Interior Department awards $216K contract for architectural services to Strata Architecture Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $216,207 ($216.2K)

Contractor: Strata Architecture Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-09-26

End Date: 2027-02-26

Contract Duration: 518 days

Daily Burn Rate: $417/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: GERO 329805 N166 SUPPLEMENTAL SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: VINCENNES, KNOX County, INDIANA, 47591

State: Indiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $216,206.78 to STRATA ARCHITECTURE INC. for work described as: GERO 329805 N166 SUPPLEMENTAL SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 518 days indicates a medium-term project. 3. The firm fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 4. The National Park Service is the specific agency utilizing these architectural services. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541310 identifies the service as Architectural Services. 6. The contract is a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $216,206.78 for 518 days of architectural services appears reasonable given the scope. Without specific deliverables or comparable project data, a precise benchmark is difficult. However, the firm fixed-price nature suggests that the contractor has assessed the risks and costs associated with providing these services within the agreed-upon price. The number of bids received (3) also provides some indication of market interest and potential for competitive pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' which typically means the solicitation was broadly advertised, but specific circumstances led to the exclusion of certain previously considered sources. With 3 bidders, the competition level is moderate. This suggests that while multiple firms were aware of and interested in the opportunity, the market for this specific type of architectural service may not be exceptionally broad or that other factors limited the number of responsive bids.

Taxpayer Impact: A moderate level of competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging competitive pricing. However, the exclusion of sources warrants further investigation to ensure no potentially lower-cost or more qualified bidders were unfairly excluded.

Public Impact

The National Park Service will benefit from these architectural services, likely for facility design, renovation, or preservation projects. The services delivered will be architectural in nature, potentially including planning, design, and construction oversight. The contract is geographically located in Indiana (IN), indicating local impact for that region's park infrastructure. The contract supports the architecture and engineering workforce, providing employment opportunities for professionals in this field.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type requires scrutiny to ensure fairness and prevent potential anti-competitive practices.
Limited number of bidders (3) could indicate a niche market or potential barriers to entry for other firms.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the contractor's efficiency and effectiveness beyond contract completion.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty and incentivizes the contractor to manage expenses efficiently.
Full and open competition, even with exclusions, generally promotes a degree of market fairness.
The contract is for a defined period, allowing for clear project management and evaluation upon completion.

Sector Analysis

The architectural services sector is a critical component of the construction and public works industry. Federal spending in this area supports the design, planning, and oversight of government infrastructure projects, including national parks, federal buildings, and other facilities. The market for architectural services is diverse, ranging from small, specialized firms to large, multidisciplinary engineering and design companies. Benchmarking this contract's value against similar architectural service contracts for federal agencies, particularly those managed by the National Park Service, would provide further context on its cost-effectiveness.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct implications for small business set-aside goals. However, the prime contractor, Strata Architecture Inc., may engage small businesses as subcontractors. Analysis of subcontracting plans, if any, would be necessary to determine the extent of small business participation and its impact on the broader small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of the Interior's contracting and program management offices, with specific oversight likely managed by the National Park Service. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified architectural services by the deadline. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, allowing for public scrutiny. The Inspector General for the Department of the Interior would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

National Park Service Facility Management
Federal Architectural and Engineering Services
Department of the Interior Construction Projects
Public Lands Infrastructure Development

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep due to the nature of architectural design services.
Risk of contractor underperformance impacting project timelines or quality.
Unforeseen site conditions could necessitate design changes and cost adjustments.
The 'exclusion of sources' in competition type warrants review for fairness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $216,206.78 to STRATA ARCHITECTURE INC.. GERO 329805 N166 SUPPLEMENTAL SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is STRATA ARCHITECTURE INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (National Park Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $216,206.78.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-26. End: 2027-02-26.

What is the track record of Strata Architecture Inc. with federal contracts, particularly with the National Park Service?

A review of federal procurement data indicates that Strata Architecture Inc. has been awarded multiple federal contracts. While specific details on past performance with the National Park Service require deeper analysis of contract histories and performance evaluations, the company's presence in the federal contracting space suggests experience. Further investigation into their past project types, values, and any reported performance issues or commendations would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their track record. Examining contract close-out data and any debriefings from previous solicitations could also reveal insights into their reliability and capabilities.

How does the cost of this contract compare to similar architectural services procured by the National Park Service or other agencies?

Benchmarking this contract requires comparing its value ($216,206.78 for 518 days) against similar architectural services contracts. Key comparison factors include the scope of work (e.g., design, planning, historic preservation), the type of facility, and the geographic location. Without detailed statements of work for comparable contracts, a precise comparison is challenging. However, the firm fixed-price nature suggests the contractor has priced the work based on their assessment of costs and risks. A broader analysis of the average cost per day or per square foot for architectural services procured by agencies like the NPS would be needed to determine if this contract represents a competitive value.

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

Primary risks include potential scope creep, contractor underperformance, and unforeseen site conditions impacting design. Mitigation strategies are partly addressed by the firm fixed-price contract, which incentivizes the contractor to control costs. The defined duration (518 days) provides a timeline for project completion. However, the effectiveness of mitigation relies heavily on the clarity of the statement of work, the government's project management oversight, and the contractor's ability to adapt to any necessary changes. The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition type could also represent a risk if it limited the pool of qualified bidders, potentially impacting quality or price.

What is the expected effectiveness of the architectural services to be delivered under this contract for the National Park Service?

The effectiveness of the architectural services will be measured by their ability to meet the National Park Service's project requirements, whether for new construction, renovation, or preservation. Successful delivery should result in functional, compliant, and aesthetically appropriate designs that align with the NPS's mission and standards. The firm fixed-price contract aims to ensure that the services are delivered within budget. The ultimate effectiveness will depend on the quality of the architectural plans, adherence to relevant building codes and environmental regulations, and how well the final designs serve the intended purpose within the park environment.

What are the historical spending patterns for architectural services by the National Park Service, and how does this contract fit within them?

Historical spending patterns for architectural services by the National Park Service (NPS) typically fluctuate based on infrastructure needs, preservation initiatives, and capital improvement projects. The NPS often procures architectural services through various contract vehicles, including IDIQ contracts, task orders, and direct awards. This $216,206.78 delivery order represents a specific, relatively modest investment within the broader context of NPS's annual budget for facilities and design. Understanding the NPS's overall capital budget and the proportion allocated to architectural services would place this contract in perspective. Analyzing trends in contract values and the types of architectural services sought over several fiscal years would reveal patterns in NPS's investment in its infrastructure.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Architectural 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: 140P2025F0313

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1701 OAK ST # 100, KANSAS CITY, MO, 64108

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, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $216,207

Exercised Options: $216,207

Current Obligation: $216,207

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140P2019D0007

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline