DOT awards $987K contract for fire protection system maintenance at LaGuardia Airport

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $98,689 ($98.7K)

Contractor: Bartkowski Life Safety Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2025-04-24

End Date: 2030-04-30

Contract Duration: 1,832 days

Daily Burn Rate: $54/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TESTING AND PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE WORK ON THE FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS AT LA GUARDIA ATCT

Place of Performance

Location: SOUTH HOLLAND, COOK County, ILLINOIS, 60473

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $98,689 to BARTKOWSKI LIFE SAFETY CORP for work described as: TESTING AND PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE WORK ON THE FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS AT LA GUARDIA ATCT Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential fire safety systems, indicating a critical infrastructure need. 2. The contract duration of over five years suggests a long-term requirement for these services. 3. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and potential cost efficiencies. 4. Maintenance of fire protection systems is a standard operational requirement for large facilities. 5. The service falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, requiring specialized expertise.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $986,890 for five years of fire protection system maintenance at LaGuardia Airport appears reasonable for specialized services at a major transportation hub. However, without comparable contract data for similar airports or specific system types, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The fixed-price nature of the contract shifts some risk to the contractor, which can be beneficial for the government if costs are managed effectively. Benchmarking against industry standards for such maintenance would provide a clearer picture of cost-effectiveness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one vendor was considered. This approach is typically used when there is a compelling justification, such as unique capabilities, urgent need, or lack of market availability. The absence of a competitive bidding process means that the government did not benefit from potential price reductions or innovative solutions that might have emerged from multiple proposals. This limits the opportunity for price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs than if the contract had been competed.

Taxpayer Impact: A sole-source award means taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price for these essential services, as competition is a key driver for cost savings.

Public Impact

Ensures the continued safety and operational integrity of LaGuardia Airport's fire protection systems. Benefits airport operations, staff, and the traveling public by maintaining critical safety infrastructure. Services are geographically focused on LaGuardia Airport, a major transportation hub in New York. Supports specialized technical jobs in fire safety and building systems maintenance.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pressure, potentially impacting cost-effectiveness.
Lack of competition may reduce opportunities for innovative solutions.
Long contract duration could lead to price escalation if not managed proactively.

Positive Signals

Focus on essential fire protection systems addresses a critical safety need.
Fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for the government.
Contract duration aligns with long-term infrastructure maintenance requirements.

Sector Analysis

The aviation sector, particularly major airports, relies heavily on specialized services for the maintenance of critical safety and operational systems. Fire protection systems are paramount, requiring ongoing expert attention to ensure compliance with regulations and prevent catastrophic failures. Spending in this area is consistent with the operational needs of large, complex facilities like LaGuardia. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing maintenance contracts for similar airport infrastructure across the country, considering factors like system complexity and square footage.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. The contractor, BARTKOWSKI LIFE SAFETY CORP, is likely a specialized firm. There is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data. This means that opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific contract are limited, and the primary benefit will accrue to the awarded prime contractor.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely fall under the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a division of the Department of Transportation. Standard contract administration processes, performance reviews, and financial audits would be employed to ensure compliance and accountability. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of cost control. Transparency would be enhanced through public contract databases, though detailed performance metrics might not be publicly disclosed.

Related Government Programs

Airport Infrastructure Maintenance
Federal Aviation Administration Operations
Fire Safety Systems Management
Professional and Technical Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competitive bidding
Potential for higher costs due to lack of competition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $98,689 to BARTKOWSKI LIFE SAFETY CORP. TESTING AND PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE WORK ON THE FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS AT LA GUARDIA ATCT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BARTKOWSKI LIFE SAFETY CORP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Federal Aviation Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $98,689.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-04-24. End: 2030-04-30.

What is the track record of BARTKOWSKI LIFE SAFETY CORP in performing similar fire protection system maintenance for federal agencies?

Information regarding BARTKOWSKI LIFE SAFETY CORP's specific track record with federal agencies for fire protection system maintenance is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes on similar government contracts. Understanding their experience with FAA standards and similar airport environments would be crucial. Without this data, it's difficult to definitively assess their capability and reliability for this specific task, beyond the fact that they were selected for this sole-source award.

How does the awarded price compare to industry benchmarks for fire protection system maintenance at large airports?

The provided data does not include specific industry benchmarks for fire protection system maintenance at large airports, making a direct comparison difficult. The contract value of approximately $987,000 over five years for LaGuardia Airport needs to be contextualized by the size and complexity of the systems being maintained, the specific services included (e.g., inspections, testing, repairs), and the geographic location. To benchmark effectively, one would need data on similar contracts awarded to other airports or large facilities, factoring in the scope of work and the contractor's overhead and profit margins. The sole-source nature of this award further complicates direct price comparison.

What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source award for critical infrastructure maintenance?

The primary risks associated with a sole-source award for critical infrastructure maintenance include a lack of competitive pricing, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers. Without competition, there is less incentive for the contractor to innovate or offer the most cost-effective solutions. There's also a risk that the chosen contractor may not be the best performer available in the market, as a competitive process would have vetted multiple options. Furthermore, reliance on a single vendor can create vulnerabilities if that vendor experiences financial difficulties or operational issues, potentially disrupting essential services.

What is the expected effectiveness of this contract in ensuring the reliability of LaGuardia's fire protection systems?

The effectiveness of this contract hinges on the contractor's performance and the clarity of the service requirements. As a definitive contract with a fixed-price structure, it aims to ensure predictable costs for essential maintenance, testing, and preventive work on fire protection systems. The five-year duration suggests a commitment to ongoing system reliability. However, the sole-source nature means effectiveness is largely dependent on the contractor's capabilities and the FAA's oversight. Regular performance monitoring, adherence to maintenance schedules, and prompt resolution of identified issues will be critical indicators of the contract's success in maintaining system reliability.

How does current spending on fire protection system maintenance at LaGuardia compare to historical spending patterns?

The provided data only includes details for a single, new contract awarded in 2024. It does not offer historical spending patterns for fire protection system maintenance at LaGuardia Airport. To analyze historical trends, one would need access to previous contract awards, their values, durations, and scopes of work for similar services at this location. Without this historical context, it is impossible to determine if the current $987,000 award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of spending compared to past periods.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: QUALITY CONTROL, TEST, INSPECTION › INSPECTION SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 697DCK-25-R-00221

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 140 W 168TH ST, SOUTH HOLLAND, IL, 60473

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, HUBZone Firm, Not Designated a Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $476,551

Exercised Options: $471,301

Current Obligation: $98,689

Actual Outlays: $48,662

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline