State Dept. Awards $17.9M for Architectural Services in El Salvador, Full & Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $17,901,804 ($17.9M)
Contractor: D+S International LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of State
Start Date: 2024-09-26
End Date: 2026-09-25
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $24.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: PLANNING AND DESIGN SERVICES IN SAN SALVADOR, EL SALVADOR.
Place of Performance
Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK County, NEW YORK, 10001
State: New York Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of State obligated $17.9 million to D+S INTERNATIONAL LLC for work described as: PLANNING AND DESIGN SERVICES IN SAN SALVADOR, EL SALVADOR. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to D+S INTERNATIONAL LLC for architectural services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized for this award. 3. The contract has a duration of 729 days. 4. The contract is firm-fixed-price, indicating price certainty. 5. This award is for services in San Salvador, El Salvador.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $17.9 million for architectural services over two years appears within a reasonable range for international projects of this scope. Benchmarking against similar large-scale government architectural contracts would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The use of full and open competition is a positive indicator for price discovery and achieving value. This method allows all eligible contractors to bid, fostering a competitive environment that should drive down costs.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive bidding process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for necessary services.
Public Impact
Supports U.S. diplomatic presence and infrastructure in El Salvador. Provides essential architectural design and planning services. Potential for job creation within the architectural services sector.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Geographic concentration of services in a single foreign location.
- Reliance on a single contractor for the entire project duration.
Positive Signals
- Utilizes full and open competition.
- Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty.
- Clear start and end dates for service delivery.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under architectural services, a segment of the professional, scientific, and technical services sector. Spending in this sector often fluctuates with government infrastructure needs and international commitments. Benchmarks for similar international architectural design contracts are typically in the millions, depending on project scale.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates the award went to D+S INTERNATIONAL LLC, a single entity. There is no explicit information provided regarding small business participation or subcontracting opportunities within this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of State is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard procurement regulations and oversight mechanisms are expected to be in place to ensure proper execution and accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Architectural Services
- Department of State Contracting
- Department of State Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns if scope significantly changes.
- Geopolitical risks in the region could impact project timelines.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical design services.
- Ensuring compliance with both U.S. and local regulations.
Tags
architectural-services, department-of-state, ny, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of State awarded $17.9 million to D+S INTERNATIONAL LLC. PLANNING AND DESIGN SERVICES IN SAN SALVADOR, EL SALVADOR.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is D+S INTERNATIONAL LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $17.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-09-26. End: 2026-09-25.
What specific architectural needs does this contract address for the Department of State in El Salvador?
This contract likely addresses the planning and design requirements for new construction, renovation, or modernization of U.S. diplomatic facilities in San Salvador. This could include embassy buildings, residences, or support infrastructure, ensuring compliance with security, functional, and aesthetic standards for U.S. government overseas operations.
What are the potential risks associated with performing architectural services in a foreign country like El Salvador?
Risks include navigating local regulations, potential political or economic instability, logistical challenges for materials and personnel, currency exchange rate fluctuations, and differing cultural or business practices. Ensuring compliance with both U.S. federal acquisition regulations and local laws is crucial for successful project execution.
How effectively does the firm-fixed-price contract type ensure value for taxpayer money in this context?
A firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government, as the contractor assumes the risk of cost overruns. This is effective for well-defined scopes of work, like architectural design, where potential cost variables can be reasonably estimated upfront, thus protecting taxpayer funds from unexpected increases.
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: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 601 WEST 26TH STREET, RM 1680, NEW YORK, NY, 10001
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $17,901,804
Exercised Options: $17,901,804
Current Obligation: $17,901,804
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 19AQMM19D0060
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-09-26
Current End Date: 2026-09-25
Potential End Date: 2026-09-25 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-07-16
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