Smithsonian Institution awards $1.67M contract for storage equipment to Spacesaver Systems, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,721,436 ($16.7M)

Contractor: Spacesaver Systems, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Smithsonian Institution

Start Date: 2023-08-25

End Date: 2025-10-31

Contract Duration: 798 days

Daily Burn Rate: $21.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: MSC POD 6 COLLECTIONS STORAGE EQUIPMENT

Place of Performance

Location: SUITLAND, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20746

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Smithsonian Institution obligated $16.7 million to SPACESAVER SYSTEMS, INC. for work described as: MSC POD 6 COLLECTIONS STORAGE EQUIPMENT Key points: 1. Contract awarded for specialized storage equipment, likely for museum or archival use. 2. Spacesaver Systems, Inc. is the sole awardee, raising questions about competition. 3. The contract value is moderate, but the lack of competition warrants scrutiny. 4. The sector is Commercial and Institutional Building Construction, suggesting a physical infrastructure component.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $1.67M for storage equipment is difficult to benchmark without specific details on the type and quantity of equipment. However, given the firm fixed-price nature, the Smithsonian Institution has established a clear cost ceiling.

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 generally expected to yield competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition suggests that taxpayers are likely receiving a fair price for the storage equipment procured.

Public Impact

Enhances storage capacity for Smithsonian Institution's collections. Supports the preservation and accessibility of artifacts and research materials. Potential for improved operational efficiency within the institution.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on the equipment being procured.
Potential for limited long-term scalability if needs change significantly.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

The Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector encompasses a wide range of projects. This contract appears to be for specialized equipment rather than a large-scale construction project, suggesting a focus on internal infrastructure improvements.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed.

Oversight & Accountability

The Smithsonian Institution is responsible for overseeing this contract to ensure timely delivery and adherence to specifications. The firm fixed-price nature provides a degree of accountability for the contractor.

Related Government Programs

Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
Smithsonian Institution Contracting
Smithsonian Institution Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed equipment specifications.
No information on the number of bids received.
Potential for limited small business participation.
Contract duration extends over two fiscal years.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Smithsonian Institution awarded $16.7 million to SPACESAVER SYSTEMS, INC.. MSC POD 6 COLLECTIONS STORAGE EQUIPMENT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SPACESAVER SYSTEMS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Smithsonian Institution (Smithsonian Institution).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $16.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-08-25. End: 2025-10-31.

What specific types of storage equipment are being procured, and how do their costs compare to industry standards for similar institutions?

The data does not specify the exact types of storage equipment. To assess value, a detailed breakdown of the equipment, including shelving systems, cabinets, and any specialized archival storage solutions, would be necessary. Benchmarking against similar procurements by other museums or research institutions would then reveal if the $1.67M price is competitive for the specified items and quantities.

Given the full and open competition, what was the range of bids received, and how did Spacesaver Systems, Inc.'s bid compare to others?

While the contract states 'full and open competition,' the provided data does not include information on the number of bids received or the pricing of competing offers. Understanding the bid landscape is crucial to confirming that the chosen vendor offered the best value and that the competitive process effectively drove down costs for the taxpayer.

How will this storage equipment contribute to the long-term preservation and accessibility of the Smithsonian's collections?

The effectiveness of this contract hinges on the quality and suitability of the storage equipment for the specific needs of the Smithsonian's diverse collections. Proper storage is vital for preventing degradation, ensuring security, and facilitating research access. The contract's success will be measured by its contribution to these long-term preservation goals and the operational efficiency it enables.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 33330223RF0010025

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4833 RUGBY AVE STE 600, BETHESDA, MD, 20814

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,721,436

Exercised Options: $16,721,436

Current Obligation: $16,721,436

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline