Smithsonian Institution Awards $47.4M for Historic Building Rehabilitation Design Services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $47,406,832 ($47.4M)

Contractor: Page-Loring LLC

Awarding Agency: Smithsonian Institution

Start Date: 2020-08-17

End Date: 2028-03-08

Contract Duration: 2,760 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 16

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: TO PROVIDE DESIGN SERVICES FOR SIB AND AIB FOR THEIR COMPLETE REHABILITATION. THE PROJECT INCLUDES HISTORIC PRESERVATION, TOTAL REPLACEMENT OF ALL BUILDING SYSTEMS, HAZMAT ABATEMENT, BLAST AND CBR MITIGATION, ENVELOPE IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDING REMEDIATI

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20024

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Smithsonian Institution obligated $47.4 million to PAGE-LORING LLC for work described as: TO PROVIDE DESIGN SERVICES FOR SIB AND AIB FOR THEIR COMPLETE REHABILITATION. THE PROJECT INCLUDES HISTORIC PRESERVATION, TOTAL REPLACEMENT OF ALL BUILDING SYSTEMS, HAZMAT ABATEMENT, BLAST AND CBR MITIGATION, ENVELOPE IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDING REMEDIATI Key points: 1. Significant investment in critical infrastructure rehabilitation. 2. Architectural services sector sees substantial contract award. 3. Long-term project duration (2020-2028) indicates complex scope. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type aims to control costs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $47.4M for architectural design services appears reasonable given the extensive scope of work, which includes historic preservation, complete system replacement, and advanced mitigation measures. Benchmarking against similar large-scale federal rehabilitation projects would provide further context.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method is generally favorable for achieving competitive pricing and ensuring value for taxpayer money.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive bidding process that aims to secure the best value for a significant investment in preserving historic federal assets.

Public Impact

Preservation of historically significant buildings ensures cultural heritage is maintained. Modernization of building systems will improve energy efficiency and operational resilience. Mitigation measures enhance safety and security of federal facilities. Project completion will result in updated, functional spaces for the Smithsonian.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long project duration could lead to scope creep or cost overruns if not managed effectively.
Complexity of historic preservation combined with modern system upgrades presents significant technical challenges.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
Full and open competition suggests strong market engagement.
Investment in critical infrastructure modernization.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the architectural services sector, supporting the maintenance and modernization of federal buildings. Spending benchmarks for similar large-scale historic rehabilitation projects would be useful for a more precise comparison.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and was awarded to PAGE-LORING LLC. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The Smithsonian Institution is responsible for oversight. The long duration and complexity necessitate diligent project management and regular reporting to ensure adherence to scope, budget, and schedule, safeguarding taxpayer funds.

Related Government Programs

Architectural Services
Smithsonian Institution Contracting
Smithsonian Institution Programs

Risk Flags

Long contract duration (8 years)
Complex scope involving historic preservation and advanced mitigation
Potential for unforeseen conditions in historic structures
Dependency on specialized architectural and engineering expertise

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Smithsonian Institution awarded $47.4 million to PAGE-LORING LLC. TO PROVIDE DESIGN SERVICES FOR SIB AND AIB FOR THEIR COMPLETE REHABILITATION. THE PROJECT INCLUDES HISTORIC PRESERVATION, TOTAL REPLACEMENT OF ALL BUILDING SYSTEMS, HAZMAT ABATEMENT, BLAST AND CBR MITIGATION, ENVELOPE IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDING REMEDIATI

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PAGE-LORING LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Smithsonian Institution (Smithsonian Institution).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $47.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-08-17. End: 2028-03-08.

What is the estimated cost per square foot for the design services, and how does it compare to industry benchmarks for similar historic rehabilitation projects?

Without specific square footage data for the buildings undergoing rehabilitation, calculating a precise per-square-foot cost for design services is not possible. However, the total contract value of $47.4M for architectural services over an eight-year period suggests a significant investment. Benchmarking would require detailed project scope and comparable project data.

What are the specific risks associated with integrating modern blast and CBR mitigation systems into historic structures, and how are these being addressed in the design?

Integrating advanced mitigation systems into historic structures poses risks such as compromising architectural integrity, structural compatibility issues, and unforeseen costs during implementation. The design process must carefully balance these modern requirements with preservation standards, likely involving detailed structural analysis, material compatibility studies, and phased implementation plans to mitigate potential conflicts and ensure long-term viability.

How will the success of the design services be measured, particularly concerning the balance between historic preservation and the integration of new building systems?

Success will likely be measured through adherence to design specifications, compliance with historic preservation guidelines (e.g., Secretary of the Interior's Standards), successful integration of new systems without compromising structural integrity or historical character, and timely delivery of design documents. Key performance indicators could include stakeholder satisfaction, cost-effectiveness of the design solutions, and successful navigation of regulatory approvals.

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: ARCHITECT-ENGINEER FAR 6.102

Solicitation ID: 33330219RF0010014

Offers Received: 16

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1100 LOUISIANA ST STE 1, HOUSTON, TX, 77002

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $47,482,343

Exercised Options: $47,482,343

Current Obligation: $47,406,832

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: PRODUCTS OR SERVICES PURSUANT TO FAR 12.102(F)

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline