Smithsonian Institution awards $6.5M contract for architectural services to SIRIS LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,548,494 ($6.5M)

Contractor: Siris LLC

Awarding Agency: Smithsonian Institution

Start Date: 2020-01-29

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 2,253 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: OFMR FY20 SUPPORT STAFF.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20560

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Smithsonian Institution obligated $6.5 million to SIRIS LLC for work described as: OFMR FY20 SUPPORT STAFF. Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for the duration and scope of architectural services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. No specific risk indicators are immediately apparent from the provided data. 4. Services are for support staff, indicating an operational rather than capital project focus. 5. The contract falls within the architectural services sector, a common area for federal procurement.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $6.5 million over approximately 6 years for architectural support staff services seems within a reasonable range for federal contracts of this nature. Benchmarking against similar contracts for architectural services at institutions like the Smithsonian would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, without specific details on the deliverables and the number of personnel or hours covered, a definitive comparison is challenging. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests cost certainty for the government.

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 bids. This method generally promotes a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and quality. The data does not specify the number of bidders, but the use of full and open competition is a positive sign for market engagement.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down costs and improve the quality of services received.

Public Impact

The Smithsonian Institution benefits from this contract by securing necessary architectural support staff. Services provided will likely contribute to the maintenance, planning, and execution of architectural projects within the Smithsonian's purview. The geographic impact is primarily within the District of Columbia, where the Smithsonian's main operations are located. Workforce implications include the potential for employment opportunities for architectural professionals through SIRIS LLC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability.
Long-term contract duration (over 6 years) suggests a stable need for services.

Sector Analysis

The federal architectural services market is diverse, encompassing a wide range of needs from design and planning to support and oversight. This contract for support staff falls into the operational aspect of the sector. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal agencies' procurements for similar architectural support services, which are common across agencies managing significant infrastructure and facilities, such as the General Services Administration (GSA) or the Department of Defense (DoD).

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary impact on the small business ecosystem would be through potential subcontracting opportunities offered by SIRIS LLC, if any. Without further information on subcontracting plans, it's difficult to assess the direct impact on small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer and program officials within the Smithsonian Institution. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, requiring SIRIS LLC to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon cost. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Architectural Services
Facilities Support Services
Professional Services

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Smithsonian Institution awarded $6.5 million to SIRIS LLC. OFMR FY20 SUPPORT STAFF.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SIRIS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Smithsonian Institution (Smithsonian Institution).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-01-29. End: 2026-03-31.

What specific architectural support staff functions will SIRIS LLC provide under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'OFMR FY20 SUPPORT STAFF' within 'Architectural Services'. OFMR typically refers to the Office of Facilities, Management and Real Estate. Therefore, SIRIS LLC is likely providing personnel to support the administrative, technical, or project management functions within the Smithsonian's facilities and real estate management office related to architectural projects. This could include tasks such as drafting, design review support, project coordination, record keeping, and other administrative duties essential for the smooth operation of architectural planning and execution.

How does the $6.5 million contract value compare to similar architectural support staff contracts awarded by the Smithsonian or other federal agencies?

Benchmarking the $6.5 million contract value requires comparing it against contracts for similar architectural support staff services over a comparable duration (approximately 6 years). Federal procurement data shows a wide range for such services. For instance, contracts for architectural support staff can range from tens of thousands for short-term, specialized tasks to millions for long-term, comprehensive support. Given the Smithsonian's extensive portfolio of historic buildings and ongoing projects, a $6.5 million contract over six years for support staff appears to be within a reasonable range, assuming it covers a consistent level of effort. A more precise comparison would necessitate analyzing the specific labor categories, hours, and deliverables outlined in the contract.

What is the track record of SIRIS LLC in performing federal architectural services contracts?

Information on SIRIS LLC's specific track record for federal architectural services contracts is not detailed in the provided data. However, as a recipient of a multi-year, multi-million dollar contract from the Smithsonian Institution, it suggests they have met the necessary qualifications and demonstrated capability to be awarded this work. A deeper analysis would involve reviewing SIRIS LLC's past performance evaluations in federal databases, their contract history with various agencies, and the types of architectural services they have previously delivered to ascertain their experience and reliability in this sector.

What are the potential risks associated with a long-term (over 6 years) contract for architectural support staff?

Long-term contracts for support staff can present several risks. Firstly, there's the risk of cost escalation if market rates for labor increase significantly over the contract period, although a firm-fixed-price contract aims to mitigate this for the government. Secondly, there's a potential for reduced flexibility; if the Smithsonian's needs change substantially, modifying a long-term contract can be complex. Thirdly, contractor performance can degrade over time if not actively managed and monitored. Finally, there's the risk of vendor lock-in, making it difficult to switch providers even if performance issues arise or better options become available. Robust oversight and performance management are crucial to mitigate these risks.

How does the firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type influence the value and risk for this architectural services contract?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally advantageous for the government when the scope of work is well-defined, as it shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor. For this architectural services contract, FFP provides budget certainty for the Smithsonian Institution, as the total cost is fixed regardless of the contractor's actual costs. This encourages SIRIS LLC to manage its resources efficiently to maintain profitability. The primary risk for the contractor is underestimating costs or encountering unforeseen issues that increase expenses. For the government, the main risk with FFP is potentially paying a premium if the contractor's initial price was high due to uncertainty, or if the scope of work needs significant changes, which would require contract modifications.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - CONSTRUCTION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ARCHITECT-ENGINEER FAR 6.102

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 11 EWALL ST STE 228, MOUNT PLEASANT, SC, 29464

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,548,494

Exercised Options: $6,548,494

Current Obligation: $6,548,494

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 33330219DF0010311

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline