Department of the Army awarded $15.3M contract for architectural services, highlighting long-term infrastructure needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,259,503 ($15.3M)

Contractor: Bundesamt F¿R Bauwesen UND Raumordnung

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2009-09-04

End Date: 2021-09-30

Contract Duration: 4,409 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: FY09 AE 7.1.2.-7.1.4, PHYS FIT CTR, KA,

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $15.3 million to BUNDESAMT F¿R BAUWESEN UND RAUMORDNUNG for work described as: FY09 AE 7.1.2.-7.1.4, PHYS FIT CTR, KA, Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in architectural services over a multi-year period. 2. Full and open competition suggests a robust market for these services. 3. The long duration of the contract indicates a need for sustained architectural support. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government. 5. The contract's focus on architectural services aligns with broader federal infrastructure development goals.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $15.3 million over approximately 12 years suggests a moderate annual expenditure for architectural services. Benchmarking against similar long-term architectural support contracts would be necessary for a precise value-for-money assessment. However, the firm fixed-price nature of the award provides a degree of cost predictability.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified firms had the opportunity to bid. The presence of two bidders suggests a competitive environment, which typically leads to better pricing and service offerings for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a market where providers compete on price and quality, potentially leading to cost savings and improved service delivery.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely military installations and facilities requiring 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 focused on the locations where the Department of the Army operates and requires facility development. Workforce implications may include employment for architects, drafters, and related technical professionals within the winning contractor's organization and potentially in supporting roles.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep over the long contract duration if not managed carefully.
Ensuring consistent quality of architectural services across a long-term engagement.
Risk of contractor performance degradation over an extended period.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.
Full and open competition suggests a healthy market and potential for competitive pricing.
Long contract duration allows for continuity of services and deep understanding of agency needs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Architectural Services sector, a key component of the broader Construction and Engineering industry. The market for architectural services is driven by public and private sector demand for new construction, renovation, and infrastructure development. Federal spending in this area is often tied to modernization efforts, base realignments, and national infrastructure priorities. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale architectural support contracts awarded by federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting goals for small businesses. This suggests that the primary award went to a larger entity capable of handling the scope and duration of the architectural services required. Further investigation into the contractor's subcontracting plan would be needed to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program/project managers within the Department of the Army. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified architectural services. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS, though detailed project-specific oversight information may not be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Military Construction
Facility Engineering Services
Architectural and Engineering Design Services
Base Infrastructure Modernization

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may increase risk of scope creep or performance degradation.
Firm Fixed Price contract requires careful management to avoid cost overruns for the contractor.
Lack of specific small business subcontracting data requires further review.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $15.3 million to BUNDESAMT F¿R BAUWESEN UND RAUMORDNUNG. FY09 AE 7.1.2.-7.1.4, PHYS FIT CTR, KA,

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 $15.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-09-04. End: 2021-09-30.

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

Analyzing historical spending data for architectural services by the Department of the Army would reveal trends in investment over time. This includes examining the total annual expenditure on architectural contracts, the average contract value, and the number of contracts awarded. Such an analysis could identify periods of increased or decreased spending, potentially correlating with broader defense budgets, infrastructure initiatives, or specific military construction programs. Understanding these patterns provides context for the $15.3 million awarded in this instance, indicating whether it represents a typical, elevated, or reduced level of investment for this type of service.

How does the pricing structure of this contract compare to similar architectural service contracts?

The firm fixed-price (FFP) structure of this contract provides a clear ceiling on costs, which is beneficial for government budgeting. To compare pricing, one would need to analyze the 'per-unit' cost or the effective hourly rates implied by the total contract value and the estimated labor hours. This comparison should be made against similar FFP architectural service contracts awarded by the Department of the Army or other federal agencies for comparable projects (e.g., facility design, master planning). Factors like the complexity of the architectural requirements, the geographic location of the project, and the experience level of the contractor can influence pricing, so a direct comparison requires careful consideration of these variables.

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

While specific KPIs are not detailed in the provided data, typical performance indicators for architectural service contracts include adherence to project schedules, quality of design deliverables (e.g., accuracy, completeness, compliance with building codes and standards), responsiveness to government feedback, and effective cost management within the FFP framework. The contracting officer's representative (COR) or project manager would monitor these aspects throughout the contract's duration. Performance evaluations are often documented in Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) reports, which can inform future contracting decisions.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the broader defense infrastructure modernization efforts?

This $15.3 million contract for architectural services is likely a component of the Department of the Army's broader efforts to modernize its infrastructure. Architectural services are foundational to planning and designing new facilities, renovating existing ones, and ensuring that installations are equipped to meet current and future operational needs. The long duration of this contract suggests a sustained commitment to infrastructure development, potentially supporting strategic goals such as enhancing readiness, improving troop housing, or adapting facilities for new technologies. The successful execution of this contract could enable the timely and cost-effective implementation of various construction and renovation projects across Army installations.

Were there any significant challenges or risks identified during the solicitation or award process for this contract?

The provided data does not explicitly detail challenges or risks encountered during the solicitation and award process. However, for a full and open competition of this magnitude and duration, potential risks could include ensuring adequate competition, managing the evaluation of numerous technical proposals, and potential protests from unsuccessful bidders. The firm fixed-price nature, while beneficial for cost certainty, can also pose a risk if unforeseen issues arise that significantly increase the contractor's costs, potentially impacting performance or leading to disputes. The long duration itself presents a risk of changing requirements or economic fluctuations that might affect the contract's viability or cost-effectiveness over time.

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, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $18,893,010

Exercised Options: $18,893,010

Current Obligation: $15,259,503

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline