State Department awards $8.5M contract for passport office renovation and infrastructure project management
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $8,541,264 ($8.5M)
Contractor: Bowhead Professional and Technical Solutions, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of State
Start Date: 2022-12-30
End Date: 2026-12-29
Contract Duration: 1,460 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.8K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: Other
Official Description: SUPPORT THE OFFICE OF PASSPORT SERVICES IN THE PLANNING, MANAGEMENT AND PROJECT EXECUTION OF RENOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS. THE CONTRACTOR WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE MULTI-DISCIPLINED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONSISTING OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT,
Place of Performance
Location: BALTIMORE, BALTIMORE CITY County, MARYLAND, 21202
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of State obligated $8.5 million to BOWHEAD PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: SUPPORT THE OFFICE OF PASSPORT SERVICES IN THE PLANNING, MANAGEMENT AND PROJECT EXECUTION OF RENOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS. THE CONTRACTOR WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE MULTI-DISCIPLINED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONSISTING OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT, Key points: 1. Contract focuses on project management and execution for passport office renovations. 2. Services include multi-disciplined professional support for infrastructure programs. 3. The contract is a definitive contract with a duration of 1460 days. 4. The contractor, Bowhead Professional and Technical Solutions, LLC, will support the Office of Passport Services. 5. The contract was not available for competition, raising questions about price discovery. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541513, indicating Computer Facilities Management Services. 7. The contract is a labor hours type, which can pose risks if not managed carefully.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more detailed service descriptions and comparable project data. The total award amount of $8.54 million over four years suggests a significant investment in infrastructure management. However, the labor hours contract type necessitates careful oversight to ensure efficient resource utilization and prevent cost overruns. Without specific performance metrics or comparisons to similar renovation management contracts, it is difficult to definitively assess value for money.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not open to competitive bidding. This approach is typically used when a specific contractor possesses unique capabilities or when circumstances prevent a full and open competition. The lack of competition means that the government did not benefit from the price discovery mechanisms inherent in a competitive bidding process, potentially leading to higher costs than if multiple vendors had vied for the contract.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may have paid a premium due to the absence of competitive pressure. The government did not have the opportunity to secure the most cost-effective solution through a bidding process.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the Department of State's Office of Passport Services, which will receive support for critical renovation and infrastructure projects. The services delivered will ensure the efficient planning, management, and execution of these projects, potentially leading to improved passport processing facilities. The geographic impact is likely concentrated in areas where passport offices are undergoing renovation or infrastructure upgrades, primarily in Maryland. Workforce implications may include the need for specialized project management and technical personnel to support the contractor's efforts.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Labor hours contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
- Sole-source award limits price competition and potentially increases costs for taxpayers.
- NAICS code 541513 (Computer Facilities Management Services) seems misaligned with the stated purpose of renovation and infrastructure project management.
- Lack of detailed performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.
Positive Signals
- Contract awarded to a specific entity (Bowhead Professional and Technical Solutions, LLC) suggests a potentially established relationship or specialized capability.
- Definitive contract structure provides a clear framework for the duration of the engagement.
- The contract duration of four years allows for sustained support on complex infrastructure programs.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically related to facilities management and project execution. The NAICS code 541513, 'Computer Facilities Management Services,' appears to be a mismatch with the contract's stated purpose of supporting renovation and infrastructure programs. True comparable spending benchmarks would ideally be within the project management and construction oversight categories for government facilities. The total award of $8.54 million over four years is a moderate-sized contract for this type of support, but its value is difficult to ascertain without clearer service definitions and competitive context.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct implications for small business subcontracting opportunities arising from this specific award. The primary contractor, Bowhead Professional and Technical Solutions, LLC, will be responsible for managing the project, and any subcontracting would be at their discretion, not mandated by a set-aside requirement.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of State's contracting officers and program managers. As a definitive contract, it likely includes specific deliverables and reporting requirements. Transparency is dependent on the Department's public disclosure practices regarding contract performance and expenditures. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.
Related Government Programs
- General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Buildings Fund
- Department of Defense Facilities Engineering and Construction
- Public Buildings Service (PBS) Project Management
Risk Flags
- Potential misclassification of NAICS code.
- Lack of competitive bidding may lead to higher costs.
- Labor hours contract type requires diligent oversight to control costs.
- Limited public information on specific project scope and performance metrics.
Tags
department-of-state, passport-services, project-management, infrastructure-renovation, sole-source, definitive-contract, labor-hours, maryland, professional-services, facilities-management
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of State awarded $8.5 million to BOWHEAD PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS, LLC. SUPPORT THE OFFICE OF PASSPORT SERVICES IN THE PLANNING, MANAGEMENT AND PROJECT EXECUTION OF RENOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS. THE CONTRACTOR WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE MULTI-DISCIPLINED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONSISTING OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT,
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BOWHEAD PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $8.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-12-30. End: 2026-12-29.
What is the specific nature of the 'renovation and infrastructure programs' being supported by this contract?
The provided data indicates the contract is for 'SUPPORT THE OFFICE OF PASSPORT SERVICES IN THE PLANNING, MANAGEMENT AND PROJECT EXECUTION OF RENOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS.' However, the specific details of these programs are not elaborated upon. This could range from minor office upgrades to major facility overhauls. Understanding the scope and scale of these renovations is crucial for assessing the contract's necessity and value. Without this information, it's difficult to determine if the $8.54 million is appropriately allocated or if the chosen contractor possesses the most relevant expertise for the specific tasks involved.
How does the stated NAICS code (541513 - Computer Facilities Management Services) align with the contract's described purpose (renovation and infrastructure project management)?
There appears to be a significant discrepancy between the stated NAICS code (541513 - Computer Facilities Management Services) and the contract's described purpose, which focuses on 'planning, management and project execution of renovation and infrastructure programs.' Computer facilities management typically involves IT infrastructure, data centers, and related services. Renovation and infrastructure project management usually falls under categories like construction management, architectural services, or general management consulting. This misalignment raises concerns about the accuracy of the classification and could obscure the true nature of the services being procured, potentially impacting future benchmarking and analysis of similar contracts.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and deliverables expected under this contract?
The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or detailed deliverables for this contract. For a contract focused on project management and execution of renovation and infrastructure programs, essential KPIs would likely include adherence to project timelines, budget management, quality of work, and stakeholder satisfaction. Without defined deliverables and measurable KPIs, it is challenging to objectively assess the contractor's performance and determine if the government is receiving adequate value for the $8.54 million investment. Effective oversight requires clear metrics against which the contractor's success can be measured.
What is the track record of Bowhead Professional and Technical Solutions, LLC in managing similar government renovation and infrastructure projects?
Information regarding the specific track record of Bowhead Professional and Technical Solutions, LLC in managing government renovation and infrastructure projects is not detailed in the provided data. While the award of a definitive contract suggests some level of qualification, a comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance on similar projects, including their success in meeting deadlines, staying within budget, and delivering quality outcomes. Understanding their experience with projects of comparable scale and complexity is vital for evaluating the risk associated with this contract and ensuring the successful execution of the passport office renovations.
Given the sole-source nature of this award, what steps were taken to ensure fair and reasonable pricing?
As this contract was awarded on a sole-source basis ('NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION'), the standard competitive bidding process was bypassed. To ensure fair and reasonable pricing in such situations, the government typically relies on techniques such as price analysis, cost analysis, and market research. This involves comparing the proposed prices to historical prices for similar services, analyzing the contractor's cost breakdown, and researching prevailing market rates. The effectiveness of these measures in securing a fair price for this $8.54 million contract is not detailed in the provided data, but it is a critical aspect of sole-source procurement oversight.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Facilities Management Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1000 SHILOH RD STE 500, PLANO, TX, 75074
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $10,890,893
Exercised Options: $8,649,835
Current Obligation: $8,541,264
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $650,296
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-12-30
Current End Date: 2026-12-29
Potential End Date: 2027-12-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-10
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