Smithsonian Institution awards $656K for web design, focusing on virtual exhibitions and user experience

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $65,620 ($65.6K)

Contractor: Kalamuna Inc.

Awarding Agency: Smithsonian Institution

Start Date: 2025-04-24

End Date: 2026-04-18

Contract Duration: 359 days

Daily Burn Rate: $183/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: WEB DESIGN SERVICES: (1) TO ENHANCE THE USER EXPERIENCE ON THE EXHIBITIONS LANDING PAGE OF ITS WEBSITE, AND (2) TO CREATE A COMPREHENSIVE BILINGUAL VIRTUAL EXHIBITION FOR THE !PURO RITMO! THE MUSICAL JOURNEY OF SALSA EXHIBIT.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20001

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Smithsonian Institution obligated $65,620 to KALAMUNA INC. for work described as: WEB DESIGN SERVICES: (1) TO ENHANCE THE USER EXPERIENCE ON THE EXHIBITIONS LANDING PAGE OF ITS WEBSITE, AND (2) TO CREATE A COMPREHENSIVE BILINGUAL VIRTUAL EXHIBITION FOR THE !PURO RITMO! THE MUSICAL JOURNEY OF SALSA EXHIBIT. Key points: 1. Contract aims to improve website user experience and develop a bilingual virtual exhibition. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Delivery order structure indicates a specific task within a larger framework. 4. Project duration of 359 days allows for thorough development and implementation. 5. Focus on virtual exhibitions aligns with modern digital engagement strategies. 6. Contract value is modest, suggesting a targeted scope of work.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $656,200 for web design and virtual exhibition development appears reasonable given the scope. While direct comparisons are difficult without more detailed project specifications, the price per day is approximately $1,828. This falls within a typical range for specialized digital content creation and web development services, especially for a government entity requiring high-quality, bilingual output. The Smithsonian's reputation suggests a need for professional and polished deliverables, justifying this investment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. This process typically fosters a competitive environment, encouraging multiple vendors to offer their best pricing and solutions. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition suggests that the Smithsonian sought a wide range of qualified contractors to ensure value and quality.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally beneficial for taxpayers as it promotes a level playing field, drives down costs through bidding, and increases the likelihood of selecting the most cost-effective and capable vendor.

Public Impact

The Smithsonian Institution benefits from enhanced digital outreach capabilities. The public gains access to a bilingual virtual exhibition on salsa music. Website users experience improved navigation and engagement on the exhibitions landing page. The project supports digital preservation and accessibility of cultural content. Workforce implications include potential need for specialized web developers and content creators.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if project requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
Dependence on contractor's ability to deliver high-quality, bilingual content.
Risk of technical integration issues with existing Smithsonian web infrastructure.

Positive Signals

Focus on user experience enhancement can lead to increased public engagement.
Development of a bilingual virtual exhibition broadens accessibility to cultural content.
Full and open competition suggests a commitment to achieving best value.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader Information Technology and Digital Services sector, specifically focusing on web development, digital content creation, and virtual exhibition platforms. The market for these services is highly competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized expertise. The Smithsonian's investment aligns with a growing trend among cultural institutions to leverage digital technologies for broader reach and engagement. Comparable spending benchmarks in this area vary widely based on project complexity, but this contract appears to be a moderate investment for a significant digital initiative.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses is likely through potential subcontracting opportunities if the prime contractor, KALAMUNA INC., chooses to engage them. Without specific subcontracting plans mandated, the direct benefit to the small business ecosystem from this particular award is uncertain, though the prime contractor's own size and capabilities would be a factor.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Smithsonian Institution's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would include adherence to the delivery order's statement of work, performance metrics, and timely delivery of milestones. Transparency is generally maintained through public contract databases, although specific internal oversight processes are not detailed here. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Smithsonian Digital Engagement Initiatives
National Museum Website Modernization Projects
Virtual Cultural Heritage Platforms
Bilingual Digital Content Development

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep
Dependence on contractor expertise
Integration with existing systems

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Smithsonian Institution awarded $65,620 to KALAMUNA INC.. WEB DESIGN SERVICES: (1) TO ENHANCE THE USER EXPERIENCE ON THE EXHIBITIONS LANDING PAGE OF ITS WEBSITE, AND (2) TO CREATE A COMPREHENSIVE BILINGUAL VIRTUAL EXHIBITION FOR THE !PURO RITMO! THE MUSICAL JOURNEY OF SALSA EXHIBIT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KALAMUNA INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Smithsonian Institution (Smithsonian Institution).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $65,620.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-04-24. End: 2026-04-18.

What is the track record of KALAMUNA INC. with federal contracts, particularly with the Smithsonian Institution?

Information regarding KALAMUNA INC.'s specific track record with federal contracts, and particularly with the Smithsonian Institution, is not detailed in the provided data. A thorough analysis would require examining past performance reviews, contract history databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS), and any reported issues or successes on previous government projects. Understanding their experience with similar scope and scale projects, especially those involving cultural institutions or complex web development, would be crucial for assessing their reliability and capability for this current award.

How does the $656,200 contract value compare to similar web design and virtual exhibition projects undertaken by other cultural institutions?

Benchmarking this $656,200 contract requires comparing it against similar projects by other cultural institutions. While exact comparisons are difficult without detailed project scopes, this value suggests a significant undertaking. Projects of this nature can range from tens of thousands for simpler website enhancements to millions for comprehensive digital archives or interactive virtual experiences. The Smithsonian's investment appears to be in the mid-range for developing a substantial bilingual virtual exhibition and enhancing a key website landing page, reflecting a commitment to quality and accessibility.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) that will be used to measure the success of this web design project?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, for web design and user experience projects, success metrics might include website traffic, user engagement rates (e.g., time on page, bounce rate), conversion rates for specific actions, user satisfaction surveys, and the successful launch and accessibility of the bilingual virtual exhibition. For the virtual exhibition, metrics could include visitor numbers, duration of engagement, and feedback on the bilingual content's clarity and usefulness. The Smithsonian will likely define these KPIs in the detailed statement of work.

What is the potential risk associated with the 'delivery order' award type for this project?

A delivery order (DO) is typically issued under an existing indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar multiple-award contract. The primary risk associated with a DO is that it represents a specific task order, and its success is dependent on the overarching contract's structure and the contractor's performance under that larger agreement. For this project, the risk is relatively low as it's a direct award for specific services. However, potential risks could include the contractor's capacity to handle multiple DOs if they exist, or if the base contract under which this DO was issued had limitations or performance issues.

How does the focus on a 'bilingual virtual exhibition' impact the project's complexity and cost?

Developing a bilingual virtual exhibition significantly increases project complexity and cost compared to a monolingual one. It requires not only the creation of core content but also its accurate and culturally appropriate translation and adaptation into a second language. This involves translators, editors, and potentially subject matter experts for each language. Furthermore, the user interface and navigation must accommodate both languages seamlessly, potentially requiring additional design and development effort to ensure a consistent and intuitive user experience for all visitors. The $656,200 budget must account for these dual-language requirements.

What is the historical spending pattern of the Smithsonian Institution on web design and digital content creation?

Analyzing the Smithsonian Institution's historical spending on web design and digital content creation would provide context for this $656,200 award. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to ascertain trends. However, like many large cultural organizations, the Smithsonian has likely increased its investment in digital platforms and online engagement over the years. This contract appears to be a targeted investment for specific enhancements, rather than a massive overhaul, suggesting a strategic approach to digital development that may align with broader institutional goals for online presence and accessibility.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Other Information Services › Internet Publishing and Broadcasting and Web Search Portals

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1111 BROADWAY STE 300, OAKLAND, CA, 94607

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $65,620

Exercised Options: $65,620

Current Obligation: $65,620

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 33330220DF0010054

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline