GSA awards $2.09M contract to Raven Services JV LLC for Weis Courthouse steam upgrade in Pittsburgh

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $208,780 ($208.8K)

Contractor: Raven Services JV LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-10

End Date: 2027-04-13

Contract Duration: 368 days

Daily Burn Rate: $567/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: INCORPORATES RAVENS PROPOSAL, DATED 4/7/26, FOR THE MAIN STATION STEAM UPGRADE AT THE WEIS COURTHOUSE IN PITTSBURGH, PA.

Place of Performance

Location: PITTSBURGH, ALLEGHENY County, PENNSYLVANIA, 15219

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $208,780 to RAVEN SERVICES JV LLC for work described as: INCORPORATES RAVENS PROPOSAL, DATED 4/7/26, FOR THE MAIN STATION STEAM UPGRADE AT THE WEIS COURTHOUSE IN PITTSBURGH, PA. Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a potentially competitive process. 2. The firm-fixed-price contract type suggests that cost risks are primarily borne by the contractor. 3. The duration of 368 days for the steam upgrade project appears reasonable for the scope. 4. The contract is for facilities support services, a critical component of building operations. 5. The award to Raven Services JV LLC warrants a review of their past performance in similar projects.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.09 million for a steam upgrade at a federal courthouse is within a typical range for such infrastructure projects. Benchmarking against similar facilities support contracts awarded by the General Services Administration (GSA) would provide a clearer picture of value for money. Without specific details on the scope of work, a precise comparison is difficult, but the price appears to be in line with industry standards for specialized building system upgrades.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources.' This suggests that while the competition was intended to be open, specific sources may have been excluded for reasons not detailed in the provided data. The number of bidders is not specified, which limits the assessment of the competitive landscape. This procurement method could potentially lead to less aggressive pricing compared to unrestricted full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process, but the exclusion of sources may have limited the number of potential bidders, potentially impacting the final price achieved.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the occupants and users of the Weis Courthouse in Pittsburgh, PA, who will experience improved heating and steam services. The contract delivers essential facilities maintenance and upgrade services, ensuring the operational integrity of a federal building. The geographic impact is localized to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, directly affecting a federal facility within that region. The project will likely involve a workforce skilled in HVAC, plumbing, and facilities management, potentially creating short-term employment opportunities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition type raises questions about the breadth of competition and potential impact on price.
Lack of detailed scope of work makes it difficult to fully assess if the price is competitive.
The contractor's track record with similar large-scale steam system upgrades needs further investigation.

Positive Signals

Awarded under a firm-fixed-price contract, which shifts cost overrun risks to the contractor.
The project addresses critical infrastructure needs for a federal courthouse.
The General Services Administration is a reputable agency overseeing federal building management.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Facilities Support Services sector, a broad category encompassing maintenance, repair, and operational services for buildings and infrastructure. The market for these services is substantial, driven by the ongoing need to maintain government and commercial properties. The GSA is a major procurer in this space, often awarding contracts for building upgrades and maintenance across its portfolio. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other GSA contracts for similar building system upgrades in federal courthouses or office buildings.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a specific set-aside requirement for this contract. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside provision. The prime contractor, Raven Services JV LLC, is responsible for its own subcontracting decisions.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Public Buildings Service. Accountability measures are typically embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards and delivery schedules. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building Maintenance Contracts
GSA Facilities Management
Courthouse Infrastructure Upgrades
Steam System Modernization
Public Buildings Service Projects

Risk Flags

Limited competition due to source exclusion
Potential for unforeseen site conditions
Contractor performance history not detailed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $208,780 to RAVEN SERVICES JV LLC. INCORPORATES RAVENS PROPOSAL, DATED 4/7/26, FOR THE MAIN STATION STEAM UPGRADE AT THE WEIS COURTHOUSE IN PITTSBURGH, PA.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RAVEN SERVICES JV LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $208,780.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2027-04-13.

What is the specific scope of work for the main station steam upgrade at the Weis Courthouse?

The provided data indicates the contract is for the 'MAIN STATION STEAM UPGRADE AT THE WEIS COURTHOUSE IN PITTSBURGH, PA.' However, the detailed scope of work, such as the specific components to be replaced or upgraded (e.g., boilers, piping, insulation, controls), the extent of the system affected, and the performance requirements post-upgrade, is not included. A comprehensive understanding of the scope is crucial for evaluating the contract's value, assessing risks, and comparing it to similar projects. Further details would typically be found in the Statement of Work (SOW) attached to the contract award.

How does the $2.09 million award compare to similar steam upgrade projects in federal facilities?

Benchmarking the $2.09 million award requires comparing it to similar projects based on scope, size of the facility, and complexity. Without specific details on the Weis Courthouse's steam system and the exact work involved, a direct comparison is challenging. However, for a federal courthouse, which can be a complex facility with significant heating demands, this amount appears to be within a reasonable range for a major system upgrade. A more precise comparison would involve analyzing GSA's historical data for similar projects, considering factors like square footage, age of the existing system, and the specific technologies employed in the upgrade.

What is Raven Services JV LLC's track record with GSA and similar infrastructure projects?

The provided data identifies Raven Services JV LLC as the contractor but does not offer details on their past performance, including previous contracts with the GSA or experience with steam system upgrades. A thorough assessment of this contract's value and risk would necessitate reviewing Raven Services JV LLC's performance history, including client satisfaction, on-time delivery, and adherence to budget on prior projects. This information is typically available through contract performance reports and federal procurement databases.

What are the potential risks associated with this steam upgrade project?

Potential risks for this steam upgrade project include unforeseen conditions within the existing infrastructure (e.g., asbestos, structural issues), delays in material procurement or delivery, labor shortages, and potential scope creep if initial assessments are incomplete. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract shifts cost overrun risks to the contractor, but significant delays or unforeseen complications could still impact project completion and potentially lead to disputes. The 'exclusion of sources' in the procurement process might also indicate unique challenges or specific requirements that limited the bidder pool, potentially increasing risk if specialized expertise was a factor.

How does the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' procurement method affect taxpayer value?

The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method aims to achieve competition while allowing for specific exclusions, perhaps due to security, specialized requirements, or prior performance issues with certain entities. While it is more competitive than a sole-source award, the exclusion of potential bidders could limit the number of offers received. This reduction in competition might result in less aggressive pricing than a truly unrestricted full and open competition. Therefore, the taxpayer value is influenced by the balance between ensuring qualified contractors are considered and maximizing the number of competitive bids to drive down costs.

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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: EQPMAD-26-0206

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 9626 CENTER ST STE 200, MANASSAS, VA, 20110

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $208,780

Exercised Options: $208,780

Current Obligation: $208,780

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47PD0317D0005

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline