Interior Department Awards $1.72M Design Contract for Edenton NFH Admin Building
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $172,007 ($172.0K)
Contractor: Talley & Smith Architecture Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2024-09-26
End Date: 2026-02-28
Contract Duration: 520 days
Daily Burn Rate: $331/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 12
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: EDENTON NFH-DESIGN ADMIN BLDG
Place of Performance
Location: EDENTON, CHOWAN County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27932
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $172,007 to TALLEY & SMITH ARCHITECTURE INC for work described as: EDENTON NFH-DESIGN ADMIN BLDG Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Talley & Smith Architecture Inc. for engineering services. 2. The contract is for the design and administration of a new building. 3. Competition method was 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources'. 4. The project duration is 520 days, with an estimated completion date of February 2026. 5. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $1.72 million for architectural and engineering services for a federal facility appears within a reasonable range for design projects of this scope. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for facility design would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The competition method 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' suggests that while the competition was intended to be open, specific criteria or circumstances led to the exclusion of certain potential bidders. This could potentially limit price discovery compared to a truly unrestricted full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: The firm fixed price contract type helps control costs for taxpayers, as the final price is established upfront. However, the limited competition might have resulted in a higher price than if broader competition had been pursued.
Public Impact
Taxpayers will fund the design and administration of a new federal building. The project aims to improve infrastructure for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The contract supports the engineering services sector. The project's success will be measured by the timely and cost-effective completion of the design.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 30 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition may have impacted price.
- Potential for scope creep in design projects.
- Reliance on a single firm for critical design services.
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
- Clear project duration and completion date.
- Awarded to a firm with relevant engineering services expertise.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Engineering Services (NAICS 541330), a sector that supports various government infrastructure projects. Spending in this sector is often driven by federal agency needs for facility design, upgrades, and new construction.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business (SB flag is false). Therefore, there is no direct benefit to small businesses from this specific award, and it does not contribute to small business contracting goals.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an agency within the Department of the Interior. Oversight will focus on ensuring the design meets federal standards, stays within budget, and is completed on schedule.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition may have resulted in a higher price.
- Potential for design changes impacting cost and schedule.
- Contractor performance risk for a multi-year design project.
- Reliance on a single firm for critical design services.
Tags
engineering-services, department-of-the-interior, nc, delivery-order, 100k-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $172,007 to TALLEY & SMITH ARCHITECTURE INC. EDENTON NFH-DESIGN ADMIN BLDG
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TALLEY & SMITH ARCHITECTURE INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $172,007.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-09-26. End: 2026-02-28.
What specific factors led to the exclusion of sources in the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method, and how did this impact the final price?
The exclusion of sources likely stemmed from specific technical requirements, past performance evaluations, or unique qualifications deemed necessary for this particular design project. While the exact impact on price is not detailed, such exclusions can sometimes limit the number of competitive bids, potentially leading to a higher price than if a broader range of firms had participated.
How will the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ensure the design effectively meets the operational needs of the Edenton National Fish Hatchery while remaining cost-efficient?
The Service will likely employ a rigorous review process for design submittals, involving subject matter experts from the hatchery and contracting officers. Regular progress meetings with Talley & Smith Architecture Inc. will track adherence to the scope of work and budget. Performance metrics tied to the contract will ensure accountability for delivering a functional and cost-effective design.
What are the potential risks associated with a Firm Fixed Price contract for a design project of this duration, and how are they mitigated?
The primary risk with FFP for design is that unforeseen complexities or scope changes can strain the contractor's profit margin, potentially leading to change order requests or disputes. Mitigation involves a well-defined scope of work, clear specifications, and robust project management by the government to control scope creep and address issues proactively.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 12
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 409 E MARION ST, SHELBY, NC, 28150
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $172,007
Exercised Options: $172,007
Current Obligation: $172,007
Actual Outlays: $150,240
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 140F0822D0304
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-09-26
Current End Date: 2026-02-28
Potential End Date: 2026-02-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-02
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