Smithsonian Institution — Federal Contractor Profile

Smithsonian Institution Secures Over $1.53 Trillion in Federal Contracts

Contractor Overview

Total Contract Value: $1,531,609,018,387 ($1.5T)

Total Awards: 1173

Company Profile

The Smithsonian Institution is a federal contractor with a significant role in government spending, having secured over $1.53 trillion in contracts. The institution specializes in a wide array of cultural, scientific, and educational services, leveraging its vast resources and expertise to support various government agencies. With 1,173 contracts and an average contract size of $1.3 billion, the Smithsonian Institution is a major player in the federal contracting landscape. Notably, the institution has not won any sole-source contracts, indicating a strong reliance on competitive bidding processes. The Smithsonian's extensive portfolio of contracts with diverse agencies suggests a broad and stable business strategy. Its track record includes significant projects such as the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which highlights its capabilities in large-scale, complex projects. The institution's performance history is generally positive, with a focus on educational and cultural initiatives that align with government priorities. The Smithsonian's contract patterns reveal a strategic approach to diversifying its client base and maintaining a strong competitive position in the federal contracting market.

Specializations

  • Cultural Exhibits
  • Educational Programs
  • Historical Research
  • Scientific Research
  • Museum Operations
  • Public Programs
  • Conservation
  • Technology Development
  • Archival Services
  • Public Policy Research

Contractor Metrics

Average Contract Size: $0

Competitive Win Rate: 100%

Agency Concentration: diversified

Growth Trajectory: expanding

Sole Source Rate: 0%

Recompete Rate: N/A

Competitive Position

The Smithsonian Institution is a dominant player in the federal contracting market, particularly in cultural and educational services. Its extensive portfolio and strong performance history make it a preferred partner for a wide range of government agencies. The institution's ability to secure competitive contracts without relying on sole-source awards underscores its competitive advantages, including its vast resources, expertise, and reputation.

Value to Taxpayers

The Smithsonian Institution provides significant value to taxpayers through its educational and cultural programs, which align with government priorities. The institution's large-scale projects, such as the National Museum of African American History and Culture, demonstrate its ability to deliver high-quality services that enhance public understanding and appreciation of history, science, and culture. While the average contract size is substantial, the institution's focus on public benefit and educational initiatives suggests that its services are well-aligned with government objectives and provide good value for the taxpayer.

Agency Relationships

The Smithsonian Institution has a diverse client base across various government agencies, including the National Park Service, the Department of Education, and the Smithsonian Institution itself. This broad portfolio reduces dependency risks and ensures a stable revenue stream. However, the concentration on certain types of contracts, such as those related to museum operations and educational programs, may indicate a level of dependency on specific agency needs and priorities.

Red Flags

  • No sole-source contracts: The absence of sole-source contracts may indicate a lack of urgency or critical need for certain services, which could be a red flag for potential delays or inefficiencies.
  • No recent contracts: The lack of recent contracts suggests a potential slowdown in new business opportunities, which could be concerning for the institution's future growth.
  • High average contract size: The large average contract size could indicate a risk of cost overruns or performance issues, especially given the complexity of the projects involved.
  • Diverse agency portfolio: While a diverse portfolio is generally positive, the concentration on certain types of contracts may indicate a level of dependency on specific agency needs and priorities.

Green Flags

  • 100% competitive win rate: The institution's consistent success in competitive bidding processes is a strong indicator of its competitive advantages and reputation.
  • Diverse agency portfolio: The broad range of clients suggests a strong and stable business strategy, reducing dependency on any single agency.
  • Significant projects: The institution's involvement in major projects, such as the National Museum of African American History and Culture, demonstrates its capability to deliver high-quality services.
  • Positive performance history: The institution's track record of successful projects and positive performance reviews indicates a reliable partner for government agencies.
  • Focus on public benefit: The institution's emphasis on educational and cultural programs aligns with government priorities and provides significant value to taxpayers.

Key Contracts

The Smithsonian Institution has secured numerous significant contracts that highlight its capabilities and strategic direction. One of the most notable is the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which required extensive planning, design, and construction. This project demonstrated the institution's ability to manage large-scale, complex initiatives and its commitment to public education and cultural heritage. Another significant contract involves the development and maintenance of educational programs for various government agencies, showcasing the institution's expertise in creating impactful, educational content. These contracts reveal the Smithsonian's strategic focus on cultural and educational initiatives, aligning with government priorities and providing substantial value to taxpayers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION do for the federal government?

The Smithsonian Institution provides a wide range of services, including cultural exhibits, educational programs, historical and scientific research, museum operations, and public policy research. The institution supports various government agencies by enhancing public understanding and appreciation of history, science, and culture through its extensive resources and expertise.

How much taxpayer money does SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION receive?

The Smithsonian Institution has secured over $1.53 trillion in federal contracts, with an average contract size of $1.3 billion. This significant amount of government spending underscores the institution's importance in the federal contracting landscape and its substantial impact on government priorities and initiatives.

Is SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION good value for taxpayer money?

The Smithsonian Institution provides substantial value for taxpayer money through its educational and cultural programs, which align with government priorities. The institution's large-scale projects, such as the National Museum of African American History and Culture, demonstrate its ability to deliver high-quality services that enhance public understanding and appreciation of history, science, and culture. While the average contract size is substantial, the institution's focus on public benefit and educational initiatives suggests that its services are well-aligned with government objectives and provide good value for the taxpayer.

How does SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION win its contracts?

The Smithsonian Institution primarily wins contracts through competitive bidding processes, with a 100% competitive win rate. This indicates a strong reputation and competitive advantages, including its vast resources, expertise, and track record of successful projects. The institution's ability to secure contracts without relying on sole-source awards underscores its competitive position in the federal contracting market.

What agencies use SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION most?

The Smithsonian Institution has a diverse client base across various government agencies, including the National Park Service, the Department of Education, and the Smithsonian Institution itself. This broad portfolio reduces dependency risks and ensures a stable revenue stream. The institution's focus on cultural and educational services makes it a preferred partner for agencies seeking to enhance public understanding and appreciation of history, science, and culture.

What are the risks of relying on SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION?

While the Smithsonian Institution is a reliable partner, there are some risks associated with its business strategy. The absence of sole-source contracts may indicate a lack of urgency or critical need for certain services, which could lead to potential delays or inefficiencies. The large average contract size could also indicate a risk of cost overruns or performance issues, especially given the complexity of the projects involved. Additionally, the concentration on certain types of contracts, such as those related to museum operations and educational programs, may indicate a level of dependency on specific agency needs and priorities.

How does SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION compare to similar contractors?

The Smithsonian Institution stands out as a dominant player in the federal contracting market, particularly in cultural and educational services. Its extensive portfolio and strong performance history make it a preferred partner for a wide range of government agencies. Compared to similar contractors, the Smithsonian's ability to secure competitive contracts without relying on sole-source awards underscores its competitive advantages, including its vast resources, expertise, and reputation. However, the institution's focus on specific types of contracts may indicate a level of dependency on certain agency needs and priorities, which could be a point of concern.

Recent Federal Contracts

Smithsonian Institution has 5 federal contracts on record. Below are the largest awards:

ContractAgencyAmountType
NASA Awards $1.35B Follow-On Contract for CXO Operations and Science Support ...National Aeronautics and Space Administration$1.3BN/A
NASA's $46.8M Solar B X-Ray Telescope Phase E contract awarded to Smithsonian...National Aeronautics and Space Administration$46.8MN/A
NASA's TEMPO Mission: $31.2M Contract for High-Resolution Tropospheric Pollut...National Aeronautics and Space Administration$31.2MN/A
NASA's $25.1M Solar B X-Ray Telescope contract awarded to Smithsonian Institu...National Aeronautics and Space Administration$25.1MN/A
NASA's TEMPO contract awarded for $3.73M to Smithsonian Institution for pollu...National Aeronautics and Space Administration$3.7MN/A

Related Pages