State Dept. Spent $15.1M on Architectural Planning Services Over 6 Years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,164,451 ($15.2M)

Contractor: Moore Ruble Yudell

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2008-08-28

End Date: 2014-08-22

Contract Duration: 2,185 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.9K/day

Number of Offers Received: 31

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PLANNING SERVICES.

Place of Performance

Location: SANTA MONICA, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 90405

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $15.2 million to MOORE RUBLE YUDELL for work described as: PLANNING SERVICES. Key points: 1. The contract awarded to Moore Ruble Yudell for architectural planning services totaled $15.1 million. 2. This represents a significant investment in planning services for the Department of State. 3. The duration of the contract (2185 days) suggests a long-term need for these services. 4. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs, but the final expenditure was $6940 over the initial award. 5. The lack of a specific PSC code makes direct sector comparison challenging.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The final cost of $15,164,451.21 exceeded the initial award by $6,940. While the fixed-price contract aims for cost certainty, this slight overage warrants attention.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The competition method is not specified, making it difficult to assess price discovery. If it was sole-source or limited, the government may not have achieved the best possible price.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers funded the $15.1 million expenditure for architectural planning services, with a slight cost overrun.

Public Impact

The substantial investment in planning services indicates a long-term commitment to specific projects or infrastructure development by the Department of State. The extended contract duration suggests the complexity and scope of the architectural planning undertaken. The use of a fixed-price contract indicates an effort to manage and predict project costs for the taxpayer.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specified competition method
Slight cost overrun on fixed-price contract

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract used
Long contract duration suggests significant project scope

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Architectural Services (NAICS 541310), a sector crucial for government infrastructure and facility development. Benchmarks for such long-term planning contracts can vary widely based on project scale and complexity.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication whether small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded as a delivery order, suggesting it was part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. Oversight would focus on the management of this specific order and its alignment with the parent contract's objectives.

Related Government Programs

Architectural Services
Department of State Contracting
Department of State Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competition details
Unexplained cost overrun
Extended contract duration without clear deliverables
No small business participation noted

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $15.2 million to MOORE RUBLE YUDELL. PLANNING SERVICES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MOORE RUBLE YUDELL.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $15.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-08-28. End: 2014-08-22.

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

The provided data does not detail the specific scope of architectural planning services. It only indicates the broad category (NAICS 541310). Understanding the nature of the planning, such as for new construction, renovations, or master planning, would be essential for a comprehensive value assessment.

What was the justification for the $6,940 cost overrun on a fixed-price contract?

The reason for the $6,940 cost overrun on this fixed-price contract is not detailed in the provided data. Fixed-price contracts are intended to cap costs, so any overrun typically requires a formal change order or justification due to unforeseen circumstances or scope adjustments.

How did the competition method for this contract impact the final price paid by taxpayers?

The competition method is listed as 'unknown,' which prevents a direct assessment of its impact on the final price. If the contract was awarded through full and open competition, it likely resulted in a competitive price. However, if it was sole-source or limited, the price may not have been as optimized.

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

Contractor Details

Address: 933 PICO BLVD, SANTA MONICA, CA, 90405

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,164,452

Exercised Options: $15,164,452

Current Obligation: $15,164,451

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: SAQMMA08D0089

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline