GSA Awards $6.5M for Norton, VT LPOE Design; Dattner Architects Selected
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $6,539,888 ($6.5M)
Contractor: Dattner Architects DPC
Awarding Agency: General Services Administration
Start Date: 2023-03-20
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,290 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: PRE-DESIGN PHASE ARCHITECT ENGINEER SERVICES FOR THE NORTON, VT BIL LPOE
Place of Performance
Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK County, NEW YORK, 10018
State: New York Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
General Services Administration obligated $6.5 million to DATTNER ARCHITECTS DPC for work described as: PRE-DESIGN PHASE ARCHITECT ENGINEER SERVICES FOR THE NORTON, VT BIL LPOE Key points: 1. Significant investment in architectural services for a key border project. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Potential for cost efficiencies through a firm fixed-price contract. 4. Project duration extends over three years, indicating a substantial scope.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $6.5M for pre-design architectural services appears reasonable given the project's scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar large-scale federal building design contracts would provide further validation.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The use of full and open competition is a positive indicator for price discovery, allowing multiple qualified firms to bid. This method generally leads to more competitive pricing compared to limited or sole-source approaches.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive bidding process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for high-quality architectural services.
Public Impact
Enhances border security and infrastructure at the Norton, VT Port of Entry. Supports economic activity through infrastructure development. Provides essential architectural and engineering expertise for a critical federal facility.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long project duration may introduce scope creep risks.
- Firm fixed-price contracts can be less flexible for unforeseen design challenges.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition promotes fairness and value.
- Clear contract type (FFP) aids budget management.
Sector Analysis
Architectural services for federal facilities fall under the professional services sector. Spending benchmarks for similar projects vary widely based on scale, complexity, and location, but this award appears within a typical range for a significant public building project.
Small Business Impact
While this contract was awarded to Dattner Architects DPC, a larger firm, the project's scale may offer subcontracting opportunities for smaller architectural or engineering firms, though this is not explicitly detailed.
Oversight & Accountability
The General Services Administration (GSA) is responsible for overseeing this contract. Regular progress reviews and adherence to federal acquisition regulations are crucial for ensuring accountability and effective project execution.
Related Government Programs
- Architectural Services
- General Services Administration Contracting
- Public Buildings Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Long project duration
- Firm fixed-price contract limitations
- Potential for unforeseen site conditions
- Dependency on multiple federal agency approvals
Tags
architectural-services, general-services-administration, ny, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
General Services Administration awarded $6.5 million to DATTNER ARCHITECTS DPC. PRE-DESIGN PHASE ARCHITECT ENGINEER SERVICES FOR THE NORTON, VT BIL LPOE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is DATTNER ARCHITECTS DPC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Public Buildings Service).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $6.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-03-20. End: 2026-09-30.
What specific architectural innovations or sustainability features are being considered in the pre-design phase that justify the $6.5M investment?
The $6.5M investment in pre-design architectural services for the Norton, VT LPOE likely encompasses detailed site analysis, conceptual design development, preliminary engineering studies, and the creation of comprehensive design documents. It may also include considerations for advanced security features, modernizing infrastructure, and incorporating sustainable design principles to meet federal building standards and long-term operational efficiency goals.
What are the primary risks associated with the 1290-day duration of this contract, and how are they being mitigated?
The primary risks associated with a 1290-day duration include potential cost escalation beyond initial estimates if not strictly managed under the firm fixed-price contract, scope creep as project requirements evolve, and delays due to unforeseen site conditions or regulatory changes. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust project management, clear communication protocols, contingency planning, and strict change control processes to manage scope and budget effectively.
How will the effectiveness of the architectural services be measured to ensure the final design meets the operational needs of the Port of Entry?
The effectiveness of the architectural services will be measured through adherence to the contract's performance work statement, timely delivery of design milestones, and successful completion of reviews by GSA and relevant stakeholders. Post-construction evaluation of the facility's functionality, operational efficiency, and user satisfaction will also serve as key indicators of the design's effectiveness in meeting the Port of Entry's long-term needs.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Architectural Services
Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - CONSTRUCTION
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: 47PB0023R0007
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 498 FASHION AVE, NEW YORK, NY, 10018
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $6,892,802
Exercised Options: $6,539,888
Current Obligation: $6,539,888
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 47PC0321D0006
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-03-20
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2028-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-20
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