Department of Defense awards $18.3M for Landscape Architectural Services to SHERLOCK, SMITH & ADAMS INC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,354,886 ($18.4M)

Contractor: Sherlock, Smith & Adams Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2004-12-03

End Date: 2018-06-30

Contract Duration: 4,957 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TAS::97 0500::TAS

Place of Performance

Location: AGANA HEIGHTS, GUAM County, GUAM, 96910

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $18.4 million to SHERLOCK, SMITH & ADAMS INC. for work described as: TAS::97 0500::TAS Key points: 1. The contract value of $18.3M appears reasonable for the duration and scope of landscape architectural services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract was awarded as a delivery order, indicating it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. 4. The duration of the contract (4957 days) is extensive, spanning over 13 years, which may present risks related to changing requirements or technology. 5. The fixed-price contract type generally shifts risk to the contractor, which can be beneficial for the government if well-defined. 6. The contractor, SHERLOCK, SMITH & ADAMS INC., has a track record with the Department of Defense, as indicated by this award.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $18.3 million over approximately 13.5 years averages to about $1.35 million per year. Without specific deliverables or a comparison to similar large-scale landscape architecture projects for military installations, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract suggests that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which is a positive indicator for the government. Benchmarking against industry standards for large-scale landscape design and implementation services would be necessary for a more definitive assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of 5 bids suggests a healthy level of competition for this requirement. This competitive process is expected to drive down prices and ensure the government receives fair market value for the services rendered. The number of bidders provides a reasonable basis for price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process like this generally benefits taxpayers by ensuring that the government is not overpaying for services and that the most cost-effective solutions are considered.

Public Impact

The Department of the Navy benefits from professional landscape architectural services to enhance its facilities. Services likely include design, planning, and potentially oversight of landscape implementation for military installations. The geographic impact is focused on Guam, a key strategic location for the U.S. military. The contract supports the workforce within the landscape architecture and related construction/maintenance sectors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Extended contract duration (over 13 years) increases the risk of scope creep or obsolescence of initial designs.
Reliance on a single delivery order under a potentially broader IDIQ could limit future flexibility if requirements evolve significantly.
Geographic isolation of Guam may present logistical challenges and potentially higher costs for materials and labor.
Fixed-price contracts can sometimes lead to reduced quality if not meticulously monitored, though this is a standard practice.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process and potential for competitive pricing.
The fixed-price contract type transfers cost overrun risk to the contractor.
Awarding to a firm with experience (implied by receiving the award) can lead to more efficient execution.
The extensive duration allows for long-term planning and phased implementation of landscape projects.

Sector Analysis

The landscape architectural services sector encompasses firms that provide design, planning, and management of outdoor spaces. This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services category. The Department of Defense is a significant client for such services, particularly for maintaining and improving its vast network of installations. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within government databases tracking architectural and engineering services, often categorized by NAICS code 541320 (Landscape Architectural Services).

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION' and does not specify any small business set-aside provisions (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, it is unlikely that small businesses were specifically targeted for this prime contract. However, the prime contractor, SHERLOCK, SMITH & ADAMS INC., may engage small businesses as subcontractors for specialized services or materials, contributing to the broader small business ecosystem. Further analysis of subcontracting plans would be needed to confirm this impact.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officer and the relevant Department of the Navy contracting command. As a delivery order under a larger contract, oversight may be managed through established task order procedures. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Military Construction
Base Operations Support
Architectural and Engineering Services
Environmental Services
Public Works

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may lead to outdated requirements or designs.
Geographic location (Guam) could introduce logistical complexities and higher costs.
Potential for scope creep in long-term fixed-price contracts if not closely managed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $18.4 million to SHERLOCK, SMITH & ADAMS INC.. TAS::97 0500::TAS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SHERLOCK, SMITH & ADAMS INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $18.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2004-12-03. End: 2018-06-30.

What is the specific scope of work for these landscape architectural services in Guam?

The provided data identifies the contract as being for 'Landscape Architectural Services' (NAICS 541320) awarded to SHERLOCK, SMITH & ADAMS INC. by the Department of the Navy. However, the specific scope of work is not detailed in the provided data. Typically, landscape architectural services for a military installation could include master planning for grounds, design of recreational areas, erosion control plans, irrigation system design, aesthetic enhancements, and potentially oversight during the implementation phase. Given the location in Guam, projects might also focus on tropical landscaping, resilience to environmental factors like typhoons, and integration with existing infrastructure. A detailed review of the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS) would be necessary to understand the precise deliverables and objectives.

How does the $18.3 million contract value compare to similar landscape architecture contracts for military bases?

Benchmarking the $18.3 million contract value requires comparing it to similar landscape architecture services procured by the Department of Defense or other federal agencies for military installations of comparable size and complexity. The contract duration of nearly 14 years (4957 days) suggests a long-term engagement, potentially encompassing multiple phases of design, planning, and possibly oversight. The average annual value is approximately $1.35 million. Without access to a database of comparable contracts with detailed scopes and pricing, a precise comparison is difficult. However, large-scale, multi-year landscape architecture projects for major federal facilities can indeed reach multi-million dollar figures, especially in strategic locations like Guam where logistical costs might be higher. The 'full and open competition' suggests the price was vetted against market rates.

What are the potential risks associated with a contract duration of over 13 years?

A contract duration of over 13 years presents several potential risks. Firstly, requirements can change significantly over such a long period due to evolving military needs, technological advancements, or changes in environmental regulations. Initial designs or plans may become outdated or less relevant. Secondly, there's a risk of 'scope creep,' where the scope of work gradually expands beyond the original intent, potentially leading to cost increases if not managed carefully, despite the fixed-price nature. Thirdly, maintaining consistent quality and contractor performance over such an extended period can be challenging. Finally, the long duration might limit the government's ability to incorporate newer, potentially more cost-effective technologies or approaches that emerge during the contract period. Robust contract management and potential modification clauses are crucial to mitigate these risks.

What does the 'delivery order' award type signify in this context?

The 'delivery order' award type indicates that this contract is likely a task order issued under a broader indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. IDIQs allow agencies to procure supplies or services over a specified period, with the government issuing specific delivery orders or task orders as needs arise. This approach provides flexibility for the agency to order services when needed, up to a certain ceiling amount. For the contractor, it offers a stream of potential work. In this case, SHERLOCK, SMITH & ADAMS INC. was awarded a specific delivery order for landscape architectural services, implying that the underlying IDIQ contract was also competed, likely on a full and open basis, and this is one of potentially many orders that could be placed against it.

How does the contractor's track record influence the assessment of this contract?

The provided data identifies the contractor as 'SHERLOCK, SMITH & ADAMS INC.' and the awarding agency as the 'Department of Defense.' This suggests the contractor has prior experience working with the Department of Defense, which can be a positive signal. A contractor with a proven track record within the agency or on similar projects may have a better understanding of military requirements, compliance standards, and operational tempo, potentially leading to more efficient and effective service delivery. However, without specific details on past performance evaluations, past issues, or the nature of previous contracts, it's difficult to definitively assess their track record. A comprehensive review would involve examining past performance reports and any documented issues from previous DoD engagements.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Landscape Architectural Services

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ARCHITECT-ENGINEER FAR 6.102

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3047 CARTER HILL ROAD, MONTGOMERY, AL, 36111

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $18,354,886

Exercised Options: $18,354,886

Current Obligation: $18,354,886

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N6274201D0023

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline