GSA awards $245K for snow removal services in Philadelphia for the 2025-26 season

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $245,000 ($245.0K)

Contractor: Elwyn of Pennsylvania and Delaware

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2025-12-12

End Date: 2026-07-31

Contract Duration: 231 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.1K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FY26 SNOW REMOVAL PHILADELPHIA, BYRNE US COURTHOUSE, GREEN FED BLDG, NIX US FED BLDG, AND PHILA US CUSTOMHOUSE, PHILADELPHIA, PA. TASK ORDER FOR SNOW REMOVAL SVCS FOR 4 BLDGS, SNOW SEASON 2025-26.

Place of Performance

Location: PHILADELPHIA, PHILADELPHIA County, PENNSYLVANIA, 19106

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $245,000 to ELWYN OF PENNSYLVANIA AND DELAWARE for work described as: FY26 SNOW REMOVAL PHILADELPHIA, BYRNE US COURTHOUSE, GREEN FED BLDG, NIX US FED BLDG, AND PHILA US CUSTOMHOUSE, PHILADELPHIA, PA. TASK ORDER FOR SNOW REMOVAL SVCS FOR 4 BLDGS, SNOW SEASON 2025-26. Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for a single season of snow removal across multiple federal buildings. 2. The contract was not competed, raising questions about potential price efficiencies. 3. Limited competition increases the risk of overpayment compared to a fully competed scenario. 4. The duration of the task order aligns with a typical snow season. 5. This service falls under facilities support, a common requirement for federal property management. 6. The award to a single vendor suggests a specific need or a lack of broader market engagement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award of $245,000 for snow removal services for one season across four federal buildings in Philadelphia seems within a reasonable range for such services. However, without a competitive bidding process, it is difficult to benchmark against market rates or determine if the government secured the best possible value. Similar contracts for snow removal in other major metropolitan areas can vary significantly based on the scope of services, number of locations, and severity of winter weather.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not open to competition from multiple vendors. The General Services Administration (GSA) likely determined that a specific vendor, ELWYN OF PENNSYLVANIA AND DELAWARE, was the only responsible source capable of meeting the government's needs. This approach bypasses the typical price discovery mechanisms inherent in a competitive bidding process, potentially leading to higher costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A sole-source award means taxpayers may not benefit from the cost savings that typically arise from competitive bidding, where multiple vendors vie for the contract by offering their best prices.

Public Impact

Federal employees and visitors at the Byrne US Courthouse, Green Federal Building, Nix US Federal Building, and Phila US Customhouse in Philadelphia will have safe access during winter weather. The services ensure the continued operation and accessibility of critical federal facilities. The geographic impact is localized to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The contract supports the operational needs of the General Services Administration's Public Buildings Service.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to suboptimal pricing for taxpayers.
Sole-source awards can sometimes indicate a lack of market research or vendor engagement.
Reliance on a single vendor for essential services could pose a risk if that vendor fails to perform.

Positive Signals

The contract addresses a necessary operational requirement for federal facilities.
The vendor is identified, suggesting a known entity is performing the service.
The fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Facilities Support Services sector, specifically related to building operations and maintenance. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 561210, Facilities Support Services, encompasses a broad range of services including general building maintenance, cleaning, and operational support. Spending in this sector is consistent across federal agencies managing physical infrastructure, with significant annual outlays for maintaining government buildings nationwide. Benchmarking this specific snow removal contract is challenging without more granular data on regional service costs.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was set aside for small businesses, nor is there information about subcontracting requirements. The award to ELWYN OF PENNSYLVANIA AND DELAWARE, without further details on its size, makes it difficult to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem. Typically, larger sole-source contracts might include provisions for small business participation, but this appears to be a direct award for a specific service.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically its Public Buildings Service. Accountability measures would be tied to the terms and conditions of the firm-fixed-price delivery order, ensuring that the specified snow removal services are performed adequately during the contract period. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, but the contract details are publicly available through federal procurement databases.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building Maintenance Contracts
General Services Administration Operations
Winter Weather Preparedness Contracts
Facilities Management Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
Potential for higher costs due to lack of competition.
Limited transparency on vendor selection criteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $245,000 to ELWYN OF PENNSYLVANIA AND DELAWARE. FY26 SNOW REMOVAL PHILADELPHIA, BYRNE US COURTHOUSE, GREEN FED BLDG, NIX US FED BLDG, AND PHILA US CUSTOMHOUSE, PHILADELPHIA, PA. TASK ORDER FOR SNOW REMOVAL SVCS FOR 4 BLDGS, SNOW SEASON 2025-26.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ELWYN OF PENNSYLVANIA AND DELAWARE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Public Buildings Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $245,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-12-12. End: 2026-07-31.

What is the track record of ELWYN OF PENNSYLVANIA AND DELAWARE with the federal government, particularly with the GSA?

Information regarding the specific track record of ELWYN OF PENNSYLVANIA AND DELAWARE with the federal government, and the GSA in particular, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive review would require searching federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS for past awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of disputes or contract modifications. Understanding their past performance is crucial for assessing the reliability of this sole-source award and ensuring the government receives satisfactory services.

How does the $245,000 cost compare to similar snow removal contracts in the Philadelphia metropolitan area?

Direct comparison of the $245,000 cost to similar snow removal contracts in the Philadelphia area is challenging without access to a broader dataset of recent, comparable federal or even large commercial contracts. Factors such as the number of buildings, square footage of areas to be cleared (parking lots, sidewalks, access roads), frequency of service, and specific services included (e.g., salting, de-icing, plowing) significantly influence pricing. Given this is a sole-source award, it's difficult to ascertain if this price represents market value or a premium due to lack of competition.

What are the specific risks associated with awarding a snow removal contract on a sole-source basis?

The primary risk of a sole-source award for snow removal is the potential for inflated pricing, as the government does not benefit from the competitive pressure that drives down costs. There's also a risk that the chosen vendor may not be the most capable or efficient provider available in the market. Furthermore, if the sole-source justification is weak or if the vendor underperforms, there are limited immediate alternatives for the government to switch providers without disrupting essential services, potentially leading to operational challenges during critical winter weather events.

What is the historical spending pattern for snow removal services at these specific federal buildings or within GSA's Philadelphia region?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for snow removal services at these specific federal buildings or within the GSA's Philadelphia region. To assess this, one would need to analyze past contract awards for snow removal services covering these locations or similar federal properties managed by GSA in the region over previous fiscal years. Understanding historical spending can help identify trends, potential cost increases, and whether this $245,000 award represents an anomaly or a continuation of previous expenditure levels.

What criteria were used by GSA to justify this contract as a sole-source award?

The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' which is a common designation for sole-source awards. The specific justification criteria used by GSA are not detailed here. Typically, sole-source justifications are based on factors such as the urgency of the need, the unavailability of the service from other sources, or the unique capabilities of a single vendor. For a service like snow removal, justifications might include unique site requirements, existing infrastructure integration, or a critical, immediate need where competition timeframes are prohibitive. A formal justification document would normally be required and publicly accessible.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities Support Services

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: EQPMAD-26-0039

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 111 ELWYN ROAD, ELWYN, PA, 19063

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $245,000

Exercised Options: $245,000

Current Obligation: $245,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47PN0325D0004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline