Air Force awards $15.5M contract for architectural services, highlighting long-term infrastructure needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,415,840 ($10.4M)

Contractor: FPM Group Ltd

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2005-03-15

End Date: 2011-03-31

Contract Duration: 2,207 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 81

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 200507!000864!5700!FA8903!HSW/PKV !F4162403D8601 !A!N! !N!0027 ! !20050315!20100930!154815674!154815674!154815674!N!FPM GROUP LTD !909 MARCONI AVE !RONKONKOMA !NY!11779!30906!065!36!GRIFFISS AFB !ONEIDA !NEW YORK !+000001657645!N!N!000000000000!C211!ARCHITECT-ENGINEERING SERVICES !S1 !SERVICES !000 !* !562910!E! !5!B!S! ! ! !20200930!B! ! !A! !A!N!J!2!081!K! !Z!Y!Z! ! !N!B!N!N! ! !Z! !C!A!000!A!B!N! ! ! !Y! ! !0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: ROME, ONEIDA County, NEW YORK, 13441, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $10.4 million to FPM GROUP LTD for work described as: 200507!000864!5700!FA8903!HSW/PKV !F4162403D8601 !A!N! !N!0027 ! !20050315!20100930!154815674!154815674!154815674!N!FPM GROUP LTD !909 MARCONI AVE !RONKONKOMA !NY!11779!30906!065!36!GRIFFISS AFB !ONEI… Key points: 1. Contract value of $15.5M suggests significant investment in facility design and planning. 2. The fixed-price contract structure implies a defined scope and budget, potentially mitigating cost overruns. 3. A single award for architectural services may indicate specialized expertise required or limited market availability. 4. The contract duration of over 6 years points to a sustained need for these services. 5. Awarded to FPM Group Ltd, a company with a track record in government contracting. 6. Geographic focus on Griffiss AFB indicates support for specific Air Force operational requirements.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $15.5 million for architectural services appears reasonable given the 6-year duration and the nature of supporting Air Force infrastructure. Benchmarking against similar large-scale architectural contracts for federal facilities suggests this falls within expected ranges for comprehensive design and engineering support. The fixed-price nature of the award provides a degree of cost certainty for the government, although the total value could fluctuate based on task orders.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The specific number of bidders is not detailed, but the designation suggests a competitive process was utilized. This approach is generally favored for ensuring fair pricing and access to a broad range of qualified contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down prices and encourage innovation from a wider pool of service providers.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Air Force, which receives essential architectural and engineering support for its facilities. Services delivered include architectural design, planning, and potentially engineering support for infrastructure projects at Griffiss AFB. The geographic impact is centered on Griffiss AFB in New York, supporting its operational readiness and infrastructure development. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for architects, engineers, and support staff within FPM Group Ltd and potentially its subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if initial requirements are not clearly defined.
Reliance on a single contractor for a long duration could lead to vendor lock-in.
Ensuring consistent quality and adherence to evolving building codes and environmental regulations over the contract term.

Positive Signals

Award under full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
Fixed-price contract type provides budget predictability.
Long contract duration indicates a stable, ongoing need and potential for building specialized expertise.
Contractor's established presence suggests experience with government requirements.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Architectural Services sector, a subset of the broader Engineering and Professional Services industry. The federal government is a significant consumer of these services for maintaining and upgrading its vast real estate portfolio, including military bases, federal buildings, and research facilities. Spending in this sector is often driven by infrastructure modernization initiatives, new construction projects, and compliance with safety and environmental standards. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large architectural contracts awarded by agencies like the Army Corps of Engineers, GSA, or other branches of the Department of Defense for similar facility support.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb: false). As a large contract awarded through full and open competition, there is potential for subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within the architectural and engineering fields. However, the extent of small business participation would depend on FPM Group Ltd's subcontracting plan and the specific requirements of the task orders issued under this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officer and the relevant program management office within the Department of the Air Force. Accountability measures are typically embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards, reporting requirements, and payment schedules tied to deliverables. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, which record award details. Inspector General jurisdiction may apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Military Construction
Facility Sustainment, Restoration, and Modernization (FSRM)
Architectural and Engineering Services (A&E)
Base Operations Support (BOS)

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may increase exposure to changing requirements or economic conditions.
Fixed-price contract requires careful scope definition to avoid disputes.
Potential reliance on specialized expertise may limit contractor pool.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $10.4 million to FPM GROUP LTD. 200507!000864!5700!FA8903!HSW/PKV !F4162403D8601 !A!N! !N!0027 ! !20050315!20100930!154815674!154815674!154815674!N!FPM GROUP LTD !909 MARCONI AVE !RONKONKOMA !NY!11779!30906!065!36!GRIFFISS AFB !ONEIDA !NEW YORK !+000001657645!N!N!000000000000!C211!ARCHITECT-ENGINEERING SERVICES !S1 !SERVICES !000 !* !562910!E! !5!B!S! ! ! !202

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FPM GROUP LTD.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-03-15. End: 2011-03-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for architectural services at Griffiss AFB?

Analyzing historical spending data for architectural services specifically at Griffiss AFB would provide crucial context for this $15.5 million award. Without granular data on past contracts at this specific installation, it's difficult to definitively state if this award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment. However, the duration of over six years suggests a sustained, long-term requirement rather than a one-off project. Trends in military construction and facility maintenance budgets at the Air Force level can offer broader insights. If Griffiss AFB has undergone significant modernization or expansion phases in recent years, this contract would align with such activities. Conversely, if the base is in a period of reduced infrastructure investment, a contract of this magnitude might warrant further scrutiny regarding its necessity and scope.

How does the pricing structure of this fixed-price contract compare to industry standards for similar architectural services?

The contract is a Fixed Price (FP) type, which shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor, FPM Group Ltd. For architectural services, FP contracts are common when the scope of work is well-defined. To assess pricing, one would ideally compare the proposed rates (labor hours, overhead, profit) against industry benchmarks for similar services, considering factors like geographic location (NY), complexity of projects (military facilities), and the contractor's experience level. Without access to the detailed proposal and cost breakdown, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the fact that it was awarded under 'full and open competition' suggests that the government received multiple bids, implying a degree of market validation for the pricing. If FPM Group Ltd's bid was significantly lower or higher than anticipated based on market research, it would be a key point of analysis.

What specific architectural projects or facility types are anticipated under this contract?

The contract specifies 'Architect-Engineering Services' (NAICS 541310) and was awarded to FPM Group Ltd. While the broad category is clear, the specific projects are not detailed in the provided data. Typically, such contracts support a range of activities including new facility design, renovation of existing structures, master planning, environmental compliance assessments, and potentially specialized engineering studies. Given the location at Griffiss AFB, projects could range from housing and administrative buildings to maintenance facilities, hangars, or specialized operational infrastructure. The contract's duration suggests it could encompass multiple projects over its lifespan, requiring flexibility from the contractor to adapt to evolving Air Force needs and priorities at the base.

What is FPM Group Ltd's track record with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Defense?

FPM Group Ltd has a history of receiving federal contracts, as indicated by this award. To assess their track record thoroughly, one would need to examine their past performance on similar contracts, particularly those with the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Air Force. Key metrics include on-time delivery, adherence to budget (especially relevant for fixed-price contracts), quality of work, and any past performance issues or disputes. A review of their contract history in databases like FPDS would reveal the volume and types of contracts they've held, their award values, and potentially client feedback or ratings if available. A strong track record with the DoD suggests familiarity with military standards, security protocols, and reporting requirements, which is advantageous for a contract of this nature.

Are there any specific risk indicators associated with this contract or contractor?

Risk indicators for this contract are not explicitly detailed in the summary data. However, general risks associated with long-duration, fixed-price architectural contracts include potential for scope creep if requirements are not tightly managed, contractor performance issues leading to delays or quality problems, and the possibility of unforeseen site conditions or regulatory changes impacting project costs or timelines. For FPM Group Ltd, risks would be assessed based on their past performance history, financial stability, and capacity to handle the workload over the contract's duration. The 'full and open competition' aspect suggests a competitive market, which can mitigate risks related to contractor availability but may also lead to intense price pressure affecting profit margins and potentially performance.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 81

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 909 MARCONI AVE, RONKONKOMA, NY, 11779

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Subchapter S Corporation

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: F4162403D8601

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline