EMCOR awarded $2.8M firm-fixed-price contract for GAO HQ secure suite build-out

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,809,593 ($2.8M)

Contractor: Emcor Government Services, Inc

Awarding Agency: Government Accountability Office

Start Date: 2022-09-28

End Date: 2024-03-31

Contract Duration: 550 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: EMCOR - USING THE APPROVED 100% CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS AND SPECIFICATION, THE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTOR SHALL BUILD OUT THE CAA SECURE SUITE ON THE 6TH FLOOR OF GAO'S HQ BUILDING. - (SEE ATTACHED SOW/CHARTS/SPECIFICATIONS FOR MORE DETAILS).

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22310

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Government Accountability Office obligated $2.8 million to EMCOR GOVERNMENT SERVICES, INC for work described as: EMCOR - USING THE APPROVED 100% CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS AND SPECIFICATION, THE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTOR SHALL BUILD OUT THE CAA SECURE SUITE ON THE 6TH FLOOR OF GAO'S HQ BUILDING. - (SEE ATTACHED SOW/CHARTS/SPECIFICATIONS FOR MORE DETAILS). Key points: 1. Contract focuses on construction of a secure suite within existing GAO headquarters. 2. The contract type is firm-fixed-price, indicating a defined scope and cost. 3. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The project duration is 550 days, spanning over a year and a half. 5. This contract falls under Facilities Support Services, a common government need. 6. The award was made via a BPA Call, indicating it's part of a larger agreement.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.8 million for a secure suite build-out appears reasonable for a federal building project of this nature. Benchmarking against similar construction projects for secure facilities within government buildings would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs, but the final cost will depend on the detailed specifications and any potential change orders.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple qualified contractors had the opportunity to bid. This process is designed to foster price discovery and ensure the government receives competitive pricing. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation implies a robust competitive environment.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process generally leads to better pricing for taxpayers by encouraging contractors to offer their best terms to win the contract.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which will gain a new secure suite for its operations. The services delivered include construction and build-out of specialized facilities. The geographic impact is localized to GAO's headquarters in Virginia. Workforce implications include employment for construction workers and project management personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if detailed specifications are not strictly adhered to.
Delays in construction could impact GAO's operational efficiency.
Ensuring compliance with all security and building codes for a secure suite.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract helps manage budget certainty.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive pricing environment.
Experienced contractor (EMCOR) likely brings expertise to the project.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Facilities Support Services sector, specifically focusing on construction and renovation. The market for government facilities support services is substantial, with agencies constantly requiring maintenance, upgrades, and new constructions to support their operations. This contract represents a specific instance of capital investment in secure infrastructure within a federal agency.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). While EMCOR Government Services, Inc. is the prime contractor, there may be opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors, depending on EMCOR's subcontracting plan and the nature of the work required. Further analysis of subcontracting awards would be needed to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Government Accountability Office's contracting and facilities management departments. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of cost control. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases, and the Inspector General's office would have jurisdiction over any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Government Facilities Construction
Secure Facility Build-Outs
General Services Administration (GSA) Contracts
Capital Improvements

Risk Flags

Potential for construction delays
Risk of scope creep
Ensuring adherence to security specifications
Quality control during construction

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Government Accountability Office awarded $2.8 million to EMCOR GOVERNMENT SERVICES, INC. EMCOR - USING THE APPROVED 100% CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS AND SPECIFICATION, THE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTOR SHALL BUILD OUT THE CAA SECURE SUITE ON THE 6TH FLOOR OF GAO'S HQ BUILDING. - (SEE ATTACHED SOW/CHARTS/SPECIFICATIONS FOR MORE DETAILS).

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EMCOR GOVERNMENT SERVICES, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Government Accountability Office (GAO, Except Comptroller General).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-28. End: 2024-03-31.

What is EMCOR Government Services, Inc.'s track record with similar federal construction contracts?

EMCOR Government Services, Inc. has a significant history of performing federal contracts, including those related to facilities support, maintenance, and construction. Their experience often spans a wide range of government agencies and project types. To assess their track record specifically for secure suite build-outs, a review of past performance evaluations and contract awards for similar projects would be necessary. This would involve examining their on-time delivery, adherence to budget, quality of work, and any past performance issues reported in federal databases like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS).

How does the $2.8 million cost compare to similar secure suite construction projects in federal buildings?

Benchmarking the $2.8 million cost requires detailed comparison with similar projects. Factors influencing cost include square footage, complexity of security features (e.g., access control, surveillance, structural hardening), materials used, and prevailing labor rates in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Without specific details on the size and security requirements of the GAO's CAA Secure Suite, a precise comparison is difficult. However, for a specialized secure area within an existing federal building, this figure is within a plausible range, assuming a moderate scope. A detailed cost breakdown and comparison with projects of similar scope and security level would be needed for a definitive value assessment.

What are the primary risks associated with this construction contract?

The primary risks associated with this construction contract include potential construction delays due to unforeseen site conditions, material shortages, or labor issues, which could impact the 550-day schedule. Scope creep is another significant risk, where changes or additions to the original requirements could increase costs beyond the firm-fixed-price agreement, necessitating careful change order management. Ensuring strict adherence to security protocols and building codes during construction is critical, as any lapse could compromise the integrity of the secure suite. Finally, contractor performance and quality control are ongoing risks that require diligent oversight.

How effective is the firm-fixed-price contract type in managing costs for this project?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally effective in managing costs for projects with well-defined scopes, such as this construction build-out. It shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor, EMCOR Government Services, Inc., providing budget certainty for the Government Accountability Office (GAO). However, the effectiveness is contingent on the thoroughness of the initial specifications and Statement of Work (SOW). If unforeseen issues arise that necessitate changes to the scope, the FFP contract can become more complex to manage, potentially leading to change orders that could increase the overall cost. Diligent contract administration and change management are crucial to realizing the cost-control benefits of an FFP agreement.

What is the historical spending pattern for facilities support services at GAO?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for facilities support services at the Government Accountability Office (GAO) would provide context for this $2.8 million contract. This would involve examining GAO's budget allocations and expenditures over several fiscal years, specifically looking at categories related to building operations, maintenance, repairs, and capital improvements. Understanding the typical annual spend on such services, the frequency and cost of major renovation projects, and the procurement methods used (e.g., competitive bids, sole-source awards) can help determine if this contract represents a typical investment or an outlier. Without access to GAO's detailed historical financial data, it's difficult to provide specific figures, but such analysis is key to assessing the contract's place within the agency's overall spending.

What are the implications of awarding this contract via a BPA Call?

Awarding this contract via a BPA Call signifies that it was placed under an existing Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). BPAs are established with vendors to streamline the procurement of supplies or services when a specific need is anticipated but the exact time and quantity are unknown. Using a BPA Call for this construction project suggests that GAO had a pre-existing agreement with EMCOR Government Services, Inc. (or a vendor with whom EMCOR is associated under the BPA) that allowed for rapid ordering of services. This method can expedite the acquisition process compared to a full, open-market solicitation, while still leveraging pre-negotiated terms and potentially competitive pricing established when the BPA was originally awarded.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities Support Services

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Miller Electric Company

Address: 6363 WALKER LN, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22310

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,809,593

Exercised Options: $2,809,593

Current Obligation: $2,809,593

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: PRODUCTS OR SERVICES PURSUANT TO FAR 12.102(F)

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 05GA0A19A0005

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline