DOE awards $1.69M contract to DRS Architects for Advanced Alloy Signature Center design evaluations
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $169,305 ($169.3K)
Contractor: DRS Architects Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2025-11-13
End Date: 2026-10-12
Contract Duration: 333 days
Daily Burn Rate: $508/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: **IRA FUNDED** DRS TO PROVIDE DESIGN EVALUATIONS, CONFORMED DRAWINGS, AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR BUILDING 34 ADVANCED ALLOY SIGNATURE CENTER PROJECT AS DETAILED IN THE STATEMENT OF WORK.
Place of Performance
Location: PITTSBURGH, ALLEGHENY County, PENNSYLVANIA, 15222
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $169,305 to DRS ARCHITECTS INC for work described as: **IRA FUNDED** DRS TO PROVIDE DESIGN EVALUATIONS, CONFORMED DRAWINGS, AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR BUILDING 34 ADVANCED ALLOY SIGNATURE CENTER PROJECT AS DETAILED IN THE STATEMENT OF WORK. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical design and specification work for a specialized research facility. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about potential cost efficiencies and market exploration. 3. Project duration of over a year suggests a significant scope of work. 4. Fixed-price contract structure aims to control costs, but initial pricing needs benchmarking. 5. Location in Pennsylvania may offer local economic benefits. 6. The project is funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, indicating a strategic investment.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $1.69 million for design evaluations, drawings, and specifications appears reasonable for a specialized research facility. However, without comparable sole-source contracts for similar advanced materials research centers, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against industry standards for architectural and engineering services for complex scientific facilities would be necessary to confirm competitive pricing. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides some cost certainty, but the absence of competition limits the opportunity for price discovery.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one contractor, DRS Architects Inc., was solicited. This approach bypasses the competitive bidding process, which typically leads to a wider range of proposals and potentially lower prices due to market forces. While sole-source awards can be justified for specialized expertise or urgent needs, they reduce transparency and limit the government's ability to ensure it is receiving the best possible value through competition.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition means taxpayers may not benefit from the cost savings that could arise from a more open bidding process. It also limits the opportunity to foster new relationships with other qualified firms.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Energy and its research initiatives, specifically in advanced materials. The contract will deliver essential design evaluations, conformed drawings, and specifications for the Advanced Alloy Signature Center. The project's geographic impact is centered in Pennsylvania, potentially supporting local architectural and engineering firms. Workforce implications include employment for architects, engineers, and technical specialists involved in the design process.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competitive pricing and potential value for taxpayers.
- Lack of transparency in the procurement process.
- Potential for cost overruns if not closely managed due to absence of competitive pressure.
Positive Signals
- IRA funding indicates strategic national importance and investment in future technologies.
- Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the defined scope.
- DRS Architects Inc. is the selected contractor, implying they possess the necessary specialized expertise.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330), a critical component of the broader construction and professional services market. This sector supports the design and planning of complex infrastructure and specialized facilities. The market for such services is competitive, but contracts for highly specialized research facilities, like the Advanced Alloy Signature Center, often require unique expertise, potentially leading to fewer bidders or sole-source awards. Spending in this area is driven by government investment in scientific research, infrastructure development, and technological advancement.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not competed and there is no indication of small business set-asides or subcontracting plans. As a sole-source award to a single firm, it does not directly contribute to the small business contracting goals. The impact on the small business ecosystem is neutral in this instance, as no specific opportunities for small businesses were created or excluded through this particular procurement.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will primarily be conducted by the Department of Energy's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the fixed-price contract terms, requiring DRS Architects Inc. to deliver specific outputs by contract end date. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Energy Research Facilities
- Advanced Materials Research Programs
- Inflation Reduction Act Investments
- Engineering and Design Services Contracts
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- Potential for cost inefficiency
Tags
engineering-services, department-of-energy, pennsylvania, definitive-contract, firm-fixed-price, sole-source, research-and-development, inflation-reduction-act, design-services, advanced-materials
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $169,305 to DRS ARCHITECTS INC. **IRA FUNDED** DRS TO PROVIDE DESIGN EVALUATIONS, CONFORMED DRAWINGS, AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR BUILDING 34 ADVANCED ALLOY SIGNATURE CENTER PROJECT AS DETAILED IN THE STATEMENT OF WORK.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is DRS ARCHITECTS INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $169,305.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-11-13. End: 2026-10-12.
What is the track record of DRS Architects Inc. with the Department of Energy or similar federal agencies for specialized research facilities?
A review of federal procurement data indicates that DRS Architects Inc. has received federal contracts, though specific details on their experience with highly specialized research facilities like the Advanced Alloy Signature Center require deeper investigation. Their past performance with the Department of Energy and other agencies would be a key indicator of their capability to successfully execute this project. Assessing past project timelines, budget adherence, and client satisfaction would provide crucial context for evaluating the risk associated with this sole-source award. Without this detailed historical performance data, it is difficult to definitively gauge their suitability beyond the agency's initial selection.
How does the $1.69 million contract value compare to similar design services for advanced research centers?
Benchmarking the $1.69 million contract value against similar sole-source or competed contracts for the design of advanced research facilities is challenging without access to a comprehensive database of comparable projects. Factors such as facility size, complexity, specific technological requirements (e.g., alloy signature analysis), and geographic location significantly influence costs. Typically, design services for specialized scientific centers can range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars, depending on these variables. The absence of competition for this contract limits the ability to perform a direct price comparison and ensure optimal value for taxpayer funds. Further analysis would require identifying and comparing data from projects with similar scope and technical demands.
What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source award for this type of project?
The primary risks associated with a sole-source award for this project include potential overpricing due to the lack of competitive pressure, limited innovation from a single provider, and a reduced incentive for the contractor to achieve maximum efficiency. Taxpayers may not receive the best possible value compared to a competed procurement. Furthermore, if DRS Architects Inc. encounters unforeseen challenges or lacks specific expertise in a niche area, the government has fewer alternatives for recourse or supplementary support without initiating a new, potentially lengthy, procurement process. The absence of multiple bids also means less market intelligence is gathered regarding available solutions and pricing.
How does the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding influence the selection and oversight of this contract?
Funding this contract through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) signals a strategic national priority, likely related to advancing clean energy technologies, domestic manufacturing, or critical mineral supply chains, given the focus on advanced alloys. This designation may subject the contract to heightened scrutiny regarding its alignment with IRA objectives and reporting requirements. While the IRA itself doesn't dictate procurement methods, the emphasis on strategic investments might influence agencies to expedite awards for critical projects, potentially contributing to the rationale for a sole-source decision if speed was a factor. Oversight would likely focus on ensuring the project contributes to the IRA's broader goals and that funds are used effectively and transparently towards those ends.
What are the potential long-term implications of the Advanced Alloy Signature Center for the DOE and related industries?
The establishment of an Advanced Alloy Signature Center, supported by this design contract, could have significant long-term implications for the Department of Energy and related industries. Such a facility is likely intended to advance research and development in materials science, potentially leading to breakthroughs in areas like lightweight alloys for aerospace and automotive sectors, high-performance materials for energy infrastructure, or novel alloys for defense applications. This could enhance U.S. competitiveness in critical manufacturing sectors, reduce reliance on foreign supply chains for advanced materials, and contribute to energy efficiency goals. The center's outputs could drive innovation, create high-skilled jobs, and foster new commercial opportunities based on the research conducted.
What specific deliverables are expected from DRS Architects Inc. under this contract, and how will their completion be verified?
Under this contract, DRS Architects Inc. is expected to provide 'design evaluations, conformed drawings, and specifications' for Building 34 of the Advanced Alloy Signature Center, as detailed in the Statement of Work (SOW). Completion verification will likely involve a rigorous review process by Department of Energy technical experts and contracting officers. This would include checking the drawings and specifications for accuracy, completeness, compliance with relevant building codes and standards, and alignment with the project's functional requirements. Milestones within the contract period may be tied to the delivery of specific sets of documents, with final acceptance contingent upon the satisfactory completion and approval of all required design documentation.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 420 FORT DUQUESNE BLVD, PITTSBURGH, PA, 15222
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $169,305
Exercised Options: $169,305
Current Obligation: $169,305
Actual Outlays: $61,592
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-11-13
Current End Date: 2026-10-12
Potential End Date: 2026-10-12 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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