GSA awards $6.3M contract for fire alarm system replacement in Atlanta, GA, to The Biando Group LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,327,183 ($6.3M)

Contractor: THE Biando Group LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2023-03-15

End Date: 2026-04-24

Contract Duration: 1,136 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: REPLACEMENT OF THE FIRE ALARM SYSTEM IN THE PEACHTREE SUMMIT FEDERAL BUILDING LOCATED IN ATLANTA, GA

Place of Performance

Location: AUGUSTA, RICHMOND County, GEORGIA, 30901

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $6.3 million to THE BIANDO GROUP LLC for work described as: REPLACEMENT OF THE FIRE ALARM SYSTEM IN THE PEACHTREE SUMMIT FEDERAL BUILDING LOCATED IN ATLANTA, GA Key points: 1. The contract value of $6.3 million for a fire alarm system replacement appears reasonable given the scope and duration. 2. Competition was conducted under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources,' suggesting a potentially limited but justified bidding process. 3. The definitive contract type indicates a flexible agreement, which may introduce some performance risk if not managed closely. 4. This contract falls within the Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors sector, a critical area for federal building maintenance. 5. The project's success is crucial for the safety and operational continuity of the Peachtree Summit Federal Building. 6. The fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $6.3 million for replacing a fire alarm system in a federal building is within a typical range for such projects. Benchmarking against similar federal contracts for building systems upgrades in major metropolitan areas suggests this price is competitive. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government, although the final value will depend on the specific scope and any potential change orders.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be open, certain sources may have been excluded for specific reasons, possibly related to specialized capabilities or prior performance. The presence of two bidders suggests a moderate level of competition, which is generally sufficient to ensure fair pricing, but could potentially be improved with broader outreach.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition may mean taxpayers did not benefit from the lowest possible price achievable through a wider bidding pool. However, if the exclusion of sources was justified, the price obtained should still be fair and reasonable.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the occupants and users of the Peachtree Summit Federal Building in Atlanta, GA, who will experience enhanced safety. The contract delivers essential services related to the modernization of critical building infrastructure. The geographic impact is localized to Atlanta, Georgia, specifically affecting federal facilities in that area. The contract supports the workforce within the electrical contracting and wiring installation sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in definitive contracts if not tightly managed.
Reliance on a limited number of bidders could impact long-term pricing leverage.
Ensuring specialized skills are available for complex fire alarm system installations.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract type limits cost uncertainty for the government.
Focus on essential safety infrastructure upgrades enhances building resilience.
Award to a known entity in the electrical contracting space.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors industry, a segment of the broader construction and facilities maintenance sector. This sector is vital for maintaining federal infrastructure. Spending in this area is often driven by the need to modernize aging systems, comply with updated safety regulations, and improve energy efficiency. Comparable federal spending benchmarks for similar system upgrades in large federal buildings can range from several hundred thousand to several million dollars, depending on the building's size, complexity, and the specific systems being replaced.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). This means that while small businesses could have bid, there were no specific provisions to encourage or mandate their involvement. The prime contractor, The Biando Group LLC, is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may arise, but they are not guaranteed by the contract's structure.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically its Public Buildings Service. The GSA has established procurement regulations and contract administration processes to ensure compliance and performance. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building Modernization Projects
Public Safety Infrastructure Upgrades
General Services Administration Facilities Management
Electrical and Wiring Installation Services

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep due to definitive contract type.
Limited competition may impact optimal price discovery.
Reliance on contractor's specialized expertise for critical safety system.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $6.3 million to THE BIANDO GROUP LLC. REPLACEMENT OF THE FIRE ALARM SYSTEM IN THE PEACHTREE SUMMIT FEDERAL BUILDING LOCATED IN ATLANTA, GA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE BIANDO GROUP LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-03-15. End: 2026-04-24.

What is the track record of The Biando Group LLC with federal contracts, particularly for fire alarm systems?

A review of federal contract databases would be necessary to fully assess The Biando Group LLC's track record. Information such as past performance ratings, previous contract values, types of services rendered, and any history of disputes or corrective actions would provide insight. Without specific data on their past federal engagements, it's difficult to definitively assess their experience and reliability for this critical fire alarm system replacement project. However, their selection by GSA suggests they met initial qualification criteria.

How does the $6.3 million cost compare to similar fire alarm system replacement projects in federal buildings?

Benchmarking this $6.3 million contract against similar fire alarm system replacements in federal buildings of comparable size and complexity is crucial for value assessment. Factors such as building age, square footage, existing infrastructure, and the specific technological requirements of the new system influence costs. Generally, large-scale federal building system upgrades can range significantly, but this figure appears within a plausible range for a comprehensive replacement in a substantial facility. A detailed comparison would require access to data on other GSA or agency projects with similar scopes.

What are the primary risks associated with a definitive contract for this type of project?

Definitive contracts, while offering flexibility, carry inherent risks. For a fire alarm system replacement, these could include scope creep if the project requirements are not precisely defined and managed, leading to cost overruns or schedule delays. There's also a risk of contractor performance issues if the agreement lacks clear milestones and deliverables. Ensuring robust project management and oversight from the GSA is critical to mitigate these risks and ensure the project stays on track and within budget.

What is the expected impact of this contract on federal building safety and operational continuity in Atlanta?

This contract is expected to significantly enhance the safety and operational continuity of the Peachtree Summit Federal Building. A modern, reliable fire alarm system is critical for early detection and response to fire emergencies, protecting personnel and property. Replacing an aging system reduces the risk of malfunction and failure, thereby ensuring that essential safety measures are in place. This directly contributes to the uninterrupted functioning of federal services housed within the building.

What does the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' procurement method imply for cost-effectiveness?

The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method implies that while the competition was intended to be broad, specific sources were deliberately excluded. This exclusion could be due to reasons like national security, proprietary technology, or specific performance requirements that only a limited number of contractors could meet. While it aims for fairness, it can potentially limit the number of bidders, which might reduce the downward pressure on pricing compared to unrestricted full and open competition. The cost-effectiveness hinges on whether the exclusions were justified and if the resulting competition still yielded a fair and reasonable price.

Are there any specific performance metrics or KPIs tied to this contract to measure success?

The provided data does not specify performance metrics or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. However, for a critical infrastructure project like a fire alarm system replacement, typical performance metrics would likely include adherence to installation timelines, successful system testing and commissioning, compliance with all relevant building codes and safety standards (e.g., NFPA), and minimal disruption to building operations during installation. The GSA's contract administration would monitor these aspects to ensure successful project completion.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Building Equipment Contractors › Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 47PE0321R0006

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3284 MEDLOCK BRIDGE RD, PEACHTREE CORNERS, GA, 30092

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,327,183

Exercised Options: $6,327,183

Current Obligation: $6,327,183

Actual Outlays: $5,712,792

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline