DoD's $18.75M Engineering Services Contract Awarded to Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,751,580 ($18.8M)

Contractor: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2008-10-20

End Date: 2018-06-30

Contract Duration: 3,540 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Engineering Services

Official Description: INITIAL TASK ORDER FOR NMUSA PROJECT

Place of Performance

Location: FORT BELVOIR, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22060

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $18.8 million to SKIDMORE, OWINGS & MERRILL LLP for work described as: INITIAL TASK ORDER FOR NMUSA PROJECT Key points: 1. Contract value of $18.75M for engineering services. 2. Awarded under full and open competition. 3. Potential risks include contract duration and fixed-price nature. 4. Sector is Engineering Services, a critical component of Defense spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $18.75M over a 10-year period suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar large-scale engineering service contracts would be necessary to fully assess value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust price discovery process. This method generally leads to more competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is positive for taxpayers, as it aims to secure the best value through market forces.

Public Impact

This contract supports critical infrastructure and engineering needs for the Department of the Army. The long duration (nearly 10 years) suggests a sustained need for these specialized engineering services. The firm fixed-price contract type shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Long contract duration (3540 days)
  • Firm Fixed Price contract type

Positive Signals

  • Full and Open Competition
  • Engineering Services

Sector Analysis

Engineering services are vital for government infrastructure projects and defense installations. Spending in this sector can fluctuate based on national priorities and infrastructure investment cycles.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Department of the Army, suggesting established oversight mechanisms. However, the long duration warrants continuous monitoring for performance and cost.

Related Government Programs

  • Engineering Services
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

  • Long contract duration
  • Firm Fixed Price contract type
  • Potential for scope creep
  • Limited insight into subcontractor performance

Tags

engineering-services, department-of-defense, va, delivery-order, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $18.8 million to SKIDMORE, OWINGS & MERRILL LLP. INITIAL TASK ORDER FOR NMUSA PROJECT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SKIDMORE, OWINGS & MERRILL LLP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $18.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-10-20. End: 2018-06-30.

What is the typical cost range for similar long-term engineering service contracts awarded by the DoD?

The typical cost range for similar long-term engineering service contracts awarded by the DoD can vary significantly based on project scope, complexity, and duration. However, contracts in the tens of millions of dollars over several years are not uncommon for major infrastructure or defense-related projects. Benchmarking against specific project types and service levels is crucial for a precise assessment.

What are the primary risks associated with a firm fixed-price contract of this duration?

The primary risks with a firm fixed-price contract of this duration include potential contractor underestimation of costs, leading to reduced profit or even losses if unforeseen issues arise. Conversely, if the contractor significantly overestimates, taxpayers may pay a premium. Scope creep, if not managed tightly, can also become a significant issue.

How effectively does full and open competition ensure value for money in specialized engineering services?

Full and open competition generally enhances value for money by fostering a competitive environment where multiple qualified firms vie for the contract. This encourages competitive pricing and innovation. For specialized engineering services, it ensures that the government can access a broad pool of expertise and select the most capable and cost-effective provider.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesArchitectural, Engineering, and Related ServicesEngineering Services

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICESARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ARCHITECT-ENGINEER FAR 6.102

Solicitation ID: W912WJ08R0005

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 14 WALL ST, NEW YORK, NY, 10005

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $18,751,580

Exercised Options: $18,751,580

Current Obligation: $18,751,580

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W912WJ08D0007

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2008-10-20

Current End Date: 2018-06-30

Potential End Date: 2018-06-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2020-10-03

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