GSA awards $535K for architectural services to support US Marshals in Austin, Texas

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $53,563 ($53.6K)

Contractor: Richter Associates Architects Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-03-30

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 184 days

Daily Burn Rate: $291/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: DESIGN TO RELEASE THE SPACE FOR UNITED STATES MARSHAL SERVICE LOCATED AT THORNBERRY JUDICIAL BUILDING 903 SAN JACINTO BOULEVARD AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701.

Place of Performance

Location: AUSTIN, TRAVIS County, TEXAS, 78701

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $53,563 to RICHTER ASSOCIATES ARCHITECTS INC for work described as: DESIGN TO RELEASE THE SPACE FOR UNITED STATES MARSHAL SERVICE LOCATED AT THORNBERRY JUDICIAL BUILDING 903 SAN JACINTO BOULEVARD AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701. Key points: 1. Contract awarded for design services to prepare space for the US Marshals Service. 2. The contract duration is 184 days, indicating a focused scope of work. 3. Services are for the Thornberry Judicial Building in Austin, Texas. 4. The award was made under full and open competition. 5. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, providing cost certainty. 6. This award falls under architectural services, a common need for federal facilities.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award amount of $535,630 for architectural services appears reasonable for a project of this nature, which involves designing space for a federal law enforcement agency. Benchmarking against similar GSA projects for judicial facilities or office build-outs would provide a more precise value assessment. The firm fixed-price structure suggests that the government has a clear understanding of the scope and associated costs, which generally leads to better value realization.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple interested firms had the opportunity to bid. This competitive process is expected to yield a fair market price and ensure the selection of a qualified contractor. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the open competition suggests a healthy level of market interest for this type of architectural service.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down costs through market forces and ensuring that the government receives the best possible value for its investment.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the United States Marshals Service, which will gain functional and secure workspace. The services delivered include architectural design for facility modification. The geographic impact is localized to Austin, Texas, specifically the Thornberry Judicial Building. The contract supports the federal justice system's operational needs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost predictability.
Contract supports a critical federal law enforcement agency (US Marshals Service).

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Architectural Services sector (NAICS code 541310), which is a significant component of the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. Federal agencies, particularly those managing facilities like the General Services Administration (GSA), frequently procure these services for new construction, renovations, and space modifications. Spending in this sector is driven by infrastructure needs and the ongoing requirement to maintain and adapt federal buildings to meet evolving operational demands.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved in the bidding process or if there are any subcontracting opportunities that may arise during the performance of this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Public Buildings Service, is responsible for overseeing this contract. Oversight mechanisms would typically include contract administration, performance monitoring, and quality assurance reviews to ensure the architectural services meet federal standards and the specific requirements of the US Marshals Service. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building Design and Construction
US Marshals Service Facilities
General Services Administration Public Buildings Service Contracts
Architectural and Engineering Services

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $53,563 to RICHTER ASSOCIATES ARCHITECTS INC. DESIGN TO RELEASE THE SPACE FOR UNITED STATES MARSHAL SERVICE LOCATED AT THORNBERRY JUDICIAL BUILDING 903 SAN JACINTO BOULEVARD AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RICHTER ASSOCIATES ARCHITECTS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $53,563.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-30. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the track record of Richter Associates Architects Inc. with federal contracts?

A review of federal contract databases would be necessary to fully assess Richter Associates Architects Inc.'s track record. This would involve examining past awards, performance history, and any reported issues or disputes on previous government contracts. Understanding their experience with similar projects, particularly for law enforcement or judicial facilities, would provide insight into their capability to successfully execute this current design contract. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to definitively gauge their past performance with the federal government.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar architectural services contracts for federal facilities?

To benchmark the $535,630 award, one would compare it to similar contracts awarded by the GSA or other federal agencies for architectural design services on judicial buildings, courthouses, or law enforcement facilities. Key comparison points would include the square footage of the space being designed, the complexity of the renovation or build-out, and the specific services required (e.g., schematic design, construction documents, interior design). A higher dollar amount might be justified for more complex projects or larger spaces. Conversely, a lower amount for a comparable scope could indicate better price negotiation or a more competitive bidding environment.

What are the primary risks associated with this architectural design contract?

Primary risks include potential scope creep, where the requirements for the space design expand beyond the initial agreement, leading to cost overruns or schedule delays. Another risk is the accuracy and completeness of the architectural designs, which could impact the subsequent construction phase. Contractor performance is also a risk; if Richter Associates Architects Inc. fails to deliver timely and quality designs, it could impede the US Marshals Service's ability to occupy the space as planned. Finally, unforeseen site conditions or regulatory changes could necessitate design modifications, introducing further risk.

How effective is the full and open competition process in ensuring value for this type of service?

Full and open competition is generally considered a highly effective method for ensuring value in federal contracting, including for architectural services. It allows a broad range of qualified firms to compete, fostering price competition and encouraging innovation. The process typically involves a detailed solicitation that outlines the government's needs, allowing bidders to propose solutions and prices. The agency then evaluates these proposals based on predefined criteria, which often include technical qualifications, past performance, and price. This structured approach aims to select the offeror that provides the best overall value to the government, balancing cost with quality and capability.

What is the historical spending trend for architectural services by the General Services Administration?

Historical spending data for architectural services by the GSA would reveal trends in procurement volume and average contract values over time. This analysis would likely show consistent investment in these services, driven by the GSA's mandate to manage and maintain federal buildings. Factors influencing spending trends could include federal infrastructure investment initiatives, changes in federal agency space requirements, and the overall economic climate. Examining year-over-year spending would indicate whether the GSA's reliance on architectural services is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable, providing context for the current award.

Are there any specific performance metrics or deliverables outlined for this contract?

While the provided data does not detail specific performance metrics or deliverables, architectural design contracts typically require the submission of various design phases (e.g., schematic design, design development, construction documents), specifications, and cost estimates. Performance is often evaluated based on adherence to the schedule, quality of the design documents, responsiveness to government comments, and compliance with applicable building codes and federal standards. Deliverables would include the final set of approved architectural plans and related documentation necessary for bidding the construction phase.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Architectural Services

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ARCHITECT-ENGINEER FAR 6.102

Solicitation ID: 47PH0925R0054

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 201 S UPPER BROADWAY ST, CORPUS CHRISTI, TX, 78401

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, 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: $53,563

Exercised Options: $53,563

Current Obligation: $53,563

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47PH0822D0008

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline