Agriculture Department awards $3.45M engineering services contract to AECOM Technical Services, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,452,068 ($3.5M)

Contractor: AECOM Technical Services, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2021-11-12

End Date: 2025-05-01

Contract Duration: 1,266 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: A TASK ORDER FOR SIX EACH SUPPORT CONTRACTORS LISTED BELOW. FIVE OF THE CONTRACT EMPLOYEES WILL SUPPORT THE FACILITIES MANAGEMENT DIVISION AND WILL PERFORM DAILY DUTIES DESCRIBED IN THE STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW), PLANNER/ESTIMATOR/ENGINEERING ASSISTANT

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20250

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $3.5 million to AECOM TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC. for work described as: A TASK ORDER FOR SIX EACH SUPPORT CONTRACTORS LISTED BELOW. FIVE OF THE CONTRACT EMPLOYEES WILL SUPPORT THE FACILITIES MANAGEMENT DIVISION AND WILL PERFORM DAILY DUTIES DESCRIBED IN THE STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW), PLANNER/ESTIMATOR/ENGINEERING ASSISTANT Key points: 1. Contract provides essential support for facilities management and planning. 2. AECOM Technical Services, Inc. secured this contract through full and open competition. 3. The contract duration extends over 1200 days, indicating a long-term need. 4. Fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks. 5. The services are categorized under Engineering Services, a critical sector for infrastructure. 6. The contract is located in the District of Columbia, suggesting a focus on federal facilities.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.45 million for six support contractors over approximately 3.5 years appears reasonable for specialized engineering and facilities management support. Benchmarking against similar contracts for engineering services within federal agencies indicates that this pricing is within expected ranges, especially considering the fixed-price nature which often includes a premium for risk transfer. The specific tasks, such as supporting facilities management and planning/estimating, are standard requirements for large government operations.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the method of competition implies a robust process aimed at achieving competitive pricing and selecting the best value offeror. This approach generally leads to better price discovery and ensures that the government is not unduly constrained by limited vendor options.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition maximizes taxpayer value by fostering a competitive environment that drives down prices and encourages innovation from a wider pool of contractors.

Public Impact

Federal facilities in the District of Columbia will benefit from enhanced management and planning. The contract supports the Office of the Chief Financial Officer within the Department of Agriculture. Services include daily duties for facilities management and planning/estimating. The contract ensures continuity of operations for critical infrastructure.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the statement of work is not precisely defined.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical facilities support could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty.
Full and open competition suggests a strong market evaluation and selection process.
Long contract duration allows for stable planning and execution of facilities management tasks.

Sector Analysis

Engineering Services (NAICS 541330) is a significant sector within federal procurement, encompassing a wide range of technical expertise required for infrastructure development, maintenance, and management. Federal spending in this area supports everything from building design and construction oversight to environmental consulting and specialized technical support. This contract fits within the broader category of professional services supporting government operations, with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. being a known entity in this space. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar engineering support contracts often range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars annually, depending on scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses arising from a set-aside provision. However, as a large prime contractor, AECOM Technical Services, Inc. may engage small businesses as subcontractors, depending on their own subcontracting plans and the specific needs of the project. The absence of a small business set-aside means the primary competition was open to all qualified large businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Agriculture's contracting officers and the Office of the Chief Financial Officer. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability by linking payment to deliverables. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. While specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction is not detailed, the USDA IG typically oversees contracts to ensure efficiency, prevent fraud, and promote accountability within the department's spending.

Related Government Programs

Facilities Management Services
Engineering Consulting Services
Professional Services Contracts
Department of Agriculture Contracts

Risk Flags

Contractor performance risk
Scope definition clarity
Personnel continuity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $3.5 million to AECOM TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC.. A TASK ORDER FOR SIX EACH SUPPORT CONTRACTORS LISTED BELOW. FIVE OF THE CONTRACT EMPLOYEES WILL SUPPORT THE FACILITIES MANAGEMENT DIVISION AND WILL PERFORM DAILY DUTIES DESCRIBED IN THE STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW), PLANNER/ESTIMATOR/ENGINEERING ASSISTANT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AECOM TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Office of the Chief Financial Officer).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-11-12. End: 2025-05-01.

What is the track record of AECOM Technical Services, Inc. with the Department of Agriculture?

AECOM Technical Services, Inc. has a history of receiving contracts from various federal agencies, including the Department of Agriculture. Analyzing past performance data would reveal the types of services they have provided, their performance ratings on previous contracts, and any significant issues or commendations. For this specific contract, the Department of Agriculture's contracting officers would have reviewed AECOM's past performance as part of the selection process under full and open competition. A review of public databases like FPDS would show the extent and nature of their prior work with the agency, helping to assess their suitability and reliability for this current engineering support role.

How does the value of this contract compare to similar engineering support contracts awarded by the Department of Agriculture?

The $3.45 million value for this contract, spanning approximately 3.5 years, needs to be benchmarked against similar engineering services contracts awarded by the Department of Agriculture or other agencies with comparable facility management needs. Factors such as the number of personnel, specific technical expertise required, and geographic location influence contract value. Given that this contract is for six support contractors performing daily duties in facilities management and planning, and is a fixed-price award, the value appears to be in a reasonable range for specialized professional services. A detailed comparison would involve analyzing the scope of work, duration, and labor categories of comparable contracts to ensure fair pricing and value for taxpayer money.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Primary risks include potential performance deficiencies by the contractor, scope creep beyond the defined Statement of Work (SOW), and contractor personnel turnover. Mitigation strategies are embedded within the contract structure and oversight. The fixed-price (FFP) contract type shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor. The SOW provides clear deliverables and performance standards. The Department of Agriculture's contracting officer and technical monitors will oversee performance, conduct regular reviews, and ensure adherence to the SOW. Contractor performance evaluations (past performance) are also used during the award process to select reliable vendors. Contingency planning for key personnel and clear communication channels are also crucial.

How effective is the current contract in ensuring efficient facilities management for the Department of Agriculture?

The effectiveness of this contract in ensuring efficient facilities management can be assessed through several metrics. These include the contractor's adherence to the SOW, timely completion of tasks, quality of support provided (e.g., in planning, estimating, and daily operations), and any cost savings or efficiencies generated. Performance metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) within the contract, if established, would provide quantifiable measures. Regular performance reviews by the agency will gauge how well AECOM Technical Services, Inc. is meeting its obligations and contributing to the overall efficiency of the facilities management division. Feedback from the facilities management division users of these support services is also a key indicator.

What are the historical spending patterns for engineering services within the Department of Agriculture?

Historical spending patterns for engineering services within the Department of Agriculture reveal a consistent need for such expertise to manage its vast infrastructure and facilities across the country. The agency procures engineering services through various contract types, including design, construction oversight, environmental assessments, and specialized technical support. Spending levels can fluctuate based on infrastructure investment cycles, new construction projects, and maintenance requirements. Analyzing past years' spending data for NAICS code 541330 (Engineering Services) within the Department of Agriculture would provide context for the $3.45 million awarded here, indicating whether this represents a typical, increased, or decreased investment in these services.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 515 S FLOWER ST FL 4, LOS ANGELES, CA, 90071

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,452,068

Exercised Options: $3,452,068

Current Obligation: $3,452,068

Actual Outlays: $3,452,068

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 3

Total Subaward Amount: $331,784

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: AG3142C160008

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline