Parking garage concrete repairs at Rosa Parks Federal Building awarded to Blue Spader Contractors Inc. for $1.5M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,503,288 ($1.5M)

Contractor: Blue Spader Contractors Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2027-01-11

Contract Duration: 283 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: PARKING GARAGE CONCRETE REPAIRS, ROSA PARKS FEDERAL BUILDING, DETROIT, MI THE PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT IS TO REPAIR THE EXISTING PRECAST CONCRETE STRUCTURE OF THE ROSA PARKS FEDERAL BUILDING PARKING GARAGE.

Place of Performance

Location: DETROIT, WAYNE County, MICHIGAN, 48226

State: Michigan Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $1.5 million to BLUE SPADER CONTRACTORS INC for work described as: PARKING GARAGE CONCRETE REPAIRS, ROSA PARKS FEDERAL BUILDING, DETROIT, MI THE PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT IS TO REPAIR THE EXISTING PRECAST CONCRETE STRUCTURE OF THE ROSA PARKS FEDERAL BUILDING PARKING GARAGE. Key points: 1. The contract focuses on essential structural repairs to a federal building's parking garage. 2. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 3. The duration of the contract is 283 days, indicating a focused scope of work. 4. The project is located in Detroit, Michigan, impacting local infrastructure. 5. The contractor, Blue Spader Contractors Inc., is the sole awardee. 6. The contract is not available for competition, raising questions about price discovery.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $1.5 million for parking garage concrete repairs appears to be within a reasonable range for a project of this nature, considering the scope of structural repairs. However, without specific details on the extent of the damage and the required materials, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar federal building repair projects would provide a clearer picture of cost-effectiveness. The firm fixed-price structure offers cost certainty, but the lack of competition could potentially lead to a higher price than if multiple bids were solicited.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not available for competition, indicating a sole-source award. The specific reasons for this determination are not provided in the available data. Sole-source contracts can sometimes be justified for specialized services or urgent needs, but they limit the government's ability to leverage competitive bidding to secure the best possible pricing and value. The absence of multiple bidders means there was no direct price comparison or incentive for contractors to offer their most competitive rates.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition means taxpayers may not have received the benefit of a lower price that could have been achieved through a competitive bidding process. This could result in a higher overall expenditure for the government.

Public Impact

Federal employees and visitors using the Rosa Parks Federal Building parking garage will benefit from improved safety and accessibility. The project ensures the continued structural integrity and usability of a key federal facility. The services delivered include essential concrete repairs to a precast structure. The geographic impact is localized to Detroit, Michigan, supporting local infrastructure maintenance. The contract may have implications for the local construction workforce in Detroit.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may have led to a higher price than a competitive award.
The specific justification for the sole-source award is not detailed, raising transparency concerns.
The contract value is substantial, and without competitive benchmarking, its value for money is difficult to fully ascertain.

Positive Signals

The contract addresses critical structural repairs, ensuring the safety and functionality of a federal building.
The firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
The project has a defined completion date, indicating a clear timeline for service delivery.

Sector Analysis

The construction sector, particularly commercial and institutional building construction, is a significant area of federal spending. This contract falls under the General Services Administration's (GSA) purview, which manages a vast portfolio of federal buildings. Projects like these are common for GSA as they maintain aging infrastructure. Comparable spending benchmarks for concrete repair projects on federal buildings can vary widely based on size, complexity, and geographic location, but typically range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this award, as the 'sb' field is false and the contract was sole-source. There is no indication of small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. This means that opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific project were likely limited or non-existent, and the primary contractor, Blue Spader Contractors Inc., will be responsible for the entire scope of work.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Public Buildings Service. As a sole-source award, there may be heightened scrutiny regarding the justification and pricing. Transparency could be enhanced by making the sole-source justification publicly available. The contract duration and firm fixed-price nature provide some level of accountability for the contractor to deliver the specified repairs within the agreed-upon budget and timeframe.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building Maintenance
Infrastructure Repair and Rehabilitation
General Services Administration Contracts
Public Buildings Service Projects
Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
Potential for overpayment due to lack of competition.
Limited transparency regarding the necessity of sole-source procurement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $1.5 million to BLUE SPADER CONTRACTORS INC. PARKING GARAGE CONCRETE REPAIRS, ROSA PARKS FEDERAL BUILDING, DETROIT, MI THE PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT IS TO REPAIR THE EXISTING PRECAST CONCRETE STRUCTURE OF THE ROSA PARKS FEDERAL BUILDING PARKING GARAGE.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BLUE SPADER CONTRACTORS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $1.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2027-01-11.

What is the specific justification for this contract being awarded on a sole-source basis?

The provided data states the contract was 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' which is synonymous with a sole-source award. However, the specific justification for this determination is not detailed. Typically, sole-source awards are made when only one responsible source is available or capable of providing the required goods or services. This could be due to unique capabilities, proprietary technology, urgent and compelling circumstances, or specific government requirements that only one contractor can meet. Without further documentation from the awarding agency (GSA), the precise reason remains unknown. This lack of transparency can be a concern for ensuring fair and competitive procurement practices.

How does the contract value of $1.5 million compare to similar parking garage concrete repair projects for federal buildings?

Benchmarking the $1.5 million contract value against similar federal parking garage concrete repair projects is challenging without access to a comprehensive database of comparable contracts with detailed scope and specifications. However, for a significant repair project involving precast concrete structures, this value is not inherently excessive. Projects of this nature can involve extensive labor, specialized materials (e.g., high-strength concrete, sealants), scaffolding, and potentially temporary structural support. The duration of 283 days suggests a substantial scope of work. To provide a more precise comparison, one would need to analyze contracts for similar square footage, type of concrete damage (e.g., spalling, cracking, delamination), and geographic location, considering regional labor and material cost differences.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for this type of construction project?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award for construction projects like parking garage repairs is the potential for inflated pricing. Without competitive bidding, the contractor has less incentive to offer their most cost-effective solution, and the government may end up paying more than necessary. Another risk is a potential lack of innovation or quality, as there is no competitive pressure to excel. Furthermore, sole-source awards can raise concerns about fairness and transparency in the procurement process. If the justification for the sole-source award is weak or not well-documented, it could lead to perceptions of favoritism or inefficiency. Finally, there's a risk that the chosen contractor may not have the absolute best capabilities for the specific task, even if they are deemed the only available source.

What is the expected impact of these repairs on the functionality and safety of the Rosa Parks Federal Building parking garage?

The repairs are intended to address the 'existing precast concrete structure' of the parking garage, implying that the concrete is showing signs of deterioration or damage. This deterioration could compromise the structural integrity of the garage, posing safety risks to vehicles and occupants. By repairing the concrete, the project aims to restore the garage's structural soundness, prevent further degradation, and ensure its continued safe and reliable use. This will likely enhance the overall functionality by providing a secure and accessible parking facility for those utilizing the Rosa Parks Federal Building, thereby supporting the building's operational needs.

What is the historical spending pattern for parking garage maintenance and repair by the General Services Administration?

Historical spending patterns for parking garage maintenance and repair by the General Services Administration (GSA) are not directly available from the provided data snippet. However, the GSA is responsible for maintaining a vast inventory of federal buildings, many of which include parking structures. Given the age of many federal facilities, ongoing maintenance and repair, including concrete work, is a consistent requirement. Annual federal spending on building maintenance and repair is in the billions of dollars, and parking garage upkeep represents a segment of this broader category. Without specific GSA budget line items or contract databases focused solely on parking garage repairs, a precise historical trend is difficult to establish from this single contract award.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR NONBUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 47PE5426R0002

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 332 S MAIN ST STE A, ROMEO, MI, 48065

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,503,288

Exercised Options: $1,503,288

Current Obligation: $1,503,288

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline