The Department of Design and Construction's fire alarm and sprinkler upgrade at the Brownsville Women's Center has an award, and it is not the low bid. City Record published the contract on Aug. 27: Atlantic Specialty Inc., $3,939,000, EPIN 85025B0046.
The public bid record from last summer shows three bids, and Atlantic Specialty's was the highest. Attention To Detail Management Corp. bid $2,299,874 (submitted July 8, 2025). Neelam Construction Corp. bid $3,699,000 and Atlantic Specialty Inc. bid $3,939,000, both on July 10, 2025.
The award is $1,639,126 above the lowest price on the tab, 71.3% more, and $240,000 (6.5%) above the second. City Record's notice describes the award as competitive sealed bidding awarded to the lowest bid. Under city procurement rules, that means the lowest bid from a firm found responsive and responsible. The notice gives no reason why the two lower bids were not taken. The award carries a contract suffix of 004, and it came about 13 and a half months after bids opened.
The job itself, project HH112BVFA in Brooklyn Community Board 16: a new fire alarm system for the base building and the day care facilities, residential-style smoke detectors in the individual apartments (not tied into the fire alarm), and new emergency lighting and exit signs throughout the common and business areas. DDC held its pre-bid site visit at 357 Saratoga Avenue. City Record shows the Department of Social Services contracting HELP Social Service Corporation to run shelter services for homeless single adults at the H.E.L.P. Brownsville Women's Shelter at that address.
It took a while to get to a bid, too. DDC advertised the job in City Record in February 2025 with a March due date, advertised it again in April with a May date, and PASSPort shows the solicitation reissued several times before bids came in July. Our board carries the bid as RFI-000982 and the award as RFI-001639.
Why this matters. The number on the tab is not always the number that gets built. When the low bid does not survive review, the city pays the next responsive price, and a 13-month gap between opening and award is 13 months before new fire alarm and emergency lighting work can start at a shelter building. Subs who priced to the apparent low last summer are now pricing to a different firm at a higher number.
What to do next. Fire alarm, sprinkler, low-voltage and electrical subs should price to Atlantic Specialty, the contract holder. DDC's companion fire alarm and emergency lighting upgrade at the Clarke Thomas building (EPIN 85025B0073, project HH112CTFS) is its own procurement; follow it in PASSPort.