State Department awards $11.8M engineering services contract to Page Southerland Page, L.L.P

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,810,879 ($11.8M)

Contractor: Page Southerland Page, L.L.P.

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2017-09-21

End Date: 2026-01-01

Contract Duration: 3,024 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 28

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TITLE II SERVICES.IGF::OT::IGF

Place of Performance

Location: ALBANY, ALBANY County, NEW YORK, 12203

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $11.8 million to PAGE SOUTHERLAND PAGE, L.L.P. for work described as: TITLE II SERVICES.IGF::OT::IGF Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 3024 days (over 8 years) indicates a long-term need for these services. 3. The firm fixed-price contract type generally provides cost certainty for the government. 4. Engineering services are critical for infrastructure and project management within the agency. 5. The contract's value is moderate within the context of large federal engineering procurements. 6. Geographic location of the contractor in New York may influence local economic impact.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $11.8 million over approximately 8 years suggests a reasonable annual spend for specialized engineering services. Benchmarking against similar large-scale engineering contracts for federal agencies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure helps control costs, but the total value is contingent on the specific tasks and deliverables outlined in the delivery orders. Without detailed task orders, a precise per-unit cost comparison is not feasible.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 28 bids suggests a robust level of interest and a competitive marketplace for these engineering services. A higher number of bidders generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The extensive competition for this contract is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely drove down prices and ensured the government received competitive offers for the engineering services required.

Public Impact

The Department of State benefits from specialized engineering expertise to support its operations and infrastructure. Services delivered likely include design, planning, and oversight for various state department projects. The geographic impact is primarily tied to the locations where the Department of State requires engineering support, potentially nationwide or at specific facilities. Workforce implications may include employment opportunities for engineers and related professionals at the contractor's firm.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in long-term fixed-price contracts if not managed meticulously.
Reliance on a single contractor for an extended period could reduce flexibility.
Ensuring consistent quality of engineering services over the contract's multi-year duration.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive process.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Long contract duration suggests a stable, ongoing need for these critical services.
Contractor has secured a significant award, indicating a level of trust and capability.

Sector Analysis

The engineering services sector is a vital component of federal procurement, supporting a wide range of agency needs from infrastructure development to specialized technical projects. This contract falls within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services category. Federal spending in engineering services can fluctuate based on infrastructure investment cycles and agency-specific project requirements. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within the Department of Defense, General Services Administration, and other agencies with significant construction and facility management needs.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, and the contractor, Page Southerland Page, L.L.P., is a large firm. There is no explicit indication of small business subcontracting requirements in the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless subcontracting opportunities arise organically from the prime contractor's needs.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of State's contracting officers and program managers. They are responsible for monitoring performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and approving deliverables. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where award details are publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Architectural and Engineering Services
Construction Services
Professional Services Contracts
Department of State Facilities Management
Federal Infrastructure Projects

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may increase risk of cost escalation or scope creep if not managed.
Potential for contractor performance degradation over an extended period.
Need for robust oversight to ensure consistent quality and value delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $11.8 million to PAGE SOUTHERLAND PAGE, L.L.P.. TITLE II SERVICES.IGF::OT::IGF

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PAGE SOUTHERLAND PAGE, L.L.P..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $11.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-09-21. End: 2026-01-01.

What is the historical spending pattern of the Department of State on engineering services?

Analyzing the Department of State's historical spending on engineering services requires accessing comprehensive federal procurement data over several fiscal years. This would involve filtering for contracts categorized under NAICS code 541330 (Engineering Services) and potentially related codes awarded by the Department of State. Trends could reveal whether this $11.8 million award represents a typical investment, an increase, or a decrease in spending for such services. Factors influencing historical spending might include diplomatic missions, overseas facilities maintenance, and domestic infrastructure upgrades. A detailed analysis would compare annual obligations, average contract values, and the number of engineering contracts awarded over time to contextualize the current award.

How does the number of bids (28) compare to similar engineering service contracts awarded by the Department of State?

A benchmark of 28 bids for an engineering services contract awarded by the Department of State suggests a healthy level of competition. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to analyze recent awards for similar services (e.g., NAICS 541330) by the same agency. If the average number of bids for comparable contracts is significantly lower, then 28 indicates strong market interest. Conversely, if other large contracts routinely attract 50+ bids, then 28 might be considered moderate. A higher number of bids generally correlates with better price competition and potentially lower costs for the government, making 28 a positive indicator for this specific award.

What specific types of engineering projects has Page Southerland Page, L.L.P. undertaken for the federal government previously?

Investigating Page Southerland Page, L.L.P.'s prior federal contract history would reveal their experience and track record in delivering engineering services. This involves searching federal procurement databases (like FPDS or USASpending.gov) for previous awards to this contractor, particularly those with the Department of State or other agencies requiring similar expertise. Key areas to examine include the types of projects (e.g., civil, structural, mechanical, electrical engineering), their scale, complexity, and performance outcomes. Understanding their past performance, including any documented issues or successes, provides insight into their capability to successfully execute the current $11.8 million contract.

What is the potential risk associated with a firm fixed-price contract spanning over 8 years?

The primary risk associated with a firm fixed-price (FFP) contract, especially one spanning over 8 years, is the potential for the contractor to face unforeseen cost increases that erode their profit margin, potentially leading to reduced quality or performance. Conversely, the government risks paying a premium if market conditions or the scope of work changes significantly, making the initial price less competitive over time. Effective risk mitigation involves clearly defining the scope of work, incorporating mechanisms for equitable adjustments if unforeseen circumstances arise (though this can be complex in FFP), and robust government oversight to ensure the contractor maintains performance standards throughout the long duration.

How does the annual value of this contract compare to the overall federal budget for engineering services?

The annual value of this contract, approximately $1.475 million ($11.8M / 8 years), needs to be contextualized within the total federal spending on engineering services. Federal agencies collectively spend billions annually on engineering, architectural, and related professional services. This contract represents a small fraction of that overall expenditure. To assess its significance, one would compare it to the Department of State's specific engineering budget and also to the broader market for engineering services procured by agencies like the Department of Defense, GSA, or DOT. Its relative size suggests it's a significant award for the contractor but a moderate component of the government's total engineering spend.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 28

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1615 M ST NW STE 700, WASHINGTON, DC, 20036

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,810,879

Exercised Options: $11,810,879

Current Obligation: $11,810,879

Actual Outlays: $2,584,123

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: SAQMMA15D0099

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline