GSA awards $6.4M fire alarm replacement contract to Structural Engineering Group Inc. for IRS facility

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,400,029 ($6.4M)

Contractor: Structural Engineering Group Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2024-08-12

End Date: 2026-06-12

Contract Duration: 669 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE FIRE ALARM REPLACEMENT PROJECT, IRS COMPUTING CENTER, 250 MURALL DRIVE, KEARNEYSVILLE WV. THIS TASK ORDER IS TO REPLACE THE FIRE ALARM SYSTEM.

Place of Performance

Location: KEARNEYSVILLE, JEFFERSON County, WEST VIRGINIA, 25430

State: West Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $6.4 million to STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING GROUP INC for work described as: INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE FIRE ALARM REPLACEMENT PROJECT, IRS COMPUTING CENTER, 250 MURALL DRIVE, KEARNEYSVILLE WV. THIS TASK ORDER IS TO REPLACE THE FIRE ALARM SYSTEM. Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the scope of replacing a critical life safety system. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, primarily related to project duration and potential for unforeseen construction issues. 4. Performance context involves a critical infrastructure upgrade for the IRS Computing Center. 5. Sector positioning is within commercial and institutional building construction, a standard category for such projects.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $6.4 million for a fire alarm system replacement at a federal facility is within a typical range for such projects. Benchmarking against similar federal building modernization efforts suggests this price is competitive, especially considering the specific requirements of a government computing center. The firm fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overruns for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources,' indicating that the solicitation was broadly advertised, and multiple bids were likely considered. The presence of 5 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this project, which typically leads to better pricing and service options for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely drove down the final contract price and ensured the government received a fair market value for the fire alarm system replacement.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the employees and operations of the IRS Computing Center in Kearneysville, WV, through enhanced safety. The service delivered is the replacement of an outdated or non-functional fire alarm system with a modern, compliant one. The geographic impact is localized to the IRS Computing Center facility in Kearneysville, West Virginia. Workforce implications include potential employment for construction trades and specialized technicians involved in the installation and commissioning of the new system.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for construction delays impacting the project timeline.
Ensuring the new system integrates seamlessly with existing building infrastructure.
Managing unforeseen site conditions during the replacement process.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract limits cost escalation.
Award to a single contractor streamlines project management.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader construction sector, specifically focusing on building systems and infrastructure upgrades. The market for fire alarm system installation and maintenance is competitive, with numerous providers. Federal spending in this area is consistent, driven by the need to maintain and modernize aging government facilities to meet safety codes and operational requirements.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the awardee, Structural Engineering Group Inc., is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. There is no information on subcontracting plans for small businesses, which could represent a missed opportunity to engage the small business ecosystem in this project.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA), through its Public Buildings Service, is responsible for overseeing this contract. Oversight mechanisms would include regular progress reviews, site inspections, and adherence to contract milestones. Transparency is generally maintained through GSA's contract award databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud or mismanagement.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building Modernization Projects
IRS Facility Maintenance
Life Safety Systems Upgrades
GSA Public Buildings Service Contracts

Risk Flags

Project Duration
Potential for Unforeseen Site Conditions
Integration with Existing Systems

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $6.4 million to STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING GROUP INC. INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE FIRE ALARM REPLACEMENT PROJECT, IRS COMPUTING CENTER, 250 MURALL DRIVE, KEARNEYSVILLE WV. THIS TASK ORDER IS TO REPLACE THE FIRE ALARM SYSTEM.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING GROUP INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-08-12. End: 2026-06-12.

What is the track record of Structural Engineering Group Inc. with federal contracts, particularly for similar infrastructure projects?

Information regarding the specific track record of Structural Engineering Group Inc. with federal contracts, especially for fire alarm system replacements or similar infrastructure projects, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive review would require accessing federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS to analyze past performance, contract values, and client agencies. Understanding their history with GSA or other agencies would provide insight into their reliability and experience in executing similar projects within budget and schedule.

How does the awarded price compare to industry benchmarks for fire alarm system replacements in commercial and institutional buildings of similar size and complexity?

The awarded price of $6.4 million for the IRS Computing Center fire alarm replacement is a significant investment. To benchmark this value, one would compare it against industry cost data for large-scale fire alarm system installations in comparable facilities. Factors such as the size of the building, the complexity of the required system (e.g., integration with other security systems, number of zones), and prevailing labor and material costs in West Virginia would be considered. Without specific project details and access to detailed cost breakdowns, a precise comparison is difficult, but the firm fixed-price nature suggests the government sought a defined cost for the scope.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential construction delays due to unforeseen site conditions, integration challenges with existing building systems, and ensuring minimal disruption to the IRS Computing Center's operations. Mitigation strategies likely involve detailed site assessments prior to work, phased installation plans, robust project management by GSA, and clear communication protocols with the IRS. The firm fixed-price contract also incentivizes the contractor to manage risks effectively to avoid cost overruns.

What is the expected impact of this fire alarm system replacement on the operational effectiveness and safety of the IRS Computing Center?

The replacement of the fire alarm system is expected to significantly enhance the operational effectiveness and safety of the IRS Computing Center. A modern, reliable fire alarm system is crucial for early detection of fires, enabling timely evacuation and response by emergency services. This directly protects personnel, sensitive data, and critical IT infrastructure housed within the facility. Compliance with current safety codes and standards will also be ensured, reducing the risk of regulatory non-compliance and potential fines or operational shutdowns.

How has federal spending on building infrastructure and safety systems like fire alarms trended over the past five years, and does this contract align with those trends?

Federal spending on building infrastructure and safety systems, including fire alarm replacements, has generally remained consistent, driven by the aging federal building stock and evolving safety regulations. Agencies like GSA consistently allocate funds for maintenance, repair, and modernization of facilities. This $6.4 million contract for a critical system replacement aligns with the ongoing trend of federal agencies investing in maintaining and upgrading their physical infrastructure to ensure safety and operational continuity. Specific trends would require analysis of historical GSA or overall federal construction spending data.

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: 47PD0224R0083

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 38997 E COLONIAL HWY, HAMILTON, VA, 20158

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,400,029

Exercised Options: $6,400,029

Current Obligation: $6,400,029

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 4

Total Subaward Amount: $4,064,610

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47PD0223D0014

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline