DoD's Army Spent $18.5M on Architectural Services via Firm Fixed Price Contracts
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $18,553,023 ($18.6M)
Contractor: Miscellaneous Foreign Awardees
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2007-11-29
End Date: 2018-12-28
Contract Duration: 4,047 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: ABG 7.1.2-7.1.4 FEES
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $18.6 million to MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES for work described as: ABG 7.1.2-7.1.4 FEES Key points: 1. Spending focused on architectural services, a niche but essential sector. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. A long contract duration (4047 days) may indicate complex or ongoing needs. 4. The absence of small business participation warrants further investigation. 5. Firm Fixed Price contracts provide cost certainty but can limit flexibility.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The total award amount of $18.5M over nearly 11 years averages to approximately $1.7M annually. Without specific benchmarks for architectural services of this nature, it's difficult to definitively assess value, but the duration and scope suggest a significant project.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, which typically allows for the widest possible range of bidders and can lead to better price discovery. The use of a definitive contract suggests a well-defined scope of work.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds were utilized for architectural services, with the competitive nature of the award aiming to secure reasonable pricing for the government.
Public Impact
Essential infrastructure planning and design services were procured. The long-term nature of the contract implies sustained government needs in architectural planning. The lack of small business involvement raises questions about accessibility and equity in contracting opportunities.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- No small business participation.
- Long contract duration may hide scope creep or inefficiencies.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition utilized.
- Firm fixed price contract provides cost predictability.
Sector Analysis
Architectural services are crucial for government infrastructure projects, encompassing design, planning, and oversight. Spending benchmarks vary widely based on project complexity and location, but consistent, long-term contracts like this suggest significant, ongoing requirements.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates no participation from small businesses. This could be due to the specialized nature of the services required, the contract size, or potential barriers to entry for smaller firms.
Oversight & Accountability
The use of a definitive contract under full and open competition suggests a structured procurement process. However, the long duration and lack of small business participation warrant oversight to ensure continued value and equitable opportunity.
Related Government Programs
- Architectural Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of small business participation.
- Extended contract duration.
- Potential for scope creep over long period.
- Limited detail on specific services provided.
Tags
architectural-services, department-of-defense, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $18.6 million to MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES. ABG 7.1.2-7.1.4 FEES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $18.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-11-29. End: 2018-12-28.
What specific architectural services were rendered under these contracts, and how did their scope evolve over the 11-year period?
The data specifies 'Architectural Services' (NAICS 541310) but lacks granular detail on the projects undertaken. Given the 4047-day duration, it's probable these contracts covered multiple phases of design, planning, and potentially oversight for various Department of the Army facilities or infrastructure initiatives, possibly adapting to changing requirements or new projects initiated during the contract's life.
How does the $18.5M expenditure compare to industry benchmarks for similar long-term architectural service contracts for a federal agency of this size?
Direct comparison is challenging without knowing the specific types and scale of architectural projects. However, $18.5M over nearly 11 years, averaging around $1.7M annually, appears reasonable for a large agency like the Department of the Army, which manages extensive infrastructure. Benchmarking would require detailed project scope, location, and complexity data.
What steps were taken to ensure fair pricing and prevent cost overruns, given the extended duration of the definitive contract?
The contract utilized a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) structure, which shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor and provides budget certainty. Awarded under full and open competition, the initial bidding process aimed to establish a competitive baseline price. However, ongoing oversight would be crucial to manage any potential scope creep or ensure the contractor's performance remained aligned with the FFP terms.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Architectural Services
Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2011 CRYSTAL DR STE 911, ARLINGTON, VA, 22202
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $23,004,206
Exercised Options: $23,004,206
Current Obligation: $18,553,023
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-11-29
Current End Date: 2018-12-28
Potential End Date: 2018-12-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2018-11-26
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