State Dept. Awards $24.9M for Architectural Services, Full & Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $24,896,944 ($24.9M)
Contractor: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP
Awarding Agency: Department of State
Start Date: 2014-09-26
End Date: 2023-01-31
Contract Duration: 3,049 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 88
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS. IGF::OT::IGF.
Place of Performance
Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22209
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of State obligated $24.9 million to SKIDMORE, OWINGS & MERRILL LLP for work described as: CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS. IGF::OT::IGF. Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $24.9 million for architectural services. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating broad market engagement. 3. Long duration of 3049 days suggests a substantial, ongoing project. 4. Contractor SKIDMORE, OWINGS & MERRILL LLP is a well-established firm.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $24.9M for architectural services appears reasonable given the long duration and the reputation of the contractor. Benchmarking against similar large-scale architectural projects would provide further context.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust process for soliciting bids and ensuring competitive pricing. This method generally leads to better price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition aims to secure the best value for taxpayers by allowing all qualified vendors to participate.
Public Impact
Impacts the Department of State's infrastructure and facilities. Supports architectural design and planning for government buildings. Potential for job creation within the architectural and construction sectors.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 81 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration could lead to scope creep or cost overruns if not managed effectively.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition promotes fairness and potentially better pricing.
- Award to a reputable firm suggests a focus on quality and expertise.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the architectural services sector, a key component of the construction and professional services industries. Spending benchmarks for similar government architectural contracts would provide further context on value.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and was awarded to a large firm. There is no direct indication of small business participation in this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Department of State, implying oversight from agency procurement officials. Further review of performance reports and audits would be needed to assess accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Architectural Services
- Department of State Contracting
- Department of State Programs
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration
- Potential for scope creep
- Lack of specific project details
Tags
architectural-services, department-of-state, va, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of State awarded $24.9 million to SKIDMORE, OWINGS & MERRILL LLP. CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS. IGF::OT::IGF.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SKIDMORE, OWINGS & MERRILL LLP.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $24.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2014-09-26. End: 2023-01-31.
What specific architectural services are being procured, and how do they align with the Department of State's long-term infrastructure needs?
The contract is for architectural services, likely encompassing design, planning, and potentially oversight for facilities. Understanding the specific projects or types of facilities (e.g., embassies, domestic offices) is crucial to assess alignment with the Department of State's strategic infrastructure goals and modernization efforts.
Given the long contract duration, what mechanisms are in place to manage potential cost increases and ensure continued value?
Long-duration contracts require robust change management and oversight. Mechanisms likely include fixed-price components, clear scope definitions, and regular performance reviews. The agency should have processes to monitor for scope creep and ensure that any adjustments are justified and priced appropriately to maintain taxpayer value.
How will the success of these architectural services be measured to ensure effectiveness and taxpayer benefit?
Effectiveness is typically measured against project milestones, adherence to design specifications, budget compliance, and timely delivery. Post-occupancy evaluations of the facilities designed can also provide feedback on the long-term effectiveness of the architectural services. Clear performance metrics and regular reporting are essential.
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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 88
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1 FRONT ST STE 2500, SAN FRANCISCO, CA, 94111
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $24,896,944
Exercised Options: $24,896,944
Current Obligation: $24,896,944
Actual Outlays: $628,146
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: SAQMMA13D0095
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2014-09-26
Current End Date: 2023-01-31
Potential End Date: 2023-01-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-08-28
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