GSA's $16.7M contract for architectural services awarded to SHALOM BARANES ASSOCIATES, P.C. demonstrates long-term engagement

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,717,529 ($16.7M)

Contractor: Shalom Baranes Associates, P.C.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2004-02-20

End Date: 2017-02-17

Contract Duration: 4,746 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: AE DESIGN SERVICES TO THE DOI.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20407

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $16.7 million to SHALOM BARANES ASSOCIATES, P.C. for work described as: AE DESIGN SERVICES TO THE DOI. Key points: 1. The contract's duration of nearly 13 years suggests a sustained need for architectural expertise. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a broad market solicitation. 3. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government. 4. The contract was awarded by the General Services Administration's Public Buildings Service. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541310 points to architectural services. 6. The contract's completion date in 2017 suggests it is no longer active.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more specific details on the scope of services provided. However, the total award amount of $16.7 million over nearly 13 years averages to approximately $1.3 million per year, which may be reasonable for comprehensive architectural services. Comparing it to similar large-scale federal architectural contracts would provide a clearer picture of its value-for-money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting that multiple firms were likely invited to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The GSA's standard practice for such solicitations aims to maximize competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by promoting a level playing field for contractors, which can drive down costs and improve the quality of services received.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring architectural design and planning services benefit from this contract. The contract supports the development and modernization of federal buildings and facilities. The geographic impact is primarily within the District of Columbia, where the contractor is located. The contract supports the architecture and engineering workforce, particularly within specialized firms.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The long contract duration could potentially lead to complacency or reduced innovation over time if not actively managed.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the contractor's performance objectively.
The absence of small business subcontracting goals might limit opportunities for smaller firms in this specific contract.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
The firm fixed-price contract provides budget predictability for the government.
The contractor has a long-standing relationship with the government, suggesting a level of trust and established performance.

Sector Analysis

The architectural services sector is a critical component of the construction and public infrastructure industry. Federal spending in this area supports the design, planning, and oversight of government facilities. The market is characterized by a mix of large, established firms and smaller, specialized practices. This contract falls within the broader category of professional services supporting federal real property management and development.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have specific small business set-aside provisions, as indicated by 'ss: false' and 'sb: false'. While the primary award was to a specific firm, the potential for subcontracting opportunities with small businesses is not explicitly detailed. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether SHALOM BARANES ASSOCIATES, P.C. engaged small businesses as subcontractors, which is not evident from the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the General Services Administration's Public Buildings Service. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver services within the agreed-upon scope and price. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases and reporting, although specific performance reviews are not publicly detailed.

Related Government Programs

Federal Buildings Fund
Public Buildings Service Programs
Architectural and Engineering Services Contracts
General Services Administration Procurement

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may indicate potential for scope creep or reduced competition over time.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes objective assessment difficult.
Limited information on small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $16.7 million to SHALOM BARANES ASSOCIATES, P.C.. AE DESIGN SERVICES TO THE DOI.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SHALOM BARANES ASSOCIATES, P.C..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Public Buildings Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $16.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2004-02-20. End: 2017-02-17.

What was the specific scope of architectural services provided under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract was for 'AE DESIGN SERVICES TO THE DOI' (Department of the Interior) and falls under NAICS code 541310 (Architectural Services). However, the precise scope of work, such as whether it included new construction design, renovation planning, historic preservation, or master planning, is not detailed. The duration of nearly 13 years suggests a broad range of services or support for multiple projects over an extended period. Further analysis would require accessing the contract's statement of work (SOW) or task orders issued against it to understand the specific deliverables and project types.

How does the average annual cost of this contract compare to similar federal architectural service contracts?

The contract's total value of $16.7 million over approximately 4746 days (about 13 years) equates to an average annual expenditure of roughly $1.28 million. Benchmarking this against similar federal architectural service contracts requires access to a broader dataset of contracts with comparable scope, duration, and agency. Without such comparative data, it's difficult to definitively state whether this represents excellent, good, or fair value. Factors like the complexity of projects, geographic location, and specific services rendered significantly influence pricing in the architectural services market.

What was the track record of SHALOM BARANES ASSOCIATES, P.C. prior to or during this contract award?

Information on SHALOM BARANES ASSOCIATES, P.C.'s track record prior to or during this contract is not provided in the given data snippet. A comprehensive assessment would involve reviewing their past performance on federal contracts, client satisfaction ratings, and any history of disputes or contract terminations. Federal procurement systems often maintain past performance information, which contracting officers use in source selection. For this specific contract, the long duration and repeated awards (implied by the start and end dates) suggest a satisfactory performance history, at least from the perspective of the contracting agency at the time of award and subsequent modifications.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the success of this contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the success of this contract. Typically, for architectural services, KPIs might include adherence to project schedules, staying within budget constraints, quality of design deliverables, compliance with building codes and regulations, and client satisfaction. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract implies that meeting the defined scope within the agreed price is a primary measure of success. However, without access to the contract's performance work statement (PWS) or statement of objectives (SOO), specific KPIs remain unknown.

How has federal spending on architectural services evolved over the period this contract was active (2004-2017)?

Federal spending on architectural services generally fluctuates based on infrastructure needs, construction cycles, and agency budgets. During the period of this contract (2004-2017), federal construction and renovation projects saw varying levels of investment. Post-9/11 security enhancements and subsequent economic stimulus packages influenced spending patterns. While this specific contract represents a consistent expenditure for the GSA and DOI, overall federal outlays for architectural services would have been influenced by broader economic conditions, congressional appropriations, and administration priorities related to federal real property management and development.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Architectural Services

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ARCHITECT-ENGINEER FAR 6.102

Solicitation ID: GS-11P-93-EGC-0007

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3299 K ST NW STE 400, WASHINGTON, DC, 20007

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Subchapter S Corporation

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,732,137

Exercised Options: $16,732,137

Current Obligation: $16,717,529

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline