GSA Awards $12.3M for Soil Sampling on DOT Parcels, Lacking Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,283,775 ($12.3M)

Contractor: Jbg/Federal Center, L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2003-09-09

End Date: 2003-08-29

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROVIDE ALL NECESSARY LABOR, MATERIAL, AND EQUIPMENT TO COLLECT SOIL CHARACTERIZATION SAMPLES FROM DOT PARCELS FROM THE BUILDING FOOT PRINT.

Place of Performance

Location: DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $12.3 million to JBG/FEDERAL CENTER, L.L.C. for work described as: PROVIDE ALL NECESSARY LABOR, MATERIAL, AND EQUIPMENT TO COLLECT SOIL CHARACTERIZATION SAMPLES FROM DOT PARCELS FROM THE BUILDING FOOT PRINT. Key points: 1. Significant award value for environmental consulting services. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about price discovery. 3. Lack of competition may limit taxpayer value. 4. Focus on environmental consulting within public buildings sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The award value of $12.3M for soil characterization samples is substantial. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this price is aligned with market rates for similar environmental consulting services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded sole-source, meaning no competition was sought. This method limits price discovery and may result in a higher cost to taxpayers than if multiple firms had competed.

Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source nature of this award potentially leads to a less favorable price for taxpayers due to the absence of competitive pressure.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may have overpaid due to lack of competition. Environmental data collection critical for infrastructure projects. GSA's procurement process for this service lacked transparency.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
Potential for overpayment

Positive Signals

Essential environmental service
Specific location focus

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under environmental consulting services, a critical component of the GSA's mission to manage federal buildings. Spending in this sector often involves specialized expertise and can vary significantly based on project scope.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business, nor does it appear to have specific provisions for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants further oversight to ensure the price paid was fair and reasonable, and that future similar procurements are competed.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Consulting Services
General Services Administration Contracting
Public Buildings Service Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
Potential for price non-competitiveness
No small business set-aside identified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $12.3 million to JBG/FEDERAL CENTER, L.L.C.. PROVIDE ALL NECESSARY LABOR, MATERIAL, AND EQUIPMENT TO COLLECT SOIL CHARACTERIZATION SAMPLES FROM DOT PARCELS FROM THE BUILDING FOOT PRINT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JBG/FEDERAL CENTER, L.L.C..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $12.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2003-09-09. End: 2003-08-29.

What was the justification for awarding this contract sole-source?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves circumstances where only one responsible source is capable of providing the required service. This could be due to unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent and compelling needs. Without specific documentation, it's impossible to confirm the exact reason for this particular award.

What is the risk associated with sole-source environmental consulting contracts?

The primary risk with sole-source contracts is the potential for inflated pricing due to the absence of competitive pressure. Additionally, it can limit access to innovative solutions or specialized expertise that other firms might offer. This can lead to suboptimal outcomes and higher costs for the government.

How effective was this contract in achieving its objective of soil characterization?

The provided data does not contain information on the effectiveness or quality of the soil characterization services performed. Effectiveness would be assessed through project completion reports, data accuracy, and adherence to scope, which are not included in this dataset.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: JBG Properties, Inc. (UEI: 076795207)

Address: 4445 WILLARD AVE, CHEVY CHASE, MD, 08

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,283,775

Exercised Options: $12,283,775

Current Obligation: $12,283,775

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Timeline