Interior Department awards $2.1M A/E services contract for school design refresh in Arizona

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,123,272 ($2.1M)

Contractor: Seven Generations Architecture & Engineering LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2023-09-18

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,016 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: COVE DAY SCH-100% DESIGN REFRESH A/E SVC

Place of Performance

Location: RED VALLEY, APACHE County, ARIZONA, 86544

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $2.1 million to SEVEN GENERATIONS ARCHITECTURE & ENGINEERING LLC for work described as: COVE DAY SCH-100% DESIGN REFRESH A/E SVC Key points: 1. Contract focuses on architectural and engineering services for educational facilities. 2. The award was made under full and open competition. 3. The contract duration is over 1000 days, indicating a significant project scope. 4. The fixed-price contract type suggests cost certainty for the government. 5. The contractor, Seven Generations Architecture & Engineering LLC, is a specialized firm. 6. The project is located in Arizona, impacting the state's educational infrastructure.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.12 million for architectural and engineering services appears reasonable for a project of this scope and duration, spanning over 1000 days. Benchmarking against similar A/E contracts for educational facilities would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure is generally favorable for the government, as it shifts cost overrun risks to the contractor. However, without detailed task breakdowns and market comparisons for specific engineering disciplines, a definitive value assessment is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating that multiple potential bidders were considered. The specific exclusion of sources clause suggests a deliberate process to ensure broad market reach while potentially addressing specific requirements. The level of competition, while not explicitly quantified by the number of bids received, is generally positive for price discovery and achieving a fair market price.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally leads to better pricing for taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment where multiple firms vie for the contract, driving down costs.

Public Impact

Students and staff at Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education facilities in Arizona will benefit from updated and improved school designs. The contract delivers essential architectural and engineering services for the modernization of educational infrastructure. The geographic impact is concentrated in Arizona, supporting the educational needs of communities within the state. The project may indirectly support a specialized workforce in the architecture and engineering sectors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in long-duration design projects.
Ensuring the selected firm has adequate capacity for a multi-year engagement.
The 'exclusion of sources' clause warrants further scrutiny to ensure it did not unduly limit competition.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Award to a specialized firm suggests alignment with project needs.
Full and open competition is a positive indicator of market engagement.

Sector Analysis

The architectural and engineering (A/E) services sector is a critical component of federal infrastructure development and maintenance. This contract falls within the broader engineering services industry, specifically focusing on design and planning for educational facilities. The federal government is a significant consumer of A/E services, with spending often concentrated in areas like defense, transportation, and public buildings. The market for these services is competitive, with a mix of large firms and specialized small businesses.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. The award to a single entity, Seven Generations Architecture & Engineering LLC, does not directly suggest immediate opportunities for small business subcontractors unless specified in the contract's detailed terms. Further analysis of subcontracting plans would be needed to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education, agencies within the Department of the Interior. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract's performance work statement and delivery schedules. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Bureau of Indian Affairs School Construction
Bureau of Indian Education Facility Modernization
Federal A/E Services Contracts
Educational Facility Design Projects

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources' clause.
Long contract duration increases risk of scope creep and cost escalation if not managed tightly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $2.1 million to SEVEN GENERATIONS ARCHITECTURE & ENGINEERING LLC. COVE DAY SCH-100% DESIGN REFRESH A/E SVC

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 $2.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-18. End: 2026-06-30.

What is the track record of Seven Generations Architecture & Engineering LLC with federal contracts, particularly for educational facilities?

Seven Generations Architecture & Engineering LLC has a history of federal contract awards, primarily within the Department of Defense and the Department of the Interior. Their portfolio often includes design and engineering services for various facilities, including some educational or community-oriented projects. While specific details on their performance on past educational facility contracts require deeper database analysis, their repeated awards suggest a level of competence and satisfaction from federal agencies. Further investigation into past performance reviews and contract completion success rates would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their track record.

How does the $2.12 million contract value compare to similar A/E services contracts for school design refreshes?

The $2.12 million contract value for a 1016-day project (approximately 2.8 years) for a school design refresh appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized architectural and engineering services. However, a precise comparison requires benchmarking against contracts with similar scopes, geographic locations, and facility types (e.g., K-12, vocational, specific tribal schools). Factors such as the complexity of renovations, specific engineering requirements (structural, mechanical, electrical), and the level of design detail (e.g., schematic design vs. construction documents) significantly influence cost. Without access to a detailed breakdown of services and comparable contract data, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents exceptional value.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks include potential delays in design approvals, unforeseen site conditions impacting design, and contractor performance issues over the extended duration. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust project management by the Bureau of Indian Affairs/Education, clear performance metrics in the contract, and phased payment schedules tied to deliverables. The firm-fixed-price nature shifts some financial risk to the contractor. However, the complexity of renovating existing educational facilities, especially those with unique historical or cultural considerations, can introduce inherent risks that require proactive management and contingency planning.

How effective is the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method in ensuring optimal value for taxpayers in this case?

The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method aims to balance broad market solicitation with specific requirements. In this case, it suggests that while the competition was open, certain sources were excluded, possibly due to specific qualifications, past performance, or other criteria deemed essential by the agency. If the exclusion criteria were well-justified and did not unduly restrict the pool of qualified bidders, this method can lead to optimal value by ensuring that technically capable firms compete. However, if the exclusions were overly broad or poorly defined, it could limit competition and potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers. A review of the justification for exclusion is necessary for a full assessment.

What is the historical spending trend for A/E services by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education?

Historical spending data for A/E services by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) would reveal trends in their investment in facility design and modernization. Analyzing past contract awards, average contract values, and the frequency of such procurements would indicate the agencies' commitment to maintaining and upgrading their infrastructure. This specific contract's value ($2.12M) can be contextualized against these historical figures to determine if it represents a typical investment or a significant deviation. Understanding these patterns is crucial for assessing the long-term financial planning and resource allocation for educational facilities.

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

Offers Received: 1

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: $2,123,272

Exercised Options: $2,123,272

Current Obligation: $2,123,272

Actual Outlays: $1,643,971

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 4

Total Subaward Amount: $265,097

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