GSA awards $19.3M contract for Mariposa Port of Entry design, exceeding initial estimates

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,318,679 ($19.3M)

Contractor: Jones Studio Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2007-07-19

End Date: 2014-12-01

Contract Duration: 2,692 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 31

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: PROJECT: A/E DESIGN SERVICES FOR THE EXPANSION & MODERNIZATION OF THE MARIPOSA PORT OF ENTRY NOGALES, ARIZONA.

Place of Performance

Location: PHOENIX, MARICOPA County, ARIZONA, 85014

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $19.3 million to JONES STUDIO INC for work described as: PROJECT: A/E DESIGN SERVICES FOR THE EXPANSION & MODERNIZATION OF THE MARIPOSA PORT OF ENTRY NOGALES, ARIZONA. Key points: 1. Contract value significantly surpassed initial projections, indicating potential cost overruns or scope creep. 2. The project involved complex architectural and engineering services for a critical border infrastructure upgrade. 3. A single award was made, suggesting a focused selection process among qualified firms. 4. The duration of the contract (2692 days) points to a long-term, involved project lifecycle. 5. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs, but requires careful management of scope. 6. The project's success hinges on effective design execution and adherence to modernization goals.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $19.3 million for architectural and engineering design services for a port of entry expansion is substantial. Benchmarking this against similar large-scale federal design contracts is challenging without more specific project scope details. However, the duration and complexity suggest a significant investment. The firm fixed-price nature indicates an attempt to cap costs, but the final expenditure relative to the initial design scope and potential change orders will be key to assessing value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple interested firms had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 31 bids suggests a robust competitive environment for this type of specialized design service. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive proposals.

Taxpayer Impact: A high number of bidders in a full and open competition typically leads to better pricing for taxpayers by driving down costs through market forces.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are federal agencies responsible for border security and trade facilitation, including Customs and Border Protection and GSA. The project delivers essential architectural and engineering design services for the expansion and modernization of a key international port of entry. The geographic impact is concentrated in Nogales, Arizona, enhancing infrastructure at a vital U.S.-Mexico border crossing. The contract supports specialized roles within the architecture, engineering, and construction sectors, potentially creating or sustaining jobs in these fields.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns given the long duration and complexity of port modernization projects.
Risk of design changes impacting budget and schedule if initial requirements are not fully defined.
Dependence on the contractor's ability to deliver high-quality, compliant designs within fixed-price constraints.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive selection process.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty if scope is managed effectively.
The project addresses critical infrastructure needs at a major port of entry.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, specifically focusing on architectural and engineering (A/E) design services for public infrastructure. The market for large-scale federal design-build projects is competitive, with specialized firms vying for significant contracts. Spending on port of entry modernization is a subset of broader federal infrastructure investment, driven by security and trade facilitation needs.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). While the prime contractor is Jones Studio Inc., the specific subcontracting plan and its impact on small businesses are not detailed here. Large federal design contracts often involve subcontracting opportunities, but without specific set-aside goals or reporting, the direct benefit to the small business ecosystem is unclear.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically its Public Buildings Service. Mechanisms likely include contract performance reviews, milestone tracking, and financial audits. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, though detailed project-specific oversight reports may not always be publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Port of Entry Modernization Projects
GSA Design and Construction Contracts
Border Infrastructure Security Initiatives
Architectural and Engineering Services for Public Facilities

Risk Flags

Potential for cost escalation beyond fixed price if scope changes significantly.
Long project duration increases risk of unforeseen challenges.
Complexity of port modernization requires specialized expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $19.3 million to JONES STUDIO INC. PROJECT: A/E DESIGN SERVICES FOR THE EXPANSION & MODERNIZATION OF THE MARIPOSA PORT OF ENTRY NOGALES, ARIZONA.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JONES STUDIO INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $19.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-07-19. End: 2014-12-01.

What was the initial estimated cost or budget for this project before the contract award?

The provided data does not include the initial estimated cost or budget for the 'A/E DESIGN SERVICES FOR THE EXPANSION & MODERNIZATION OF THE MARIPOSA PORT OF ENTRY NOGALES, ARIZONA' project. The contract award amount is $19,318,678.99. Without pre-award estimates, it is difficult to assess how closely the final award value aligns with initial projections or if there were significant deviations. This information is crucial for understanding the procurement process and potential budget management during the solicitation phase.

How does the awarded amount of $19.3 million compare to the average cost of similar port of entry design contracts?

Directly comparing the $19.3 million award to average costs for similar port of entry design contracts is challenging without a standardized benchmark for 'similar' projects. Factors like the scale of expansion, complexity of modernization (e.g., technology integration, security enhancements), and specific site conditions heavily influence design costs. However, $19.3 million represents a significant investment, suggesting a large-scale, complex project. For context, major infrastructure design contracts can range from millions to tens of millions of dollars, depending on the scope and criticality of the facility.

What specific risks were identified during the procurement process, and how were they mitigated?

The provided data does not detail specific risks identified during the procurement process for this contract. However, common risks for large-scale federal design projects include scope creep, schedule delays, contractor performance issues, and cost overruns. Given the 'full and open competition' and 'firm fixed price' contract type, mitigation strategies likely involved rigorous evaluation of technical proposals and pricing, clear definition of requirements, and performance monitoring. The long contract duration (2692 days) suggests a need for robust risk management throughout the project lifecycle.

What is the track record of Jones Studio Inc. in performing similar federal design contracts?

The provided data identifies Jones Studio Inc. as the contractor but does not offer details on their specific track record with federal design contracts. To assess their performance history, one would need to consult databases like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) for past projects, client feedback, and any history of disputes or performance issues. Their ability to successfully execute this significant port of entry design contract would depend on their experience with similar scale, complexity, and regulatory requirements.

How has federal spending on port of entry infrastructure modernization evolved over the past decade?

Federal spending on port of entry infrastructure modernization has generally been a priority, driven by security needs, trade facilitation goals, and aging facilities. While specific figures for 'port of entry modernization' as a distinct category can fluctuate annually based on congressional appropriations and agency priorities (like CBP, GSA, DOT), there has been a consistent focus on upgrading these critical gateways. Factors influencing spending include geopolitical considerations, economic trade volumes, and technological advancements in inspection and security. This $19.3 million contract represents a specific investment within that broader trend.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this design contract?

Key performance indicators (KPIs) for a design services contract like this typically focus on adherence to schedule, budget (within the fixed-price scope), quality of deliverables (design documents, specifications), compliance with regulations and standards, and client satisfaction. For the Mariposa Port of Entry expansion, success would also be measured by how well the final designs facilitate the intended modernization and expansion goals, ultimately impacting operational efficiency and security at the port. Performance assessments, often documented in CPARS, would track these KPIs.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 31

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4450 N 12TH ST STE 104, PHOENIX, AZ, 90

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $19,318,679

Exercised Options: $19,318,679

Current Obligation: $19,318,679

Timeline