Interior Department awards $2.7M contract for architectural and engineering services to Seven Generations Architecture & Engineering LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,701,539 ($2.7M)

Contractor: Seven Generations Architecture & Engineering LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2022-09-19

End Date: 2026-05-01

Contract Duration: 1,320 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SANTA ROSA RANCH CPS QA/CA

Place of Performance

Location: AJO, PIMA County, ARIZONA, 85321

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $2.7 million to SEVEN GENERATIONS ARCHITECTURE & ENGINEERING LLC for work described as: SANTA ROSA RANCH CPS QA/CA Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive process. 2. The contract is for architectural and engineering services, a critical component for infrastructure development. 3. The duration of the contract is 1320 days, suggesting a long-term project requirement. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which helps in cost control and predictability. 5. The award was made by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education, highlighting a focus on tribal infrastructure. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 points to engineering services. 7. The contract was awarded as a Delivery Order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or similar vehicle.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.7 million for architectural and engineering services appears reasonable given the 1320-day duration. Without specific deliverables or scope details, a direct comparison to similar contracts is challenging. However, the firm fixed-price nature suggests that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which can be a positive indicator of value if the scope is well-defined. Benchmarking against industry standards for engineering services of this duration would provide further insight into the pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources.' This suggests that while the competition was intended to be broad, certain sources may have been excluded prior to the solicitation, possibly due to specific qualifications or prior relationships. The presence of multiple bidders (indicated by 'no': 3) is a positive sign for price discovery and ensures a degree of market responsiveness.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award, even with exclusions, is beneficial for taxpayers as it likely led to a more competitive price than a sole-source award. The inclusion of multiple bidders helps ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education, which will receive architectural and engineering support for their projects. Services delivered include architectural and engineering design, planning, and potentially oversight for infrastructure projects. The geographic impact is focused on Arizona (st: AZ, sn: ARIZONA), where the projects are likely located. The contract supports the workforce within the architectural and engineering sector, particularly at Seven Generations Architecture & Engineering LLC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if project requirements are not clearly defined upfront, given the long duration.
Reliance on a single contractor for a significant duration could pose risks if performance issues arise.
The 'exclusion of sources' clause warrants further investigation to understand its impact on the breadth of competition.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract type helps manage costs and provides budget certainty.
Awarded through a competitive process, suggesting a reasonable price was obtained.
The contractor, Seven Generations Architecture & Engineering LLC, is likely specialized in providing these services.

Sector Analysis

The architectural and engineering services sector is a vital component of the construction and infrastructure industry. This contract falls under engineering services (NAICS 541330), which encompasses a wide range of activities from preliminary studies to detailed design and construction oversight. The market for these services is competitive, with numerous firms vying for government contracts. The Department of the Interior frequently procures such services to manage its vast land holdings and associated infrastructure, making this contract a typical example of sector spending.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a small business set-aside. The primary contractor is Seven Generations Architecture & Engineering LLC, and its size status relative to small business definitions would need to be independently verified. The absence of a small business set-aside means opportunities for small business participation are likely limited to subcontracting if the prime contractor chooses to engage them.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, which incentivizes the contractor to meet performance standards within the agreed budget. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, although specific project details might be less publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Bureau of Indian Affairs Construction Projects
Bureau of Indian Education Facilities Management
Department of the Interior Architectural Services
Federal Engineering Services Contracts
Tribal Infrastructure Development

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep due to long contract duration.
Impact of 'exclusion of sources' on competition breadth.
Need for detailed performance monitoring over the contract's lifecycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $2.7 million to SEVEN GENERATIONS ARCHITECTURE & ENGINEERING LLC. SANTA ROSA RANCH CPS QA/CA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SEVEN GENERATIONS ARCHITECTURE & ENGINEERING LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-19. End: 2026-05-01.

What is the specific scope of work for the SANTA ROSA RANCH CPS QA/CA project?

The provided data does not detail the specific scope of work for the SANTA ROSA RANCH CPS QA/CA project. It only identifies the contract as being for 'Engineering Services' under NAICS code 541330 and awarded to Seven Generations Architecture & Engineering LLC. To understand the precise deliverables, one would need to consult the contract's statement of work (SOW) or performance work statement (PWS). This document would outline the specific tasks, objectives, quality standards, and timelines required for the project, which could range from design and planning to quality assurance and construction administration for facilities or infrastructure at the Santa Rosa Ranch.

How does the $2.7 million contract value compare to similar architectural and engineering contracts awarded by the Department of the Interior?

Comparing the $2.7 million contract value requires context on the scope and duration. For a 1320-day (approximately 3.6-year) project, this value suggests an average annual expenditure of roughly $750,000. The Department of the Interior awards a wide range of A&E contracts, from small design tasks to large-scale infrastructure projects. Contracts for similar durations and complexity, especially those involving tribal lands or specific environmental considerations, could range from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of dollars. Without knowing the specific nature of the 'SANTA ROSA RANCH CPS QA/CA' project, a precise benchmark is difficult. However, for a multi-year engineering services contract, $2.7 million is within a common range for mid-sized projects.

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

Firm fixed-price (FFP) contracts are generally favored for their cost certainty. However, for a long duration like 1320 days, risks can emerge. If the scope of work is not meticulously defined and understood by both parties at the outset, the contractor may face significant cost increases due to unforeseen complexities or changes, potentially leading to disputes or requests for equitable adjustments. Conversely, if the government's needs change substantially, modifying an FFP contract can be cumbersome. The contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which could impact their financial stability if estimates are inaccurate. For the government, the risk lies in potentially overpaying if the contractor's initial bid was excessively high to account for perceived risks, or if the scope becomes inefficiently executed over time.

What is the track record of Seven Generations Architecture & Engineering LLC with federal contracts?

Information on Seven Generations Architecture & Engineering LLC's specific track record with federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data. However, the fact that they were awarded this $2.7 million contract suggests they have the necessary qualifications and experience to compete for and execute federal work. To assess their track record thoroughly, one would need to examine their past performance on similar government contracts, including client feedback, on-time delivery rates, adherence to budget, and any history of disputes or contract terminations. Databases like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or SAM.gov could provide more granular details on their federal contract history.

How does the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' clause impact taxpayer value?

The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' clause presents a nuanced picture for taxpayer value. On one hand, 'full and open competition' is generally the gold standard for ensuring the government receives the best value by soliciting offers from all responsible sources. This competitive pressure typically drives down prices and encourages innovation. However, the 'after exclusion of sources' qualifier means that certain potential bidders were prevented from participating, possibly due to specific requirements, pre-qualification criteria, or other justifications outlined in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). While competition still occurred among the remaining pool, the exclusion might have limited the number of bidders, potentially reducing the downward pressure on price compared to a truly unrestricted full and open competition. The value to taxpayers depends on whether the exclusions were justified and if the resulting competition was still robust enough to yield a fair market price.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 140A1622R0081

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 600 E MICHIGAN AVE STE B, KALAMAZOO, MI, 49007

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Government, HUBZone Firm, Native American Tribal Government, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,701,539

Exercised Options: $2,701,539

Current Obligation: $2,701,539

Actual Outlays: $2,012,200

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140A1620D0006

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline