GSA's $16M electrical services contract for Jackson Federal Building awarded to City of Seattle City Light, spanning a decade

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,965,907 ($16.0M)

Contractor: City of Seattle City Light

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2005-11-02

End Date: 2015-09-16

Contract Duration: 3,605 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.4K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ELECTRICAL SERVICES FOR JACKSON FEDERAL BLDG

Place of Performance

Location: SEATTLE, KING County, WASHINGTON, 98124

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $16.0 million to CITY OF SEATTLE CITY LIGHT for work described as: ELECTRICAL SERVICES FOR JACKSON FEDERAL BLDG Key points: 1. Contract duration of 10 years suggests a long-term need for electrical services. 2. The contract was not competed, raising questions about potential cost savings through competitive bidding. 3. The fixed-price contract type offers cost certainty but may limit flexibility for unforeseen issues. 4. The award to a municipal utility company is unusual for federal building services, potentially indicating unique local circumstances or limited market availability. 5. The absence of small business set-aside flags suggests no specific focus on small business participation. 6. The contract's significant duration and value warrant scrutiny for ongoing performance and value.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to its long duration and the unique nature of the awardee (a municipal utility). Without comparable contracts for similar-sized federal buildings or specific service breakdowns, assessing the per-unit cost or overall value for money is difficult. The fixed-price nature provides budget predictability, but the lack of competition means there's no direct market comparison to gauge if the price was optimal. The extended period suggests a stable, albeit potentially unoptimized, cost structure over time.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not open to competitive bidding. This approach is typically used when only one source is capable of meeting the requirement, or in specific circumstances where competition is not feasible or practical. The lack of competition means there were no other bidders to compare against, and the price was negotiated directly with the selected entity. This limits the government's ability to leverage market forces to achieve the lowest possible price.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may have paid a premium due to the absence of competitive pressure. Without a bidding process, there's less assurance that the negotiated price represents the best value achievable in the market.

Public Impact

Federal employees and visitors at the Jackson Federal Building benefit from reliable electrical power distribution. The contract ensures the operational continuity of a key federal facility. The services provided are essential for the day-to-day functioning of government operations within the building. The geographic impact is localized to the Jackson Federal Building in Washington state. The contract supports the workforce of City of Seattle City Light, a public utility.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
Long contract duration (10 years) could result in outdated technology or service inefficiencies if not managed proactively.
Sole-source award limits transparency and potential for innovation from a broader market.

Positive Signals

Award to a municipal utility could indicate a stable, reliable provider with established infrastructure.
Fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for the agency.
Long-term contract suggests a consistent need and potentially a strong working relationship.

Sector Analysis

The electrical services sector for federal buildings is diverse, encompassing utilities, specialized electrical contractors, and engineering firms. Federal agencies often procure these services through competitive bidding to ensure cost-effectiveness and access to a range of technological solutions. However, in specific geographic areas or for unique infrastructure needs, sole-source awards to established utility providers like municipal entities can occur. The market size for such services is substantial, driven by the vast inventory of federal buildings requiring ongoing maintenance and upgrades.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have included a small business set-aside. The award was made to a municipal utility, which is typically a large entity. There is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data. This means that opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific contract are likely limited.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Public Buildings Service. As a sole-source award, the negotiation process and pricing would be subject to GSA's internal review and approval mechanisms. Transparency is limited due to the non-competitive nature. Accountability would be managed through contract performance monitoring and adherence to the fixed-price terms. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building Maintenance Contracts
Utility Services Contracts
Electrical Infrastructure Services
Public Buildings Service Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
Long contract duration may reduce flexibility and innovation.
Limited data on specific services and performance metrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $16.0 million to CITY OF SEATTLE CITY LIGHT. ELECTRICAL SERVICES FOR JACKSON FEDERAL BLDG

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CITY OF SEATTLE CITY LIGHT.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $16.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-11-02. End: 2015-09-16.

What is the historical spending pattern for electrical services at the Jackson Federal Building prior to this contract?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for electrical services at the Jackson Federal Building prior to this contract. This specific contract, awarded in 2005 and ending in 2015, represents a 10-year period. To understand historical spending, one would need to access GSA's procurement records for the years preceding 2005. Without that data, it's impossible to determine if this $15.9 million award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of expenditure compared to previous periods. Analyzing prior contracts, their durations, values, and awardees would be necessary for a comprehensive historical context.

How does the total contract value of $15.9 million compare to similar electrical service contracts for federal buildings of comparable size?

Comparing the total contract value of $15.9 million for electrical services at the Jackson Federal Building requires context regarding the building's size, age, and specific service requirements, which are not fully detailed. However, for a 10-year contract, this averages approximately $1.6 million per year. This figure can be benchmarked against other GSA contracts for facilities management and electrical maintenance. Contracts for large federal buildings can range significantly, from a few hundred thousand to several million dollars annually, depending on scope. The sole-source nature and award to a municipal utility make direct comparisons with competitively bid contracts from private electrical firms challenging, as pricing structures and service inclusions may differ substantially.

What specific electrical services were included under this $15.9 million contract?

The data indicates the contract was for 'ELECTRICAL SERVICES FOR JACKSON FEDERAL BLDG' and the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code points to 'Electric Power Distribution'. This suggests the contract primarily covered the provision and maintenance of electrical power distribution systems within the building and potentially its immediate vicinity. Specific services likely included the operation and maintenance of transformers, switchgear, distribution panels, wiring, and potentially emergency power systems. However, the precise scope of work, including preventative maintenance schedules, repair services, and any upgrade or modernization components, is not detailed in the provided summary data. A full review of the contract statement of work would be necessary for a complete understanding.

What are the potential risks associated with a 10-year sole-source contract for electrical services?

A 10-year sole-source contract for electrical services presents several potential risks. Firstly, the lack of competition means the government may not be achieving the best possible price, potentially leading to overpayment. Secondly, a long duration can lead to vendor complacency, reduced service quality, or a failure to adopt newer, more efficient technologies if the vendor is not incentivized to innovate. Thirdly, the government's leverage to negotiate favorable terms or address performance issues may be diminished compared to a competitive environment. Finally, if the sole-source justification was based on specific capabilities that later become obsolete or available elsewhere, the government could be locked into a suboptimal arrangement.

What is the track record of City of Seattle City Light in managing federal contracts of this nature?

The provided data does not offer insight into the track record of City of Seattle City Light specifically in managing federal contracts of this nature. City of Seattle City Light is a municipal utility, and its primary function is providing electrical services to the city. While it is likely experienced in managing large-scale electrical infrastructure and service delivery within its municipal jurisdiction, its history with federal government contracting, particularly sole-source awards for specific federal buildings, is not detailed here. Assessing their track record would require examining their past performance on similar federal contracts, including client satisfaction, adherence to terms, and financial management.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Utilities › Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution › Electric Power Distribution

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › UTILITIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Seattle, City of (UEI: 009483561)

Address: 700 5TH AVE STE 3300, SEATTLE, WA, 07

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,965,907

Exercised Options: $15,965,907

Current Obligation: $15,965,907

Timeline