GSA awards $35,880 for FBI design services in Hawaii, with a 1,467-day duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $35,880 ($35.9K)

Contractor: Kimball International Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2022-08-25

End Date: 2026-08-31

Contract Duration: 1,467 days

Daily Burn Rate: $24/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BPA CALL #47QSMA22F0067, ASSIST ID 47QSMA17K0008-0124, IS ISSUED TO KIMBALL FOR $260.00. QUOTE SUBMITTED 7/28/22 WAS SUBMITTED AS OUTLINED IN THE AWARDED EXEC CASEGOODS BPA TO PROVIDE DESIGN SERVICES ONLY FOR FBI'S KONA, HI (RA) PROJECT.

Place of Performance

Location: KAILUA KONA, HAWAII County, HAWAII, 96740

State: Hawaii Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $35,880.22 to KIMBALL INTERNATIONAL INC for work described as: BPA CALL #47QSMA22F0067, ASSIST ID 47QSMA17K0008-0124, IS ISSUED TO KIMBALL FOR $260.00. QUOTE SUBMITTED 7/28/22 WAS SUBMITTED AS OUTLINED IN THE AWARDED EXEC CASEGOODS BPA TO PROVIDE DESIGN SERVICES ONLY FOR FBI'S KONA, HI (RA) PROJECT. Key points: 1. This contract focuses on design services for a specific FBI project, indicating specialized needs. 2. The award was made under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA), suggesting a pre-negotiated framework. 3. The fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 4. The duration of nearly four years suggests a long-term engagement for design support. 5. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, indicating a focus on larger or specialized firms. 6. The geographic location in Hawaii may influence logistical costs and contractor availability.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The awarded amount of $35,880.22 for design services appears to be a relatively small contract. Benchmarking this specific design service for an FBI project in Hawaii is challenging without more detailed scope information. However, for similar specialized design services under federal contracts, costs can vary significantly based on complexity, duration, and required expertise. The fixed-price nature provides some cost control, but the overall value proposition depends heavily on the quality and effectiveness of the design services delivered for the FBI's Kona, HI project.

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 offers. The specific details of how many bids were received or the evaluation process are not provided in the award data. However, full and open competition generally promotes a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and a wider selection of qualified contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining competitive pricing and ensures that the government has access to the best available services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which will receive design services for its Kona, HI project. The services delivered will support the planning and aesthetic development of FBI facilities. The geographic impact is localized to Hawaii, specifically the Kona region. Workforce implications are likely minimal, primarily involving specialized design professionals.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited public information on the specific design deliverables and their impact.
Potential for cost overruns if the scope of design services expands beyond initial expectations.
Dependence on a single contractor for specialized design services over a multi-year period.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process.
Fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty.
Long-term contract duration allows for consistent support for the FBI project.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on architectural and engineering services, and design. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 337214 relates to Office Furniture (except Wood) Manufacturing, which seems incongruent with 'design services only for FBI's Kona, HI (RA) Project' and 'design services'. This suggests a potential misclassification or a very niche application of furniture design principles. Comparable spending in federal design and architectural services is substantial, often running into billions annually across various agencies for facility planning and upgrades.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, as indicated by 'ss': false and 'sb': false. The award was made under full and open competition. This means that large businesses and any other responsible sources were eligible to compete. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data. The lack of a small business set-aside suggests that the nature of the required design services may not have been specifically targeted for small business participation, or that larger firms were deemed more suitable for this particular requirement.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) is responsible for overseeing this contract. As a federal agency, GSA is subject to various oversight mechanisms, including internal audits and reviews. The contract's fixed-price nature provides a degree of accountability for the contractor. Transparency is facilitated through public contract databases where award information is typically recorded. Further oversight would depend on the specific reporting requirements within the BPA call and the FBI's internal project management protocols.

Related Government Programs

FBI Facility Modernization Projects
GSA Federal Acquisition Service Contracts
Design Services for Government Facilities
Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)

Risk Flags

Potential NAICS code misclassification.
Unclear scope of 'design services' relative to contract value and duration.
Limited information on competition details beyond 'full and open'.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $35,880.22 to KIMBALL INTERNATIONAL INC. BPA CALL #47QSMA22F0067, ASSIST ID 47QSMA17K0008-0124, IS ISSUED TO KIMBALL FOR $260.00. QUOTE SUBMITTED 7/28/22 WAS SUBMITTED AS OUTLINED IN THE AWARDED EXEC CASEGOODS BPA TO PROVIDE DESIGN SERVICES ONLY FOR FBI'S KONA, HI (RA) PROJECT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KIMBALL INTERNATIONAL INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $35,880.22.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-08-25. End: 2026-08-31.

What is the specific nature of the 'design services' being procured for the FBI's Kona, HI project, and how does it relate to NAICS code 337214 (Office Furniture Manufacturing)?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'design services only for FBI's Kona, HI (RA) Project' and lists NAICS code 337214, which pertains to 'Office Furniture (except Wood) Manufacturing'. This presents a potential discrepancy. Typically, design services for a facility project would fall under architectural, engineering, or interior design categories (e.g., NAICS 541310 - Architectural Services, 541330 - Engineering Services, or 541410 - Interior Design Services). It is possible that the 'design services' are specifically related to the layout, configuration, or aesthetic integration of office furniture within the FBI facility, or that the NAICS code is misapplied. Without further clarification from the awarding agency (GSA) or the contractor (Kimball International Inc.), the precise scope and its relation to furniture manufacturing remain unclear. The award amount of $35,880.22 over nearly four years suggests a limited scope, possibly focused on specific aspects of furniture selection, space planning related to furniture, or aesthetic consultation rather than full architectural design.

How does the awarded price of $35,880.22 compare to market rates for similar design services for federal projects?

Benchmarking the price of $35,880.22 for specialized design services for a federal project in Hawaii is challenging without a detailed scope of work. However, considering the contract duration of 1467 days (nearly 4 years), the average annual value is approximately $9,800. This suggests a very limited engagement, likely for consultation, specific furniture design integration, or minor space planning rather than comprehensive architectural or interior design. For larger federal facility projects, design service contracts can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars. For a project of this duration and apparent limited scope, the price might be reasonable if it covers highly specialized, intermittent support. However, if it implies significant design work, the value could be questionable due to the low overall award amount.

What are the potential risks associated with a fixed-price contract of this duration for specialized design services?

A primary risk with fixed-price contracts, especially for services that can evolve, is scope creep. If the FBI's requirements for the Kona project change or expand beyond the initially defined design services, the contractor might be hesitant to accommodate these changes without additional funding, potentially leading to disputes or a less-than-optimal outcome. Conversely, if the contractor underestimates the effort required, they risk financial loss. For specialized design services, the risk also lies in the contractor's ability to maintain the required expertise and deliver innovative solutions over a long period. Ensuring the contractor remains aligned with the FBI's evolving needs and maintaining quality over the 1467-day duration are key considerations.

What is Kimball International Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly for design or facility-related services?

Kimball International Inc. is primarily known as a manufacturer of office furniture and related products. While they may offer design services as part of their product offerings or for specific client projects, their extensive track record might be more focused on manufacturing and product delivery rather than standalone federal design contracts. A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to ascertain the extent and nature of their past federal awards. It's plausible this contract leverages their expertise in furniture design and space planning related to their products, rather than broader architectural or interior design services. Their experience in delivering furniture solutions could translate to effective design consultation within that niche.

How does this contract fit into the broader context of GSA's role in supporting federal agencies like the FBI?

This contract exemplifies the General Services Administration's (GSA) role as a central procurement and facility management agency for the federal government. GSA, through its Federal Acquisition Service (FAS), provides a wide range of services and contract vehicles, such as Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs), to help other agencies procure necessary goods and services efficiently. By issuing this BPA call to Kimball International Inc. for design services, GSA is enabling the FBI to access specialized expertise without needing to manage a separate, full-scale procurement process for this specific need. This supports GSA's mission to deliver value and efficiency in government operations by leveraging existing contract vehicles and supplier relationships.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Office Furniture (including Fixtures) Manufacturing › Office Furniture (except Wood) Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: FURNITURE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 47QSMA17K0008-0124

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Kimball International, Inc.

Address: 1600 ROYAL ST, JASPER, IN, 47546

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $35,880

Exercised Options: $35,880

Current Obligation: $35,880

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSMA18A0005

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline