State Department awards $220K task order for architectural design services to ZIAS Architecture & Engineering

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $220,000 ($220.0K)

Contractor: Zias Architecture & Engineering, PLLC

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2023-11-01

End Date: 2024-09-03

Contract Duration: 307 days

Daily Burn Rate: $717/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TASK ORDER FOR OY3 OF AE DESIGN CMS ZIAS

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $220,000 to ZIAS ARCHITECTURE & ENGINEERING, PLLC for work described as: TASK ORDER FOR OY3 OF AE DESIGN CMS ZIAS Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the fixed-price nature of the contract. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open competition, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a firm fixed-price contract and a single award. 4. Performance context is for architectural design services, a standard professional service. 5. Sector positioning is within government professional services, specifically architectural and engineering. 6. The contract duration of 307 days is typical for a task order of this scope.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $220,000 for architectural design services is within a typical range for task orders of this nature. As a firm fixed-price contract, the pricing is established upfront, which generally provides good value by shifting cost risk to the contractor. Benchmarking against similar architectural design contracts awarded by the Department of State or other federal agencies would provide a more precise value assessment, but the amount itself does not immediately suggest overpricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the designation suggests a robust competitive process. A full and open competition generally leads to better price discovery and a wider selection of qualified contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best possible price and quality for architectural services, reducing the likelihood of inflated costs.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Department of State, which will receive architectural design services. The services delivered will support the design phase of a project, contributing to infrastructure or facility development. The geographic impact is likely localized to the project site where the architectural services are to be applied. Workforce implications include employment for architects and designers at ZIAS Architecture & Engineering, PLLC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a fair and accessible process.
Firm fixed-price contract type helps control costs and provides budget certainty.
Contractor is ZIAS Architecture & Engineering, PLLC, a specialized firm in this domain.

Sector Analysis

The architectural services sector within the federal government is a consistent area of spending, supporting a wide range of infrastructure, facility, and project design needs. This contract falls under NAICS code 541310 (Architectural Services). Spending in this sector is driven by agency requirements for new construction, renovation, and specialized design projects. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing the average cost of architectural task orders for similar project scopes and agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor does it indicate specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award to ZIAS Architecture & Engineering, PLLC, does not appear to directly impact the small business ecosystem through set-asides or mandated subcontracting goals for this specific task order.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of State's contracting officers and program managers responsible for the architectural design services. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract structure, requiring the contractor to deliver services as specified. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award notice, which provides basic details about the contractor, value, and period of performance.

Related Government Programs

Department of State Facilities Management
Federal Architectural and Engineering Services
Government Design Contracts

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $220,000 to ZIAS ARCHITECTURE & ENGINEERING, PLLC. TASK ORDER FOR OY3 OF AE DESIGN CMS ZIAS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ZIAS ARCHITECTURE & ENGINEERING, PLLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $220,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-11-01. End: 2024-09-03.

What is the track record of ZIAS Architecture & Engineering, PLLC with the federal government?

ZIAS Architecture & Engineering, PLLC has a history of federal contract awards, primarily with agencies such as the Department of State and the General Services Administration. Their awards typically fall within the architectural and engineering services categories. Analyzing their past performance ratings, if available through federal databases like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS), would provide deeper insight into their reliability and quality of work. However, the existence of multiple awards suggests a level of established experience and capability in serving federal clients.

How does the $220,000 value compare to similar architectural design task orders?

The $220,000 value for this task order is considered moderate for architectural design services within the federal government. Task orders for architectural services can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the project's complexity, scope, and duration. For a task order focused on design services, this amount is not unusually high or low. A more precise comparison would require analyzing similar task orders awarded by the Department of State for projects of comparable size and complexity, considering factors like the specific deliverables and the required level of detail in the architectural plans.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

The primary risks associated with this contract are relatively low, given its nature. As a firm fixed-price contract, the financial risk is largely borne by the contractor, ZIAS Architecture & Engineering, PLLC. Potential risks include contractor performance issues, such as delays in delivering design documents or failure to meet specified quality standards. However, the relatively short duration (307 days) and the defined scope of architectural design services mitigate some of these risks. The Department of State's oversight and quality assurance processes are crucial for managing any performance-related risks.

How effective is full and open competition for securing architectural design services?

Full and open competition is generally considered a highly effective method for securing architectural design services, as it maximizes the pool of potential offerors and encourages competitive pricing. This approach allows agencies to solicit proposals from a wide range of qualified firms, fostering innovation and ensuring that the government receives proposals that best meet its technical and cost requirements. The process typically involves detailed solicitations, evaluation criteria, and a thorough review of proposals, leading to the selection of the most advantageous offer for the government. The success of this method relies on clear requirements and a fair evaluation process.

What is the historical spending trend for architectural services at the Department of State?

Historical spending on architectural services by the Department of State has been consistent, reflecting ongoing needs for facility maintenance, upgrades, and new construction at embassies, consulates, and domestic facilities worldwide. The department regularly procures architectural and engineering (A&E) services through various contract vehicles, including task orders issued under larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts and direct awards. Analyzing historical spending data would reveal fluctuations based on budget allocations, major construction initiatives, and geopolitical requirements. The trend generally shows a steady demand for these specialized professional services to support the department's global mission.

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

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1800 ALEXANDER BELL DR STE P120, RESTON, VA, 20191

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $220,000

Exercised Options: $220,000

Current Obligation: $220,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: SERVICES PURSUANT TO FAR 12.102(G)

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 19GE5020D0023

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline