GSA awards $12.1M contract for granite sidewalk widening, highlighting architectural services for memorial pillars

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,107,935 ($12.1M)

Contractor: LEO a. Daly LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 1997-10-01

End Date: 2004-05-31

Contract Duration: 2,434 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROVIDE DESIGN ON GRANITE SIDEWALK WIDENING OUTSIDE OF MEMORIAL PILLARS. PRINT 3 FULL SIZE DRAWING SETS AND 2 HALF SIZE DRAWING SETS.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20407

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $12.1 million to LEO A. DALY LLC for work described as: PROVIDE DESIGN ON GRANITE SIDEWALK WIDENING OUTSIDE OF MEMORIAL PILLARS. PRINT 3 FULL SIZE DRAWING SETS AND 2 HALF SIZE DRAWING SETS. Key points: 1. Contract value of $12.1 million for architectural design services. 2. Procured through full and open competition, indicating broad market engagement. 3. Long contract duration of approximately 6.7 years suggests a complex, phased project. 4. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and manage contractor risk. 5. Services focused on architectural design for specific memorial site enhancements. 6. Contract awarded to LEO A. DALY LLC, a known entity in architectural services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $12.1 million for architectural design services over nearly seven years appears reasonable given the scope of providing detailed drawings for memorial pillar sidewalk widening. Benchmarking against similar large-scale architectural projects for public infrastructure or historical sites would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The fixed-price nature suggests an attempt to lock in costs, but the long duration could introduce risks if market conditions change significantly.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The presence of 3 bidders (implied by 'no': 3) suggests a moderate level of competition for this specialized architectural design service. While competition existed, the specific number of bidders is not high, which could indicate a niche market or specific qualifications required.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging competitive pricing and potentially leading to more innovative solutions. However, with only a few bidders, the price discovery mechanism might not be as robust as in highly contested procurements.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the visitors and stewards of the memorial site, who will experience improved aesthetics and functionality. The contract delivers detailed architectural drawings essential for the physical construction and enhancement of the memorial's surrounding areas. The geographic impact is localized to the specific memorial site within the District of Columbia. The contract directly supports architectural and design professionals, potentially creating or sustaining jobs within that sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration (2434 days) increases the risk of cost overruns due to potential market fluctuations or unforeseen project complexities.
Fixed-price contract type may not fully account for potential design challenges or material cost increases over an extended period.
Limited competition (3 bidders) could mean less aggressive pricing than in more competitive scenarios.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, ensuring a broad search for qualified contractors.
Fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for the government, assuming the scope remains stable.
Focus on specific architectural design for memorial enhancement suggests a clear and defined objective.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Architectural Services sector, a subset of professional, scientific, and technical services. The market for architectural services is diverse, ranging from small firms to large international corporations. Federal spending in this area often supports infrastructure projects, public buildings, and specialized design needs like those for historical or memorial sites. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be assessed based on project complexity, size, and location, rather than just raw dollar amounts.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the primary contractor, LEO A. DALY LLC, is likely a larger firm capable of handling the full scope of architectural design services independently. The impact on the small business ecosystem is minimal in terms of direct set-aside opportunities for this specific contract.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) typically has robust oversight mechanisms for its contracts, managed through its Public Buildings Service. Accountability is ensured through contract performance monitoring, adherence to the fixed-price terms, and the delivery of specified architectural drawings. Transparency is generally maintained through public contract databases, although specific internal review processes are not detailed here. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building and Fire Safety Program
Public Buildings Construction and Modernization
National Park Service Capital Investments
Architectural and Engineering Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Long contract duration
Potential for cost escalation
Limited competition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $12.1 million to LEO A. DALY LLC. PROVIDE DESIGN ON GRANITE SIDEWALK WIDENING OUTSIDE OF MEMORIAL PILLARS. PRINT 3 FULL SIZE DRAWING SETS AND 2 HALF SIZE DRAWING SETS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LEO A. DALY LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $12.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 1997-10-01. End: 2004-05-31.

What is the track record of LEO A. DALY LLC with the federal government, particularly with the GSA?

LEO A. DALY LLC has a history of contracting with the federal government, including the General Services Administration (GSA). While this specific contract for memorial pillar sidewalk widening is a significant award, their broader portfolio likely includes various architectural and engineering projects for federal agencies. A detailed review of their past performance ratings, contract history, and any past performance issues or commendations would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment. Federal procurement data systems often contain information on contractor performance, which can be used to benchmark their reliability and quality of work on similar projects.

How does the $12.1 million cost compare to similar architectural design contracts for public infrastructure or memorial sites?

Benchmarking this $12.1 million contract requires comparing it to similar projects in terms of scope, complexity, duration, and geographic location. Architectural design services for large public infrastructure, such as transportation hubs or significant civic buildings, can range widely in cost. For memorial sites, the cost is influenced by historical significance, preservation requirements, and the need for specialized aesthetic considerations. Without specific comparable projects, it's difficult to definitively state if $12.1 million represents high or low value. However, the long duration (nearly 7 years) suggests a substantial design effort, making the cost per year potentially more relevant for comparison.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, given its long duration and fixed-price nature?

The primary risks associated with this contract stem from its extended duration of approximately 6.7 years and its fixed-price structure. For the contractor (LEO A. DALY LLC), the risk lies in potential cost increases for labor, materials, or unforeseen design challenges that could erode profit margins if not adequately accounted for in the initial bid. For the government (GSA), the risk is that the fixed price might become uncompetitive if market rates decrease significantly over the contract period, or if the scope needs to change substantially, requiring costly modifications. Scope creep, if not managed tightly, also poses a significant risk to both parties under a fixed-price agreement.

How effective is the full and open competition process for specialized architectural services like this?

The full and open competition process is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring fair pricing and access to the widest range of qualified contractors. For specialized architectural services, its effectiveness depends on how well the solicitation is crafted to attract relevant expertise and how many firms are capable and interested in bidding. While it aims for maximum competition, niche markets might naturally have fewer bidders. In this case, with 3 bidders, it suggests a moderate level of competition. The effectiveness is further measured by whether the chosen contractor delivers the required quality and value, which is assessed post-award through performance metrics.

What is the historical spending pattern for architectural services by the GSA's Public Buildings Service?

The GSA's Public Buildings Service (PBS) is a major procurer of architectural and engineering (A&E) services, supporting its vast portfolio of federal buildings. Historical spending patterns show consistent investment in design services for new construction, renovation, modernization, and specialized projects like memorials. Spending levels can fluctuate based on federal infrastructure initiatives, budget appropriations, and the lifecycle needs of federal properties. Analyzing PBS's historical A&E spending would reveal trends in contract types (e.g., fixed-price vs. cost-plus), average contract values, and the distribution of work across different architectural disciplines and firm sizes.

What are the implications of the contract's fixed-price type on potential cost savings or overruns?

A fixed-price contract type aims to provide cost certainty for the government by establishing a set price for the defined scope of work. This means the contractor assumes the primary risk for cost overruns. If LEO A. DALY LLC can execute the design efficiently and manage their costs effectively, taxpayers benefit from a predictable expenditure. However, if unforeseen complexities arise during the design phase, or if market conditions change unfavorably over the contract's long duration, the contractor might incur losses, or conversely, if they significantly overbid due to perceived risk, the government might end up paying a premium. Effective scope management is crucial to realizing the benefits of a fixed-price contract.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ARCHITECT-ENGINEER FAR 6.102

Solicitation ID: GS-11P-96-AQC-0017

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8600 INDIAN HILLS DR, OMAHA, NE, 02

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,107,935

Exercised Options: $12,107,935

Current Obligation: $12,107,935

Timeline