State Department Awards $68.9M for New Embassy Compound Design Services to Morphosis Architects
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $68,860,030 ($68.9M)
Contractor: Morphosis Architects
Awarding Agency: Department of State
Start Date: 2014-09-19
End Date: 2026-12-21
Contract Duration: 4,476 days
Daily Burn Rate: $15.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 39
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: NEW EMBASSY COMPOUND DESIGN SERVICES. IGF::OT::IGF.
Place of Performance
Location: CULVER CITY, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 90232
Plain-Language Summary
Department of State obligated $68.9 million to MORPHOSIS ARCHITECTS for work described as: NEW EMBASSY COMPOUND DESIGN SERVICES. IGF::OT::IGF. Key points: 1. Significant contract value for architectural services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration is substantial, spanning over 13 years. 4. The award was made to a single firm, Morphosis Architects.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $68.9 million for architectural services is substantial. Benchmarking against similar large-scale government design projects is difficult without more specific details on the scope and complexity of the embassy compound.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple firms had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for the design of a new embassy compound. The competitive nature of the award aims to ensure value for money.
Public Impact
Impacts diplomatic infrastructure and U.S. presence abroad. Requires specialized architectural and design expertise. Potential for job creation in the architecture and engineering sectors.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration may lead to cost overruns or scope creep.
- Reliance on a single firm for a critical infrastructure project.
- Potential for changes in project requirements over the extended period.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Firm fixed price contract can provide cost certainty.
- Experienced firm likely selected for complex project.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Architectural Services sector, specifically for large-scale government infrastructure. Spending benchmarks for such unique projects are hard to establish due to their bespoke nature and geopolitical significance.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses, as the 'sb' field is false. The primary awardee is Morphosis Architects, a known firm, suggesting larger entities were likely involved in the competition.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of State is responsible for overseeing this contract. Given the long duration and significant value, robust oversight mechanisms are crucial to ensure project milestones are met and costs remain controlled.
Related Government Programs
- Architectural Services
- Department of State Contracting
- Department of State Programs
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration (over 13 years).
- High contract value ($68.9 million).
- Award to a single firm for a critical infrastructure project.
- Lack of specific details on project scope and deliverables.
Tags
architectural-services, department-of-state, ca, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of State awarded $68.9 million to MORPHOSIS ARCHITECTS. NEW EMBASSY COMPOUND DESIGN SERVICES. IGF::OT::IGF.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is MORPHOSIS ARCHITECTS.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $68.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2014-09-19. End: 2026-12-21.
What specific architectural and design requirements are included in this contract to justify the $68.9 million cost over 13 years?
The contract likely encompasses comprehensive architectural design services, including conceptualization, schematic design, design development, construction documents, and potentially construction administration for a new embassy compound. The high cost reflects the complexity, security requirements, sustainability goals, and potentially the scale and location of the facility, all of which demand specialized expertise and extensive project management over a prolonged period.
What are the primary risks associated with a 13-year contract for embassy design, and how are they being mitigated?
Key risks include potential scope creep, changes in geopolitical needs or security requirements, and inflation over the long term. Mitigation strategies may involve phased contract awards, clear change order processes, regular performance reviews, and incorporating flexibility into the design to adapt to evolving needs. The firm fixed price nature also aims to cap cost increases, though it could strain the contractor if unforeseen issues arise.
How does the selection of Morphosis Architects through full and open competition ensure the most effective and cost-efficient design for the new embassy compound?
Full and open competition theoretically allows the most qualified firms to submit proposals, fostering a competitive environment that drives innovation and efficiency. The selection of Morphosis Architects suggests their proposal best met the technical, experience, and potentially cost criteria outlined by the Department of State. This process aims to secure a design that is both effective in meeting diplomatic and security needs and represents good value for taxpayer investment.
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
Offers Received: 39
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3440 WESLEY ST, CULVER CITY, CA, 90232
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $68,860,030
Exercised Options: $68,860,030
Current Obligation: $68,860,030
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2014-09-19
Current End Date: 2026-12-21
Potential End Date: 2026-12-21 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-07-31
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