US Mint Awards $479K for Philadelphia Chiller Design Services Under Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $478,880 ($478.9K)

Contractor: Borton-Lawson Engineering, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Treasury

Start Date: 2022-09-23

End Date: 2026-09-27

Contract Duration: 1,465 days

Daily Burn Rate: $327/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS ORDER IS FOR A&E DESIGN SERVICES REQUIRED TO REPLACE CHILLER 2 AT THE US MINT PHILADELPHIA.

Place of Performance

Location: PHILADELPHIA, PHILADELPHIA County, PENNSYLVANIA, 19106

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Treasury obligated $478,879.89 to BORTON-LAWSON ENGINEERING, LLC for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS ORDER IS FOR A&E DESIGN SERVICES REQUIRED TO REPLACE CHILLER 2 AT THE US MINT PHILADELPHIA. Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential facility maintenance at the US Mint. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs. 4. Architectural services sector is crucial for infrastructure upgrades.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $478,879.89 appears reasonable for A&E design services for a critical facility component like a chiller replacement. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for specialized design services 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 is expected to foster price discovery and potentially lead to a more competitive price.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for necessary infrastructure upgrades to ensure the operational efficiency of a federal facility.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation of the US Mint Philadelphia facility. Supports modernization of critical infrastructure. Provides employment for architectural and engineering professionals.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Full and open competition
Firm fixed price contract
Essential facility maintenance

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Architectural Services sector, specifically for engineering design related to facility infrastructure. Spending in this area is often driven by the need for modernization, repair, and upgrades of government buildings and facilities.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was awarded to BORTON-LAWSON ENGINEERING, LLC, and does not specify if they are a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation in this contract or similar procurements.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the Department of the Treasury for the United States Mint. Oversight would involve ensuring the design services meet specifications, adhere to timelines, and remain within budget, with the fixed-price structure providing some cost control.

Related Government Programs

Architectural Services
Department of the Treasury Contracting
United States Mint Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep in design services
Dependence on contractor's expertise for accurate design
Long duration of the contract (over 4 years)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Treasury awarded $478,879.89 to BORTON-LAWSON ENGINEERING, LLC. THE PURPOSE OF THIS ORDER IS FOR A&E DESIGN SERVICES REQUIRED TO REPLACE CHILLER 2 AT THE US MINT PHILADELPHIA.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BORTON-LAWSON ENGINEERING, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Treasury (United States Mint).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $478,879.89.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-23. End: 2026-09-27.

What is the expected impact of this chiller replacement on the overall energy efficiency of the US Mint Philadelphia facility?

The replacement of Chiller 2 is anticipated to improve the overall energy efficiency of the US Mint Philadelphia facility. Modern chillers are typically designed with advanced technology that consumes less energy to achieve the same or better cooling output compared to older units. This upgrade could lead to significant reductions in electricity consumption and associated operational costs over the lifespan of the new equipment.

What are the potential risks associated with a firm fixed-price contract for A&E design services in a complex facility like a mint?

A primary risk with firm fixed-price contracts for A&E design is that unforeseen complexities or scope changes discovered during the design phase could lead to contractor claims for additional compensation or delays. If the initial scope definition is incomplete or if site conditions are not fully understood, the contractor may incur costs beyond the fixed price, potentially impacting project timelines or requiring contract modifications.

How does the selection of architectural services for facility upgrades align with the broader goals of federal infrastructure modernization?

Selecting specialized architectural and engineering services for facility upgrades directly supports federal infrastructure modernization by ensuring that critical components like HVAC systems are updated with current, efficient technology. This aligns with government-wide initiatives to improve the performance, sustainability, and resilience of federal buildings, ultimately leading to better service delivery and reduced long-term operational expenses.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Architectural Services

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 613 BALTIMORE DR STE 300, WILKES BARRE, PA, 18702

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $478,880

Exercised Options: $478,880

Current Obligation: $478,880

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 2031JG19D00016

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline