Roosevelt Hotel Legal Services
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The General Services Administration (GSA) Public Buildings Service has justified the award of a Labor-Hour contract for highly specialized legal services related to the potential renovation, operation, maintenance, and redevelopment of the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City. This action, awarded to SULLIVAN & CROMWELL LLP, is driven by an urgent "Time is of the Essence" requirement due to a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Pakistan expiring in August 2026. The justification cites "Unusual and Compelling Urgency" for this Other Than Full and Open Competition award.
Scope of Work
The required legal services are multi-disciplinary and focus on complex New York City real estate matters, including:
- Transactional Architecture & Equity Transfer: Executing the transfer of necessary equity or leasehold rights.
- Forensic Due Diligence: Reviewing title records and providing formal opinions of title.
- Regulatory & Permit Navigation: Securing Federal, state, and local permits and approvals.
- Compliance: Ensuring adherence to applicable laws, regulations, and zoning.
The selected firm must possess unique expertise in:
- Adaptive Reuse of Historic Landmarks (Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act).
- New York City-Specific Tax and Liability (e.g., Real Estate Transfer Tax, "mansion tax").
- Labor and Occupancy Nuances, including "Special Occupancy" status.
Contract Details
- Contract Type: Labor-Hour contract, providing flexibility for evolving project needs.
- Period of Performance: One year.
- Place of Performance: New York, NY 10017.
- Product/Service Code: R418 (Legal Services).
Justification & Award Process
This contract was awarded under Other Than Full and Open Competition based on "Unusual and Compelling Urgency" (41 U.S.C. § 3304(a)(2)). Standard competitive procurement was deemed infeasible due to the critical 180-day timeframe. Market research, including a review of 45 contractors on the GSA Multiple Award Schedule for Professional Legal Services (category 541110), found no firms with the required specialized capabilities. A Request for Quote (RFQ) was subsequently sent to three firms identified through targeted market research. The Contracting Officer will ensure fair and reasonable costs through detailed analysis, comparison with an independent government cost estimate, and negotiations.
Additional Notes
Any delay in securing these services could negatively impact the U.S. relationship with Pakistan and result in significant financial opportunity costs and revenue loss. The justification was signed by Sotheavy Khon, Contracting Officer.