GSA Awards $12M for Des Moines Federal Courthouse A/E Services Under Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,049,980 ($12.0M)

Contractor: Neumann Monson, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2017-07-19

End Date: 2025-06-30

Contract Duration: 2,903 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 38

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF NEW DES MOINES FEDERAL COURTHOUSE, DES MOINES, IA. THIS CONTRACT IS FOR ARCHITECTURAL/ENGINEERING (A/E) SERVICES FOR THE NEW CONSTRUCTION OF THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL COURTHOUSE IN DES MOINES, IOWA.

Place of Performance

Location: DES MOINES, POLK County, IOWA, 50309

State: Iowa Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $12.0 million to NEUMANN MONSON, INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF NEW DES MOINES FEDERAL COURTHOUSE, DES MOINES, IA. THIS CONTRACT IS FOR ARCHITECTURAL/ENGINEERING (A/E) SERVICES FOR THE NEW CONSTRUCTION OF THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL COURTHOUSE IN DES MOINES, IOWA. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Neumann Monson, Inc. for architectural and engineering services. 2. Project aims to construct a new federal courthouse in Des Moines, Iowa. 3. Utilizes a Firm Fixed Price contract type, indicating defined scope and cost. 4. Competition method was 'Full and Open', suggesting broad market participation.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $12,049,980.07 appears reasonable for comprehensive A/E services for a new federal courthouse. Benchmarking against similar large-scale public building projects would provide further context on pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The 'Full and Open Competition' method was employed, allowing any qualified firm to bid. This approach generally fosters competitive pricing and ensures the government selects the best value offer.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential federal infrastructure, with competition aiming for cost-effectiveness.

Public Impact

Enhances federal judicial infrastructure in Des Moines, Iowa. Supports local economy through construction and related services. Ensures modern and secure facilities for court operations. Provides long-term public asset for judicial proceedings.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 100 / 10

Warning Flags

Contract duration extends to June 2025, requiring ongoing monitoring.
No small business participation noted, potentially missing economic opportunity.

Positive Signals

Clear contract type (Firm Fixed Price) for cost control.
Full and open competition promotes market efficiency.
Awarded by GSA, an experienced agency in federal construction.

Sector Analysis

Architectural Services (NAICS 541310) for federal buildings are specialized and require significant expertise. Benchmarks for similar courthouse projects would indicate if this $12M award is within the expected range for design and engineering.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates no specific small business set-aside or participation. While the primary contractor is not identified as small, opportunities for subcontracting to small businesses should be explored to maximize economic impact.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) is responsible for overseeing this project. Robust oversight will be crucial to ensure adherence to schedule, budget, and quality standards throughout the design and construction phases.

Related Government Programs

Architectural Services
General Services Administration Contracting
Public Buildings Service Programs

Risk Flags

Contract duration is lengthy (ending 2025), increasing exposure to potential cost escalations or scope creep.
Lack of explicit small business participation noted.
Potential for unforeseen challenges in new federal courthouse construction.
Firm Fixed Price contracts can be restrictive if scope changes significantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $12.0 million to NEUMANN MONSON, INC.. IGF::OT::IGF NEW DES MOINES FEDERAL COURTHOUSE, DES MOINES, IA. THIS CONTRACT IS FOR ARCHITECTURAL/ENGINEERING (A/E) SERVICES FOR THE NEW CONSTRUCTION OF THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL COURTHOUSE IN DES MOINES, IOWA.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NEUMANN MONSON, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $12.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-07-19. End: 2025-06-30.

What is the estimated total project cost for the new courthouse, and how does the A/E fee compare to industry standards for similar projects?

The provided data only details the A/E contract value ($12,049,980.07). The total project cost for the new courthouse construction is not specified. To assess the value, this A/E fee should be compared against typical percentages of total construction costs for similar federal courthouses, considering the complexity and scope of architectural and engineering services required.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for Neumann Monson, Inc. under this contract, and how will their performance be measured?

Specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are not detailed in the provided data. However, typical performance metrics for A/E contracts include adherence to design schedules, quality of construction documents, compliance with building codes and federal standards, responsiveness to RFIs, and overall project management effectiveness. The GSA's Public Buildings Service would likely have established evaluation criteria and reporting mechanisms.

Are there any provisions for sustainable design or energy efficiency mandated in the A/E contract, and what is their potential impact on long-term operational costs?

The provided data does not specify requirements for sustainable design or energy efficiency within the A/E contract. However, federal projects often adhere to mandates like LEED or Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings. Incorporating such features can lead to reduced long-term operational costs through energy and water savings, improved occupant health, and lower environmental impact.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Architectural Services

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - CONSTRUCTION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ARCHITECT-ENGINEER FAR 6.102

Solicitation ID: 6P1QW-16-1000

Offers Received: 38

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 221 E COLLEGE ST STE 303, IOWA CITY, IA, 52240

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,049,980

Exercised Options: $12,049,980

Current Obligation: $12,049,980

Actual Outlays: $2,619,865

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline