Urban Collaborative awarded $5.67M for architectural services, with a 66.83% prime contractor utilization rate

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,667,290 ($5.7M)

Contractor: THE Urban Collaborative, LLC: Master Planning, Urban Design, and Architecture

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-07-29

End Date: 2026-11-24

Contract Duration: 848 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BEQ/BOQ UTILIZATION ASSESSMENT

Place of Performance

Location: EUGENE, LANE County, OREGON, 97401

State: Oregon Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $5.7 million to THE URBAN COLLABORATIVE, LLC: MASTER PLANNING, URBAN DESIGN, AND ARCHITECTURE for work described as: BEQ/BOQ UTILIZATION ASSESSMENT Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the prime contractor's utilization rate, suggesting a significant portion of the work is subcontracted. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open competition, which typically fosters better price discovery. 3. Risk indicators include the duration of the contract (848 days) and the fixed-price nature, which can shift risk to the contractor. 4. Performance context is limited without specific deliverables or performance metrics, but the contract is for master planning and urban design. 5. Sector positioning places this contract within the architectural services industry, a common support function for government infrastructure projects.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $5.67 million for architectural services over 848 days appears within a reasonable range for master planning and urban design projects. However, a key factor in assessing value is the prime contractor utilization rate of 66.83%. This indicates that over a third of the contract value is likely being subcontracted, which can sometimes lead to increased costs due to multiple profit margins. Benchmarking against similar large-scale urban design contracts for the Department of Defense would provide a clearer picture of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple qualified firms had the opportunity to bid. The presence of a single award (no: 1) does not preclude a competitive process. A robust competition typically leads to a more favorable price for the government and ensures that the most capable contractor is selected. The specific number of bids received is not provided, which would offer further insight into the intensity of the competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down prices through market forces and ensuring that government funds are used efficiently to secure the best services available.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Army, which will receive master planning and urban design services. The services delivered will focus on strategic planning and design for potential future development or redevelopment projects. The geographic impact is likely concentrated in Oregon, where the contract is being performed. Workforce implications may include employment opportunities for architects, urban planners, and related design professionals, both within the prime contractor and its subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Subcontracting: A prime contractor utilization rate of 66.83% means a significant portion of the contract value is being passed to subcontractors, potentially increasing overall costs and complexity.
Contract Duration: The 848-day duration presents a long-term commitment, requiring sustained oversight to ensure performance aligns with objectives.
Fixed-Price Structure: While shifting risk to the contractor, a firm fixed-price contract can limit flexibility if project requirements evolve significantly.

Positive Signals

Full and Open Competition: This procurement method suggests a competitive environment that should yield better pricing and contractor selection.
Specialized Services: The contract is for specific architectural and urban design expertise, indicating a focused need within the agency.
Fixed-Price Contract: This contract type provides cost certainty for the government, assuming the scope of work is well-defined.

Sector Analysis

The architectural services sector (NAICS code 541310) is a critical component of the construction and engineering industry, providing design, planning, and management services for public and private infrastructure projects. Government spending in this area supports military base development, facility upgrades, and urban planning initiatives. The market size for architectural services is substantial, with federal contracts forming a significant portion. This contract fits within the broader category of professional services supporting government real property development and management.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside (ss: false, sb: false). The prime contractor utilization rate of 66.83% suggests that a substantial portion of the work may be subcontracted. Analysis of the subcontracting plan, if one exists, would be crucial to determine the extent to which small businesses are involved in performing the work under this contract. Without specific set-aside goals or reporting on small business subcontracting, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program officials within the Department of the Army. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides some cost control, but performance monitoring will be essential to ensure the quality and timeliness of the master planning and urban design services. Transparency regarding contract performance and any modifications would be beneficial for public accountability. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Master Planning
Army Corps of Engineers Design Services
Federal Architectural and Engineering Contracts
Urban Development and Planning Services
Government Facility Design and Construction Support

Risk Flags

Potential for increased costs due to high subcontracting levels.
Risk of scope creep over the long contract duration.
Need for robust performance monitoring due to extended timeline.
Contractor cost overrun risk under fixed-price structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $5.7 million to THE URBAN COLLABORATIVE, LLC: MASTER PLANNING, URBAN DESIGN, AND ARCHITECTURE. BEQ/BOQ UTILIZATION ASSESSMENT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE URBAN COLLABORATIVE, LLC: MASTER PLANNING, URBAN DESIGN, AND ARCHITECTURE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-07-29. End: 2026-11-24.

What is the track record of The Urban Collaborative, LLC with federal contracts, particularly within the Department of Defense?

A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to fully assess The Urban Collaborative, LLC's track record. Key metrics to examine would include the number of previous federal awards, their total value, the agencies they have served, and their performance history on past contracts. Specifically for the Department of Defense, understanding their experience with similar master planning and urban design projects, as well as their ability to manage fixed-price contracts and meet delivery schedules, would be crucial. Past performance evaluations, if publicly available, would offer direct insights into their reliability and quality of service. Without this specific data, it's difficult to definitively assess their track record beyond the current award.

How does the prime contractor utilization rate of 66.83% compare to industry benchmarks for similar architectural services contracts?

A prime contractor utilization rate of 66.83% means that approximately 33.17% of the contract value is allocated to subcontractors. Industry benchmarks for professional services, including architectural and engineering (A&E) firms, can vary significantly based on project complexity, firm size, and the need for specialized expertise. For large, complex projects, it is not uncommon for prime contractors to subcontract a portion of the work. However, rates significantly below 70-80% might warrant further investigation into the reasons for extensive subcontracting. This could indicate a strategy to leverage specialized skills or potentially a way to increase overall profit margins. A detailed breakdown of subcontracting categories and the rationale behind the utilization rate would be needed for a more precise comparison.

What are the potential risks associated with the 848-day contract duration and the firm fixed-price (FFP) award type?

The 848-day duration (approximately 28 months) for this master planning and urban design contract presents several potential risks. For the government, a long duration increases the risk of scope creep if requirements are not rigidly defined and managed, potentially leading to cost overruns if not carefully controlled within the FFP structure. It also requires sustained oversight to ensure the contractor remains engaged and performance does not degrade over time. For the contractor, the FFP structure means they bear the risk of cost overruns if their estimates are inaccurate or unforeseen issues arise during the planning and design phases. However, it also provides a ceiling on government liability. The primary risk is ensuring that the final deliverables meet the evolving needs of the agency over such an extended period, necessitating robust communication and change management processes.

What specific deliverables are expected under this contract, and how will their effectiveness be measured?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'MASTER PLANNING, URBAN DESIGN, AND ARCHITECTURE.' Specific deliverables would typically include comprehensive master plans, detailed urban design concepts, architectural renderings, feasibility studies, and potentially site analysis reports. The effectiveness of these deliverables would be measured against predefined criteria outlined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW). This could include adherence to project timelines, compliance with relevant building codes and regulations, the clarity and feasibility of the proposed designs, stakeholder acceptance, and alignment with the Department of the Army's strategic objectives for the area. Performance metrics might also involve peer reviews by other architectural experts or successful integration into subsequent project phases.

How does this $5.67 million contract compare to historical federal spending on architectural services for similar types of projects?

Comparing this $5.67 million contract to historical federal spending requires access to detailed databases of past procurements. Key comparison points would include the agency (Department of Defense/Army), the type of service (master planning, urban design, architecture), the contract duration, and the geographic location. Similar projects might include base development plans, campus master plans, or large-scale infrastructure design efforts. Benchmarking would involve looking at the average contract values, the number of bidders, and the pricing structures (e.g., FFP vs. cost-plus) for comparable solicitations. Without specific historical data, it's challenging to definitively state if this contract represents high, low, or average spending. However, $5.67 million for comprehensive master planning and design for a government entity is within a plausible range for significant projects.

What is the significance of the 'Delivery Order' (aw) award type in the context of this contract?

The 'Delivery Order' (aw) award type typically signifies that this contract is a task order issued against a previously established indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar multiple-award contract vehicle. This means that the Department of the Army likely had a broader contract in place with The Urban Collaborative, LLC (or potentially a pool of contractors) that allows for the issuance of specific orders for services as needed. The 'Delivery Order' specifies the scope, price, and delivery timeline for this particular task. The 'st': 'OR' likely indicates the contract type is 'Other Transaction Authority' or a similar flexible agreement, and 'sn': 'OREGON' specifies the performance location. This award structure allows for flexibility and rapid procurement of services without needing to re-compete the entire requirement each time.

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

Solicitation ID: W912DY21R0050

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 800 WILLAMETTE ST, SUITE 790, EUGENE, OR, 97401

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,561,269

Exercised Options: $5,667,290

Current Obligation: $5,667,290

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W912DY23D0008

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline