GSA Awards $242K for Des Moines Federal Building Facade Design Services to Substance LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $242,382 ($242.4K)

Contractor: Substance LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2024-05-22

End Date: 2025-09-01

Contract Duration: 467 days

Daily Burn Rate: $519/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: DESIGN SERVICES FOR FACADE REPAIR AT THE NEAL SMITH FEDERAL BUILDING 210 WALNUT STREET, DES MOINES IA 50309

Place of Performance

Location: DES MOINES, POLK County, IOWA, 50309

State: Iowa Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $242,382.04 to SUBSTANCE LLC for work described as: DESIGN SERVICES FOR FACADE REPAIR AT THE NEAL SMITH FEDERAL BUILDING 210 WALNUT STREET, DES MOINES IA 50309 Key points: 1. Contract awarded for architectural services related to facade repair. 2. Competition method was 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources'. 3. The contract value is $242,382.04. 4. Project duration is 467 days. 5. The award is a Delivery Order under an existing contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $242,382.04 for design services appears reasonable for a federal building facade repair project of this scope. Benchmarking against similar architectural service contracts for building envelope repairs would provide a more definitive 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, specific criteria or prior exclusions may have limited the pool of eligible bidders. This could potentially impact price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential building maintenance design. The chosen competition method aims for value, but its effectiveness in securing the lowest possible price needs monitoring.

Public Impact

Ensures the structural integrity and aesthetic upkeep of a federal building. Supports local economy through contract award for architectural services. Facilitates necessary repairs to a public facility.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition pool due to exclusion of sources.
Potential for price not being fully optimized due to limited competition.

Positive Signals

Awarded for essential building maintenance.
Utilizes existing contract vehicle (Delivery Order).

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Architectural Services sector (NAICS 541310). Spending in this sector for federal building maintenance and repair design is common, with values varying significantly based on project complexity and building size.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved in bidding or subcontracting for this specific delivery order. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) is responsible for managing federal buildings. Oversight would involve ensuring the design services meet federal standards and the subsequent repair work is completed efficiently and within budget.

Related Government Programs

Architectural Services
General Services Administration Contracting
Public Buildings Service Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition may have impacted price.
Potential for scope creep during design phase.
Dependence on contractor's expertise for quality design.
Unforeseen conditions during repair phase not fully captured in design contract.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $242,382.04 to SUBSTANCE LLC. DESIGN SERVICES FOR FACADE REPAIR AT THE NEAL SMITH FEDERAL BUILDING 210 WALNUT STREET, DES MOINES IA 50309

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SUBSTANCE LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $242,382.04.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-05-22. End: 2025-09-01.

What specific criteria led to the exclusion of certain sources in the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method, and how did this impact the final price?

The exclusion of sources typically occurs when specific technical capabilities, past performance on similar projects, or unique requirements necessitate a narrowed bidder pool. This can sometimes lead to higher prices if the remaining competition is limited. A detailed review of the solicitation documents and award justification would be necessary to understand the precise reasons for exclusion and their effect on pricing.

What are the key risks associated with facade repair design, and how are they mitigated in this contract?

Key risks include unforeseen structural issues discovered during design, material availability, and adherence to historical preservation guidelines. Mitigation strategies likely involve detailed site assessments, contingency planning in the design, and clear specifications for materials and methods. The firm fixed price contract also shifts some cost risk to the contractor.

How effectively does this contract ensure the long-term value and durability of the facade repair for the Neal Smith Federal Building?

Effectiveness hinges on the quality of the architectural design and the specifications provided. A thorough design process, incorporating durable materials and best practices for facade repair, will ensure long-term value. The General Services Administration's oversight and the contractor's expertise in architectural services are crucial for achieving this outcome.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 47PG0224R1029

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1300 WALNUT ST STE 201, DES MOINES, IA, 50309

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $242,382

Exercised Options: $242,382

Current Obligation: $242,382

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47PG0221D0009

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline