National Gallery of Art awards $1.99M contract for architectural services to Quinn Evans Architects Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,988,541 ($2.0M)

Contractor: Quinn Evans Architects Inc

Awarding Agency: National Gallery of Art

Start Date: 2024-10-01

End Date: 2026-06-19

Contract Duration: 626 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: AE SERVICES, 7TH STREET IMPROVEMENTS

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20037

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Gallery of Art obligated $2.0 million to QUINN EVANS ARCHITECTS INC for work described as: AE SERVICES, 7TH STREET IMPROVEMENTS Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for architectural services of this scope. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Contract duration of approximately two years indicates a medium-term project. 4. Services are specific to architectural design, aligning with the contractor's expertise. 5. Geographic focus on Washington D.C. is noted. 6. The contract is a delivery order, suggesting it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar framework.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $1.99 million for architectural services seems aligned with industry standards for projects of this nature. Benchmarking against similar contracts for architectural design and planning services for cultural institutions or government buildings would provide a more precise assessment. However, the absence of specific project details makes a definitive value-for-money judgment challenging. The contract type (delivery order) suggests it might be a task order under a pre-existing agreement, which could imply some level of pre-negotiated rates.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. This method typically fosters a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and service quality. The number of bids received (10) suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this opportunity, which is a positive sign for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is generally favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for cost savings through competitive bidding and encourages a wider pool of qualified contractors to participate.

Public Impact

The National Gallery of Art will benefit from specialized architectural services for its facilities. The contract supports the delivery of architectural design and planning services. The project's geographic impact is concentrated in the District of Columbia. The contract supports the architecture and engineering workforce, particularly within the D.C. metropolitan area.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed project scope makes it difficult to fully assess value for money.
Potential for cost overruns if project requirements change significantly.
Dependence on a single contractor for a specific project phase.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
Contractor has a track record in architectural services, suggesting relevant expertise.
Clear contract end date provides a defined project timeline.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Architectural Services sector (NAICS code 541310), which is a segment of the broader Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. The market for architectural services is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized design and planning expertise. Spending in this sector by federal agencies like the National Gallery of Art is crucial for maintaining and upgrading public facilities. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be derived from data on similar projects for cultural institutions or government buildings, considering factors like square footage, complexity, and location.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate a small business set-aside. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Gallery of Art's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are typically embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards, delivery schedules, and payment milestones. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases where such awards are reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise during the contract's performance.

Related Government Programs

National Gallery of Art Operations
Federal Building and Facility Design
Architectural and Engineering Services Contracts
Cultural Institution Capital Improvements

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep
Contractor performance variability
Schedule adherence risks

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Gallery of Art awarded $2.0 million to QUINN EVANS ARCHITECTS INC. AE SERVICES, 7TH STREET IMPROVEMENTS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is QUINN EVANS ARCHITECTS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Gallery of Art (National Gallery of Art).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-10-01. End: 2026-06-19.

What is the specific nature of the "7TH STREET IMPROVEMENTS" project for which this contract was awarded?

The provided data indicates the contract is for "AE SERVICES, 7TH STREET IMPROVEMENTS" and falls under NAICS code 541310 (Architectural Services). However, the specific details of the "7TH STREET IMPROVEMENTS" are not elaborated upon in the data. This likely refers to a project involving architectural design, planning, and potentially related engineering services for improvements or renovations along 7th Street, possibly at or near the National Gallery of Art's campus. Further details would be required from the agency's contract documents or project descriptions to understand the scope, such as whether it involves new construction, facade upgrades, interior renovations, or site-specific enhancements. The duration of the contract (626 days) suggests a project of moderate complexity and timeline.

How does the awarded amount of $1.99 million compare to typical architectural service contracts for similar institutions?

Benchmarking the $1.99 million contract requires more specific project details. However, for architectural services on cultural institutions or government buildings, this amount is within a common range for design and planning phases of moderate-sized projects. Factors influencing cost include the size of the area being improved, the complexity of the design, the historical significance of the building (requiring specialized approaches), and the specific services required (e.g., schematic design, design development, construction documents, construction administration). A contract of this value could cover design for a significant renovation, an addition, or a new wing, depending on the institution and location. Without knowing the exact scope, it's difficult to provide a precise comparison, but it does not appear to be an outlier for substantial architectural work.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract, given its duration and scope?

Potential risks for this contract include scope creep, where the project requirements expand beyond the initial agreement, leading to potential cost overruns and schedule delays. Given that it's a delivery order, there's a risk if the underlying IDIQ contract or framework had limitations not fully apparent. Contractor performance is another risk; while Quinn Evans Architects Inc. is likely vetted, any firm can experience performance issues. Schedule delays could arise from unforeseen site conditions, permitting issues, or coordination challenges with other stakeholders. Finally, budget risks exist if the initial cost estimates do not fully account for all project complexities or potential market fluctuations in material or labor costs during the contract period.

What is the track record of Quinn Evans Architects Inc. with federal contracts?

Quinn Evans Architects Inc. has a history of securing contracts with federal agencies, as indicated by this award. To fully assess their track record, one would need to examine their past performance on similar federal projects, including contract values, project types, and any reported performance issues or successes. Federal procurement data often includes past performance information, which agencies use in source selection. A review of their contract history would reveal their experience with projects of comparable scale and complexity, their ability to meet deadlines and budgets, and their overall reputation within the federal contracting community. This specific award suggests they met the criteria for this particular opportunity.

How does the 'delivery order' contract type impact the flexibility and cost control for the National Gallery of Art?

A 'delivery order' typically refers to a task order issued under an existing indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar multiple-award contract vehicle. This structure can offer flexibility by allowing the agency to order specific services or supplies as needed, up to a certain ceiling amount. For cost control, the underlying IDIQ contract likely established pre-negotiated rates or pricing structures, which can streamline the ordering process and provide a degree of cost predictability. However, the flexibility also means that the total spending can fluctuate based on the agency's needs. The National Gallery of Art benefits from having a pre-vetted contractor and established terms, allowing for quicker procurement of architectural services compared to a new sole-source or full-and-open competition for each individual need.

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: 10

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2121 WARD PL NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20037

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,988,541

Exercised Options: $1,988,541

Current Obligation: $1,988,541

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 33301122DFI0010

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline