GSA awards $9K contract for architectural services in Michigan, highlighting restoration needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,027 ($9.0K)

Contractor: Seven Generations Architecture & Engineering LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2020-09-29

End Date: 2021-02-05

Contract Duration: 129 days

Daily Burn Rate: $70/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: RESTORATION OF EXTERIOR PUBLIC DOOR ASSEMBLIES, ARCHITECTURE AND ENGINEERING DESIGN SERVICE AT 600 E. MICHIGAN AVE. STE B, KALAMAZOO, MI 49007 FOR HART-DOLE-INOUYE BLDG NO 1 FEDERAL CENTER, BATTLE CREEK, MI

Place of Performance

Location: BATTLE CREEK, CALHOUN County, MICHIGAN, 49037

State: Michigan Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $9,026.65 to SEVEN GENERATIONS ARCHITECTURE & ENGINEERING LLC for work described as: RESTORATION OF EXTERIOR PUBLIC DOOR ASSEMBLIES, ARCHITECTURE AND ENGINEERING DESIGN SERVICE AT 600 E. MICHIGAN AVE. STE B, KALAMAZOO, MI 49007 FOR HART-DOLE-INOUYE BLDG NO 1 FEDERAL CENTER, BATTLE CREEK, MI Key points: 1. Contract focuses on architectural and engineering design for building exterior restoration. 2. The award value is relatively small, suggesting a specific scope of work. 3. Competition was conducted after excluding sources, indicating potential limitations. 4. The contract duration is short, aligning with a focused design project. 5. This award falls under architectural services, a key component of public building maintenance. 6. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the government.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $9,026.65 is modest, likely for a specific design phase rather than full construction. Benchmarking against similar architectural design contracts for federal buildings of this size and scope would be necessary for a precise value assessment. However, given the limited scope implied by the value, it appears reasonable for specialized design services.

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 competition was sought, certain potential bidders were excluded from the process. The specific reasons for exclusion are not detailed, but it suggests a more targeted procurement than a fully open competition, potentially impacting the breadth of price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: This procurement method may limit the number of competitive offers, potentially leading to a less competitive price than if all qualified sources were included. Taxpayers benefit from competition, and any limitations could affect the final cost.

Public Impact

Federal employees and visitors to the Hart-Dole-Inouye Building in Battle Creek, Michigan, will benefit from improved building exterior conditions. The contract delivers essential architectural and engineering design services for the restoration of public door assemblies. The geographic impact is localized to Battle Creek, Michigan, specifically at the specified federal building. The contract supports the architecture and engineering sector workforce, particularly within the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition method warrants further investigation to ensure fair market access.
Lack of detailed scope in the award description makes it difficult to fully assess value for money.
The small contract value might indicate a piecemeal approach to larger restoration needs.

Positive Signals

The contract addresses necessary building maintenance and restoration, ensuring the longevity of federal property.
The use of a firm fixed-price contract provides budget predictability.
The award is to a specialized firm, Seven Generations Architecture & Engineering LLC, suggesting expertise in the required services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Architectural Services sector (NAICS code 541310), a segment of the broader Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. Federal spending in this sector supports the design and planning of public infrastructure and facilities. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing the average cost of architectural design services for similar government buildings, considering factors like size, age, and complexity of the restoration project.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to be a small business set-aside, as indicated by 'ss': false. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific award is likely minimal, though the prime contractor may engage small businesses in their broader operations.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Public Buildings Service. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed budget. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, though detailed project oversight reports are not provided here. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building Maintenance Contracts
Architectural and Engineering Services
Public Infrastructure Restoration
General Services Administration Procurement

Risk Flags

Limited Competition Justification
Scope Definition Clarity
Potential for Future Work Scope Expansion

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $9,026.65 to SEVEN GENERATIONS ARCHITECTURE & ENGINEERING LLC. RESTORATION OF EXTERIOR PUBLIC DOOR ASSEMBLIES, ARCHITECTURE AND ENGINEERING DESIGN SERVICE AT 600 E. MICHIGAN AVE. STE B, KALAMAZOO, MI 49007 FOR HART-DOLE-INOUYE BLDG NO 1 FEDERAL CENTER, BATTLE CREEK, MI

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SEVEN GENERATIONS ARCHITECTURE & ENGINEERING LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $9,026.65.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-09-29. End: 2021-02-05.

What is the specific nature of the 'restoration of exterior public door assemblies' and why were sources excluded from competition?

The 'restoration of exterior public door assemblies' refers to the repair, refurbishment, or replacement of doors and their associated hardware on the exterior of the Hart-Dole-Inouye Building. This could involve addressing issues like weather damage, wear and tear, security upgrades, or accessibility improvements. The reason for 'exclusion of sources' after 'full and open competition' is not detailed in the provided data. It could stem from various factors, such as the need for specialized expertise not widely available, prior performance issues with certain vendors, or specific security requirements that limited the pool of eligible contractors. Without further documentation, the exact rationale remains unclear, but it suggests a deliberate narrowing of the competitive field.

How does the $9,026.65 contract value compare to typical architectural design services for similar federal facilities?

The contract value of $9,026.65 is relatively low for architectural and engineering design services, especially for a federal building. This suggests the scope of work is highly specific and likely limited to a particular phase, such as initial assessment, schematic design for door assemblies, or a small-scale repair design. Larger federal building restoration projects often involve design contracts ranging from tens of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the scale and complexity. For instance, a full building envelope restoration could easily command a design contract six figures or more. This $9K award is more akin to a specialized task order or a preliminary study rather than comprehensive design services for a major renovation.

What are the potential risks associated with a 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' procurement method?

The primary risk associated with 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' is the potential for reduced competition, which can negatively impact price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs for the government. By excluding certain sources, the government may miss out on potentially lower bids or more innovative solutions from contractors who were not considered. This method can also raise concerns about fairness and equal opportunity if the exclusion criteria are not clearly justified or are perceived as arbitrary. While it can be used legitimately to ensure specialized capabilities, it requires careful documentation and justification to mitigate risks of protest and ensure the government is achieving the best possible value.

What is the track record of Seven Generations Architecture & Engineering LLC with federal contracts, particularly with GSA?

Information regarding the specific track record of Seven Generations Architecture & Engineering LLC with federal contracts, and particularly with the General Services Administration (GSA), is not detailed in the provided data snippet. To assess their track record, one would need to examine their past performance on similar contracts, including client satisfaction, adherence to schedule and budget, and the quality of their deliverables. Databases like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or SAM.gov could provide insights into their contract history, including award values, agencies served, and any performance evaluations or disputes. A thorough review would be necessary to understand their reliability and expertise in executing federal projects.

How does this contract fit into the broader context of GSA's efforts to maintain and modernize federal buildings?

This contract, though small in value, fits into the GSA's broader mission of maintaining, managing, and modernizing the federal government's real estate portfolio. The Hart-Dole-Inouye Building requires ongoing upkeep, and the restoration of exterior door assemblies addresses a specific component of its physical integrity and functionality. Such awards are part of a continuous cycle of facility management, ensuring that federal buildings remain safe, secure, and operational. While larger modernization or renovation projects receive more attention, these smaller, targeted contracts are crucial for addressing immediate needs and preventing deterioration, contributing to the long-term preservation and efficiency of federal assets.

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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 600 E MICHIGAN AVE STE B, KALAMAZOO, MI, 49007

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Government, HUBZone Firm, Native American Tribal Government, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,027

Exercised Options: $9,027

Current Obligation: $9,027

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47PF0019D0024

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline