GSA awards $863K contract for courthouse renovations in Chicago, Illinois

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $862,883 ($862.9K)

Contractor: Madison Services Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2025-09-26

End Date: 2026-07-23

Contract Duration: 300 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: U.S. DISTRICT COURT BATHROOMS AND BREAKROOM RENOVATION, EVERETT MCKINLEY DIRKSEN U.S. COURTHOUSE, 219 SOUTH DEARBORN STREET, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

Place of Performance

Location: CHICAGO, COOK County, ILLINOIS, 60604

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $862,882.93 to MADISON SERVICES INC for work described as: U.S. DISTRICT COURT BATHROOMS AND BREAKROOM RENOVATION, EVERETT MCKINLEY DIRKSEN U.S. COURTHOUSE, 219 SOUTH DEARBORN STREET, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Madison Services Inc. for renovation work at the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse. 2. The contract is a firm-fixed-price delivery order, indicating a defined scope and cost. 3. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, suggesting a competitive process with specific criteria. 4. The project duration is approximately 300 days, aligning with typical renovation timelines. 5. The contract value is within a moderate range for building construction services. 6. The General Services Administration (GSA) is the awarding agency, overseeing federal building management.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $863,000 for courthouse renovations appears reasonable given the scope of work involving bathrooms and breakrooms. Benchmarking against similar GSA renovation projects for federal courthouses of comparable size and complexity would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs for the government, but the final value depends on the detailed specifications and any potential change orders.

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.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be broad, certain sources may have been excluded based on specific criteria or requirements. The number of bidders is not explicitly stated, but this type of competition generally aims to maximize the pool of qualified offerors, which can lead to better pricing and quality.

Taxpayer Impact: This competitive approach aims to ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by soliciting bids from multiple qualified contractors, driving down costs and improving service delivery.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the users of the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, who will experience improved facilities. The services delivered include renovation of bathrooms and breakrooms, enhancing the functionality and aesthetics of the courthouse. The geographic impact is localized to Chicago, Illinois, specifically at the Dirksen Courthouse. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for construction workers and tradespeople involved in the renovation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if renovation needs exceed initial assessments.
Ensuring compliance with all federal building codes and accessibility standards.
Managing potential disruptions to courthouse operations during renovation.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract helps manage budget certainty.
Award to a single contractor streamlines project management.
GSA's oversight ensures adherence to federal standards.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a significant segment of the U.S. economy. Federal agencies like the GSA are major clients in this sector, awarding numerous contracts for the maintenance, repair, and renovation of government-owned facilities. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining the functionality and safety of public infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if Madison Services Inc. is a small business itself or if there are any subcontracting plans in place that would benefit the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) typically has robust oversight mechanisms for its construction contracts, including project management, quality assurance, and compliance reviews. The Public Buildings Service (PBS) within GSA is responsible for managing these projects. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific details of ongoing oversight are not provided here.

Related Government Programs

Federal Courthouse Renovations
GSA Public Buildings Service Contracts
Commercial Building Construction
Federal Facility Maintenance

Risk Flags

Potential for unforeseen site conditions impacting cost and schedule.
Contractor performance risk impacting project completion timeline.
Ensuring compliance with all applicable building codes and accessibility standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $862,882.93 to MADISON SERVICES INC. U.S. DISTRICT COURT BATHROOMS AND BREAKROOM RENOVATION, EVERETT MCKINLEY DIRKSEN U.S. COURTHOUSE, 219 SOUTH DEARBORN STREET, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MADISON 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 $862,882.93.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-26. End: 2026-07-23.

What is the track record of Madison Services Inc. with federal contracts, particularly with the GSA?

A review of federal contract databases would be necessary to fully assess Madison Services Inc.'s track record. This would involve examining past performance on similar construction projects, including contract values, timeliness of completion, and any reported disputes or performance issues. Understanding their history with the GSA specifically would highlight their familiarity with agency requirements and procedures. Without this specific data, it's difficult to definitively assess their reliability and past success on government projects.

How does the awarded price compare to similar courthouse renovation projects?

To benchmark the value, one would compare the $862,882.93 contract price against similar renovation projects for federal courthouses of comparable size and scope (e.g., square footage, number of bathrooms/breakrooms renovated, complexity of work) awarded by the GSA or other federal agencies. Factors like geographic location (labor and material costs vary significantly by region) and the specific year of award are crucial for a fair comparison. A higher price per square foot or per facility element compared to similar projects could indicate less favorable pricing, while a lower price might suggest better value or a more competitive bid.

What are the primary risks associated with this renovation contract?

Key risks include potential cost overruns if unforeseen issues arise during demolition or construction (e.g., structural problems, hazardous materials), schedule delays due to contractor performance, weather, or supply chain disruptions, and the possibility of the renovations not meeting the exact functional or aesthetic requirements of the courthouse staff. Ensuring adequate contingency planning, clear communication channels, and rigorous project oversight are critical to mitigating these risks.

How effective is the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' in ensuring competitive pricing for this type of project?

This method aims for broad competition but allows for exclusions, which can be beneficial if based on necessary qualifications (e.g., specific security clearances, specialized experience). If exclusions are too broad or arbitrary, they could limit competition and potentially lead to higher prices than true full and open competition. The effectiveness hinges on the justification for exclusions and the number of responsive bidders that remain. A competitive range of bids under this structure generally indicates good price discovery for taxpayers.

What is the historical spending pattern for courthouse renovations by the GSA in the Chicago region?

Analyzing historical GSA spending on courthouse renovations in Chicago would involve reviewing past contract awards for similar projects over several fiscal years. This would reveal trends in contract values, types of work performed, and the contractors most frequently awarded business. Understanding this pattern can help contextualize the current $863K award, indicating whether it is typical, higher, or lower than previous investments in similar facilities within the same geographic area.

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: 47PF0025R0006

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2833 LINCOLN ST, HIGHLAND, IN, 46322

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $862,883

Exercised Options: $862,883

Current Obligation: $862,883

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47PF0024D0025

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline