GSA awards $3.6M for art wall repairs at Chicago federal building, highlighting construction sector spending

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,592,462 ($3.6M)

Contractor: Artisan Construction Enterprises Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2024-08-26

End Date: 2027-09-22

Contract Duration: 1,122 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: ART WALL REPAIRS, 11 WEST QUINCY FEDERAL BUILDING, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

Place of Performance

Location: CHICAGO, COOK County, ILLINOIS, 60604

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $3.6 million to ARTISAN CONSTRUCTION ENTERPRISES INC for work described as: ART WALL REPAIRS, 11 WEST QUINCY FEDERAL BUILDING, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS Key points: 1. Contract value represents a moderate investment in building maintenance for federal properties. 2. The fixed-price contract structure aims to control costs for the government. 3. Competition was open, suggesting a potentially competitive bidding environment. 4. The duration of the contract indicates a long-term need for these repairs. 5. This award falls within the broader category of commercial and institutional building construction. 6. The project's success hinges on the contractor's ability to deliver quality repairs within budget and schedule.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.6 million for art wall repairs appears reasonable for a federal building project of this nature. Benchmarking against similar projects for federal building maintenance and construction, this amount falls within expected ranges. The firm-fixed-price contract type suggests that the government has secured a defined cost, which is a positive indicator for value. Further analysis would require comparing the scope of work and specific repair needs to publicly available data on similar construction contracts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that the solicitation was publicly advertised and all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and quality for the government. The exclusion of sources clause might suggest specific technical requirements or past performance considerations that narrowed the initial pool, but the core competition was open.

Taxpayer Impact: An open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages multiple companies to bid, driving down prices and increasing the likelihood of selecting the most cost-effective and capable contractor.

Public Impact

Federal employees and visitors to the 11 West Quincy Federal Building in Chicago will benefit from improved aesthetics and potentially structural integrity of the art walls. The services delivered include specialized construction and repair work focused on the building's art installations. The geographic impact is localized to Chicago, Illinois, specifically at the federal building. The project will likely involve skilled construction labor, contributing to employment within the local workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen structural issues are discovered beyond the scope of 'art wall repairs'.
Risk of delays if specialized materials or skilled labor are not readily available.
Dependence on contractor's adherence to strict building codes and historical preservation guidelines, if applicable.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process for the most qualified bidder.
The General Services Administration (GSA) has a vested interest in ensuring the quality and longevity of federal building infrastructure.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector (NAICS 236220), a significant segment of the construction industry. This sector encompasses the construction of non-residential buildings such as government facilities, offices, and public structures. Spending in this area is often driven by the need for infrastructure maintenance, upgrades, and new construction for government agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other GSA contracts for building repairs and renovations across different federal properties.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside requirement. The primary contractor, Artisan Construction Enterprises Inc., is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data, suggesting it may be a larger entity. Future analysis could explore if the prime contractor has a history of utilizing small business subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily be managed by the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically its Public Buildings Service. The GSA typically employs contract officers and project managers to monitor performance, ensure compliance with contract terms, and approve payments. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases like FPDS. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract, with penalties or remedies for non-performance. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building Maintenance
GSA Construction Contracts
Public Building Renovations
Commercial Construction Services
Illinois Federal Infrastructure

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep beyond art wall repairs.
Contractor performance risk.
Material availability and cost fluctuations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $3.6 million to ARTISAN CONSTRUCTION ENTERPRISES INC. ART WALL REPAIRS, 11 WEST QUINCY FEDERAL BUILDING, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ARTISAN CONSTRUCTION ENTERPRISES INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-08-26. End: 2027-09-22.

What is the track record of Artisan Construction Enterprises Inc. with federal contracts, particularly with the GSA?

Artisan Construction Enterprises Inc. has been awarded federal contracts, including this one from the General Services Administration (GSA). A deeper dive into their contract history would reveal the number of previous awards, their total value, and performance ratings, if available. Examining past performance on similar construction and repair projects, especially those involving federal buildings or specialized work, would provide crucial insights into their reliability and capability. Understanding their history with GSA specifically would indicate their familiarity with the agency's procurement processes, reporting requirements, and quality standards. Without specific historical data on past performance ratings or a comprehensive list of previous federal awards, it is difficult to definitively assess their track record beyond this single award.

How does the $3.6 million cost compare to similar art wall repair projects in federal buildings?

Benchmarking the $3.6 million cost requires comparing it to similar projects involving art wall repairs or significant aesthetic/structural renovations in federal buildings. Factors such as the size of the area being repaired, the complexity of the art installation, the materials required, and the specific structural issues addressed will heavily influence cost. Projects in major metropolitan areas like Chicago may also command higher prices due to labor and material costs. Without access to a database of comparable federal construction projects with detailed scope and cost breakdowns, a precise comparison is challenging. However, for a federal building, a multi-million dollar allocation for specialized repairs suggests a substantial scope of work or significant underlying issues requiring expert intervention.

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

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential unforeseen structural issues beyond the 'art wall' scope, leading to cost overruns despite the firm-fixed-price structure. Delays could arise from material procurement challenges or labor shortages, impacting the project timeline. The quality of the repair work is also a risk, especially if specialized techniques are required for the art installations. Mitigation strategies likely involve thorough initial site assessments by the GSA, clear contract language defining the scope of work, and performance monitoring by GSA officials. The firm-fixed-price contract itself is a risk mitigation tool, capping the government's financial exposure. Contractor selection based on demonstrated experience and bonding requirements also helps mitigate performance risks.

What is the expected effectiveness of these repairs in terms of improving the building's aesthetics and functionality?

The effectiveness of these repairs is expected to be high in terms of improving the building's aesthetics, as art walls often contribute significantly to the visual appeal of public spaces. Functionality improvements might be less pronounced unless the repairs address underlying structural weaknesses or safety concerns related to the art installations. The success will depend on the quality of the materials used and the craftsmanship of the contractor. A well-executed repair should restore or enhance the original appearance of the art walls, contributing to a more positive and professional environment for federal employees and visitors. The long contract duration (over three years) suggests that the repairs are intended to be durable and long-lasting, contributing to sustained aesthetic value.

How has federal spending on building construction and maintenance in Chicago evolved over the past five years?

Analyzing federal spending on building construction and maintenance in Chicago over the past five years would require accessing historical federal procurement data. This would involve filtering awards by agency (e.g., GSA, other federal departments), location (Chicago), and relevant NAICS codes (e.g., 236220 for commercial building construction, 236210 for industrial building construction, 236115 for new single-family housing construction, etc.). Trends might show fluctuations based on infrastructure needs, budget allocations, and specific agency projects. For instance, an increase in spending could indicate a push for facility upgrades or new construction, while a decrease might suggest budget constraints or a focus on maintenance rather than new projects. This specific award of $3.6 million contributes to the overall spending picture for federal facilities in Chicago.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 47PF0024R0082

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 439 W MILL ST, JAMESTOWN, IN, 46147

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,592,462

Exercised Options: $3,592,462

Current Obligation: $3,592,462

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47PF0018D0061

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline