DOT awards $249K for ARTCC exhaust fan replacement, highlighting a sole-source procurement

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $248,934 ($248.9K)

Contractor: Bartkowski Life Safety Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2026-04-07

End Date: 2026-05-31

Contract Duration: 54 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.6K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: ZAU ARTCC EXHAUST FANS REPLACEMENT

Place of Performance

Location: AURORA, KENDALL County, ILLINOIS, 60506

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $248,933.58 to BARTKOWSKI LIFE SAFETY CORP for work described as: ZAU ARTCC EXHAUST FANS REPLACEMENT Key points: 1. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a focused scope of work. 2. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 3. The short performance period indicates an urgent need or a phased approach. 4. The procurement was sole-source, raising questions about potential cost savings through competition. 5. The contract falls under commercial and institutional building construction, a broad category. 6. The award is a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $249,933.58 for exhaust fan replacement appears reasonable for a specialized facility like an Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC). However, without comparable sole-source contracts or detailed cost breakdowns, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty, but the lack of competition limits the government's ability to leverage market forces for potentially lower pricing. Benchmarking against similar HVAC replacement projects in federal facilities would provide a clearer picture of its cost-effectiveness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one contractor was solicited. This approach bypasses the standard competitive bidding process, which typically involves multiple vendors submitting proposals. While sole-source awards can be justified under specific circumstances (e.g., unique capabilities, urgent needs), they generally lead to less price discovery and potentially higher costs for the government compared to fully competed contracts. The absence of competition here means the government did not benefit from the price reductions that often result from a bidding war.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may have paid a premium due to the lack of competitive bidding. Without exploring other qualified vendors, it's impossible to determine if a more cost-effective solution was available.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and its personnel at the ZAU ARTCC facility. The contract delivers essential maintenance services to ensure the proper functioning of the air traffic control environment. The geographic impact is localized to the ZAU ARTCC facility in Illinois. The contract supports specialized construction and maintenance labor, potentially benefiting local skilled trades.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source procurement limits price competition and potentially increases costs for taxpayers.
Lack of transparency in the justification for sole-source award.
Short performance period could indicate rushed work or potential for delays if issues arise.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Award to a specific contractor suggests they possess necessary qualifications for this specialized work.
Delivery order format implies it aligns with a pre-existing contract vehicle.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, specifically focusing on HVAC systems. This sector is characterized by a wide range of project sizes and complexities, from minor repairs to large-scale new builds. Federal spending in this area is consistent, driven by the need to maintain aging infrastructure and ensure operational efficiency across government facilities. Comparable spending benchmarks for HVAC upgrades in similar institutional settings would typically range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the scale and scope of the work.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award went to BARTKOWSKI LIFE SAFETY CORP. Further analysis would be needed to determine the size standard of the prime contractor and its historical engagement with small business subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the contracting agency. As a delivery order under a larger contract, its execution is monitored by FAA contracting officers. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected during the performance or closeout of the contract.

Related Government Programs

Federal Aviation Administration Facility Maintenance
Air Traffic Control System Modernization
Commercial and Institutional Building Construction Contracts
HVAC System Upgrades in Federal Buildings

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may not represent best value.
Limited competition could lead to higher costs.
Short performance period may increase execution risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $248,933.58 to BARTKOWSKI LIFE SAFETY CORP. ZAU ARTCC EXHAUST FANS REPLACEMENT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BARTKOWSKI LIFE SAFETY CORP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Federal Aviation Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $248,933.58.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2026-05-31.

What is the track record of BARTKOWSKI LIFE SAFETY CORP with the Federal Aviation Administration?

A review of federal procurement data indicates that BARTKOWSKI LIFE SAFETY CORP has received multiple awards from various federal agencies, including the FAA. While this specific award is for exhaust fan replacement, their past performance with the FAA would need to be examined in detail to assess their reliability, quality of work, and adherence to contract terms on previous projects. Analyzing past contract closeouts, any reported disputes, or performance evaluations would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their capabilities and suitability for this type of specialized work.

How does the cost of this contract compare to similar HVAC replacement projects at other ARTCC facilities?

Benchmarking this $249,933.58 contract against similar exhaust fan replacement projects at other FAA Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs) is challenging without access to detailed cost data for comparable sole-source or competed contracts. Typically, sole-source awards may not reflect the most competitive pricing. A thorough comparison would require identifying contracts with similar scopes of work (e.g., HVAC upgrades, fan replacements) at comparable facilities, noting their contract types (fixed-price vs. cost-plus), competition levels, and specific components replaced. Without such data, it's difficult to definitively state if this contract represents excellent, fair, or questionable value.

What are the specific risks associated with a sole-source award for critical infrastructure like an ARTCC?

The primary risk of a sole-source award for critical infrastructure like an ARTCC is the potential for inflated costs due to the absence of competitive pressure. This can lead to taxpayers not receiving the best possible value. Additionally, sole-source procurements can sometimes indicate a lack of market research or a failure to identify multiple capable vendors, which might suggest underlying issues with the procurement process itself. There's also a risk that the chosen contractor may not be the most innovative or efficient provider, as competition often drives improvements in service delivery and technology adoption.

How effective are fixed-price contracts in ensuring the successful completion of HVAC upgrades in federal facilities?

Fixed-price contracts are generally effective in ensuring the successful completion of well-defined projects like HVAC upgrades because they shift the risk of cost overruns to the contractor. This incentivizes the contractor to manage their costs efficiently and complete the work within the agreed-upon budget. For the FAA's ZAU ARTCC exhaust fan replacement, a fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government. However, the effectiveness also depends on the clarity of the contract's scope of work; poorly defined requirements can lead to change orders, which can increase the overall cost and potentially negate some benefits of the fixed-price structure.

What is the historical spending trend for HVAC maintenance and upgrades at FAA ARTCC facilities?

Analyzing historical spending trends for HVAC maintenance and upgrades at FAA ARTCC facilities reveals a consistent need for such services due to the critical nature of these operational centers and the aging infrastructure. Spending in this category typically fluctuates based on major upgrade cycles, emergency repairs, and preventative maintenance schedules. While specific aggregate data for all ARTCCs is not provided here, individual facility budgets often allocate significant portions to maintaining environmental controls, which are crucial for sensitive electronic equipment and personnel comfort. The FAA's overall budget reflects substantial investment in facility upkeep across its network.

What are the implications of the short performance period (54 days) for this exhaust fan replacement project?

The short performance period of 54 days for the exhaust fan replacement at ZAU ARTCC suggests that the project is either relatively small in scope, urgent, or part of a larger, phased maintenance effort. For the contractor, it necessitates efficient project management and resource allocation to meet the deadline. For the FAA, it implies a need for prompt delivery and installation to minimize disruption to operations. A compressed timeline can sometimes increase the risk of errors or rushed work if not managed carefully, but it also ensures that the facility's environmental controls are updated quickly, potentially improving air quality and operational reliability in a short timeframe.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 140 W 168TH ST, SOUTH HOLLAND, IL, 60473

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, HUBZone Firm, 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: $248,934

Exercised Options: $248,934

Current Obligation: $248,934

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 697DCK23D00003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline