GSA awards $11.4M contract for Boston Courthouse Management, highlighting long duration and fixed-price structure

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,396,928 ($11.4M)

Contractor: Boston Courthouse Management Associates

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2001-10-15

End Date: 2008-07-31

Contract Duration: 2,481 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 11

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Place of Performance

Location: MASSACHUSETTS

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $11.4 million to BOSTON COURTHOUSE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATES for work described as: Key points: 1. Contract awarded by GSA's Public Buildings Service. 2. Utilized Full and Open Competition, indicating broad market engagement. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests cost certainty for the government. 4. Long duration of 2481 days (approx. 6.8 years) may indicate complex or ongoing services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $11.4M over nearly 7 years averages to approximately $1.65M annually. Without specific service details or benchmarks for courthouse management, a precise value assessment is difficult. However, the duration suggests a need for consistent, long-term service delivery.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under Full and Open Competition, suggesting multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value offering.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition and a firm fixed price contract aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently by securing competitive pricing for necessary services.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation and management of the Boston Courthouse. Supports federal judicial infrastructure and services. Provides stability for employees and users of the facility. Potential for long-term economic impact on the contractor and local economy.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 45 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration may lead to scope creep or evolving needs.
Fixed price could be disadvantageous if unforeseen costs arise for the contractor.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes assessing effectiveness challenging.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition promotes market efficiency.
Firm fixed price offers budget predictability.
Contract award indicates successful procurement process.

Sector Analysis

Courthouse management falls under facilities management and general services within the broader government services sector. Spending in this area is typically driven by the need to maintain federal property and ensure operational continuity for public services.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses participated in or benefited from this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

The award was made by the General Services Administration (GSA), which is responsible for managing federal property and procurement. Oversight would typically involve contract performance monitoring and financial accountability measures.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration Contracting
Public Buildings Service Programs

Risk Flags

Long contract duration increases risk of obsolescence or changing requirements.
Firm Fixed Price may disincentivize contractor innovation if costs are tightly controlled.
Lack of detailed service scope makes value and performance assessment difficult.
No indication of small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $11.4 million to BOSTON COURTHOUSE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATES. See the official description on USAspending.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BOSTON COURTHOUSE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATES.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $11.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2001-10-15. End: 2008-07-31.

What specific services are included under 'Courthouse Management' to justify the $11.4M value over nearly 7 years?

The specific services encompassed by 'Courthouse Management' are not detailed in the provided data. Typically, such contracts can include facility maintenance, security, janitorial services, space management, and potentially administrative support. A comprehensive understanding of these services is crucial for a thorough value assessment against the awarded amount and duration.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate bids and monitor performance under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) used for bid evaluation or ongoing performance monitoring. In a full and open competition, KPIs are critical for ensuring the government receives the best value and that the contractor meets defined service standards. Without this information, assessing the effectiveness and efficiency of the contract's execution is limited.

How did the firm fixed price structure impact the final negotiated price compared to other potential contract types?

A firm fixed price (FFP) contract shifts most risk to the contractor, who must absorb any cost overruns. This often leads to a higher initial price compared to cost-reimbursement contracts to account for this risk premium. The impact on the final negotiated price depends on the perceived risk of the services and the competitiveness of the bidding environment.

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Offers Received: 11

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Contractor Details

Address: 1 COURTHOUSE WAY STE 1420, BOSTON, MA, 90

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,396,928

Exercised Options: $11,396,928

Current Obligation: $11,396,928

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Timeline