GSA awards $1.32M contract for fire alarm maintenance at Ronald Reagan Building, emphasizing full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,320,000 ($1.3M)

Contractor: Media Plumbing & Heating Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2024-06-01

End Date: 2026-05-31

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TO PROVIDE FIRE ALARM PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE AND TECH SUPPORT SERVICES TO THE RONALD REAGAN BUILDING / INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTER LOCATED IN WASHINGTON, DC

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20004

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $1.3 million to MEDIA PLUMBING & HEATING INC for work described as: TO PROVIDE FIRE ALARM PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE AND TECH SUPPORT SERVICES TO THE RONALD REAGAN BUILDING / INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTER LOCATED IN WASHINGTON, DC Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential preventive maintenance and technical support for critical life safety systems. 2. Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks. 4. Performance period spans two years, indicating a need for ongoing service. 5. The service area is a major federal building in Washington, D.C., highlighting its significance. 6. Contractor has a track record with government contracts, though specific performance details require further review.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $1.32 million over two years for fire alarm maintenance at a large federal building appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar contracts for facilities support services in major metropolitan areas would provide a more precise assessment. The firm fixed-price structure is a positive indicator for cost control. Without specific details on the scope of services and the number of components covered, a definitive value-for-money judgment is challenging, but the price seems aligned with the scale of the facility.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of multiple bidders, if confirmed, would suggest a healthy competitive environment. This approach generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government. The specific number of bids received is not provided, which would offer further insight into the intensity of the competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically benefits taxpayers by driving down prices through market forces, ensuring the government receives competitive pricing for essential services.

Public Impact

Federal employees and visitors to the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center benefit from enhanced safety and operational continuity. Ensures the reliable functioning of fire alarm systems, a critical component of building safety and emergency preparedness. Services are geographically concentrated in Washington, D.C., supporting a key federal asset. The contract supports the facilities management sector, potentially involving skilled technicians and support staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics or past performance data for the awarded contractor makes it difficult to fully assess reliability.
The scope of 'technical support' is broad and could lead to scope creep if not clearly defined and managed.
Dependence on a single delivery order for a two-year period might limit flexibility if needs change significantly.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process that should yield fair pricing.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty and reduces the risk of budget overruns.
The contractor, Media Plumbing & Heating Inc., has experience with government contracts, indicating some familiarity with federal procurement processes.
The contract covers preventive maintenance, which is crucial for avoiding costly emergency repairs and ensuring system longevity.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Facilities Support Services sector, a broad category encompassing a wide range of services necessary for the operation and maintenance of buildings. The market for these services is substantial, driven by the continuous need to maintain government and commercial properties. The General Services Administration (GSA) is a major procurer of such services, managing a vast portfolio of federal buildings. Benchmarking against other GSA contracts for similar services at large federal buildings would provide context for the awarded amount.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor does it indicate any specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The contractor, Media Plumbing & Heating Inc., is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem appears minimal unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) typically has robust oversight mechanisms for its contracts, including the Public Buildings Service. Oversight would likely involve contract officers, contracting specialists, and potentially building managers who monitor performance against the contract requirements. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building Maintenance Contracts
Facilities Operations and Maintenance
Life Safety Systems Maintenance
General Services Administration Contracts
Public Buildings Service Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for contractor underperformance impacting critical life safety systems.
Ambiguity in the scope of 'technical support' could lead to disputes or scope creep.
Dependence on a single delivery order for a multi-year period may limit flexibility.
Lack of detailed past performance data for the awarded contractor requires careful monitoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $1.3 million to MEDIA PLUMBING & HEATING INC. TO PROVIDE FIRE ALARM PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE AND TECH SUPPORT SERVICES TO THE RONALD REAGAN BUILDING / INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTER LOCATED IN WASHINGTON, DC

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MEDIA PLUMBING & HEATING INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $1.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-06-01. End: 2026-05-31.

What is the track record of Media Plumbing & Heating Inc. with federal contracts, particularly regarding performance and adherence to schedules?

Media Plumbing & Heating Inc. has a history of receiving federal contracts, as indicated by its presence in federal procurement databases. However, the provided data does not include specific details on their past performance ratings, on-time delivery rates, or any past disputes or contract terminations. A deeper dive into contract performance reports (e.g., CPARS) would be necessary to fully assess their track record. Their experience suggests familiarity with federal procurement, but without detailed performance metrics, it's difficult to definitively gauge their reliability for this critical fire alarm maintenance contract.

How does the awarded amount of $1.32 million compare to similar fire alarm maintenance contracts for large federal buildings in the Washington D.C. area?

The $1.32 million contract value over two years for fire alarm maintenance at the Ronald Reagan Building is approximately $660,000 per year. To benchmark this effectively, one would need to compare it against contracts for similar-sized and complex federal buildings in the D.C. metropolitan area. Factors such as the number of devices, types of systems (e.g., addressable vs. conventional), required response times, and scope of preventive maintenance (inspections, testing, cleaning, calibration) significantly influence pricing. Without access to comparable contract data, it's challenging to state definitively if this represents excellent or fair value, but it appears within a plausible range for a major facility.

What are the specific risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Key risks include potential contractor underperformance, leading to compromised fire safety; scope creep in technical support services; and unforeseen system failures requiring emergency repairs beyond the scope of preventive maintenance. Mitigation strategies include the firm fixed-price contract type, which incentivizes the contractor to manage costs efficiently. The GSA's oversight, contract monitoring, and the requirement for preventive maintenance help ensure system reliability. Clear definition and management of the 'technical support' scope are crucial. The two-year duration provides stability but also requires careful monitoring throughout the period.

How effective is the current fire alarm system at the Ronald Reagan Building, and what is the expected impact of this contract on its effectiveness?

The effectiveness of the current fire alarm system is not detailed in the provided data. However, this contract's primary goal is to ensure its continued effectiveness through regular preventive maintenance and technical support. By adhering to a schedule of inspections, testing, and prompt repairs, the contract aims to minimize system downtime, prevent false alarms, and ensure the system functions as intended during an emergency. The expected impact is enhanced building safety and compliance with fire codes, thereby protecting occupants and assets.

What has been the historical spending pattern for fire alarm maintenance at the Ronald Reagan Building over the past five years?

Historical spending data for fire alarm maintenance specifically at the Ronald Reagan Building is not provided. To analyze this, one would need to query federal spending databases (like FPDS or USASpending.gov) for contracts awarded to this facility for similar services (NAICS code 561210 or related) over the past five years. Understanding past spending levels, contract types, and awarded amounts would help establish a baseline and identify any significant trends or anomalies in the government's investment in this area.

What are the specific deliverables and performance standards expected from Media Plumbing & Heating Inc. under this contract?

The contract specifies 'Fire Alarm Preventive Maintenance and Tech Support Services.' Specific deliverables would typically include documented inspection reports, testing results for all system components (e.g., smoke detectors, pull stations, control panels), calibration records, and timely response to service calls for technical support. Performance standards would likely be defined by response times for different types of issues (e.g., critical system failures vs. minor inquiries), adherence to manufacturer specifications, and compliance with relevant fire codes (e.g., NFPA standards). These details would be elaborated in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW).

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 47PM0024Q0006

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 583 ABBOTT DR REAR, BROOMALL, PA, 19008

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,367,913

Exercised Options: $1,320,000

Current Obligation: $1,320,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSHA23D001F

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline