GAO awards $137K task order for space census services to The Building People LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $136,272 ($136.3K)

Contractor: THE Building People LLC

Awarding Agency: Government Accountability Office

Start Date: 2024-05-28

End Date: 2024-09-01

Contract Duration: 96 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.4K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: TASK ORDER 05GA0A24K0076 IS ISSUED AGAINST IDIQ CONTRACT 05GA0A21D0007 IN THE AMOUNT OF $136,857.33 FOR SPACE CENSUS SERVICES AT GAO HEADQUARTERS.

Place of Performance

Location: LEESBURG, LOUDOUN County, VIRGINIA, 20175

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Government Accountability Office obligated $136,272.28 to THE BUILDING PEOPLE LLC for work described as: TASK ORDER 05GA0A24K0076 IS ISSUED AGAINST IDIQ CONTRACT 05GA0A21D0007 IN THE AMOUNT OF $136,857.33 FOR SPACE CENSUS SERVICES AT GAO HEADQUARTERS. Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential facilities support services at GAO headquarters. 2. Task order issued against an existing IDIQ contract, indicating a pre-established relationship. 3. The Building People LLC, the contractor, has a history with federal contracts. 4. Services are for a defined period, suggesting a project-based need. 5. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges. 6. This award represents a small portion of overall federal facilities spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The awarded amount of $136,857.33 for space census services appears reasonable for a task order of this nature. Benchmarking against similar facilities support contracts is challenging without more detailed service descriptions and performance metrics. However, the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type warrants scrutiny, as it can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. The duration of 96 days (approximately 3 months) suggests a focused scope of work.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This task order was issued on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. While the data indicates it's 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' the specific justification for this is not provided. Sole-source awards can sometimes lead to higher prices due to a lack of competitive pressure, but may be justified for specialized services or when an urgent need arises with a pre-qualified vendor.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not benefit from the most competitive pricing when contracts are awarded without competition. This can result in a higher cost for the services rendered compared to what might have been achieved through a competitive bidding process.

Public Impact

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) headquarters will benefit from updated space utilization data. Services delivered include a space census, which helps in efficient resource allocation and facility management. The geographic impact is localized to GAO headquarters in Washington, D.C. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving a small team from the contractor for data collection and analysis.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost escalation due to Time and Materials contract type.
Lack of competition may limit price discovery and potentially increase costs for taxpayers.
Limited transparency on the specific justification for sole-source award.

Positive Signals

Awarded against an existing IDIQ contract, suggesting a streamlined process.
Services are for a defined period, indicating a clear project scope.
Contractor has prior experience with federal contracts.

Sector Analysis

Facilities Support Services (NAICS code 561210) is a broad category encompassing a range of services necessary for the operation and maintenance of buildings and grounds. Federal spending in this sector is substantial, covering everything from janitorial services to complex building management. This specific contract for a space census fits within the asset management and operational efficiency aspects of facilities support, helping agencies understand and optimize their physical footprints. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more granular data on the scope and complexity of space census methodologies across different agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded to a small business, nor does it appear to have a small business set-aside component. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific award is likely negligible.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Government Accountability Office (GAO) itself, as the agency receiving the services. As the task order is issued against an IDIQ contract, the initial oversight of the IDIQ vehicle and its terms would have been conducted by the issuing agency. Transparency is limited by the sole-source nature of the award and the lack of detailed justification publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Facilities Management
Government Property Management
Space Utilization Studies
IDIQ Contract Vehicles
Task Order Awards

Risk Flags

Sole-source award justification unclear
Potential for cost overruns with T&M contract type

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Government Accountability Office awarded $136,272.28 to THE BUILDING PEOPLE LLC. TASK ORDER 05GA0A24K0076 IS ISSUED AGAINST IDIQ CONTRACT 05GA0A21D0007 IN THE AMOUNT OF $136,857.33 FOR SPACE CENSUS SERVICES AT GAO HEADQUARTERS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE BUILDING PEOPLE LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $136,272.28.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-05-28. End: 2024-09-01.

What is the specific methodology used for the space census, and how does it compare to industry standards?

The provided data does not detail the specific methodology used for the space census. A space census typically involves a systematic inventory and analysis of all occupied and unoccupied space within a facility. This includes collecting data on space type, usage, occupancy levels, and condition. Industry standards often involve utilizing Computer-Aided Facility Management (CAFM) software or similar systems for data collection and analysis, along with standardized metrics for space utilization. Without further details on The Building People LLC's approach, it's difficult to assess its alignment with best practices or its potential effectiveness in providing actionable insights for GAO's facility management.

What is the track record of The Building People LLC in performing similar space census or facility management services for federal agencies?

The Building People LLC has a history of federal contracting, including work related to facilities management and support services. While the specific task order is for a space census, the company's broader experience in facility operations, maintenance, and potentially space planning would be relevant. A review of their past performance on similar contracts, including client feedback and any documented successes or challenges, would provide a clearer picture of their capabilities. However, the provided data is limited to this specific award and does not offer a comprehensive performance history.

How does the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type influence the risk of cost overruns for this space census task order?

The Time and Materials (T&M) contract type carries an inherent risk of cost overruns because the final price is determined by the actual labor hours and material costs incurred, plus a fixed fee or percentage. For a space census, which involves data collection and analysis, the duration and effort required can be variable. If the scope is not tightly defined or if unforeseen complexities arise during data gathering, the contractor may need to expend more hours than initially anticipated, leading to a higher final cost. Effective oversight, clear task definitions, and diligent monitoring of labor hours are crucial to mitigate this risk.

What are the potential long-term benefits for GAO in conducting this space census, beyond immediate data collection?

Conducting a space census can yield significant long-term benefits for GAO. Accurate data on space utilization allows for better strategic planning regarding future space needs, potentially avoiding unnecessary leases or costly expansions. It can also identify underutilized areas that could be repurposed for other functions, improving operational efficiency. Furthermore, understanding space allocation can inform decisions about workplace design, employee density, and the implementation of flexible work arrangements. Ultimately, a well-executed space census supports informed real estate portfolio management and can lead to cost savings over time through optimized space usage.

Given the sole-source nature, what assurance is there that the pricing is fair and reasonable compared to market rates for similar services?

Assessing the fairness and reasonableness of pricing for a sole-source award is challenging without competitive bids. Agencies typically rely on various methods to establish price reasonableness, such as comparing proposed prices to historical pricing for similar services, using independent government cost estimates, or referencing commercial price lists. The Government Accountability Office (GAO), as the procuring agency, is expected to have internal procedures for validating price reasonableness even in sole-source situations. However, the specific justification and analysis supporting the price for this task order are not publicly available, making independent verification difficult.

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: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 215 DEPOT CT SE FL 3, LEESBURG, VA, 20175

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Hispanic American Owned Business, HUBZone Firm, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $136,272

Exercised Options: $136,272

Current Obligation: $136,272

Actual Outlays: $23,573

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 05GA0A21D0007

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline