FBI awards $4.8M task order for architectural services to Jacobs Government Services Company

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,816,400 ($4.8M)

Contractor: Jacobs Government Services Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2024-09-30

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: AEP REGION 1 IDIQ TASK ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22201

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $4.8 million to JACOBS GOVERNMENT SERVICES COMPANY for work described as: AEP REGION 1 IDIQ TASK ORDER Key points: 1. Task order awarded under an existing IDIQ contract, suggesting pre-negotiated terms and potential for streamlined procurement. 2. The contract is firm-fixed-price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor and provides budget certainty. 3. The award was made under full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified bidders. 4. The duration of the task order is approximately two years, aligning with project-based needs. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541310 points to architectural services, a specialized field. 6. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, suggesting the scope or requirements favored larger entities. 7. The task order is for delivery, implying the completion of specific architectural projects or phases.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $4.8 million for architectural services over two years appears reasonable given the scope of work typically associated with federal architectural projects. Benchmarking against similar task orders for architectural services issued by the FBI or other Department of Justice components would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests that the pricing was determined upfront and is intended to be competitive.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This task order was awarded under full and open competition, meaning that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The fact that there were six bidders indicates a healthy level of interest and competition for this specific requirement. This competitive process is designed to ensure that the government receives the best possible price and quality for the services rendered.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down prices through market forces and ensuring that the government is not overpaying for services.

Public Impact

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will benefit from these architectural services, likely for facility design, renovation, or infrastructure projects. The services delivered will support the FBI's operational needs and potentially enhance its physical infrastructure. The geographic impact is likely focused on FBI facilities within the AEP Region 1, primarily Virginia. The contract supports the architecture and engineering workforce, potentially creating or sustaining jobs in this sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if initial architectural designs require significant revisions.
Reliance on a single contractor for a significant task order could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
The firm-fixed-price nature requires careful initial scope definition to avoid disputes.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Jacobs Government Services Company has a track record with federal contracts, implying experience.
The task order is part of a larger IDIQ, indicating established contractual framework and oversight.

Sector Analysis

The architectural services sector for federal agencies is a specialized market. This contract fits within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. Federal spending in this area is driven by the need for design, planning, and oversight of government facilities and infrastructure. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other architectural contracts awarded by agencies like the GSA, DoD, or other law enforcement entities.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the data indicates the contractor is not a small business. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this task order. The absence of a small business set-aside suggests that the requirements may have been more complex or that the competition pool was broader, potentially limiting direct opportunities for small businesses on this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this task order would primarily fall under the Federal Bureau of Investigation's contracting and program management offices. As a task order under an IDIQ, there are likely established reporting requirements and performance metrics. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. The Inspector General for the Department of Justice would have jurisdiction for audits and investigations if any issues of fraud, waste, or abuse were identified.

Related Government Programs

FBI Facilities Modernization Programs
Department of Justice Architectural and Engineering Services
Federal Building Design and Construction
IDIQ Contract Vehicles for Professional Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if scope is not clearly defined.
Contractor performance risk.
Reliance on a single awardee for a significant task.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $4.8 million to JACOBS GOVERNMENT SERVICES COMPANY. AEP REGION 1 IDIQ TASK ORDER

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 $4.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-30. End: 2026-09-29.

What is the track record of Jacobs Government Services Company in delivering architectural services to federal agencies?

Jacobs Government Services Company has a significant history of performing contracts for various federal agencies, including architectural and engineering services. Their portfolio often includes large-scale projects for defense, civilian, and intelligence communities. Analyzing their past performance on similar firm-fixed-price task orders, particularly those involving facility design or renovation for law enforcement or security-sensitive organizations, would provide insight into their reliability and quality of work. Past performance evaluations and any contract disputes or awards would be key indicators of their track record. Their experience with the FBI specifically would be a strong positive signal.

How does the $4.8 million value compare to similar architectural services contracts awarded by the FBI?

The $4.8 million value for this two-year task order for architectural services is within a typical range for federal architectural projects of moderate scope. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to analyze recent FBI or DOJ contracts for similar services (NAICS 541310), considering factors like contract duration, specific deliverables (e.g., design, planning, oversight), and geographic location. If this task order represents a significant portion of the FBI's annual spending on architectural services for a particular region or facility type, it might warrant closer scrutiny. However, without direct comparative data, it appears to be a standard-sized award for specialized professional services.

What are the primary risks associated with this firm-fixed-price task order?

The primary risks associated with a firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract, including this task order, revolve around scope definition and potential for change orders. If the initial architectural requirements are not clearly and comprehensively defined, the contractor may request modifications or additional compensation, leading to cost overruns or disputes. Another risk is the contractor's ability to deliver the required quality within the fixed price, potentially leading to compromises in design or service if not managed closely. The government also bears the risk if unforeseen site conditions or regulatory changes impact the project significantly, though FFP contracts aim to place most cost risk on the contractor.

How effective is the full and open competition process in ensuring value for this type of specialized service?

The full and open competition process is generally considered highly effective for ensuring value in specialized service contracts like architectural services. By allowing all responsible sources to compete, it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, thereby increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive bids that reflect fair market value. The presence of six bidders in this instance suggests that the competition was robust enough to drive price discovery and allow the FBI to select a contractor based on a combination of technical qualifications and price. This process helps prevent sole-source awards, which can sometimes lead to higher costs.

What are the historical spending patterns for architectural services by the FBI over the last five years?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for architectural services by the FBI over the last five years would reveal trends in contract values, types of services procured, and primary contracting vehicles. This data could indicate whether spending has been increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable, and whether there's a shift towards specific types of architectural needs (e.g., new construction vs. renovation). Understanding these patterns helps contextualize the current $4.8 million award, assessing if it aligns with historical norms or represents a significant deviation. It also informs future budget planning and procurement strategies for the FBI's facility needs.

What are the implications of this contract being awarded under an existing IDIQ contract?

Awarding this task order under an existing Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract streamlines the procurement process significantly. It means that the foundational contract terms, including labor rates, general provisions, and potentially some technical requirements, have already been negotiated and vetted. This reduces the time and administrative burden associated with issuing a new standalone contract. For taxpayers, this can translate to cost savings through reduced acquisition lead times and administrative overhead. However, it's crucial that the IDIQ itself was competitively awarded and that the task order scope remains within the bounds of the original IDIQ's purpose.

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: 6

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: $17,996,718

Exercised Options: $4,816,400

Current Obligation: $4,816,400

Actual Outlays: $4,585,617

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15F06724D0000841

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline