Smithsonian Institution awards $11.4M contract for collections move services, highlighting specialized art handling needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,425,000 ($11.4M)

Contractor: Uovo ART LLC

Awarding Agency: Smithsonian Institution

Start Date: 2025-09-24

End Date: 2025-10-04

Contract Duration: 10 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.1M/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NMAH: PSRP IV COLLECTIONS MOVE

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20560

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Smithsonian Institution obligated $11.4 million to UOVO ART LLC for work described as: NMAH: PSRP IV COLLECTIONS MOVE Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized art packing and crating services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these services. 3. Short performance period indicates a focused, time-sensitive project. 4. Fixed-price contract shifts risk to the contractor. 5. Services are critical for museum operations and artifact preservation. 6. Geographic focus on Washington D.C. aligns with Smithsonian's primary location.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $11.425 million for a 10-day service period seems appropriate given the specialized nature of art packing and crating. While direct comparisons are difficult without more specific service details, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests the government has a clear understanding of the costs involved. The relatively low number of bids (3) in a full and open competition might warrant a closer look at market capacity for such niche services, but the price itself is not inherently concerning.

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 bids. Three bids were received, suggesting a moderate level of competition for this specialized service. While three bidders is not a large number, it does demonstrate that multiple firms were capable and interested in performing the work, which is a positive sign for price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition provides assurance that taxpayer funds were likely used efficiently, as the government sought the best value from a range of qualified providers.

Public Impact

The Smithsonian Institution directly benefits from the secure and efficient relocation of its valuable collections. Services include specialized packing and crating, essential for preserving artifacts during transit. The geographic impact is concentrated in Washington D.C., where the collections are located and likely being moved. This contract supports a specialized workforce skilled in art handling and logistics.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition (3 bidders) could potentially lead to higher prices than a more robustly contested bid.
Short performance duration (10 days) might limit the pool of contractors willing or able to mobilize quickly.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Full and open competition ensures a broad search for qualified contractors.
Specialized nature of the work suggests a focus on quality and expertise.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically focusing on specialized logistics and art handling. The market for such services is niche, often involving firms with expertise in museum collections, fine art, and sensitive material transport. While the overall market size for general packing and crating is substantial, the segment catering to high-value, delicate items like museum collections is considerably smaller and requires specific certifications and experience.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. Given the specialized nature of packing and crating valuable museum collections, it is possible that larger, more experienced firms dominate this niche. There is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans or opportunities for small businesses within this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a definitive contract awarded by the Smithsonian Institution, which has established oversight mechanisms for its procurements. As a federal agency, it is subject to regulations and audits. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of cost control. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases where such awards are reported.

Related Government Programs

Museum Collections Management
Art Installation and Handling Services
Specialized Logistics
Artifact Preservation and Conservation Support

Risk Flags

Potential for damage to irreplaceable artifacts
Contractor's ability to meet tight deadline
Limited number of bidders may indicate market concentration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Smithsonian Institution awarded $11.4 million to UOVO ART LLC. NMAH: PSRP IV COLLECTIONS MOVE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UOVO ART LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Smithsonian Institution (Smithsonian Institution).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $11.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-24. End: 2025-10-04.

What is the track record of UOVO ART LLC in handling federal contracts, particularly for museum collections?

Information regarding UOVO ART LLC's specific track record with federal contracts, especially those involving museum collections, is not detailed in the provided data. A deeper dive into federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) would be necessary to ascertain their past performance, contract values, and client agencies. Understanding their experience with similar projects, including the scale and type of collections handled, would provide crucial context for assessing their capability and reliability for this Smithsonian contract. Their performance history on previous contracts, including any reported issues or successes, is vital for a comprehensive risk assessment.

How does the $11.4 million contract value compare to similar specialized art handling contracts awarded by federal agencies?

Benchmarking the $11.4 million contract value requires comparing it against similar specialized art handling and museum collection relocation contracts. Without specific details on the scope of work (e.g., volume of items, distance of move, specific crating requirements), direct comparison is challenging. However, contracts for large-scale museum moves or significant collection management services can range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on complexity and duration. The 10-day performance period for this contract suggests a high intensity of work, potentially justifying the significant cost. Further analysis would involve searching for comparable contracts awarded by agencies like the National Archives, National Gallery of Art, or other major cultural institutions.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risks associated with this contract revolve around the potential for damage to valuable and irreplaceable museum artifacts during packing, crating, and transit. Mishandling or inadequate protection could lead to significant cultural and financial loss. Another risk is the contractor's ability to meet the tight 10-day deadline for completion, which could disrupt museum operations. Mitigation strategies likely include stringent contract specifications detailing packing materials and methods, insurance requirements, and performance standards. The firm-fixed-price nature shifts some financial risk to the contractor, incentivizing them to perform efficiently and carefully to avoid cost overruns. The Smithsonian's oversight and inspection during the process would also serve as a key mitigation measure.

How effective is the firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type in ensuring value for money for this specific service?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally effective in ensuring value for money when the scope of work is well-defined and the risks are manageable. For specialized packing and crating services like this, where the tasks are specific and the materials/labor can be reasonably estimated, FFP provides cost certainty to the government. It incentivizes the contractor to control costs and perform efficiently to maximize profit. The primary benefit is predictability of cost. However, if unforeseen complexities arise that were not adequately scoped, the contractor might face challenges, potentially impacting quality if they try to cut corners to maintain profitability. The Smithsonian's clear definition of requirements is key to the success of this FFP award.

What does the limited number of bidders (3) in a full and open competition suggest about the market for these specialized services?

The fact that only three bids were received under full and open competition for this specialized art packing and crating contract suggests a potentially limited or highly specialized market. This could indicate that the number of firms possessing the requisite expertise, certifications, and capacity to handle valuable museum collections is relatively small. While competition exists, it is not broad. This situation might imply that contractors have significant market power, potentially leading to higher prices than if there were many more bidders. It also highlights the importance of the Smithsonian's outreach efforts to ensure they are reaching all qualified potential sources in the future.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Other Support Activities for Transportation › Packing and Crating

Product/Service Code: TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCATION › MOTOR POOL OR PACKING/CRATING

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 33330225RF0010008

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 26 W 17TH ST STE 801, NEW YORK, NY, 10011

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: $11,425,000

Exercised Options: $11,425,000

Current Obligation: $11,425,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline