GSA Awards $17.6M for Harrisburg Courthouse Architectural Services to Ennead Architects LLP

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,583,730 ($17.6M)

Contractor: Ennead Architects LLP

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2017-01-25

End Date: 2025-12-31

Contract Duration: 3,262 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.4K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: "IGF::OT::IGF" ARCHITECTURAL-ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE U.S. COURTHOUSE IN HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA

Place of Performance

Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK County, NEW YORK, 10014

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $17.6 million to ENNEAD ARCHITECTS LLP for work described as: "IGF::OT::IGF" ARCHITECTURAL-ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE U.S. COURTHOUSE IN HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA Key points: 1. Contract awarded for architectural services at the U.S. Courthouse in Harrisburg, PA. 2. Ennead Architects LLP is the sole awardee, indicating a non-competitive process. 3. The contract spans over 8 years, from 2017 to 2025. 4. The total value is approximately $17.6 million. 5. The Public Buildings Service of GSA is the contracting agency.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $17.6 million for architectural services over an 8-year period needs comparison to similar large-scale federal courthouse projects. Without benchmarks for architectural services on comparable federal buildings, assessing value for money is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, suggesting a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs compared to a competitive bidding process. The rationale for not competing the award is not provided.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in taxpayers paying a premium for these architectural services, as there was no market pressure to drive down costs.

Public Impact

Public access to federal courthouses is essential for the justice system. Modernization and maintenance of federal buildings ensure operational efficiency and safety. Architectural services impact the functionality, aesthetics, and long-term sustainability of public infrastructure. The duration of the contract suggests a long-term commitment to the project.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Long contract duration
Potential for cost overruns without competitive pressure

Positive Signals

Award to a specific firm for specialized services
Long-term planning for federal infrastructure

Sector Analysis

Architectural services fall under the professional services sector, specifically related to construction and public infrastructure. Benchmarks for such contracts can vary widely based on project scope, complexity, and location. Federal building projects often involve significant investment.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not competed and does not specify any subcontracting goals for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses is unclear, and opportunities may have been missed.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would focus on ensuring the architectural services meet the government's requirements, stay within budget, and adhere to timelines. The lack of competition warrants scrutiny to ensure fair pricing and value.

Related Government Programs

Architectural Services
General Services Administration Contracting
Public Buildings Service Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
Long contract duration may not reflect evolving needs.
No clear indication of small business participation.
Potential for cost overruns without competitive pressure.
Lack of transparency regarding the justification for sole-sourcing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $17.6 million to ENNEAD ARCHITECTS LLP. "IGF::OT::IGF" ARCHITECTURAL-ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE U.S. COURTHOUSE IN HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ENNEAD ARCHITECTS LLP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-01-25. End: 2025-12-31.

What was the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis rather than through full and open competition?

The justification for a sole-source award is critical for understanding the value proposition. Typically, sole-source contracts are used when only one responsible source can provide the required services. Without this justification, it's difficult to assess if competition was genuinely not feasible or if opportunities for market engagement were overlooked, potentially impacting cost-effectiveness for taxpayers.

How does the per-unit cost or overall project cost compare to similar architectural services for federal courthouses of comparable size and complexity?

Benchmarking the $17.6 million contract against similar federal courthouse architectural projects is essential for value assessment. If this contract's cost is significantly higher than comparable projects, it raises concerns about potential overpricing due to the lack of competition. Detailed cost analysis and comparison with industry standards are needed.

What mechanisms are in place to ensure effective project management and accountability for Ennead Architects LLP throughout the 8-year contract duration?

Given the long duration and sole-source nature of the contract, robust oversight is paramount. Mechanisms should include clear performance metrics, regular progress reviews, and strict adherence to contract terms. Accountability ensures that taxpayer funds are used efficiently and that the architectural services delivered meet the high standards expected for federal facilities.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 320 W 13TH ST, NEW YORK, NY, 10014

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,583,730

Exercised Options: $17,583,730

Current Obligation: $17,583,730

Actual Outlays: $2,039,707

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 39

Total Subaward Amount: $12,007,351

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline