GSA Awards $148K for Fire Alarm Oversight at Federal Building, Competition Limited by Source Exclusion

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $148,091 ($148.1K)

Contractor: Advanced Engineering Consultants PLLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2024-05-17

End Date: 2026-07-31

Contract Duration: 805 days

Daily Burn Rate: $184/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 11

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: MANAGEMENT AND INSPECTION SERVICES TO ASSIST IN THE OVERSIGHT OF THE FIRE ALARM REPLACEMENT PROJECT AT THE THOMAS D. LAMBROS FEDERAL BUILDING AND U.S. COURTHOUSE IN YOUNGSTOWN, OH.

Place of Performance

Location: COLUMBUS, FRANKLIN County, OHIO, 43215

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $148,091.05 to ADVANCED ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS PLLC for work described as: MANAGEMENT AND INSPECTION SERVICES TO ASSIST IN THE OVERSIGHT OF THE FIRE ALARM REPLACEMENT PROJECT AT THE THOMAS D. LAMBROS FEDERAL BUILDING AND U.S. COURTHOUSE IN YOUNGSTOWN, OH. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Advanced Engineering Consultants PLLC for management and inspection services. 2. Project focuses on fire alarm replacement at the Thomas D. Lambros Federal Building in Youngstown, OH. 3. Spending is relatively low for a federal building project of this nature. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, indicating predictable costs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The $148,091.05 award appears reasonable for specialized inspection and management services on a federal building project. Benchmarking against similar architectural and engineering services for building systems replacement suggests this price is within expected ranges.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The competition method was 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES'. This suggests that while the initial solicitation was open, specific sources were excluded, potentially limiting the competitive pool and impacting price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential building maintenance and safety upgrades. The limited competition may result in a slightly higher cost than a fully open process, but the value of ensuring proper oversight for critical infrastructure is paramount.

Public Impact

Ensures safety and operational integrity of a federal courthouse and building. Supports modernization of critical infrastructure in Youngstown, OH. Provides employment for specialized engineering and inspection professionals. Maintains compliance with federal building codes and safety standards.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition due to source exclusion
Potential for higher costs due to limited competition

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract for cost certainty
Focus on critical safety infrastructure
Supports local economy through contract award

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Architectural Services (NAICS 541310) and relates to building infrastructure management. Spending on such services can vary widely based on project scope and building complexity, but this award is modest for a federal courthouse project.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to ADVANCED ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS PLLC, which is not indicated as a small business in the provided data. There is no specific set-aside for small businesses in this award, suggesting larger firms were likely considered or participated.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Public Buildings Service, is overseeing this contract. The award includes management and inspection services to ensure proper oversight of the fire alarm replacement project, indicating a focus on accountability.

Related Government Programs

Architectural Services
General Services Administration Contracting
Public Buildings Service Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Potential for higher costs
Lack of small business participation noted
Rationale for source exclusion unclear

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $148,091.05 to ADVANCED ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS PLLC. MANAGEMENT AND INSPECTION SERVICES TO ASSIST IN THE OVERSIGHT OF THE FIRE ALARM REPLACEMENT PROJECT AT THE THOMAS D. LAMBROS FEDERAL BUILDING AND U.S. COURTHOUSE IN YOUNGSTOWN, OH.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ADVANCED ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS PLLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $148,091.05.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-05-17. End: 2026-07-31.

What was the rationale for excluding specific sources from the competition?

The rationale for excluding specific sources is not detailed in the provided data. Typically, such exclusions might be based on past performance, specialized expertise required, or specific technical capabilities demonstrated by certain firms. Further investigation into the solicitation documents would be needed to understand the precise reasons for the exclusion.

What are the potential risks associated with limited competition in this contract?

Limited competition, especially after excluding sources, carries risks such as potentially higher costs than a fully open market, reduced innovation from a smaller pool of bidders, and the possibility that the chosen contractor may not be the absolute best value available. It can also raise concerns about fairness and transparency in the procurement process.

How effectively will these management and inspection services ensure the successful replacement of the fire alarm system?

The effectiveness hinges on the qualifications of Advanced Engineering Consultants PLLC and the thoroughness of their oversight. The firm fixed price contract provides cost control, but the quality of inspection and management will determine if the fire alarm replacement meets all safety standards and project requirements. GSA's oversight of the contractor is also crucial.

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: 11

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Advanced Engineering Consultants, Ltd.

Address: 1405 DUBLIN RD, COLUMBUS, OH, 43215

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $148,091

Exercised Options: $148,091

Current Obligation: $148,091

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47PF0023D0048

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline