Treasury's Mint awards $75,931 contract for fire alarm system assessment to Borton-Lawson Engineering

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $75,932 ($75.9K)

Contractor: Borton-Lawson Engineering, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Treasury

Start Date: 2023-04-18

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,353 days

Daily Burn Rate: $56/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: WP FIRE ALARM SYSTEM ASSESSMENT

Place of Performance

Location: WEST POINT, ORANGE County, NEW YORK, 10996

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Treasury obligated $75,931.92 to BORTON-LAWSON ENGINEERING, LLC for work described as: WP FIRE ALARM SYSTEM ASSESSMENT Key points: 1. Contract focuses on architectural services for a critical facility assessment. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a broad market search. 3. Fixed-price contract type helps control costs for the government. 4. Performance period extends over three years, indicating a need for sustained effort. 5. Geographic location in New York may influence local economic impact. 6. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a focused scope of work.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $75,931 for architectural services related to a fire alarm system assessment appears reasonable for a specialized task. Benchmarking against similar, smaller-scale facility assessment contracts suggests this price is within expected ranges. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government, mitigating the risk of cost overruns. While specific performance metrics are not detailed here, the duration of the contract implies a thorough evaluation process.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that the solicitation was made available to all responsible sources. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service quality. The government likely sought proposals from multiple architectural and engineering firms with expertise in facility systems and safety.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive bids and achieving the best value for the government's investment.

Public Impact

The United States Mint benefits from an updated assessment of its fire alarm system, enhancing safety and operational continuity. Architectural services will be delivered to ensure compliance with safety regulations and identify potential system improvements. The primary geographic impact is within New York, where the facility is located. The contract supports specialized architectural and engineering expertise, potentially involving a small team of professionals.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the assessment uncovers unforeseen complexities requiring additional architectural work beyond the initial contract.
Reliance on the contractor's expertise for accurate assessment and recommendations, necessitating robust government oversight.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract limits financial risk for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process that should yield fair pricing.
The contract is for a specific, defined service (fire alarm system assessment), reducing ambiguity.
The contractor, BORTON-LAWSON ENGINEERING, LLC, is likely selected based on demonstrated capabilities in architectural services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Architectural Services sector, a subset of the broader Engineering and Professional Services industry. The market for such services is driven by regulatory compliance, facility maintenance, and infrastructure upgrades. Comparable spending benchmarks for specialized facility assessments can vary widely based on the complexity and size of the facility, but this contract's value suggests a focused, perhaps component-specific, evaluation rather than a full building system overhaul.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and there is no indication of a small business set-aside. The value of the contract is relatively modest, which might not attract large prime contractors unless it's part of a larger initiative. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not explicitly detailed but could arise if the prime contractor requires specialized support not offered internally.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the United States Mint. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver the specified services within the agreed-upon cost. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award being publicly available, though detailed performance reports may not be public.

Related Government Programs

Facility Maintenance Contracts
Architectural and Engineering Services
Safety and Security System Upgrades
Government Building Assessments

Risk Flags

Potential for unforeseen system deficiencies requiring additional funding.
Reliance on contractor's expertise for accurate assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Treasury awarded $75,931.92 to BORTON-LAWSON ENGINEERING, LLC. WP FIRE ALARM SYSTEM ASSESSMENT

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 $75,931.92.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-04-18. End: 2026-12-31.

What is the track record of BORTON-LAWSON ENGINEERING, LLC with federal contracts, particularly for similar services?

BORTON-LAWSON ENGINEERING, LLC has a history of federal contract awards, primarily within architectural and engineering services. While specific details on past performance for fire alarm system assessments are not immediately available from this data alone, their presence as a recipient of federal contracts suggests they meet basic eligibility and capability requirements. A deeper dive into their contract history, including past performance reviews and any potential issues on previous projects, would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment of their track record. The value of this specific contract ($75,931.92) is relatively modest, indicating it might be a focused task or a smaller component of a larger project they are involved in.

How does the awarded amount compare to the estimated value or budget for this fire alarm system assessment?

The awarded amount of $75,931.92 represents the total value of the contract for the fire alarm system assessment. Without access to the government's initial cost estimates or budget allocation for this specific task, it is difficult to definitively state how competitive the award price is. However, the fact that it was awarded under full and open competition suggests that the bids received were considered fair and reasonable by the contracting agency. If multiple bids were received, and this award was significantly lower than others, it could indicate strong competition or efficient bidding by BORTON-LAWSON ENGINEERING, LLC. Conversely, if it was the only bid or significantly higher than anticipated, it might warrant further scrutiny.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables expected under this contract?

While the provided data does not explicitly list the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or specific deliverables for this contract, the nature of the service—'WP FIRE ALARM SYSTEM ASSESSMENT' under 'Architectural Services'—implies several expected outcomes. These likely include a comprehensive written report detailing the current state of the fire alarm system, identification of any deficiencies or non-compliance with current codes and standards (e.g., NFPA, local building codes), recommendations for upgrades or repairs, and potentially cost estimates for proposed improvements. The contractor is expected to provide professional architectural analysis and documentation that enables the United States Mint to make informed decisions about system maintenance and modernization.

What is the historical spending pattern for fire alarm system assessments or similar architectural services at the United States Mint?

Historical spending data for fire alarm system assessments or similar architectural services at the United States Mint is not provided in the current dataset. To establish a pattern, one would need to analyze past contract awards for the Mint over several fiscal years, specifically looking for contracts categorized under architectural services, facility assessments, or fire safety systems. Comparing the current award value ($75,931.92) to previous similar contracts would help determine if this represents an increase, decrease, or consistent level of investment in such services. Understanding historical spending can provide context on the Mint's priorities regarding facility safety and maintenance.

Are there any identified risks associated with this contractor or the nature of the service being procured?

Potential risks associated with this contract include the possibility of the assessment uncovering significant system deficiencies that require substantial, unplanned capital investment by the Mint. There's also a risk related to the accuracy and completeness of the assessment itself; if the contractor's analysis is flawed, it could lead to incorrect decisions or missed safety hazards. For the contractor, risks might include underestimating the scope of work or facing delays in receiving necessary access or information from the facility. Given that BORTON-LAWSON ENGINEERING, LLC is performing architectural services, risks related to adherence to professional standards and potential liability for negligent advice are also present, though mitigated by contract terms and professional insurance.

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: $75,932

Exercised Options: $75,932

Current Obligation: $75,932

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 2031JG19D00015

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline