State Department awards $3.7M contract for professional audio/video services to Techniarts Engineering LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,671,499 ($3.7M)

Contractor: Techniarts Engineering LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2025-07-01

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROFESSIONAL AUDIO/VIDEO SERVICES.

Place of Performance

Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $3.7 million to TECHNIARTS ENGINEERING LLC for work described as: PROFESSIONAL AUDIO/VIDEO SERVICES. Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration is one year, with a firm fixed-price structure. 3. The award is a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541990, indicating 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'. 5. The contract is for professional audio/video services, a niche but essential support function. 6. The contractor, Techniarts Engineering LLC, is the sole awardee for this specific delivery order.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount is $3,671,499.03. Without specific benchmarks for professional audio/video services for government entities, it is difficult to definitively assess value for money. The firm fixed-price contract type can offer cost certainty for the government, but the ultimate value depends on the quality and efficiency of the services delivered. Further analysis would require comparison to similar contracts awarded by the State Department or other agencies for comparable services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The data does not specify the number of bidders that participated in the competition for this specific delivery order. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and innovative solutions.

Public Impact

The Department of State benefits from professional audio/video services, likely for official communications, events, and broadcasting. These services are crucial for maintaining effective communication channels for diplomatic and public affairs activities. The contract's geographic impact is centered in Maryland (ST: MD, SN: MARYLAND), suggesting services will be performed or managed from this location. The contract supports specialized technical roles within the audio/video field, potentially impacting the workforce in these areas.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics or service level agreements in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the contractor's performance history or potential risks.
The total contract value is substantial, increasing the financial risk if services are not delivered as expected.

Positive Signals

The award was made under full and open competition, which typically indicates a robust bidding process and a fair opportunity for multiple vendors.
The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government, mitigating the risk of cost overruns.

Sector Analysis

The professional, scientific, and technical services sector is broad, encompassing a wide range of specialized expertise. Within this sector, audio/visual services are a critical component for many organizations, particularly government agencies that rely on clear and effective communication for internal operations, public outreach, and diplomatic functions. The market for these services is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized solutions. Benchmarking this contract's value would require comparing it to similar audio/visual support contracts awarded to government entities, considering factors like scope of work, duration, and required expertise.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a small business set-aside. The primary contractor, Techniarts Engineering LLC, is likely a larger entity if it won a contract of this magnitude under full and open competition. The impact on the small business ecosystem is neutral in terms of direct set-aside opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the Department of State's contracting officers and program managers. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides some level of financial oversight by limiting potential cost increases. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Specific accountability measures would be detailed in the contract's statement of work and terms and conditions, and any potential issues could be subject to Inspector General review if fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Audio-Visual Equipment and Services
Department of State Communications Support
Government IT and Technical Services

Risk Flags

Contract duration is one year, potentially limiting long-term strategic planning for services.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data hinders objective assessment of value and risk.
Sole awardee for this delivery order, though competed full and open, warrants monitoring for sustained competitive pricing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $3.7 million to TECHNIARTS ENGINEERING LLC. PROFESSIONAL AUDIO/VIDEO SERVICES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TECHNIARTS ENGINEERING LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-07-01. End: 2026-06-30.

What is the typical profit margin for professional audio/video services contracts awarded by the federal government?

Determining the typical profit margin for professional audio/video services contracts awarded by the federal government is complex, as it varies significantly based on contract specifics, competition level, and the contractor's overhead. Generally, profit margins in government contracting can range from 5% to 15%, but this is highly dependent on the service's complexity and the contractor's efficiency. For specialized technical services like audio/video, margins might lean towards the higher end if unique expertise or equipment is required. The firm fixed-price nature of this $3.7 million contract with Techniarts Engineering LLC suggests the government sought cost certainty, implying that the contractor factored in all potential costs, including profit, into their bid. Without access to the contractor's bid breakdown or comparative data on similar State Department contracts, a precise profit margin cannot be ascertained.

How does the $3.7 million contract value compare to historical spending on audio/video services by the Department of State?

To assess how the $3.7 million contract value compares to historical spending on audio/video services by the Department of State, one would need to analyze past contract awards for similar services. This would involve querying federal procurement databases (like FPDS) for contracts with relevant NAICS codes (e.g., 541990, or more specific A/V codes if available) awarded by the State Department over several fiscal years. The current award is for a one-year duration, ending June 30, 2026. If the State Department historically awarded multiple smaller contracts or fewer, larger contracts for these services, this $3.7 million figure could represent a significant portion of their annual A/V budget or a consolidation of services. Without historical data, it's challenging to determine if this represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of spending.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) typically associated with professional audio/video services contracts for government agencies?

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for professional audio/video services contracts with government agencies typically focus on service delivery, technical quality, and responsiveness. Common KPIs include: Uptime/Availability of equipment and services, ensuring systems are operational when needed; Response Time for technical support requests or issue resolution; Quality of Audio/Video Output (e.g., clarity, fidelity, absence of glitches); Timeliness of service completion for events or projects; Adherence to technical specifications and standards; Customer Satisfaction, often measured through surveys or feedback from end-users; and Compliance with security protocols and reporting requirements. For this Department of State contract, specific KPIs would be detailed in the Statement of Work (SOW), guiding the contractor's performance and the government's evaluation of their services.

What is Techniarts Engineering LLC's track record with federal government contracts, particularly with the Department of State?

To evaluate Techniarts Engineering LLC's track record with federal government contracts, particularly with the Department of State, a review of federal procurement databases (such as FPDS or SAM.gov) is necessary. This would reveal the number of contracts awarded to the company, their values, the agencies they've served, and their performance history (if available). Information on past performance ratings, any contract disputes, or terminations would provide crucial insights. Without direct access to this specific data for Techniarts Engineering LLC, it's presumed that they were deemed a responsible source with a satisfactory record to be awarded this $3.7 million contract under full and open competition. Further investigation would be needed to confirm their specific experience with audio/video services for the State Department.

What are the potential risks associated with a firm fixed-price contract for audio/video services, and how are they mitigated?

A firm fixed-price (FFP) contract, like the one awarded to Techniarts Engineering LLC, offers cost certainty to the government but shifts most of the performance risk to the contractor. Potential risks include the contractor underestimating costs, leading to reduced quality or potential disputes if they attempt to cut corners to maintain profitability. Conversely, if the contractor accurately estimates high costs due to perceived risks, the government might overpay. Mitigation strategies employed by the government include thorough pre-award market research and cost analysis, clearly defined scope of work and technical specifications in the contract, and robust contract administration. The government monitors performance closely to ensure quality standards are met and can leverage contract clauses for remedies if performance is deficient. For audio/video services, risks might also involve technological obsolescence or the need for specialized, hard-to-source equipment, which the contractor must manage within the fixed price.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 19AQMM25Q0179

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1020 NOYES DR, SILVER SPRING, MD, 20910

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,744,980

Exercised Options: $4,744,980

Current Obligation: $3,671,499

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSMS24D001B

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline