GSA Awards $20.7M for Alexandria Bay Port Modernization, Lacking Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,743,994 ($20.7M)

Contractor: Morphosis Architects

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2008-12-24

End Date: 2024-04-30

Contract Duration: 5,606 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: ARCHITECT ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE MODERNIZATION AND EXPANSION OF THE US LAND PORT OF ENTRY, ALEXANDRIA BAY, NY

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA BAY, JEFFERSON County, NEW YORK, 13607

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $20.7 million to MORPHOSIS ARCHITECTS for work described as: ARCHITECT ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE MODERNIZATION AND EXPANSION OF THE US LAND PORT OF ENTRY, ALEXANDRIA BAY, NY Key points: 1. Significant investment in critical infrastructure for border security and trade. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about cost-effectiveness and market competition. 3. Long contract duration (over 15 years) may indicate scope creep or delays. 4. Focus on architectural services for a major federal facility.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $20.7M for architectural services over 15 years is substantial. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this price represents fair market value compared to similar large-scale architectural projects for federal facilities.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers as market forces are not leveraged to secure the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in taxpayers paying a premium for these architectural services.

Public Impact

Modernization of a key US land port of entry, impacting trade and security. Potential for job creation in the Alexandria Bay, NY region. Ensures continued functionality and upgrades to critical federal infrastructure.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Long contract duration
Potential for cost overruns due to sole-source award

Positive Signals

Addresses critical infrastructure needs
Supports border operations

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under architectural services, a key component of construction and infrastructure development. Federal spending in this sector is often driven by modernization needs and security requirements for public facilities.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Morphosis Architects, a firm. There is no indication that small businesses were involved as subcontractors or partners in this sole-source award.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) is responsible for this contract. Oversight is crucial to ensure the project stays on budget and schedule, especially given the sole-source nature and long duration.

Related Government Programs

Architectural Services
General Services Administration Contracting
Public Buildings Service Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits price competition.
Extended contract duration may indicate potential for cost overruns.
Lack of transparency in the award justification.
Potential for inefficient resource allocation without competitive pressure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $20.7 million to MORPHOSIS ARCHITECTS. ARCHITECT ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE MODERNIZATION AND EXPANSION OF THE US LAND PORT OF ENTRY, ALEXANDRIA BAY, NY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MORPHOSIS ARCHITECTS.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $20.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-12-24. End: 2024-04-30.

What was the justification for the sole-source award, and were any efforts made to explore competitive options?

The justification for the sole-source award is not provided in the data. Typically, sole-source contracts are used when only one responsible source can provide the required services. However, for architectural services on a large project, it is unusual not to have a competitive process to ensure best value and pricing for the government.

How does the $20.7M cost compare to similar port of entry modernization projects?

Without access to a benchmark database for similar sole-source architectural contracts for port modernization, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the extended duration of over 15 years for architectural services suggests a very large and complex project, which could justify a significant cost if scope and complexity are commensurate.

What measures are in place to manage costs and ensure effective delivery given the lack of competition?

Given the sole-source nature, robust oversight by the GSA is essential. This includes detailed contract monitoring, performance reviews, and strict change order management to prevent scope creep and cost overruns. Clear milestones and deliverables should be established and rigorously tracked.

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: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ARCHITECT-ENGINEER FAR 6.102

Solicitation ID: GS-02P-09-DT-C-0005

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2041 COLORADO AVE, SANTA MONICA, CA, 90404

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $27,152,918

Exercised Options: $20,743,994

Current Obligation: $20,743,994

Actual Outlays: $773,735

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline