National Science Foundation awards $5.7M lease for Alexandria HQ parking and security services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,723,951 ($5.7M)

Contractor: Usgbf NSF LLC

Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation

Start Date: 2017-09-01

End Date: 2026-08-31

Contract Duration: 3,286 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF PARKING AND SECURITY LEASE FOR UNDERGROUND PARKING AT ALEXANDRIA HQ

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22331

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Science Foundation obligated $5.7 million to USGBF NSF LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF PARKING AND SECURITY LEASE FOR UNDERGROUND PARKING AT ALEXANDRIA HQ Key points: 1. Lease agreement for underground parking and security at NSF's Alexandria HQ. 2. Contract duration spans nearly 9 years, indicating long-term facility needs. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests predictable costs for the agency. 4. Competition was full and open, implying a potentially competitive bidding process. 5. The contract is managed by the National Science Foundation. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized for this procurement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total contract value of $5.72 million over approximately 9 years averages to about $635,994 annually. This figure needs to be benchmarked against similar facility leases for government buildings in the Alexandria, VA area to determine value for money. Without comparable data on parking and security lease costs for similar square footage or capacity, it is difficult to definitively assess if this price is competitive. The firm fixed-price nature provides cost certainty but may not reflect market fluctuations.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The number of bidders is not specified in the provided data, which limits the assessment of the intensity of competition. However, the use of full and open competition generally promotes a wider range of offers and can lead to better pricing and terms for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is the preferred method for government contracting as it maximizes opportunities for diverse vendors and typically results in the best value for taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that drives down prices.

Public Impact

Provides essential parking and security services for the National Science Foundation's Alexandria headquarters. Ensures a secure working environment for NSF employees and visitors. Supports the operational continuity of a key federal agency. The services are geographically concentrated in Alexandria, Virginia.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on the number of bidders limits assessment of competition intensity.
No explicit mention of performance metrics or service level agreements.
Annual cost needs benchmarking against similar commercial or government leases.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost predictability.
Full and open competition was utilized, adhering to best practices.
Long contract duration suggests a stable, long-term need being met.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader 'Support Services' sector, specifically related to facility management and security. The market for commercial real estate leases, including parking and security services, is substantial in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal agencies' leases for similar facilities in the region, considering factors like square footage, security requirements, and lease duration.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). This means that the competition was open to all eligible businesses, including large corporations. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans or requirements for small business participation. Consequently, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific contract is likely minimal, as it was not specifically targeted for small business engagement.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the National Science Foundation (NSF), which is responsible for oversight. As a firm fixed-price contract, the primary accountability measure is adherence to the lease terms and conditions. Transparency is facilitated by the contract's public availability through federal procurement databases. Specific Inspector General jurisdiction would typically fall under the NSF's OIG, responsible for auditing and investigating waste, fraud, and abuse within the agency.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building Leases
Government Facility Security Services
Real Estate Services
Administrative Support Services

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics.
Limited information on competition intensity (number of bidders).
Need for market benchmarking of lease costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Science Foundation awarded $5.7 million to USGBF NSF LLC. IGF::OT::IGF PARKING AND SECURITY LEASE FOR UNDERGROUND PARKING AT ALEXANDRIA HQ

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is USGBF NSF LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Science Foundation (National Science Foundation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-09-01. End: 2026-08-31.

What is the specific square footage or capacity of the underground parking being leased?

The provided data does not specify the exact square footage or the number of parking spaces included in the lease agreement. The contract description mentions 'UNDERGROUND PARKING AT ALEXANDRIA HQ,' implying it serves the National Science Foundation's headquarters. To fully assess the value and appropriateness of the $5.72 million cost, understanding the capacity (e.g., number of spots) or the physical footprint of the leased space is crucial for comparison with market rates and other government leases.

How many bids were received for this full and open competition?

The provided data indicates the contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION' but does not specify the number of bids received. A higher number of bids generally suggests more robust competition, which can lead to better pricing and terms for the government. Without this information, it's difficult to gauge the true competitiveness of the bidding process and its potential impact on the final negotiated price. Further investigation into the contract file or relevant procurement databases would be needed to ascertain the number of offers.

Are there specific security requirements detailed in the contract beyond general 'security services'?

The contract description broadly states 'PARKING AND SECURITY LEASE.' While it confirms that security services are included, the specific details, such as the type of security personnel (e.g., armed guards, access control specialists), technology deployed (e.g., surveillance systems, alarm monitoring), or specific security protocols mandated, are not provided in the summary data. Understanding these specifics is important for assessing the scope of work and ensuring the services adequately meet the NSF's security needs for its headquarters.

What is the historical spending pattern for parking and security at NSF's Alexandria HQ?

The provided data pertains to a single contract awarded in 2017 with an end date of 2026. It does not offer historical spending data for parking and security at the Alexandria HQ prior to this contract or for other facilities. To establish a historical spending pattern, one would need to examine previous contracts for similar services at this location or analyze the total budget allocated by NSF for facilities management and security over several fiscal years. This would help identify trends, cost increases, or changes in service provision.

Does the lease include maintenance responsibilities for the underground parking facility?

The contract description specifies a 'PARKING AND SECURITY LEASE.' While leases often include provisions for maintenance, the summary data does not explicitly detail whether maintenance of the underground parking facility (e.g., lighting, ventilation, structural upkeep) is the responsibility of the lessor (USGBF NSF LLC) or the lessee (National Science Foundation). Clarification on maintenance responsibilities is essential for a complete understanding of the total cost of occupancy and operational burden associated with this lease.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Other Support Services › All Other Support Services

Product/Service Code: LEASE/RENT FACILITIES › LEASE/RENTAL OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: GS11B12583

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 9830 COLONNADE BLVD STE 600, SAN ANTONIO, TX, 78230

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,221,258

Exercised Options: $6,882,723

Current Obligation: $5,723,951

Actual Outlays: $3,163,243

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline