GSA Awards $6.6M Design Contract for Savannah Federal Building Alteration to Liollio Hartman Cox JV

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,744,912 ($11.7M)

Contractor: Liollio Hartman COX JV, LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2019-12-11

End Date: 2026-07-31

Contract Duration: 2,424 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 16

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: DESIGN EXCELLENCE SOLICITATION FOR LEAD DESIGN, ARCHITECT-ENGINEER SERVICES CONTRACT: # 47PF0020C0006, ALTERATION OF THE TOMOCHICHI FEDERAL BUILDING AND U.S. COURTHOUSE, SAVANNAH, GEORGIA. $6,618,108.00.

Place of Performance

Location: NORTH CHARLESTON, CHARLESTON County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29405

State: South Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $11.7 million to LIOLLIO HARTMAN COX JV, LLC for work described as: DESIGN EXCELLENCE SOLICITATION FOR LEAD DESIGN, ARCHITECT-ENGINEER SERVICES CONTRACT: # 47PF0020C0006, ALTERATION OF THE TOMOCHICHI FEDERAL BUILDING AND U.S. COURTHOUSE, SAVANNAH, GEORGIA. $6,618,108.00. Key points: 1. The contract is for architectural services related to the Tomochichi Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse. 2. Awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive process. 3. The project has a significant duration, spanning over 2400 days, suggesting a complex undertaking. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award amount of $6,618,108.00 appears reasonable for a design excellence solicitation of this nature. Benchmarking against similar A-E services for federal building renovations would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The competition method 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' suggests that while the competition was intended to be broad, certain sources were excluded, potentially limiting the pool of bidders and impacting price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of a competitive process, even with exclusions, aims to secure fair pricing for taxpayers. The fixed-price nature further protects against cost overruns.

Public Impact

Modernization of a key federal facility in Savannah, Georgia. Potential for improved functionality and aesthetics of the courthouse. Impact on local construction and design industries through subcontracting opportunities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Exclusion of sources in a 'full and open' competition raises questions about the breadth of competition.
Long contract duration could lead to scope creep or unforeseen cost increases if not managed tightly.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty.
Awarded to a Joint Venture, potentially bringing specialized expertise.
Design Excellence solicitation implies a focus on quality and innovation.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Architectural Services sector (NAICS 541310). Spending in this sector for federal projects is substantial, with design contracts often representing a significant portion of overall construction costs.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Public Buildings Service, is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard GSA oversight mechanisms should be in place to ensure quality and adherence to contract terms.

Related Government Programs

Architectural Services
General Services Administration Contracting
Public Buildings Service Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to source exclusions.
Risk of cost escalation or scope creep over the long contract duration.
Lack of explicit small business participation data.
Dependence on GSA's oversight effectiveness for project success.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $11.7 million to LIOLLIO HARTMAN COX JV, LLC. DESIGN EXCELLENCE SOLICITATION FOR LEAD DESIGN, ARCHITECT-ENGINEER SERVICES CONTRACT: # 47PF0020C0006, ALTERATION OF THE TOMOCHICHI FEDERAL BUILDING AND U.S. COURTHOUSE, SAVANNAH, GEORGIA. $6,618,108.00.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LIOLLIO HARTMAN COX JV, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $11.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-12-11. End: 2026-07-31.

What was the rationale for excluding specific sources in this 'full and open' competition, and did it impact the final award price?

The rationale for excluding sources typically relates to specific qualifications, past performance, or unique capabilities required for the project. If the exclusion significantly narrowed the competitive field, it could potentially lead to a higher price than if a wider range of firms had participated. A review of the solicitation documents and any pre-award notices would clarify the specific reasons for exclusion.

Given the long duration (2424 days), what mechanisms are in place to manage potential cost escalations and scope creep?

Firm Fixed Price contracts inherently place cost risk on the contractor. However, long durations necessitate robust contract management, including clear milestones, change order controls, and regular performance reviews. The GSA should have procedures to monitor progress, prevent unauthorized scope expansion, and address any issues that could lead to cost increases or delays.

How does the $6.6 million award compare to industry benchmarks for similar federal building renovation design projects?

Without specific benchmark data for comparable federal building renovation design projects (considering size, complexity, and location), a precise comparison is difficult. However, the amount appears within a reasonable range for a significant federal facility alteration. Accessing GSA's historical data or industry cost estimating databases would provide a more accurate benchmark.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 47PE0318R0005

Offers Received: 16

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1640 MEETING STREET RD STE 201, CHARLESTON, SC, 29405

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,744,912

Exercised Options: $11,744,912

Current Obligation: $11,744,912

Actual Outlays: $6,205,963

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline