GSA's $20.4M contract for St. Elizabeths West Campus operations awarded to Clark Construction Group, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,418,556 ($20.4M)

Contractor: Clark Construction Group, LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2013-05-09

End Date: 2016-05-08

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $18.6K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR ST ELIZABETHS WEST CAMPUS, SE, WASH., DC

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20032

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $20.4 million to CLARK CONSTRUCTION GROUP, LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR ST ELIZABETHS WEST CAMPUS, SE, WASH., DC Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, raising questions about potential cost efficiencies and market competition. 2. The contract duration of 1095 days suggests a need for sustained operational support at the facility. 3. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs, but the absence of competition limits benchmarking opportunities. 4. The award to a single entity may indicate specialized capabilities required for the facility's unique needs. 5. Geographic focus on Washington D.C. highlights localized service delivery for a significant federal asset.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to its sole-source nature and the specific operational requirements of the St. Elizabeths West Campus. Without competitive bids, it's difficult to ascertain if the $20.4 million price represents optimal value for money. However, the firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government. Further analysis would require understanding the scope of 'operations and management support services' and comparing it to similar large-scale facility management contracts, which are often highly customized.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach is typically used when a specific contractor possesses unique capabilities or when circumstances prevent a full and open competition. The lack of competition means there were no other bidders to compare against, potentially limiting price discovery and the government's ability to secure the most competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can sometimes lead to higher costs for taxpayers compared to competitively bid contracts, as the government may not benefit from the price reductions that competition can drive.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the General Services Administration (GSA) and the federal government, ensuring the continued operation and management of the St. Elizabeths West Campus. Services delivered include essential operations and management support, crucial for maintaining the functionality and security of a large federal facility. The geographic impact is concentrated in Washington D.C., specifically at the St. Elizabeths West Campus. Workforce implications may include direct employment by Clark Construction Group, LLC and its subcontractors for the duration of the contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition limits opportunities for small businesses to participate as prime contractors.
Sole-source award may not leverage the full range of market capabilities, potentially missing innovative solutions.
Limited transparency in pricing due to non-competitive nature.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability for the government.
Award to an established contractor like Clark Construction Group suggests a focus on reliability and proven performance.
Contract addresses critical operational needs for a significant federal facility.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader construction and facility management sector, specifically focusing on operations and management support services. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 238220 (Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors) suggests a focus on building systems, though the contract likely encompasses a wider range of facility management. The total award amount of $20.4 million over three years is substantial for a single facility's operational support, indicating the scale and complexity of the St. Elizabeths West Campus.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the sole-source nature further limits direct opportunities for small business prime contractors. While Clark Construction Group, LLC may utilize small business subcontractors, the primary award does not reflect a specific strategy to boost small business participation. This could mean missed opportunities for the small business ecosystem to gain prime contract experience and revenue.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration's Public Buildings Service. As a definitive contract, it is subject to standard federal procurement regulations and oversight mechanisms. The firm-fixed-price nature simplifies some aspects of financial oversight by providing cost certainty. However, the sole-source award necessitates careful monitoring to ensure the contractor is meeting all performance requirements and that the pricing remains reasonable throughout the contract term.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building Operations and Maintenance
Large-Scale Facility Management Contracts
GSA Public Buildings Service Contracts
St. Elizabeths Campus Development Projects

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may limit cost savings.
Lack of competition could reduce market innovation.
Performance monitoring is critical for sole-source contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $20.4 million to CLARK CONSTRUCTION GROUP, LLC. IGF::OT::IGF OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR ST ELIZABETHS WEST CAMPUS, SE, WASH., DC

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CLARK CONSTRUCTION GROUP, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $20.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-05-09. End: 2016-05-08.

What specific 'operations and management support services' are included under this contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific services covered under 'operations and management support services.' Typically, such contracts for large federal facilities can encompass a wide range of activities including, but not limited to, building systems maintenance (HVAC, plumbing, electrical), security services, janitorial services, groundskeeping, waste management, energy management, and potentially administrative support related to facility operations. A comprehensive understanding of the contract's statement of work (SOW) would be necessary to fully define these services and assess their value.

Why was this contract awarded on a sole-source basis instead of being competed?

The data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED,' signifying a sole-source award. Common justifications for sole-source procurements include situations where only one responsible source is available or capable of providing the required service, urgent and compelling needs that preclude competition, or specific statutory authority. Without further documentation from the GSA, the precise reason for the sole-source award remains unknown. It could be due to the unique nature of the facility, specialized expertise required, or prior contractor performance on related work at the site.

How does the $20.4 million award compare to similar facility management contracts for large federal buildings?

Direct comparison of the $20.4 million award is difficult without knowing the exact scope of services and the specific facility requirements. However, for large, complex federal facilities, annual operational and management costs can easily run into millions of dollars. For context, major federal agency headquarters or large campus environments often have multi-million dollar annual contracts for comprehensive facility management. The three-year duration of this contract ($6.8 million per year on average) suggests a significant but potentially reasonable cost for managing a facility like the St. Elizabeths West Campus, especially if it includes specialized systems or security requirements.

What is the track record of Clark Construction Group, LLC with GSA or similar federal facility management contracts?

Clark Construction Group, LLC is a well-established and large construction firm with a significant history of performing work for federal agencies, including the GSA. While their primary expertise often lies in large-scale construction projects, they also engage in related services. Their track record with GSA likely includes numerous construction and potentially some management or support contracts. However, specific details on their performance in 'operations and management support services' for facilities of this nature would require a deeper dive into contract performance databases and agency records.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for facility operations?

The primary risks associated with a sole-source award for facility operations include potentially higher costs due to the lack of competitive pressure, limited access to innovative solutions that other market participants might offer, and a reduced incentive for the incumbent contractor to maintain peak efficiency and cost-effectiveness over time. There's also a risk if the sole-source provider's capabilities are not as robust as initially assessed, leading to performance issues that are difficult to rectify without re-competing the entire contract.

What is the historical spending pattern for operations and management support at the St. Elizabeths West Campus?

The provided data only includes this specific contract award from May 2013 to May 2016. To understand historical spending patterns, one would need to examine GSA's procurement records for the St. Elizabeths West Campus for periods both before and after this contract. This would involve identifying previous contracts for similar services, their award amounts, durations, and whether they were competed or sole-sourced. Without this historical context, it's impossible to determine if this $20.4 million award represents an increase, decrease, or consistent level of spending for these services.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Building Equipment Contractors › Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors

Product/Service Code: OPERATION OF GOVT OWNED FACILITY › OPERATE GOVT OWNED BUILDINGS

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

Parent Company: Clark Construction LLC (UEI: 080206726)

Address: 2502 N ROCKY POINT DR, TAMPA, FL, 33607

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $20,418,556

Exercised Options: $20,418,556

Current Obligation: $20,418,556

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline