GSA Awards $15.7M for Thurgood Marshall Courthouse Design Services, Lacking Small Business Participation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,699,434 ($15.7M)

Contractor: Beyer Blinder Belle, Architects and Planners, LLP

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2005-01-14

End Date: 2018-12-31

Contract Duration: 5,099 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: A/E DESIGN SVCS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADE THURGOOD MARSHALL US COURTHOUSE 40 CENTRE STREET, NY

Place of Performance

Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK County, NEW YORK, 10278

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $15.7 million to BEYER BLINDER BELLE, ARCHITECTS AND PLANNERS, LLP for work described as: A/E DESIGN SVCS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADE THURGOOD MARSHALL US COURTHOUSE 40 CENTRE STREET, NY Key points: 1. Spending focused on architectural design for a significant federal courthouse infrastructure upgrade. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration was extensive (5099 days), indicating a long-term project. 4. No small business participation was reported, a potential area for concern. 5. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, providing cost certainty for the government.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award of $15.7 million for architectural design services appears reasonable given the scope of a major courthouse infrastructure upgrade. Benchmarking against similar large-scale public building design contracts would be necessary for a definitive assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which generally promotes competitive pricing. The extensive duration and fixed-price nature suggest efforts to establish clear cost parameters upfront.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being utilized for essential infrastructure improvements to a federal courthouse, aiming for long-term functionality and modernization.

Public Impact

Enhances the functionality and safety of a key federal courthouse in New York City. Supports the modernization of aging federal infrastructure, ensuring continued judicial operations. The lack of small business involvement may limit opportunities for smaller firms in federal contracting.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

No small business participation
Long contract duration

Positive Signals

Full and open competition
Firm Fixed Price contract

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Architectural Services sector (NAICS 541310). Spending on federal building design and upgrades is common, with costs varying significantly based on project scale and complexity.

Small Business Impact

The contract explicitly states no small business participation. This indicates that the prime contractor is not a small business, and potentially no subcontracts were awarded to small businesses either.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) is responsible for managing federal building projects. Oversight would involve ensuring the design meets federal standards and the project stays within budget and schedule.

Related Government Programs

Architectural Services
General Services Administration Contracting
Public Buildings Service Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of small business participation
Extended contract duration may indicate potential for scope creep or delays
Limited detail on specific project scope impacting value assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $15.7 million to BEYER BLINDER BELLE, ARCHITECTS AND PLANNERS, LLP. A/E DESIGN SVCS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADE THURGOOD MARSHALL US COURTHOUSE 40 CENTRE STREET, NY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BEYER BLINDER BELLE, ARCHITECTS AND PLANNERS, LLP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $15.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-01-14. End: 2018-12-31.

What was the specific scope of the infrastructure upgrade, and how did it justify the $15.7 million design cost?

The provided data does not detail the specific scope of the infrastructure upgrade beyond 'infrastructure upgrade'. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing project documentation to understand the complexity, scale, and specific systems involved (e.g., structural, MEP, security) to justify the design services cost.

Were there any specific reasons for the absence of small business participation in this contract?

The absence of small business participation could stem from various factors, including the specialized nature of the required architectural services, the prime contractor's capabilities, or potentially the structure of the solicitation. Further investigation into the solicitation documents and awardee's subcontracting plan would be needed.

How does the extensive 5099-day contract duration impact the overall cost-effectiveness and risk management for this project?

A 5099-day (approximately 14-year) duration for design services is exceptionally long and suggests a phased approach or ongoing support. While a Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty for the design phase, such a long period increases the risk of scope creep, design obsolescence, and potential cost overruns if not meticulously managed.

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

Solicitation Procedures: ARCHITECT-ENGINEER FAR 6.102

Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 41 E 11TH ST 2ND FLR, NEW YORK, NY, 10003

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,706,477

Exercised Options: $15,699,434

Current Obligation: $15,699,434

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline