GSA awards $37K BPA Call for Arc Flash Study at Tallahassee Courthouse, completed in 60 days

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $37,349 ($37.3K)

Contractor: Satellite Services Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-20

End Date: 2026-06-19

Contract Duration: 60 days

Daily Burn Rate: $622/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROJECT: ARC FLASH STUDY LOCATION: JOSEPH WOODROW HATCHETT COURTHOUSE, 111 N. ADAMS ST, TALLAHASSEE, FL 32301

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTA, FULTON County, GEORGIA, 30303

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $37,349.37 to SATELLITE SERVICES INC for work described as: PROJECT: ARC FLASH STUDY LOCATION: JOSEPH WOODROW HATCHETT COURTHOUSE, 111 N. ADAMS ST, TALLAHASSEE, FL 32301 Key points: 1. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a focused scope for the arc flash study. 2. The award was made under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, indicating a pre-negotiated framework. 3. The fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for this specific service. 4. The short duration of 60 days implies a streamlined process for the study. 5. The contractor, Satellite Services Inc., is performing this service for the General Services Administration (GSA). 6. The study is located at the Joseph Woodrow Hatchett Courthouse in Tallahassee, Florida.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $37,349.37 for an arc flash study appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the service and the short performance period. Without specific benchmarks for arc flash studies in federal courthouses, direct comparison is difficult. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests that the price was determined to be fair and reasonable at the time of award, likely based on the existing BPA terms. The value aligns with the scope of a single facility assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, likely through a pre-existing Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) that itself was competed. The specific award mechanism, a BPA Call, suggests that multiple vendors may have been eligible under the parent BPA, but only Satellite Services Inc. was selected for this particular task order. The level of competition for the parent BPA would determine the extent of price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition, even at the BPA level, generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging competitive pricing and a wider pool of qualified contractors, leading to potentially better value.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the occupants and operators of the Joseph Woodrow Hatchett Courthouse, ensuring a safer working environment. The service delivered is a critical electrical safety assessment, identifying potential hazards related to arc flash incidents. The geographic impact is localized to Tallahassee, Florida, specifically at the federal courthouse. There are no direct workforce implications mentioned, as this is a specialized study rather than a large-scale service contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the study uncovers unforeseen complexities not accounted for in the initial BPA call.
Reliance on the contractor's expertise to accurately identify and report arc flash hazards.
Ensuring the study meets all relevant safety standards and regulatory requirements.

Positive Signals

Awarded under a full and open competition BPA, suggesting a competitive process for the underlying agreement.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Short performance period indicates efficient project management and timely delivery of results.

Sector Analysis

Arc flash studies fall within the broader facilities support services and electrical safety consulting sector. This sector is crucial for maintaining safe and compliant operations in government buildings. The market includes specialized engineering firms and consultants. The value of this specific contract is modest, typical for a single facility assessment, but contributes to the overall spending on facility maintenance and safety within the GSA's portfolio.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not a small business set-aside (ss: false, sb: false). As it was awarded via a BPA Call, it's possible that the parent BPA had provisions for small business participation or subcontracting, but this specific task order does not appear to be directly set aside for small businesses. Further analysis of the parent BPA would be needed to assess small business impact.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration's Public Buildings Service. As a BPA Call, the initial BPA likely had established oversight mechanisms. The firm-fixed-price nature simplifies financial oversight. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award data being publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

GSA Facilities Management Contracts
Electrical Safety Assessments
Courthouse Maintenance and Operations
BPA Call Awards

Risk Flags

Potential for inadequate scope definition in BPA call
Reliance on contractor expertise for critical safety findings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $37,349.37 to SATELLITE SERVICES INC. PROJECT: ARC FLASH STUDY LOCATION: JOSEPH WOODROW HATCHETT COURTHOUSE, 111 N. ADAMS ST, TALLAHASSEE, FL 32301

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SATELLITE SERVICES INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $37,349.37.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-20. End: 2026-06-19.

What is the track record of Satellite Services Inc. in performing similar arc flash studies for federal agencies?

Information regarding Satellite Services Inc.'s specific track record for arc flash studies on federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data. However, their selection for this BPA Call by the GSA suggests they possess qualifications deemed sufficient for this type of work under the existing BPA framework. To fully assess their track record, one would need to review their past performance evaluations, other federal contracts for similar services, and potentially their certifications and experience in electrical safety engineering. The fact that this is a BPA Call implies a level of pre-qualification by the GSA for vendors on the parent BPA.

How does the cost of this arc flash study compare to similar studies performed at other federal courthouses?

Direct cost comparison for this $37,349.37 arc flash study is challenging without access to a benchmark database of similar federal courthouse studies. Factors influencing cost include facility size, complexity of the electrical system, specific standards required, and the geographic location impacting labor rates. Given the 60-day duration and firm-fixed-price nature, the GSA likely determined this price to be fair and reasonable based on the scope defined within the BPA call. It represents a relatively small investment for a critical safety assessment, suggesting it may be cost-effective if the scope was appropriately defined.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Key risks include the potential for the study's scope to expand beyond initial estimates if unforeseen complexities arise, and ensuring the contractor's findings are accurate and actionable. Mitigation strategies likely involve clear definition of the study's boundaries within the BPA call, adherence to established electrical safety standards (e.g., NFPA 70E), and the GSA's oversight of the final report. The firm-fixed-price contract also mitigates financial risk for the government by capping the cost. The short performance period reduces the duration of exposure to performance-related risks.

How effective is the GSA's use of BPAs for procuring specialized services like arc flash studies?

The use of Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) by the GSA for specialized services like arc flash studies can be highly effective. BPAs streamline the procurement process by establishing pre-negotiated terms, conditions, and pricing with qualified vendors. This allows for faster ordering and reduces administrative burden for individual task orders, such as this BPA Call. For taxpayers, BPAs can lead to better pricing through volume commitments and pre-competition. Effectiveness hinges on the initial competition for the parent BPA and ongoing monitoring of vendor performance and pricing under the agreement.

What is the historical spending pattern for arc flash studies or similar electrical safety services by the GSA?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for arc flash studies or similar electrical safety services by the GSA. To analyze this, one would need to query federal procurement databases (like FPDS or USASpending) for contracts with relevant keywords (e.g., 'arc flash study,' 'electrical safety assessment,' 'NFPA 70E') awarded by the GSA over several fiscal years. This would reveal trends in contract values, frequency of awards, and potentially identify dominant contractors in this niche service area.

Does the location of the study (Tallahassee, FL) influence the cost or complexity compared to other regions?

The geographic location can influence the cost of services due to variations in local labor rates, cost of living, and potentially travel expenses for the contractor, although travel is not explicitly mentioned here. Tallahassee, FL, might have different market rates for specialized engineering services compared to major metropolitan hubs or other regions. While the provided data doesn't offer comparative cost data, it's a standard consideration in federal contracting. The complexity of the study itself is more dependent on the electrical infrastructure of the courthouse rather than the city's location, though local permitting or access issues could arise.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: OPERATION OF GOVT OWNED FACILITY › OPERATE GOVT OWNED BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: EQPMAE-26-0111

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 309 S FRONT ST, MARQUETTE, MI, 49855

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $37,349

Exercised Options: $37,349

Current Obligation: $37,349

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47PE0720A0001

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline