State Department awards $26.5M for Brussels project development, with KIERANTIMBERLAKE LLC as prime
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $26,489,816 ($26.5M)
Contractor: Kierantimberlake LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of State
Start Date: 2022-03-31
End Date: 2027-03-20
Contract Duration: 1,815 days
Daily Burn Rate: $14.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN SERVICES IN BRUSSELS, BELGIUM.
Plain-Language Summary
Department of State obligated $26.5 million to KIERANTIMBERLAKE LLC for work described as: PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN SERVICES IN BRUSSELS, BELGIUM. Key points: 1. Contract value of $26.5M for architectural services indicates a significant investment in overseas facilities. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 3. Fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. 4. The duration of 1815 days (approx. 5 years) points to a long-term project requirement. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541310 confirms the focus on architectural services. 6. The award is a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a pre-existing agreement.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $26.5 million for architectural services in Brussels appears reasonable for a project of this scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar overseas facility development projects managed by the State Department or other agencies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure is a positive indicator for cost control, though the ultimate value depends on the successful delivery of services within the agreed-upon price.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified firms were likely solicited and allowed to bid. This process generally promotes competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value offer. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition suggests a healthy market for these types of architectural services.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically drives down prices through market forces and ensures that the government is not overpaying for services.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the Department of State and its personnel who will utilize the developed facilities in Brussels. The services delivered include project development and design, crucial for the planning and execution of infrastructure projects. The geographic impact is focused on Brussels, Belgium, likely supporting U.S. diplomatic or operational presence. Workforce implications may include employment opportunities for architects, engineers, and project managers, both domestically with the contractor and potentially locally in Belgium for support roles.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if project requirements are not clearly defined upfront.
- Reliance on a single contractor for a long-duration project could lead to vendor lock-in.
- Geopolitical risks in Brussels could impact project timelines and costs.
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
- Full and open competition suggests a competitive award process.
- Long project duration allows for thorough planning and execution.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Architectural Services sector, a subset of the broader Engineering and Architectural Services industry. This industry is characterized by specialized expertise and project-based work. The market size for government architectural services is substantial, driven by the need for facility design, renovation, and construction both domestically and internationally. This specific contract fits within the government's broader portfolio of overseas infrastructure development and modernization efforts.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract. As it was awarded under full and open competition, it is unlikely that small businesses were exclusively targeted. However, the prime contractor, KIERANTIMBERLAKE LLC, may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill specific aspects of the project, contributing to the broader small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within the Department of State. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific project details might be sensitive. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Department of State Overseas Buildings Operations
- Federal Buildings Fund
- Architectural and Engineering Services Contracts
- International Facilities Management
Risk Flags
- Long-term contract duration may increase exposure to changing requirements or economic conditions.
- Overseas project location introduces geopolitical and logistical risks.
- Reliance on a single prime contractor for extensive services.
Tags
architectural-services, department-of-state, brussels, belgium, delivery-order, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, project-development, design-services, overseas-facilities, kierantimberlake-llc, naics-541310
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of State awarded $26.5 million to KIERANTIMBERLAKE LLC. PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN SERVICES IN BRUSSELS, BELGIUM.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is KIERANTIMBERLAKE LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $26.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-03-31. End: 2027-03-20.
What is the track record of KIERANTIMBERLAKE LLC with the Department of State and similar federal agencies?
A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to fully assess KIERANTIMBERLAKE LLC's track record. This would involve examining past contracts awarded to the firm by the Department of State and other agencies, including contract performance ratings, any disputes or terminations, and the types of services previously rendered. Understanding their history with similar-sized projects and international assignments would provide insight into their capability and reliability for this Brussels project. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to definitively assess their past performance, but the award of a significant contract like this suggests they met the agency's requirements and qualifications.
How does the awarded amount of $26.5 million compare to similar architectural services contracts for overseas facilities?
Benchmarking this $26.5 million contract against similar projects requires access to a database of comparable federal contracts. Factors such as the specific location (e.g., other European capitals), the type of facility (e.g., embassy, consulate, support building), the scope of services (e.g., design only, project management, full development), and the contract duration are critical for a meaningful comparison. If similar projects of comparable complexity and duration have been awarded for lower or higher amounts, it would indicate whether this contract represents a particularly good or poor value. The firm fixed-price nature suggests an effort to control costs, but the ultimate value is realized upon successful project completion.
What are the primary risks associated with a long-term (5-year) architectural services contract for an overseas project?
Long-term overseas projects carry several inherent risks. These include potential scope creep, where project requirements evolve and expand beyond the initial agreement, leading to cost increases or delays. Geopolitical instability or changes in local regulations in Brussels could impact project execution. Currency fluctuations might affect the real cost if payments are made in different currencies. Furthermore, the contractor's key personnel might change over the five-year period, potentially affecting project continuity and quality. The firm fixed-price nature helps mitigate cost overruns, but risks related to schedule delays and quality of service remain.
What is the expected effectiveness of the architectural services in meeting the Department of State's long-term facility needs in Brussels?
The effectiveness of these architectural services hinges on the contractor's ability to translate the Department of State's requirements into functional, secure, and sustainable facility designs. Given the 5-year duration, the project development and design phase is expected to be comprehensive, allowing for detailed planning that addresses current and future operational needs. The success will be measured by the final design's adherence to specifications, its cost-efficiency in construction and long-term operation, and its ability to support the diplomatic mission in Brussels. The firm fixed-price contract incentivizes the contractor to deliver efficiently within the defined scope.
How has the Department of State's spending on architectural services for overseas projects trended over the past five years?
Analyzing the historical spending trends of the Department of State on architectural services for overseas projects over the past five years would provide valuable context. This would involve aggregating data on similar contracts awarded during that period to identify patterns in contract values, types of services procured, and geographic distribution. A rising trend might indicate increased investment in infrastructure modernization or expansion, while a stable or declining trend could suggest different priorities or budget constraints. Understanding these trends helps in assessing whether the current $26.5 million award is consistent with historical spending patterns or represents a significant shift.
What are the implications of the 'Delivery Order' award type for this contract?
The designation of this award as a 'Delivery Order' typically means it is issued under a pre-existing contract vehicle, such as an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, or a framework agreement. This implies that the basic terms, conditions, and pricing structure were likely established previously, possibly through another competitive process. For this specific project, it means the $26.5 million is the value allocated for this particular task or phase of work. It suggests a streamlined procurement process for this specific order, leveraging an established contract.
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
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 841 N AMERICAN ST, PHILADELPHIA, PA, 19123
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $26,489,816
Exercised Options: $26,489,816
Current Obligation: $26,489,816
Actual Outlays: $2,570,437
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 19AQMM19D0062
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-03-31
Current End Date: 2027-03-20
Potential End Date: 2027-03-20 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-23
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