DoD's Army awarded $17.8M for Architectural Services over 10 years via full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,787,169 ($17.8M)

Contractor: Miscellaneous Foreign Awardees

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2009-03-18

End Date: 2019-12-31

Contract Duration: 3,940 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: 7.1.2 - 7.1.4 SERVICES

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $17.8 million to MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES for work described as: 7.1.2 - 7.1.4 SERVICES Key points: 1. Spending of $17.8M over a decade indicates a significant, long-term need for architectural services. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive market. 3. The duration and value present potential risks if requirements change or if market conditions shift. 4. Architectural services are crucial for infrastructure development and maintenance across various sectors.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $17.8M spread over 10 years averages $1.78M annually. Without specific benchmarks for architectural services of this scale and duration, it's difficult to definitively assess pricing, but the long timeframe could allow for price escalation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded using full and open competition, which typically fosters competitive pricing. The use of a definitive contract suggests multiple task orders were likely issued over its lifespan, allowing for price discovery on a per-project basis.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is positive for taxpayers, aiming to secure services at the best possible price. However, the long duration means sustained vigilance is needed to ensure continued value.

Public Impact

Supports military construction and facility upgrades, impacting readiness and personnel. Provides essential design and planning for infrastructure projects. The long contract period ensures continuity of services for the Army.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration (10 years) increases risk of price drift and changing needs.
Lack of small business participation noted.
Definitive contract type can sometimes obscure true per-unit costs over time.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, promoting market efficiency.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Significant investment in critical architectural services.

Sector Analysis

Architectural services are fundamental to the construction and engineering sector, supporting government infrastructure projects. Spending benchmarks vary widely based on project scope, location, and complexity. This contract represents a substantial, long-term commitment within this domain.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates no small business participation in this contract. This suggests that either the prime contractor did not subcontract to small businesses, or the nature of the services primarily engaged larger, specialized firms.

Oversight & Accountability

The use of full and open competition and a firm fixed price contract are positive oversight mechanisms. However, the 10-year duration necessitates ongoing monitoring by the Department of Defense to ensure the services remain relevant and cost-effective.

Related Government Programs

Architectural Services
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

Long contract duration (10 years) increases risk of obsolescence and changing requirements.
Potential for price escalation over the contract's extended period.
Lack of small business participation may indicate missed opportunities for economic inclusion.
Definitive contract type can sometimes obscure detailed cost breakdowns over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $17.8 million to MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES. 7.1.2 - 7.1.4 SERVICES

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 $17.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-03-18. End: 2019-12-31.

What was the average annual spending on architectural services under this contract, and how does it compare to similar long-term contracts for the Department of the Army?

The contract averaged approximately $1.78 million per year over its 10-year duration. Comparing this to similar long-term architectural service contracts within the Department of the Army would require access to a broader dataset of historical contract awards and their specific scopes of work. Without such comparative data, it's challenging to determine if this annual spend represents a benchmark or an outlier.

Given the 10-year duration, what mechanisms were in place to mitigate the risk of cost overruns due to inflation or changes in architectural standards?

The contract utilized a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) structure, which generally shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor. However, for such a long duration, potential mechanisms to mitigate risks could have included periodic price adjustments based on established economic indices, or specific clauses allowing for modifications if unforeseen regulatory or technological changes significantly impacted service delivery costs.

How effectively did the full and open competition process ensure the best value was obtained for these architectural services over the contract's lifespan?

The full and open competition process is designed to solicit bids from a wide range of qualified vendors, theoretically leading to the best value. For a 10-year contract, effectiveness is measured not just at the initial award but throughout its execution. Continuous performance monitoring and potential for competitive re-evaluation if options were exercised would be key indicators of sustained value realization.

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, Foreign Owned, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $18,195,993

Exercised Options: $18,195,993

Current Obligation: $17,787,169

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline