State Dept. Awards $32.2M for Project Design Services to Richard & Kennedy Architects, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $32,234,413 ($32.2M)
Contractor: Richard & Kennedy Architects, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of State
Start Date: 2018-06-25
End Date: 2027-03-01
Contract Duration: 3,171 days
Daily Burn Rate: $10.2K/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: PROJECT DESIGN SERVICES.
Place of Performance
Location: PHOENIX, MARICOPA County, ARIZONA, 85015
State: Arizona Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of State obligated $32.2 million to RICHARD & KENNEDY ARCHITECTS, LLC for work described as: PROJECT DESIGN SERVICES. Key points: 1. Significant contract value for architectural services. 2. Competition method indicates potential for price discovery. 3. Long duration suggests a substantial, ongoing need. 4. No small business participation noted.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $32.2M over nearly 9 years is substantial for architectural services. Benchmarking against similar large-scale design contracts is difficult without more specific project details, but the duration suggests a significant undertaking.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This suggests an initial broad solicitation followed by a restriction, which may limit competitive pressure and potentially impact price discovery compared to truly full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for architectural design services. The effectiveness of the competition method in securing the best value for taxpayers is a key consideration.
Public Impact
Impacts diplomatic infrastructure planning and design. Supports federal agency operational needs through facility design. Potential for job creation in the architecture and engineering sector.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition method
- No small business participation
- Long contract duration
Positive Signals
- Clear agency need identified
- Fixed price contract type
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically architectural services. Spending in this area is driven by infrastructure needs, modernization projects, and new construction for federal agencies.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates that no small business participation was involved in this award. This suggests that the prime contractor is likely a larger firm, and opportunities for subcontracting to small businesses were either not pursued or not mandated.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be crucial to ensure the project stays within budget and meets design specifications. The Department of State's contracting office is responsible for monitoring performance and compliance throughout the contract's duration.
Related Government Programs
- Architectural Services
- Department of State Contracting
- Department of State Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition method may reduce price competitiveness.
- Lack of small business participation.
- Long contract duration increases risk of cost overruns or scope creep.
- Potential for vendor lock-in.
Tags
architectural-services, department-of-state, az, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of State awarded $32.2 million to RICHARD & KENNEDY ARCHITECTS, LLC. PROJECT DESIGN SERVICES.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is RICHARD & KENNEDY ARCHITECTS, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $32.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2018-06-25. End: 2027-03-01.
What was the rationale for excluding sources after initial full and open competition?
The rationale for excluding sources after initial full and open competition needs further investigation. Typically, this occurs when specific capabilities, security clearances, or unique qualifications are identified as essential for the project's success, leading to a more restricted subsequent phase. Understanding this justification is key to assessing if it truly served the government's best interest or limited competitive options unnecessarily.
How does the pricing compare to industry benchmarks for similar large-scale federal architectural projects?
Direct comparison of pricing is challenging without detailed project scope and deliverables. However, the $32.2M award over nearly nine years for architectural services warrants scrutiny. Federal agencies often aim for competitive bidding to secure rates aligned with or below market averages. A thorough review would involve analyzing the firm-fixed-price structure against established cost-plus or time-and-materials benchmarks for comparable federal design contracts.
What measures are in place to ensure effective project delivery and accountability over the long contract term?
Effective project delivery and accountability over a long-term contract like this rely on robust contract management by the Department of State. This includes regular performance reviews, milestone tracking, clear communication channels, and adherence to the firm-fixed-price terms. The agency must ensure the contractor meets all design, quality, and schedule requirements, with mechanisms for addressing deviations or performance issues promptly.
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
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 4450 N 12TH ST STE 200, PHOENIX, AZ, 85014
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $32,234,413
Exercised Options: $32,234,413
Current Obligation: $32,234,413
Actual Outlays: $1,253,154
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: SAQMMA13D0093
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2018-06-25
Current End Date: 2027-03-01
Potential End Date: 2027-03-01 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-05-27
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