GSA awards $29.7K contract for mural conservation, raising questions on value and competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,700 ($29.7K)

Contractor: Artcare Execs NYC LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2027-06-30

Contract Duration: 455 days

Daily Burn Rate: $65/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CONSERVATION ASSESSMENT OF AND A TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY STUDY FOR MONIQUE VAN GENDEREN 2022 MURAL.

Place of Performance

Location: HARRISBURG, DAUPHIN County, PENNSYLVANIA, 17102

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $29,700 to ARTCARE EXECS NYC LLC for work described as: CONSERVATION ASSESSMENT OF AND A TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY STUDY FOR MONIQUE VAN GENDEREN 2022 MURAL. Key points: 1. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a niche service requirement. 2. Limited competition data available for this specific conservation service. 3. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs. 4. Contract duration extends over a year, indicating ongoing needs. 5. The service falls under professional, scientific, and technical services. 6. Geographic focus is Pennsylvania, potentially impacting local service providers.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $29,700 for conservation and environmental study of a mural is modest. Benchmarking this specific service is challenging without more comparable contracts. However, the fixed-price nature provides cost certainty. The value proposition hinges on the criticality of preserving this specific artwork and the expertise required for its conservation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under simplified acquisition procedures, indicating it was likely awarded on a sole-source basis or through a limited competition not publicly detailed. The lack of open competition means potential for higher pricing and fewer innovative solutions. It is unclear if other qualified vendors were considered or if specific circumstances necessitated a non-competitive award.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the best possible price due to the absence of a competitive bidding process. The government may have missed opportunities to leverage a wider market for specialized conservation services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the General Services Administration (GSA) and the specific federal facility housing the mural. The service delivered is the conservation and environmental study of a specific mural, ensuring its preservation. The geographic impact is limited to Pennsylvania, where the mural is located. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving specialized art conservators.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of transparency in the procurement process raises concerns about fairness and potential cost overruns.
The sole-source nature limits opportunities for small businesses to compete for this specialized service.
Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to ascertain if the selected contractor offers the best value.

Positive Signals

The fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract specifies a clear duration, allowing for defined project timelines.
The service addresses a specific need for art conservation, indicating responsible asset management.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on specialized art conservation. The market for such services is niche, often involving highly skilled individuals or firms with specific expertise. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more data on similar conservation projects for federal assets.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business set-asides were not utilized for this procurement (ss: false, sb: false). Given the specialized nature of art conservation, it's possible that larger firms or those with unique certifications were prioritized. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans, but for a contract of this size and scope, significant subcontracting to small businesses is unlikely.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration's Public Buildings Service. As a firm-fixed-price contract, financial oversight focuses on ensuring the contractor meets the defined scope of work within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is limited due to the non-competitive award, making public accountability more challenging. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Art Collection Preservation
Historic Preservation Services
Cultural Resource Management
Government Building Maintenance

Risk Flags

Non-competitive award raises concerns about best value.
Extended contract duration for assessment may warrant further justification.
Limited public data on contractor's federal performance history.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $29,700 to ARTCARE EXECS NYC LLC. CONSERVATION ASSESSMENT OF AND A TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY STUDY FOR MONIQUE VAN GENDEREN 2022 MURAL.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ARTCARE EXECS NYC LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $29,700.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2027-06-30.

What is the specific condition of the Monique Van Genderen mural that necessitates this conservation study?

The provided data does not detail the specific condition of the Monique Van Genderen mural. The contract's purpose is to conduct a 'CONSERVATION ASSESSMENT AND A TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY STUDY.' This implies that the study itself is intended to identify any existing issues, assess environmental risks (temperature and humidity), and recommend conservation treatments. The lack of pre-existing condition details suggests the study is a proactive or diagnostic measure rather than a response to a known, severe degradation.

How does the $29,700 contract value compare to typical art conservation projects of similar scope?

Benchmarking the $29,700 contract value against similar art conservation projects is challenging due to the niche nature of the service and the limited public data available for specific mural conservation efforts. However, for a comprehensive assessment and environmental study of a single mural, this value appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized professional services. Factors influencing cost include the mural's size, materials, accessibility, the required level of scientific analysis (e.g., material testing), and the qualifications of the conservator. Without more comparable contract data, a definitive value-for-money assessment is difficult, but the fixed-price structure provides cost certainty.

What specific risks are associated with this contract, given its non-competitive award?

The primary risk associated with this contract's non-competitive award is the potential for suboptimal pricing and reduced innovation. Without open competition, the GSA may not have secured the most cost-effective solution or explored a wider range of specialized expertise. There's also a risk that the selected contractor's capabilities were not rigorously vetted against potential alternatives. Furthermore, the lack of transparency in the procurement process can raise perceptions of favoritism or inefficiency, even if the award was made in good faith based on specific justifications not publicly detailed.

What are the expected outcomes or deliverables from ARTCARE EXECS NYC LLC under this contract?

Under this contract, ARTCARE EXECS NYC LLC is expected to deliver a comprehensive conservation assessment of the Monique Van Genderen mural. This includes a detailed study of the mural's current condition, identifying any deterioration, damage, or environmental factors affecting its stability. Concurrently, a temperature and humidity study will be conducted to evaluate the micro-environment surrounding the mural. The ultimate outcome should be a report outlining findings, potential risks, and recommended conservation treatments or preventative measures to ensure the long-term preservation of the artwork.

What is the track record of ARTCARE EXECS NYC LLC in performing similar federal contracts?

Information regarding ARTCARE EXECS NYC LLC's specific track record with federal contracts, particularly for art conservation services, is not detailed in the provided data. A thorough assessment would require searching federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for past performance history, contract awards, and client feedback. Without this external data, it's difficult to evaluate their experience, past performance quality, and reliability in fulfilling government requirements for specialized conservation work.

How does the duration of the contract (455 days) align with the scope of a mural conservation assessment?

A contract duration of 455 days (approximately 15 months) for a mural conservation assessment and environmental study seems relatively long for the stated scope, especially considering the contract value of $29,700. Typically, an assessment and study phase might be completed within a few months. This extended duration could imply several possibilities: the study involves long-term environmental monitoring, the conservator's availability is limited, the project is phased, or the duration includes time for reporting, review, and potential preliminary treatment planning. It warrants further inquiry to understand if the timeline is justified by the project's complexity or resource constraints.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 47PH5426R0015

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 529 W 20TH ST STE 8E, NEW YORK, NY, 10011

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $29,700

Exercised Options: $29,700

Current Obligation: $29,700

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline