Department of the Army awards $31.3M for architectural services, with a 6097-day duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $31,275,887 ($31.3M)

Contractor: Bundesamt F¿R Bauwesen UND Raumordnung

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2009-04-22

End Date: 2025-12-31

Contract Duration: 6,097 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: 7.1.2 - 7.1.3 TITLE AND SECONDARY SERVICES

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $31.3 million to BUNDESAMT F¿R BAUWESEN UND RAUMORDNUNG for work described as: 7.1.2 - 7.1.3 TITLE AND SECONDARY SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract's long duration of over 16 years may indicate a need for sustained architectural support. 3. Fixed-price contract type can offer cost certainty but may limit flexibility for evolving requirements. 4. The awarding agency is the Department of the Army, a significant federal entity. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541310 points to architectural services. 6. The contract value of $31.3M is spread over a substantial period, requiring careful performance monitoring.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract requires more granular data on the specific architectural services rendered and the complexity of the projects involved. Given the long duration, the annual spending averages around $5.1M, which is a moderate figure for large-scale architectural projects. Without comparable contract data for similar scope and duration, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost predictability, but the overall value hinges on the successful delivery of services aligning with project needs and budget.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. This method typically fosters a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and service quality. The presence of two bidders, as indicated by the data, suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific award. While more bidders would generally be preferred for maximum price discovery, full and open competition is a strong indicator of an effort to secure a competitive outcome.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple firms to bid, which can drive down costs and improve the quality of services received. This approach ensures that the government is not limited to a single provider, increasing the likelihood of obtaining fair market value.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely military installations and facilities managed by the Department of the Army, which will receive architectural design and planning services. Services delivered include architectural design, planning, and potentially related consulting for various construction and renovation projects. The geographic impact is likely widespread, covering military bases and facilities across the United States and potentially overseas, depending on the Army's needs. Workforce implications may include employment opportunities for architects, drafters, engineers, and support staff within the winning contractor's organization and potentially in related construction trades.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration (over 16 years) increases the risk of scope creep or changing requirements not being adequately addressed.
Firm fixed-price contracts can sometimes lead to contractors cutting corners if not closely monitored, impacting quality.
Limited competition (2 bidders) might suggest that the market for these specific services is constrained or that the bidding process was highly specialized.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust effort to solicit bids from a wide range of potential providers.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides budget certainty for the government.
The long duration suggests a strategic, long-term need for architectural services, potentially leading to stable support for critical infrastructure.

Sector Analysis

The architectural services sector is a critical component of the construction and defense industries, providing essential design and planning for infrastructure projects. The market size for architectural services is substantial, with significant government spending allocated annually. This contract fits within the broader category of professional services supporting federal infrastructure development and maintenance. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing the average cost per square foot or per project for similar types of government facilities designed by architectural firms.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary contractor is likely a large firm. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Without specific subcontracting goals or reporting, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is minimal for this particular award, though the prime contractor's own procurement practices would determine any indirect benefits.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Army's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's performance work statement, requiring adherence to deadlines, quality standards, and budget constraints. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Architectural Services
Federal Building Design Contracts
Military Construction Planning
Government Facility Design Services
Architectural and Engineering Services

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may lead to evolving requirements and scope creep.
Firm fixed-price contracts can sometimes incentivize cost-cutting that impacts quality if not monitored.
Limited competition (2 bidders) may indicate a less robust market or specialized requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $31.3 million to BUNDESAMT F¿R BAUWESEN UND RAUMORDNUNG. 7.1.2 - 7.1.3 TITLE AND SECONDARY SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BUNDESAMT F¿R BAUWESEN UND RAUMORDNUNG.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $31.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-04-22. End: 2025-12-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for architectural services by the Department of the Army?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for architectural services by the Department of the Army requires accessing and aggregating data over multiple fiscal years. This contract, valued at approximately $31.3 million over its 6097-day (approx. 17-year) duration, represents a steady, long-term investment. The annual average expenditure is roughly $5.1 million. To understand the broader pattern, one would need to compare this to other architectural service contracts awarded by the Army, looking at the total annual spend, the number and size of contracts, and the types of services procured. Trends might reveal shifts in focus towards new construction versus renovation, or changes in the average contract duration and value over time, influenced by defense budgets and infrastructure needs.

How does the per-unit cost of this contract compare to similar architectural service contracts?

Determining a precise per-unit cost comparison for this contract is challenging without knowing the specific units of service delivered (e.g., per square foot designed, per project managed, per hour billed). The contract is a firm fixed price, making direct per-unit cost analysis difficult unless the contract specifies such metrics. However, the total value of $31.3 million spread over potentially numerous projects across a 17-year period suggests an average project value or annual expenditure that can be benchmarked against similar large-scale architectural support contracts within the Department of Defense or other federal agencies. If this contract covers design for major facility upgrades or new construction, its average annual cost of $5.1 million might be considered moderate to high, depending on the scale and complexity of the facilities involved.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the contractor's performance on this contract?

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this architectural services contract would typically be defined within the Performance Work Statement (PWS) or Statement of Work (SOW). Common KPIs for such contracts include adherence to project schedules and deadlines, quality of design deliverables (e.g., accuracy, completeness, compliance with building codes and standards), cost control within approved budgets, responsiveness to government feedback and requests, and overall client satisfaction. For a long-term contract like this, KPIs might also track the successful completion of phased project milestones and the effective management of resources. The government would monitor these KPIs through regular progress reports, site visits, design reviews, and formal performance evaluations.

What is the contractor's track record with the Department of the Army and other federal agencies?

Assessing the contractor's track record requires accessing databases like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or SAM.gov to review past performance information. This includes examining previous contracts awarded to the entity, their performance ratings (if available), any past performance issues or disputes, and their history of delivering similar architectural services. A positive track record with the Department of the Army or other federal agencies, particularly on contracts of similar size and scope, would indicate reliability and capability. Conversely, a history of performance problems or contract terminations could raise concerns about their ability to successfully execute this current award.

What are the potential risks associated with the long duration of this contract?

The significant duration of this contract (over 16 years) presents several potential risks. Firstly, requirements may evolve considerably over such a long period due to changes in military strategy, technology, or facility needs, potentially leading to scope creep or the need for costly contract modifications. Secondly, maintaining consistent quality and oversight across such an extended timeframe can be challenging for the contracting agency. Thirdly, there's a risk of contractor performance degradation over time if motivation wanes or key personnel change without adequate knowledge transfer. Finally, economic fluctuations or changes in government funding priorities could impact the contract's viability or lead to disputes over pricing adjustments if not structured carefully.

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

Parent Company: Bundesamt FÜR Bauwesen UND Raumordnung (UEI: 332619535)

Address: DEICHMANNS AUE 31-37, BONN

Business Categories: Category Business, Foreign Owned, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $40,392,232

Exercised Options: $40,392,232

Current Obligation: $31,275,887

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline