U.S. General Services Administration
GSA supports big growth for small business
By Ben Zabava
NEW YORK – On May 5, the U.S. General Services Administration’s Northeast and Caribbean Region issued a Notice To Proceed for construction on a Capital Investment and Leasing Program consolidation project at the Ted Weiss Federal Building in lower Manhattan. The project is a major repair and alteration of the entire sixth floor of the building to fit the occupancy needs of a new tenant, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The contractor for the project is a small business.
“Award was made as a task order on our existing Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract for general construction,” said GSA Public Buildings Service Contracting Officer Joseph Spado. “That contract vehicle has seven qualified small businesses competing for task orders, so we are always ensured a pool of offers from highly capable firms.”
Besides the immediate benefit toward completion of GSA projects, awards such as these reflect the agency’s support for the long-term development of America’s small businesses, consistent with the Biden-Harris administration’s American Rescue Plan.
“I can remember when the construction firm on this project was first competing for federal projects as an 8(a) disadvantaged small business,” Spado said. “Over the years, they and others have evolved into being able to fulfill even larger, higher dollar value capital projects. That kind of growth is truly inspirational, and something all of us at GSA can be proud to have helped along.”
With the Notice to Proceed, the project’s focus now shifts from design to construction.
“We look forward to continuing our partnership with both the tenant and the construction contractor through all remaining project milestones,” said GSA Public Buildings Service Project Manager Patrick Leung. “This project’s location near the financial markets of lower Manhattan is ideal for CFTC, and soon – through close collaboration on all construction with a great small business – the altered office space will be ideal, as well.”
The expected completion date for the project is March 2022.
For more information about GSA’s opportunities for small businesses, please visit gsa.gov/small-business.