Garmatz Courthouse Elevator Modernization contract awarded for $3.8M to Contracting & Communications Services, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,833,519 ($3.8M)

Contractor: Contracting & Communications Services, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2025-04-25

End Date: 2026-12-17

Contract Duration: 601 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.4K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: GARMATZ ELEVATOR MODERNIZATION 1-5 CONSTRUCTION. EDWARD A. GARMATZ UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE. BALTIMORE, MD. THIS CONTRACT IS FOR MODERNIZATION OF THE ELEVATORS.

Place of Performance

Location: BALTIMORE, BALTIMORE CITY County, MARYLAND, 21201

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $3.8 million to CONTRACTING & COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES, INC. for work described as: GARMATZ ELEVATOR MODERNIZATION 1-5 CONSTRUCTION. EDWARD A. GARMATZ UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE. BALTIMORE, MD. THIS CONTRACT IS FOR MODERNIZATION OF THE ELEVATORS. Key points: 1. The contract focuses on essential infrastructure upgrades for the Edward A. Garmatz Courthouse. 2. The fixed-price structure aims to control costs for the modernization project. 3. The duration of 601 days suggests a comprehensive scope of work for the elevator systems. 4. The award is for a definitive contract, indicating a clear scope and timeline. 5. The project is situated in Baltimore, Maryland, impacting local federal facilities.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $3.8 million for elevator modernization appears within a reasonable range for a federal courthouse project of this scope. Benchmarking against similar elevator modernization projects in large public buildings is necessary for a definitive assessment. However, without specific details on the scope of modernization (e.g., number of elevators, complexity of systems), a precise value-for-money judgment is difficult. The firm fixed-price nature provides cost certainty, which is a positive indicator for value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach typically suggests that only one vendor was deemed capable of performing the required work, or that specific circumstances justified bypassing the competitive bidding process. The lack of competition means that price discovery through market forces was limited, potentially leading to higher costs than if multiple bids had been solicited.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can result in taxpayers paying a premium, as the government does not benefit from the cost-saving pressures inherent in a competitive bidding environment.

Public Impact

Federal employees and visitors to the Edward A. Garmatz Courthouse in Baltimore, MD, will benefit from improved elevator functionality and safety. The modernization project ensures the continued accessibility and operational efficiency of a key federal building. The project supports the maintenance and upgrade of federal infrastructure managed by the General Services Administration (GSA). Local construction and skilled trades workforce in Maryland may be engaged through subcontracting opportunities, though specific details are not provided.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpayment and reduced value for taxpayer funds.
The sole-source nature limits transparency into the contractor selection process and justification.
Absence of a small business set-aside may mean fewer opportunities for smaller firms in this specific contract.

Positive Signals

The firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
The project addresses critical infrastructure needs, ensuring the long-term usability of a federal facility.
The award is for a definitive contract, implying a well-defined scope and expected completion.

Sector Analysis

The construction sector, particularly for specialized building systems like elevators, is a significant area of federal spending. This contract falls under the broader category of commercial and institutional building construction. Federal agencies like the General Services Administration (GSA) are responsible for maintaining and modernizing a vast portfolio of government-owned buildings. Spending on such infrastructure projects is crucial for ensuring the safety, accessibility, and operational efficiency of federal facilities nationwide. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing the cost per elevator or per square foot for similar modernization projects in large public or commercial buildings.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside, as indicated by the 'sb' field being false. Consequently, there are no explicit requirements for subcontracting with small businesses mandated by this specific award. The impact on the small business ecosystem is therefore neutral to potentially negative, as opportunities that might have been directed towards small businesses through a set-aside were instead awarded without such a provision. Further analysis would be needed to determine if the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically its Public Buildings Service. As a definitive contract with a fixed price, oversight will focus on ensuring adherence to the contract terms, schedule, and quality standards. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award. Accountability measures are embedded in the contract's performance clauses and payment schedules. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building Modernization Projects
GSA Elevator Maintenance and Upgrade Contracts
Courthouse Infrastructure Improvements
Commercial and Institutional Building Construction Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
Potential for inflated pricing due to lack of competition.
Limited transparency in contractor selection process.
No explicit small business subcontracting requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $3.8 million to CONTRACTING & COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES, INC.. GARMATZ ELEVATOR MODERNIZATION 1-5 CONSTRUCTION. EDWARD A. GARMATZ UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE. BALTIMORE, MD. THIS CONTRACT IS FOR MODERNIZATION OF THE ELEVATORS.

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 $3.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-04-25. End: 2026-12-17.

What is the track record of Contracting & Communications Services, Inc. with the federal government, particularly on similar construction or modernization projects?

A review of federal procurement data indicates that Contracting & Communications Services, Inc. has received federal contracts primarily from the General Services Administration (GSA). While specific details on past performance for elevator modernization projects are not immediately available in the provided data, their contract history suggests experience with federal construction and building services. Further investigation into their past performance evaluations, any reported issues, or successful completion of comparable projects would be necessary to fully assess their track record. The current award being sole-source might imply a specific capability or prior relationship, but it also limits the ability to compare their performance against other potential contractors.

How does the awarded amount of $3.8 million compare to the average cost of similar elevator modernization projects in federal courthouses?

Benchmarking the $3.8 million award for the Garmatz Courthouse elevator modernization requires detailed comparison with similar projects. Factors such as the number of elevators, the complexity of the modernization (e.g., controls, safety features, accessibility upgrades), the size and age of the building, and the specific geographic location significantly influence costs. Generally, modernization of multiple elevators in a large federal building can range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars. Without a detailed scope of work for this specific project and comparable data points from other GSA or federal courthouse modernization efforts, it is challenging to definitively state whether this contract represents excellent, fair, or questionable value. The sole-source nature also raises a flag regarding potential cost efficiencies that might have been achieved through competition.

What are the primary risks associated with this sole-source contract for elevator modernization?

The primary risk associated with this sole-source contract is the lack of competitive pressure, which could lead to a higher price than if the contract had been competed. This reduces the government's ability to secure the best possible value for taxpayer money. Another risk is the potential for contractor performance issues, as there is no direct comparison to other bidders' capabilities or proposed solutions. If Contracting & Communications Services, Inc. underperforms or faces unforeseen challenges, the government has limited recourse compared to a situation with multiple bidders vying for the work. Furthermore, the justification for the sole-source award needs to be robust to ensure it was truly necessary and not a result of poor planning or market research.

What is the expected impact of this modernization on the operational effectiveness and safety of the Edward A. Garmatz Courthouse?

The modernization of elevators is critical for ensuring the operational effectiveness and safety of the Edward A. Garmatz Courthouse. Outdated elevator systems can lead to frequent breakdowns, delays in access for personnel and the public, and potential safety hazards. Upgrading these systems typically involves installing new controls, improving safety features (like emergency communication and braking systems), enhancing energy efficiency, and ensuring compliance with current accessibility standards (e.g., ADA). This project is expected to significantly reduce downtime, improve reliability, enhance user experience, and ensure the building meets modern safety and accessibility requirements, thereby supporting the courthouse's primary functions.

How does this contract's value and duration compare to historical spending on elevator modernization by the GSA?

Historical spending data for GSA elevator modernization projects would be needed for a direct comparison. However, a contract valued at approximately $3.8 million with a duration of 601 days (roughly 20 months) suggests a substantial undertaking. GSA manages a vast real estate portfolio, and elevator modernization is a recurring need. The cost and duration are likely influenced by the scale of the modernization (number of elevators, scope of work) and the specific building's requirements. Without access to GSA's historical contract database for similar projects, it's difficult to ascertain if this represents a typical investment or an outlier. The sole-source nature might also skew comparisons with competitively bid projects.

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: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 47PD0224R0098

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: $3,833,519

Exercised Options: $3,833,519

Current Obligation: $3,833,519

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline