Interior Department awards $253K design contract for Minnesota shop remodel to Stone Group Architects

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $253,750 ($253.8K)

Contractor: Stone Group Architects, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-06

End Date: 2027-01-29

Contract Duration: 298 days

Daily Burn Rate: $852/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: DESIGN - SHOP REMODEL - MN

Place of Performance

Location: MINNEAPOLIS, HENNEPIN County, MINNESOTA, 55437

State: Minnesota Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $253,750 to STONE GROUP ARCHITECTS, INC. for work described as: DESIGN - SHOP REMODEL - MN Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for architectural design services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration of 298 days is standard for design projects. 4. Fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 5. The project is a design-only award, with construction to be procured separately. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 indicates engineering services, which aligns with architectural design.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $253,750 for architectural design services for a shop remodel is within a reasonable range for similar government projects. Benchmarking against other design contracts for facility renovations of comparable scope and complexity would provide further context. The firm fixed-price nature of the award helps control costs, indicating good value if the final design meets requirements.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that the solicitation was publicly advertised, and all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. With two bidders, the competition level suggests a moderate degree of market interest, which generally aids in price discovery and achieving a fair market price.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages multiple firms to bid, potentially driving down costs and ensuring the government receives competitive pricing.

Public Impact

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will benefit from updated facilities. The contract delivers architectural and engineering design services. The project's geographic impact is limited to Minnesota. The contract supports the architecture and engineering services sector workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Firm fixed-price contract type limits cost uncertainty.
Contract duration is clearly defined.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330), which encompasses firms providing architectural, engineering, and related services. The market for government architectural and engineering design services is substantial, with agencies frequently procuring such services for facility maintenance, renovation, and new construction projects. This specific award represents a small portion of overall federal spending in this sector, focused on a specific facility upgrade.

Small Business Impact

The contract details do not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions or subcontracting requirements. As the award was made under full and open competition, it is possible that small businesses participated in the bidding process. However, without further information on subcontracting plans, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is subject to standard federal procurement oversight. The firm fixed-price nature provides a degree of financial oversight. Accountability will be measured by the successful delivery of the design services according to the contract specifications and schedule. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building and Fire Safety Program
General Services Administration (GSA) Public Buildings Service
Department of Defense Facility Modernization Projects

Risk Flags

Potential for design flaws impacting future construction costs.
Risk of scope creep during the design phase.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $253,750 to STONE GROUP ARCHITECTS, INC.. DESIGN - SHOP REMODEL - MN

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is STONE GROUP ARCHITECTS, 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 $253,750.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-06. End: 2027-01-29.

What is the track record of Stone Group Architects, Inc. with federal contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of Stone Group Architects, Inc. with federal contracts is not provided in the data. A comprehensive review would involve examining past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported disputes or terminations. Federal agencies typically use past performance information as a key factor in source selection for future awards. Understanding their history with similar projects, adherence to schedules, and quality of deliverables would offer insight into their reliability and capability for this current design contract.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar facility remodel design contracts?

The awarded amount of $253,750 for the design of a shop remodel is a specific data point. To benchmark its value, it would be necessary to compare it against similar contracts for architectural and engineering design services for facility renovations or remodels awarded by federal agencies. Key comparison factors would include the square footage of the facility, the complexity of the remodel, the specific services included (e.g., architectural, structural, MEP engineering), and the geographic location. Without these comparable data points, it is difficult to definitively assess if the price is high or low relative to the market.

What are the primary risks associated with this design-only contract?

The primary risks associated with this design-only contract are related to the quality and completeness of the design documents. If the design is flawed, incomplete, or does not meet the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's requirements, it could lead to significant cost increases and delays during the subsequent construction phase. Another risk is the potential for scope creep if the government's needs evolve during the design process, which could necessitate change orders and impact the fixed-price agreement. Ensuring clear communication and robust review processes are critical to mitigating these risks.

How effective is the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method for this type of project?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method is generally considered effective for procuring design services for facility remodels. It allows for broad market solicitation while potentially excluding specific sources if there's a justifiable reason (though in this case, it seems to imply a standard competitive process). For a project of this size and nature, it balances the need to attract qualified firms with the administrative burden of a completely unrestricted competition. The fact that two bids were received suggests it was sufficiently advertised to generate interest, contributing to price discovery and potentially better value.

What are the historical spending patterns for facility design services within the Department of the Interior?

Historical spending patterns for facility design services within the Department of the Interior (DOI) would reveal the agency's typical investment in architectural and engineering services for its various facilities and land management needs. Analyzing past awards for similar projects (e.g., renovations, new construction, specific facility types) would indicate the average contract values, the frequency of such procurements, and the dominant contracting mechanisms used. This context helps determine if the $253,750 award is consistent with historical trends or represents an outlier, potentially signaling a need for further investigation into the project's scope or pricing.

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

Solicitation ID: TORN

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 600 E 7TH ST, SIOUX FALLS, SD, 57103

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $253,750

Exercised Options: $253,750

Current Obligation: $253,750

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140F0822D0302

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline