GSA Awards $2.6M Courthouse Renovation to Contracting & Communications Services, Inc. in Baltimore

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,618,894 ($2.6M)

Contractor: Contracting & Communications Services, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2024-12-16

End Date: 2026-06-12

Contract Duration: 543 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.8K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: 2ND AND 5TH FLOOR RENOVATION AT THE EDWARD A. GARMATZ FEDERAL COURTHOUSE, BALTIMORE, MD.

Place of Performance

Location: BALTIMORE, BALTIMORE CITY County, MARYLAND, 21201

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $2.6 million to CONTRACTING & COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES, INC. for work described as: 2ND AND 5TH FLOOR RENOVATION AT THE EDWARD A. GARMATZ FEDERAL COURTHOUSE, BALTIMORE, MD. Key points: 1. The contract is for renovation of the Edward A. Garmatz Federal Courthouse. 2. The awardee is Contracting & Communications Services, Inc. 3. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price. 4. The contract was not competed under SAP, indicating potential limited competition. 5. The project is in Maryland.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.6M for courthouse renovation appears within a reasonable range for similar projects. However, without specific details on the scope of work and market rates for construction in Baltimore, a precise benchmark is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting it may have been awarded through a limited competition or sole-source justification. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of full and open competition may result in a higher cost to taxpayers than if the contract had been competitively bid.

Public Impact

Federal courthouse renovations impact public access and judicial operations. Construction projects can create local jobs and stimulate economic activity. The project aims to improve federal infrastructure and facilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition
No small business participation noted

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract type
Clear project scope (renovation)

Sector Analysis

The construction sector is vital for federal infrastructure. This project falls under Commercial and Institutional Building Construction. Benchmarks for similar federal courthouse renovations vary widely based on size, complexity, and location.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business set-aside opportunities were considered or missed.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) is responsible for managing federal buildings. Oversight would involve ensuring the contractor adheres to the contract terms, timeline, and quality standards for the renovation.

Related Government Programs

Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
General Services Administration Contracting
Public Buildings Service Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of full and open competition
No small business participation identified
Potential for inflated pricing due to limited competition
Contract duration is substantial (543 days)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $2.6 million to CONTRACTING & COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES, INC.. 2ND AND 5TH FLOOR RENOVATION AT THE EDWARD A. GARMATZ FEDERAL COURTHOUSE, BALTIMORE, MD.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CONTRACTING & COMMUNICATIONS 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 $2.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-12-16. End: 2026-06-12.

What specific factors led to the decision to not compete this contract under SAP?

The contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP,' which typically implies that the acquisition value exceeded the simplified acquisition threshold or that specific justifications for limited competition were met. Without further details from the contract award documentation, it's unclear if this was due to urgency, specialized requirements, or other factors that precluded a broader competition.

What are the potential risks associated with a limited competition award for this renovation project?

Limited competition can increase the risk of paying a higher price than necessary, as there is less pressure from competing bids to drive down costs. It also raises concerns about whether the best value solution was truly identified. Furthermore, it may limit opportunities for innovative approaches or specialized expertise that could have been brought by a wider range of contractors.

How will the success of this renovation be measured to ensure taxpayer value?

Success will be measured against the contract's performance standards, including adherence to the schedule (completion by June 2026), budget ($2.6M), and quality of the renovation work. Post-occupancy evaluations and user feedback from courthouse staff will also be critical in assessing whether the improved facilities meet operational needs and provide long-term value.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 47PD0224R0084

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 107 ENGLEFIELD DR, GAITHERSBURG, MD, 20878

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Joint Venture Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,618,894

Exercised Options: $2,618,894

Current Obligation: $2,618,894

Actual Outlays: $604,799

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline