GSA awards $6,241 painting conservation contract to Parma Conservation, Ltd. under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,242 ($6.2K)

Contractor: Parma Conservation, Ltd.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-13

End Date: 2027-04-12

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ASSESSMENT OF 2 (TWO) PAINTINGS FOR POSSIBLE CONSERVATION AND FEASIBILITY OF REMOVAL AT THE CHARLES A. HALLECK FEDERAL BUILDING, LAFAYETTE IN

Place of Performance

Location: LAFAYETTE, TIPPECANOE County, INDIANA, 47901

State: Indiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $6,241.95 to PARMA CONSERVATION, LTD. for work described as: ASSESSMENT OF 2 (TWO) PAINTINGS FOR POSSIBLE CONSERVATION AND FEASIBILITY OF REMOVAL AT THE CHARLES A. HALLECK FEDERAL BUILDING, LAFAYETTE IN Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the specialized nature of art conservation. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a firm fixed-price contract and a single delivery order. 4. Performance context involves conservation and removal feasibility for two paintings. 5. Sector positioning is within professional services, specifically art conservation. 6. The contract duration is one year, indicating a focused scope of work.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $6,241.95 for assessing and potentially conserving two paintings is modest. Benchmarking against similar specialized art conservation contracts is difficult due to the niche nature of the service. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests that the government has a clear understanding of the costs involved, and the price is likely competitive given the specialized skills required.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that proposals were solicited from all responsible sources, but specific exclusions were made prior to solicitation. This suggests a deliberate decision to limit the pool of potential bidders while still maintaining a competitive process. The number of bidders is not specified, but the method implies a structured approach to competition.

Taxpayer Impact: This competitive approach aims to ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by seeking the best value from qualified providers, even if the initial pool of bidders is refined.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are federal agencies and the public who utilize federal buildings, ensuring the preservation of cultural assets. Services delivered include assessment of painting condition, conservation recommendations, and feasibility studies for removal. The geographic impact is localized to the Charles A. Halleck Federal Building in Lafayette, Indiana. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving a small team of specialized art conservators.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if unforeseen conservation needs arise beyond initial assessment.
Dependence on the specialized expertise of a single contractor for critical conservation work.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract limits cost overruns.
Clear definition of services (assessment and feasibility) reduces ambiguity.
One-year duration provides a defined period for service delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically focusing on art conservation and preservation. The market for specialized art conservation is niche, often involving highly skilled individuals or small firms with unique expertise. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the bespoke nature of such services, but the contract value suggests a project of limited scope and scale within the broader federal contracting landscape for facility maintenance and preservation.

Small Business Impact

The contract does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions. Given the specialized nature of art conservation, it is possible that the primary contractors are small businesses or sole proprietorships with unique expertise. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would likely fall under the General Services Administration's (GSA) Public Buildings Service. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon cost. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though detailed conservation reports may be internal.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building Maintenance Contracts
Cultural Heritage Preservation Programs
Art Acquisition and Management

Risk Flags

Potential for unforeseen conservation needs beyond initial assessment.
Reliance on specialized contractor expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $6,241.95 to PARMA CONSERVATION, LTD.. ASSESSMENT OF 2 (TWO) PAINTINGS FOR POSSIBLE CONSERVATION AND FEASIBILITY OF REMOVAL AT THE CHARLES A. HALLECK FEDERAL BUILDING, LAFAYETTE IN

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PARMA CONSERVATION, LTD..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6,241.95.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-13. End: 2027-04-12.

What is the track record of Parma Conservation, Ltd. in performing similar art conservation services for federal agencies?

Information regarding Parma Conservation, Ltd.'s specific track record with federal agencies is not detailed in the provided data. A thorough review would involve searching federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes on similar projects. Understanding their experience with government contracts, particularly those involving historical or cultural artifacts within federal facilities, is crucial for assessing their capability and reliability. Without this specific data, the assessment relies on the general assumption that the GSA conducted due diligence during the procurement process.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar art conservation assessments?

Benchmarking the $6,241.95 price against market rates for art conservation assessments is challenging due to the highly specialized and variable nature of the service. Factors influencing cost include the type and condition of the artwork, the specific conservation techniques required, the conservator's expertise and reputation, and the geographic location. For a two-painting assessment and feasibility study, this price appears modest, suggesting either a straightforward assessment or a highly competitive bidding environment. A more precise comparison would require detailed knowledge of the paintings' condition and the specific scope of work, as well as access to databases of comparable conservation service costs.

What are the primary risks associated with this specific contract, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential underestimation of the conservation work required, leading to scope creep or the need for additional funding, and the risk of inadequate conservation outcomes if the contractor lacks sufficient expertise. Mitigation strategies are in place: the contract is firm fixed-price, limiting financial risk for the government. The 'assessment and feasibility' nature of the initial award suggests a phased approach, where detailed conservation plans and costs would be determined after the initial study. The GSA's selection process, presumably involving review of qualifications and past performance, also serves as a risk mitigation factor.

What is the expected effectiveness of the conservation services to be provided under this contract?

The effectiveness of the conservation services hinges on the thoroughness of the assessment and feasibility study. The contract aims to determine the best course of action for preserving the two paintings, which could range from minor cleaning and stabilization to more extensive restoration or even removal for off-site treatment. If Parma Conservation, Ltd. possesses the requisite expertise, the study should provide actionable recommendations that lead to the long-term preservation of the artworks, thereby maintaining their cultural and historical value within the federal building. The success will be measured by the clarity and practicality of the proposed conservation plan.

What are the historical spending patterns for art conservation services by the GSA or similar agencies?

Historical spending patterns for art conservation by the GSA or similar agencies are not provided in this data snippet. Generally, such spending can be sporadic and project-specific, often tied to renovations, relocations, or specific preservation initiatives for federal buildings and their contents. Agencies like the GSA, responsible for managing federal properties, may allocate funds for maintaining artworks as part of their broader facilities management and historic preservation responsibilities. Analyzing past GSA contracts for art conservation would reveal trends in contract values, types of services procured, and the frequency of such procurements, providing context for the current award.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation › Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers › Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6727 STANLEY AVE, BERWYN, IL, 60402

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,242

Exercised Options: $6,242

Current Obligation: $6,242

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47PB0124D0007

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline