further damage.

Sector Analysis

Facilities Support Services, a broad category encompassing maintenance, repair, and operational support for government buildings. This contract specifically addresses a critical remediation need. The market for such services can be specialized, with a mix of large facility management companies and smaller, niche remediation specialists. Spending in this sector by agencies like GSA is substantial, reflecting the ongoing need to maintain a vast federal real estate portfolio.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded to a small business, nor does it appear to have a small business set-aside component. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. The sole-source nature of the award further limits opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific contract.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) has established oversight mechanisms for its contracts, including performance monitoring and financial accountability. As this is a delivery order under an existing contract (though the base contract type is not specified), oversight would typically fall under the contracting officer's representative (COR) and GSA's internal review processes. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building Maintenance
Facilities Management Services
Infrastructure Repair Contracts
Emergency Remediation Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may limit price competition.
Short performance period could indicate a focused or urgent need.
Potential for recurring issues if root cause not fully addressed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $141,053.15 to ELWYN OF PENNSYLVANIA AND DELAWARE. WATER LEAK REMEDIATION AT THE U.S. CUSTOMS HOUSE IN PHILADELPHIA, PA.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ELWYN OF PENNSYLVANIA AND DELAWARE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $141,053.15.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-06-15.

What is the track record of Elwyn of Pennsylvania and Delaware in performing similar water leak remediation services for federal facilities?

Information regarding the specific track record of Elwyn of Pennsylvania and Delaware in performing water leak remediation for federal facilities is not detailed in the provided data. As this is a sole-source award, it implies that the GSA has determined this contractor is capable of meeting the requirement. A deeper dive into the contractor's past performance with GSA or other federal agencies, particularly on similar projects, would be necessary to fully assess their suitability and reliability for this specific task. Reviewing past performance evaluations and any documented issues on previous contracts would offer further insight into their capabilities and adherence to contract terms.

How does the cost of this contract compare to similar water leak remediation projects undertaken by the GSA or other federal agencies?

Direct comparison of the $141,053.15 contract value for 75 days of work is challenging without specific benchmarks for similar water leak remediation projects. Factors such as the severity of the leaks, the materials and techniques required, the size and complexity of the affected areas within the U.S. Customs House, and prevailing labor rates in Philadelphia all influence cost. Given the sole-source nature, it's difficult to ascertain if this represents optimal value compared to a competitive scenario. However, GSA's experience in facilities management suggests they aim for cost-effectiveness within the constraints of sole-source awards when necessary.

What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source award for critical facility repairs like water leak remediation?

The primary risks associated with a sole-source award for critical facility repairs include potential overpayment due to lack of price competition, limited contractor options if the chosen contractor underperforms, and a reduced incentive for the contractor to innovate or provide exceptional service. For water leak remediation, risks also extend to the potential for inadequate repair leading to recurring issues or further damage, and delays if the contractor faces unforeseen challenges without the pressure of competitive alternatives. Ensuring robust contract oversight and clear performance standards becomes even more critical in sole-source situations.

What is the expected effectiveness of the remediation services in preventing future water damage to the U.S. Customs House?

The expected effectiveness of the remediation services hinges on the scope of work defined in the delivery order and the contractor's expertise. While the contract aims to address current water leaks, its long-term effectiveness in preventing future damage depends on identifying and rectifying the root causes of the leaks, not just the symptoms. The short duration (75 days) suggests a focused effort on immediate repairs. A comprehensive assessment of the building's water management systems and potential preventative maintenance strategies would be needed to fully gauge the long-term effectiveness beyond the immediate scope of this contract.

How does this contract fit into the GSA's overall strategy for maintaining federal buildings in Pennsylvania?

This contract represents a specific, reactive measure to address an immediate infrastructure issue at the U.S. Customs House in Philadelphia. It aligns with the GSA's broader mission of maintaining federal buildings, ensuring their safety, functionality, and preservation. While this award addresses a critical need, it is likely one component of a larger facilities management and maintenance plan for GSA's portfolio in Pennsylvania. The GSA typically employs a mix of scheduled maintenance, preventative programs, and reactive repairs, with contracts like this falling into the latter category.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: EQPMAD-26-0233

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 111 ELWYN ROAD, ELWYN, PA, 19063

Business Categories: AbilityOne Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $141,053

Exercised Options: $141,053

Current Obligation: $141,053

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47PN0325D0004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline