GSA awards $34,904 for DHS OIG space alteration in San Antonio, Texas

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $34,904 ($34.9K)

Contractor: Amstar Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2026-06-08

Contract Duration: 61 days

Daily Burn Rate: $572/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: THIS IS AN INITIAL SPACE ALTERATION PROJECT FOR DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL ON THE 5TH FLOOR OF THE HIPOLITO GARCIA FEDERAL BUILDING AND UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE LOCATED AT 615 EAST HOUSTON STREET, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

Place of Performance

Location: SAN ANTONIO, BEXAR County, TEXAS, 78205

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $34,903.81 to AMSTAR INC for work described as: THIS IS AN INITIAL SPACE ALTERATION PROJECT FOR DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL ON THE 5TH FLOOR OF THE HIPOLITO GARCIA FEDERAL BUILDING AND UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE LOCATED AT 615 EAST HOUSTON STREET, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to AMSTAR INC for minor interior renovations. 2. Project scope includes alterations to existing office space. 3. Delivery order issued under an existing indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. 4. Project duration is 61 days, indicating a focused scope. 5. Fixed-price contract type suggests defined costs and limited risk of cost overruns. 6. Geographic focus on San Antonio, Texas, serving a specific federal facility.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $34,904 is relatively small for a construction project. Benchmarking against similar small-scale office alteration projects would be necessary for a precise value-for-money assessment. Given the limited scope and duration, the price appears reasonable for the described work, but without detailed cost breakdowns or comparisons to market rates for similar alterations in San Antonio, a definitive assessment of excellent value is not possible.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which implies that while competition was sought, certain sources may have been excluded based on specific criteria. The presence of 7 bidders suggests a reasonable level of competition for this type of project. This level of competition is generally positive for price discovery and ensuring a fair market price.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive bidding process for this project likely resulted in a fair price for taxpayers, preventing potential overcharges that could occur with less competition.

Public Impact

Benefits the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General by providing necessary workspace modifications. Services delivered include interior alterations to federal office space. Geographic impact is localized to the Hipolito Garcia Federal Building and United States Courthouse in San Antonio, Texas. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving a small construction crew for the duration of the project.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if unforeseen issues arise during alteration.
Dependence on the contractor's ability to meet the short deadline.
Limited duration may not allow for extensive quality control checks.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract limits financial risk for the government.
Clear delivery order under an existing IDIQ contract suggests established processes.
Multiple bidders indicate a competitive market for these services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector (NAICS 236220). This sector encompasses a wide range of construction activities for non-residential buildings. Federal spending in this area supports the maintenance and modernization of government facilities. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing the cost per square foot for similar renovation projects within federal buildings or commercial spaces in the same region.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside requirement for this delivery order (ss: false, sb: false). While AMSTAR INC's size is not specified, the competition was full and open. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal given the project's focused scope and the absence of a specific set-aside.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Public Buildings Service, which manages federal real estate. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract type, requiring delivery of specified alterations. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards. The Office of Inspector General for DHS may also have jurisdiction for audits or investigations related to the use of the space.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building Renovations
Office Space Modernization
Department of Homeland Security Facilities
General Services Administration Construction Contracts

Risk Flags

Limited scope may not address underlying facility needs.
Potential for unforeseen conditions in older federal buildings.
Short duration requires efficient project management.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $34,903.81 to AMSTAR INC. THIS IS AN INITIAL SPACE ALTERATION PROJECT FOR DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL ON THE 5TH FLOOR OF THE HIPOLITO GARCIA FEDERAL BUILDING AND UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE LOCATED AT 615 EAST HOUSTON STREET, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AMSTAR INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $34,903.81.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-06-08.

What is the track record of AMSTAR INC in performing similar federal construction projects?

Information regarding AMSTAR INC's specific track record with federal construction projects is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes on similar federal contracts. Without this data, it is difficult to ascertain their experience level and reliability for this specific alteration project. Further research into federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS would be necessary to gather this information and assess their past performance against requirements, timeliness, and overall client satisfaction.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar office alterations in San Antonio, Texas?

The awarded price of $34,903.81 for office alterations is a relatively small sum, making direct comparison to broad market rates challenging without specific project details. To benchmark effectively, one would need to compare the cost per square foot or cost per specific alteration task (e.g., wall construction, electrical work, painting) against prevailing commercial rates in San Antonio for similar scope and quality. Given the short duration (61 days) and the nature of alterations, the price appears reasonable for a contained project. However, a definitive assessment requires detailed cost breakdowns from the contractor and comparison with local construction cost indices or bids from other local contractors for comparable work.

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

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential delays due to unforeseen site conditions during the alteration phase, contractor performance issues, or minor scope creep. Mitigation strategies are primarily addressed through the contract type: a firm-fixed-price award limits the government's financial exposure to cost overruns. The short duration (61 days) also implies a focused scope, reducing the likelihood of extensive unforeseen issues. Furthermore, the General Services Administration (GSA) typically has project managers overseeing such contracts, ensuring adherence to schedule and quality. The competitive bidding process itself helps mitigate risks by selecting a contractor deemed capable of performing the work.

How effective is the current office space configuration for the DHS OIG, and what is the expected impact of these alterations?

The provided data does not contain information on the current effectiveness of the DHS OIG's office space configuration or the specific functional improvements expected from these alterations. The project is described as an 'initial space alteration project,' suggesting it addresses immediate needs for modification rather than a comprehensive redesign. The alterations are likely intended to optimize workflow, improve functionality, or accommodate specific operational requirements within the existing 5th-floor space. Without details on the nature of the alterations (e.g., reconfiguring layouts, updating finishes, minor structural changes), assessing the precise impact on operational effectiveness is not possible.

What are the historical spending patterns for office alterations at the Hipolito Garcia Federal Building and United States Courthouse?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for office alterations at the Hipolito Garcia Federal Building and United States Courthouse. To analyze historical spending, one would need to access federal procurement databases (e.g., FPDS, USASpending.gov) and filter for contracts awarded to this specific facility or for similar types of construction and alteration services within the building over previous fiscal years. This would reveal trends in spending, identify frequently used contractors, and potentially highlight periods of increased renovation activity.

What is the significance of the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' award type?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' award type signifies that the solicitation was made available to all responsible sources capable of providing the required services. However, specific sources were excluded from consideration based on predefined criteria, which could relate to security clearances, specific technical capabilities, or other requirements outlined in the solicitation. This approach aims to balance broad competition with the need to ensure that only qualified and appropriate contractors participate, potentially streamlining the evaluation process while still achieving competitive pricing. The presence of 7 bidders suggests that despite exclusions, sufficient competition was maintained.

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: 47PD5226R0023

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1211 PLEASANTON RD, SAN ANTONIO, TX, 78214

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $34,904

Exercised Options: $34,904

Current Obligation: $34,904

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47PH0825D0039

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline