GSA awards $5,074 landscaping contract for Robert S. Vance Federal Building in Birmingham, AL

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,074 ($5.1K)

Contractor: Alabama Goodwill Contract Services Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-02

End Date: 2026-07-01

Contract Duration: 90 days

Daily Burn Rate: $56/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CONTRACTOR TO DO LANDSCAPING BEAUTIFICATION AT THE ROBERT S. VANCE FEDERAL BUILDING IN JEFFERSON COUNTY LOCATED AT 1800 5TH AVE N BIRMINGHAM AL 35203-2111(AL0011ZZ)

Place of Performance

Location: BIRMINGHAM, JEFFERSON County, ALABAMA, 35203

State: Alabama Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $5,074.08 to ALABAMA GOODWILL CONTRACT SERVICES INC for work described as: CONTRACTOR TO DO LANDSCAPING BEAUTIFICATION AT THE ROBERT S. VANCE FEDERAL BUILDING IN JEFFERSON COUNTY LOCATED AT 1800 5TH AVE N BIRMINGHAM AL 35203-2111(AL0011ZZ) Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential landscaping and beautification services for a federal building. 2. The contract duration is 90 days, indicating a short-term, specific service need. 3. The award was not competed, raising questions about potential cost efficiencies. 4. The General Services Administration (GSA) is the awarding agency, overseeing federal building maintenance. 5. The service falls under janitorial and landscaping categories, essential for facility upkeep. 6. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a localized or specific project scope.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $5,074 for a 90-day landscaping service appears reasonable for a single federal building. Without comparable bids or detailed service scope, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. However, the price seems aligned with typical costs for localized grounds maintenance services. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not openly competed. This approach is typically used when only one vendor can provide the required service, or for urgent needs. The lack of competition means potential cost savings from a bidding process were not realized, and it limits the government's ability to benchmark pricing against multiple offers.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the lowest possible price due to the absence of a competitive bidding process. This could result in a higher cost than if multiple vendors had vied for the contract.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the General Services Administration (GSA) through the maintenance of federal property. The Robert S. Vance Federal Building in Birmingham, Alabama, will receive landscaping and beautification services. The geographic impact is localized to Jefferson County, Alabama. The contract supports local service providers, potentially including a small workforce for the landscaping tasks.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
Sole-source award limits transparency in pricing and vendor selection.
Short contract duration might indicate a temporary need or potential for future re-competition.

Positive Signals

Ensures timely maintenance of federal building grounds.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.
Supports local economic activity through service provision.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the broader facilities management and maintenance sector, specifically focusing on groundskeeping and landscaping services. This sector is characterized by a mix of large corporations and numerous small businesses. Federal spending in this area is consistent, driven by the need to maintain a vast portfolio of government-owned and leased properties across the country. Benchmarking this specific contract is challenging due to its small value and sole-source nature, but it represents a typical micro-purchase for localized facility upkeep.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to involve significant subcontracting opportunities for them based on its scope and value. The awarding contractor, Alabama Goodwill Contract Services Inc., may have a mission that aligns with employing individuals with disabilities or other barriers to employment, which could indirectly benefit the small business ecosystem through supported employment.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the General Services Administration (GSA) contracting officer and contract specialist. As a small-value contract, it likely falls under simplified acquisition procedures, which have less formal oversight than larger procurements. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source award, but contract details are generally available through federal procurement databases.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building Maintenance Contracts
GSA Groundskeeping Services
Public Facility Landscaping

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may not represent best value.
Limited transparency in vendor selection and pricing.
Potential for higher costs due to lack of competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $5,074.08 to ALABAMA GOODWILL CONTRACT SERVICES INC. CONTRACTOR TO DO LANDSCAPING BEAUTIFICATION AT THE ROBERT S. VANCE FEDERAL BUILDING IN JEFFERSON COUNTY LOCATED AT 1800 5TH AVE N BIRMINGHAM AL 35203-2111(AL0011ZZ)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ALABAMA GOODWILL CONTRACT 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 $5,074.08.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-07-01.

What is the track record of Alabama Goodwill Contract Services Inc. in performing similar landscaping services for federal facilities?

Information regarding Alabama Goodwill Contract Services Inc.'s specific track record for landscaping at federal facilities is not readily available in the provided data. However, as a contractor often associated with employing individuals with barriers to employment, their focus may be on providing opportunities through service contracts. Further investigation into their past performance ratings and experience with similar government contracts, particularly within the GSA's Public Buildings Service, would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment. Their ability to meet the specific requirements of landscaping and beautification at the Robert S. Vance Federal Building would be a key indicator of their suitability.

How does the price of this contract compare to similar landscaping services for federal buildings of comparable size?

A direct price comparison is difficult due to the limited information on the specific scope of work and the sole-source nature of this award. The contract value of $5,074 for a 90-day period for landscaping at a single federal building in Birmingham, AL, appears to be a micro-purchase. Comparable services for larger federal buildings or over longer periods would naturally incur higher costs. Without data on the square footage of the grounds, the intensity of services required (e.g., mowing, trimming, planting, irrigation maintenance), and the number of bids received in a competitive scenario, it's challenging to benchmark this price definitively. However, for localized, short-term grounds maintenance, the amount is not inherently excessive.

What are the primary risks associated with awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The primary risk associated with awarding this contract on a sole-source basis is the potential for paying a non-competitive price, meaning taxpayers may not be receiving the best value. Without competition, there is less incentive for the contractor to offer the lowest possible price. Additionally, a sole-source award can reduce transparency in the procurement process and limit opportunities for other qualified vendors to secure government contracts. There's also a risk that the chosen contractor, while capable, might not be the most innovative or efficient provider available in the market, as the government did not explore alternatives through a competitive solicitation.

What is the expected effectiveness of these landscaping services in enhancing the appearance of the Robert S. Vance Federal Building?

The effectiveness of the landscaping services will depend on the specific tasks outlined in the contract's statement of work and the contractor's execution. Beautification implies more than basic maintenance; it suggests efforts to improve aesthetic appeal. If the contract includes tasks such as planting seasonal flowers, maintaining healthy turf, proper pruning of shrubs and trees, and general upkeep of the grounds, it should contribute positively to the building's appearance. The short 90-day duration suggests it might cover a specific season or a period requiring focused attention. The success will be measured by the visual improvement and the sustained condition of the grounds during the contract period.

What has been the historical spending pattern for landscaping and janitorial services at the Robert S. Vance Federal Building?

Historical spending data for landscaping and janitorial services specifically at the Robert S. Vance Federal Building is not provided in the current data set. To analyze historical patterns, one would need to access federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) and search for previous contracts awarded for these services at this specific address or for this facility. Examining past contract values, durations, awarding agencies, and competition levels would reveal trends. Understanding this history could help determine if the current $5,074 award for a 90-day period is consistent with past expenditures or represents a deviation, potentially indicating a change in service needs or pricing.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Services to Buildings and Dwellings › Janitorial Services

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: EQ4P1SCB-24-0004

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2350 GREEN SPRINGS HWY S, BIRMINGHAM, AL, 35205

Business Categories: AbilityOne Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,074

Exercised Options: $5,074

Current Obligation: $5,074

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47PE0521D0005

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline