GSA Awards $14.6M for DC Steam Line Replacement, Lacking Small Business Participation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,612,051 ($14.6M)

Contractor: CPF Underground Utilities, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2008-02-21

End Date: 2014-12-31

Contract Duration: 2,505 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF BURIED STEAM AND CONDENSATE LINES - UPGRADE I, WASHINGTON, DC

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20016

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $14.6 million to CPF UNDERGROUND UTILITIES, INC. for work described as: CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF BURIED STEAM AND CONDENSATE LINES - UPGRADE I, WASHINGTON, DC Key points: 1. Significant contract value for essential infrastructure upgrade. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. No small business participation noted, potentially missing opportunities for smaller firms. 4. Long contract duration (2008-2014) indicates a substantial, multi-year project.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $14.6 million for construction services appears reasonable for a multi-year infrastructure project of this scope. Benchmarking against similar large-scale utility replacement projects would provide a more definitive assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds were used for this essential infrastructure upgrade. While competition was present, the lack of small business involvement might represent a missed opportunity for broader economic impact.

Public Impact

Modernized federal infrastructure in Washington D.C., improving energy efficiency and reliability. Potential for disruption during construction phases for local residents and businesses. Long-term benefits include reduced maintenance costs and enhanced operational safety.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 100 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of small business participation
Long contract duration may indicate potential for scope creep or cost overruns if not managed effectively

Positive Signals

Full and open competition utilized
Essential infrastructure upgrade

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the construction sector, specifically utility infrastructure. Spending benchmarks for similar projects vary widely based on location, complexity, and materials, but $14.6 million for steam line replacement is substantial.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract did not involve small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the prime contractor, CPF Underground Utilities, Inc., is likely a larger entity, and opportunities for subcontracting to small businesses were not captured or pursued.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA), through its Public Buildings Service, oversaw this project. Oversight would typically involve monitoring progress, ensuring quality, and managing payments to ensure the project met its objectives within the awarded terms.

Related Government Programs

Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction
General Services Administration Contracting
Public Buildings Service Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of small business participation
Long contract duration
Limited cost savings data available
Potential for construction disruption

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $14.6 million to CPF UNDERGROUND UTILITIES, INC.. CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF BURIED STEAM AND CONDENSATE LINES - UPGRADE I, WASHINGTON, DC

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CPF UNDERGROUND UTILITIES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $14.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-02-21. End: 2014-12-31.

What was the specific reason for the long duration of the contract (2008-2014)?

The extended duration of the contract, spanning over six years, could be attributed to several factors. These might include the phased nature of the replacement work, potential complexities encountered during excavation and installation, coordination with other ongoing infrastructure projects, or the specific funding allocation schedule for the multi-year upgrade. Further details on the project plan would clarify the necessity of this timeline.

Were there any cost savings realized due to the full and open competition for this project?

While full and open competition generally promotes competitive pricing, the provided data does not explicitly state the cost savings achieved. The benchmark price (br) of 5833 is noted, but its relation to the awarded amount and potential savings is unclear without further context on how this benchmark was established. A detailed cost analysis would be needed to quantify savings.

What is the expected impact of these upgraded steam lines on energy efficiency for the federal buildings they serve?

Upgraded steam and condensate lines are expected to significantly improve energy efficiency by reducing heat loss during steam distribution. Older, buried lines can be prone to insulation degradation and leaks, leading to substantial energy waste. Modernized systems typically offer better insulation and tighter seals, resulting in more efficient energy transfer and lower overall energy consumption for the connected federal facilities.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Utility System Construction › Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: GS-11P-07-MK-C-0085

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 180 JIBSAIL DR, PRINCE FREDERICK, MD, 20678

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,724,595

Exercised Options: $14,724,595

Current Obligation: $14,612,051

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline