State Department awards $311K for ceramic object conservation, highlighting specialized artistic services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,110 ($3.1K)

Contractor: Norquest Conservation Studio LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2027-09-30

Contract Duration: 547 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CONSERVATION TREATMENT OF TWO CERAMIC OBJECTS - AMERICA 250 EXHIBIT.

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22209

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $3,110 to NORQUEST CONSERVATION STUDIO LLC for work described as: CONSERVATION TREATMENT OF TWO CERAMIC OBJECTS - AMERICA 250 EXHIBIT. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on specialized conservation for cultural heritage assets. 2. Competition was conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements. 3. The award to a single vendor indicates potential limitations in market reach or specialized expertise. 4. The duration of the contract suggests a need for sustained, expert attention to the artifacts. 5. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code points to a niche service provider.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $311,000 for conservation of two ceramic objects over 18 months appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the work. Benchmarking against similar conservation contracts is challenging due to the unique scope and the specific artifacts involved. However, the fixed-price structure provides cost certainty. The value proposition hinges on the successful preservation and presentation of these specific cultural assets for the America 250 exhibit.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves soliciting offers from multiple sources. While the specific number of bidders is not detailed, SAP is designed to promote competition for procurements below certain thresholds. This method aims to ensure fair pricing and access to a reasonable range of qualified vendors for specialized services.

Taxpayer Impact: Utilizing SAP for this procurement likely resulted in competitive pricing, benefiting taxpayers by ensuring the government did not overpay for these specialized conservation services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the public who will experience the preserved ceramic objects as part of the America 250 exhibit. The services delivered include expert conservation and preservation techniques for delicate ceramic artifacts. The geographic impact is tied to the location of the America 250 exhibit, likely a significant cultural venue. This contract supports specialized jobs within the cultural heritage and conservation sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP could potentially exclude highly specialized firms not actively monitoring these procurement channels.
The specific nature of ceramic conservation means a small pool of qualified vendors, potentially limiting price competition.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical preservation tasks introduces performance risk if unforeseen issues arise.

Positive Signals

The fixed-price contract type offers cost predictability and mitigates budget overruns.
The contract duration of 547 days suggests a thorough and deliberate approach to conservation.
Awarding to a specialized firm like NORQUEST CONSERVATION STUDIO LLC indicates access to necessary expertise.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on specialized conservation and preservation. The market for such services is niche, often involving highly skilled individuals or small firms with unique expertise. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more context on the specific artifacts, but government spending on cultural heritage preservation and exhibit preparation is ongoing across various agencies.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans was not explicitly provided for this contract. Given the specialized nature of conservation services, it's possible that the primary contractor is a small business, but further details would be needed to assess the impact on the broader small business ecosystem or subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of State. Accountability measures are embedded in the fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified conservation services. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are recorded.

Related Government Programs

National Museum Services
Smithsonian Institution Contracts
National Archives and Records Administration Preservation
Cultural Heritage Preservation Grants
Federal Exhibit Design and Construction

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to specialized nature of services.
NAICS code may not perfectly align with the service provided, requiring further due diligence.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical preservation tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $3,110 to NORQUEST CONSERVATION STUDIO LLC. CONSERVATION TREATMENT OF TWO CERAMIC OBJECTS - AMERICA 250 EXHIBIT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NORQUEST CONSERVATION STUDIO LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3,110.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2027-09-30.

What is the specific condition of the two ceramic objects requiring conservation?

The provided data does not detail the specific condition of the two ceramic objects. However, the need for 'conservation treatment' implies that the objects are likely exhibiting signs of deterioration, damage, or require stabilization to prevent further degradation. This could include issues such as surface loss, structural instability, fading of pigments, or contamination. The scope of work for NORQUEST CONSERVATION STUDIO LLC would be defined in the contract's statement of work, outlining the precise treatments required for each object to ensure their preservation for the America 250 exhibit.

How does the $311,000 contract value compare to typical conservation projects for museum-quality artifacts?

The $311,000 contract value for the conservation of two ceramic objects over approximately 18 months is within a reasonable range for specialized museum-quality artifact conservation. The cost is influenced by factors such as the rarity and fragility of the objects, the complexity of the required treatments, the expertise of the conservator, and the duration of the treatment. While specific benchmarks are hard to pinpoint without knowing the exact nature of the artifacts, projects involving significant historical or artistic value often require substantial investment in specialized materials, equipment, and highly skilled labor. This contract appears to reflect the specialized and potentially labor-intensive nature of preserving unique cultural heritage items for a significant exhibition.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a conservation contract to a single vendor under SAP?

Awarding a conservation contract to a single vendor under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) carries potential risks. Firstly, it limits the government's ability to leverage competitive bidding to secure the best possible price and terms, as fewer vendors are involved. Secondly, if the selected vendor lacks the necessary expertise or encounters unforeseen difficulties, there may be limited alternative options available within the contract's framework or timeline. This could lead to delays, increased costs if modifications are needed, or a compromise in the quality of conservation. The government relies heavily on the initial vetting process and the vendor's demonstrated capabilities to mitigate these risks.

What is NORQUEST CONSERVATION STUDIO LLC's track record with federal contracts, particularly in artifact conservation?

The provided data indicates that NORQUEST CONSERVATION STUDIO LLC is the awardee for this specific contract. However, it does not offer details on their broader track record with federal contracts, including past performance, previous awards, or specific experience in artifact conservation. A comprehensive assessment of their track record would require accessing historical federal procurement data (e.g., through SAM.gov or FPDS) to review their performance on prior contracts, client feedback, and any documented successes or failures in similar conservation projects.

How does the 'Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers' NAICS code align with specialized conservation services?

The NAICS code 711510, 'Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers,' is somewhat unusual for a conservation services contract. Typically, conservation services might fall under categories related to museums, historical sites, or specialized repair and maintenance services. While individual artists and conservators can operate independently, this code usually encompasses creative professionals. It's possible that NORQUEST CONSERVATION STUDIO LLC operates as a sole proprietorship or a small firm where the principal is an artist/conservator, and this code was deemed the closest fit. However, it might suggest a less traditional business structure for a government contractor providing such specialized technical services.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation › Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers › Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 117 AULEE CT, WINCHESTER, VA, 22602

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,110

Exercised Options: $3,110

Current Obligation: $3,110

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline