State Department awards $11M firm-fixed-price contract to Knudsen Engineering for Pristina, Kosovo services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,977,588 ($11.0M)

Contractor: Knudsen Engineering Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 1999-11-29

End Date: 2009-10-19

Contract Duration: 3,612 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.0K/day

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ANNEX - PRISTINA, KOSOVO

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $11.0 million to KNUDSEN ENGINEERING INC for work described as: ANNEX - PRISTINA, KOSOVO Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Knudsen Engineering Inc. for $10,977,588.35. 2. The contract was a firm fixed price type. 3. Duration of the contract was 3612 days. 4. Awarded by the Department of State. 5. No specific service area is detailed, but location is Pristina, Kosovo.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $11 million over 10 years suggests a moderate annual spend. Without specific service details or comparable contracts, a precise pricing assessment is difficult. However, the firm fixed price structure implies the contractor bore the risk of cost overruns.

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 competition, the government may not have achieved the best possible price.

Taxpayer Impact: The total taxpayer impact is the full contract value of $10,977,588.35, which funded services in Kosovo over a decade.

Public Impact

Supports U.S. diplomatic and operational presence in Kosovo. Long-term contract indicates sustained need for services. Funding allocated for infrastructure or operational support in a post-conflict region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition details
Vague service description
Long contract duration without clear milestones

Positive Signals

Firm fixed price contract shifts risk to contractor
Long-term commitment provides stability for operations

Sector Analysis

This contract likely falls under professional services or facilities support within the government sector. The long duration and significant value suggest a substantial, ongoing requirement, potentially related to embassy operations or reconstruction efforts in Kosovo.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of State is responsible for oversight. The long duration of the contract necessitates consistent monitoring to ensure performance and value for taxpayer money.

Related Government Programs

Department of State Contracting
Department of State Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of transparency regarding competition.
Vague description of services rendered.
Potential for overpayment due to long-term FFP without clear performance metrics.
No indication of small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $11.0 million to KNUDSEN ENGINEERING INC. ANNEX - PRISTINA, KOSOVO

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KNUDSEN ENGINEERING INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $11.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 1999-11-29. End: 2009-10-19.

What specific services were provided under this contract, and how did they align with the Department of State's mission in Kosovo?

The specific services are not detailed in the provided data. However, given the location (Pristina, Kosovo) and the awarding agency (Department of State), the contract likely supported diplomatic operations, infrastructure maintenance, or logistical support for U.S. personnel and facilities in the region. Understanding the exact services is crucial for assessing the contract's effectiveness and value.

What was the rationale for the contract's 10-year duration, and were there opportunities for re-competition or performance reviews?

A 10-year duration suggests a long-term, stable need for the services provided. Without more information, it's unclear if this was a single award or a series of task orders. Re-competition or performance reviews would be critical oversight mechanisms to ensure continued value and adapt to changing requirements, but these details are absent.

How did the firm fixed price (FFP) structure impact the overall cost-effectiveness and risk management for this contract?

The FFP structure placed the cost overrun risk on Knudsen Engineering Inc., which can incentivize efficiency. For the government, it provides budget certainty. However, if the initial price was set too high due to limited competition or poor estimation, the FFP could result in the government overpaying for the services rendered over the decade.

Contractor Details

Address: 20156 FLINT LN, MORRISON, CO, 80465

Business Categories: Category Business, Emerging Small Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,977,588

Exercised Options: $10,977,588

Current Obligation: $10,977,588

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: SFBOAD97G0012

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline