DOJ awards Jacobs $7.5M for FBI construction support, raising value-for-money questions

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,557,298 ($7.6M)

Contractor: Jacobs Government Services Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2024-05-15

End Date: 2026-05-15

Contract Duration: 730 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: HST ON-SITE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR FINAL PRE-AWARD CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22201

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $7.6 million to JACOBS GOVERNMENT SERVICES COMPANY for work described as: HST ON-SITE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR FINAL PRE-AWARD CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS. Key points: 1. Contract value appears high relative to the duration and scope of architectural services. 2. Limited public data makes direct comparison to similar contracts challenging. 3. The firm-fixed-price structure shifts some risk to the contractor. 4. This contract supports critical infrastructure projects for the FBI. 5. Architectural services are essential for ensuring construction quality and compliance. 6. The contract's duration of two years suggests a focused scope of work.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $7.56 million over two years for on-site support services for pre-award construction projects appears substantial. While architectural services are critical, the per-year cost of approximately $3.78 million warrants scrutiny. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized construction project support is difficult without more detailed scope information. However, given the fixed-price nature, the government aims for cost certainty, but the initial award amount suggests a significant investment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This competitive process is generally expected to yield fair market prices and encourage innovation. The fact that it was a delivery order under a larger vehicle suggests a pre-established competitive environment for the base contract.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it promotes a competitive environment that can lead to better pricing and service quality, maximizing the value of federal dollars.

Public Impact

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will benefit from enhanced on-site support for its construction projects. Services include architectural support crucial for the pre-award phase of construction. The geographic impact is primarily within Virginia, where the FBI has significant operations. This contract supports specialized architectural and engineering roles within the construction sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if the scope of 'on-site support' is broader than anticipated.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical pre-award architectural services could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment.
Firm-fixed-price contract structure helps control costs and manage budget.
Contractor Jacobs Government Services Company has experience in federal contracting.
Support services are for critical FBI infrastructure projects.

Sector Analysis

The architectural services sector is a vital component of the construction industry, providing essential design, planning, and oversight. This contract falls within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services category. The federal government is a significant consumer of these services, particularly for large-scale infrastructure and facility projects. Spending in this area is influenced by infrastructure investment cycles and agency modernization efforts. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without specific project details, but the federal government consistently awards billions in architectural and engineering contracts annually.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. There is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Without this data, it is difficult to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this particular award, though the prime contractor may engage small businesses in their subcontracting efforts.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the FBI and the Department of Justice. The firm-fixed-price nature provides some cost control. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award being publicly available. Further oversight details would depend on internal DOJ/FBI procedures and any specific reporting requirements stipulated in the contract.

Related Government Programs

Federal Bureau of Investigation Facility Modernization Projects
Department of Justice Architectural and Engineering Services
Federal Construction Project Management Support
On-Site Construction Support Services

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep in 'on-site support services'.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical pre-award phase support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $7.6 million to JACOBS GOVERNMENT SERVICES COMPANY. HST ON-SITE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR FINAL PRE-AWARD CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JACOBS GOVERNMENT SERVICES COMPANY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Investigation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $7.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-05-15. End: 2026-05-15.

What is the specific scope of 'on-site support services' for pre-award construction projects covered by this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'HST ON-SITE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR FINAL PRE-AWARD CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.' This suggests services related to the final stages of planning and preparation before construction begins. This could encompass a range of activities such as reviewing architectural plans, ensuring compliance with regulations, coordinating with stakeholders, site assessments, and potentially managing initial project documentation. However, the exact deliverables and the depth of support are not detailed in the summary data. A more granular understanding of the scope would be necessary to fully assess the value proposition and compare it to industry benchmarks for similar support roles.

How does the $7.56 million award compare to typical costs for similar FBI construction support contracts?

Direct comparison of the $7.56 million award to similar FBI construction support contracts is challenging without more specific details on the scope, duration, and complexity of the projects being supported. The contract is for 'on-site support services for final pre-award construction projects' over two years. If these projects are large-scale or numerous, the cost might be reasonable. However, if the scope is limited, the per-year cost of approximately $3.78 million could be considered high. Benchmarking would require access to data on comparable contracts, including the specific services rendered, the number of bidders, and the final negotiated prices for similar support roles within the FBI or other federal agencies.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and deliverables expected from Jacobs Government Services Company under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or detailed deliverables for Jacobs Government Services Company. Typically, for on-site support services related to construction pre-award phases, KPIs might include timely review of documents, adherence to project schedules, quality of reports submitted, and effective coordination among project stakeholders. Deliverables could range from detailed site assessment reports to compliance checklists and recommendations for project adjustments. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract implies that the contractor is responsible for delivering the agreed-upon services within the set budget, and performance would be monitored against the contract's statement of work.

What is the track record of Jacobs Government Services Company in providing similar on-site support services for federal construction projects?

Jacobs Government Services Company, as part of Jacobs Engineering Group, has a significant track record in providing a wide range of engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services, including support for federal projects. While the specific 'on-site support services for final pre-award construction projects' might be a niche, the company's broader experience in federal infrastructure, defense, and civilian agency projects suggests a capability to perform such tasks. Their history likely includes managing complex projects, adhering to strict government regulations, and delivering technical expertise. A deeper dive into their past performance on contracts with similar scope and value within agencies like the FBI or other components of the Department of Justice would provide a more precise assessment.

Are there any identified risks associated with this contract, such as potential cost overruns or performance issues?

The primary risks associated with this contract, given the available information, revolve around the definition and execution of 'on-site support services.' A potential risk is that the scope of these services might be broader or more complex than initially anticipated, leading to potential cost pressures or delays, although the firm-fixed-price structure aims to mitigate this. Performance issues could arise if the contractor fails to provide adequate expertise or timely support, impacting the pre-award phase of critical FBI construction projects. The reliance on a single entity for these specialized services also presents a risk if performance falters. However, the full and open competition process and the contractor's presumed experience are intended to reduce these risks.

What is the historical spending pattern for architectural and construction support services by the FBI or the Department of Justice?

Historical spending patterns for architectural and construction support services by the FBI and the broader Department of Justice (DOJ) are substantial, reflecting ongoing needs for facility maintenance, modernization, and new construction. Agencies like the FBI require continuous investment in their physical infrastructure to support law enforcement operations, investigations, and personnel. Spending in this category typically fluctuates based on major capital projects, infrastructure initiatives, and budget allocations. While specific historical figures for this exact type of 'on-site support' are not readily available, the overall trend for federal agencies, particularly those with significant real estate portfolios like the DOJ, shows consistent and often increasing expenditure on related services to ensure operational readiness and security.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 15F06719D0000956

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.

Address: 1100 N GLEBE RD, STE 500, ARLINGTON, VA, 22201

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,515,158

Exercised Options: $11,515,158

Current Obligation: $7,557,298

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15F06719D0000956

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline