4CA1537 Redacted Justification 3.2.26.pdf

This is a Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition, Extension document submitted by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Office of Leasing, High Risk Acquisition Division, for Project Number 4CA1537.

GSA seeks to extend its current lease for office space at 1415 State Street, Santa Barbara, California, for the Bankruptcy Court, Bankruptcy Judge Courtrooms, United States Trustees, and Magistrate Judge Chambers. The current lease (LCA94651) expires February 12, 2026, and GSA requests approval to extend the lease for 24 months commencing February 13, 2026, without full and open competition. The extension covers 21,574.00 ABOA/22,324.00 rentable square feet (RSF). Market research conducted on February 9, 2026, using CoStar and LoopNet established that rental rates in the Santa Barbara area range within specified market parameters. GSA justifies the non-competitive extension under 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1) and GSAM 570.405, citing the sole source authority as appropriate when the government experiences delays in acquiring replacement space. The primary rationale is that unexpected delays outside government control exist in acquiring replacement space, and remaining at the current location avoids relocation costs and operational disruption. GSA determined that no alternative locations identified could meet the agency's square footage requirements. A cost-benefit analysis was completed under GSAM 570.402-6, demonstrating that the cost of relocating would exceed the cost of remaining at 1415 State Street, resulting in total government savings. The quoted rental rate, though higher than some market comparables, is justified by the specialized built-out features including courtroom, judge's chambers, conference rooms, attorney rooms, and secured public entry. The document was prepared and certified by Susan Baghdikian, Lease Contracting Officer, on March 2, 2026, with approvals from the Division Director, Legal Review, and Competition Advocate.