Smithsonian Institution awards $3.26M for DC sculpture garden revitalization, with Quinn Evans Architects Inc. leading design

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,265,709 ($3.3M)

Contractor: Quinn Evans Architects Inc

Awarding Agency: Smithsonian Institution

Start Date: 2020-01-27

End Date: 2026-04-20

Contract Duration: 2,275 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: DD AND CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS_HMSG SCULPTURE GARDEN REVITALIZATION

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 $3.3 million to QUINN EVANS ARCHITECTS INC for work described as: DD AND CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS_HMSG SCULPTURE GARDEN REVITALIZATION Key points: 1. The contract focuses on architectural and engineering services for a significant cultural site. 2. A firm-fixed-price structure suggests defined scope and cost control. 3. The long duration indicates a complex, multi-phase project. 4. The project is located in the District of Columbia, impacting a major urban area. 5. The award was made via full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.26 million for architectural and engineering services appears reasonable for a project of this scope and duration, involving the revitalization of a public sculpture garden. Benchmarking against similar large-scale public space design projects would provide further context. The firm-fixed-price contract type suggests that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which is generally favorable for the government.

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 number of bidders is not specified, but this method generally fosters competitive pricing and encourages a wide range of qualified firms to participate. The Smithsonian Institution's use of this procurement method suggests a commitment to obtaining the best value through market forces.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically leads to more competitive pricing and a broader selection of qualified contractors, maximizing the value received for public funds.

Public Impact

The public will benefit from an improved and revitalized cultural space. Services delivered include architectural design, engineering, and potentially construction oversight for the sculpture garden. The geographic impact is concentrated in the District of Columbia, enhancing a key public amenity. The project will likely involve local architects, engineers, and construction workers, providing economic stimulus.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in a complex revitalization project.
Ensuring long-term durability and maintenance considerations in the design.
Coordination challenges between design and potential future construction phases.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Award to a specialized architectural firm suggests expertise.
Full and open competition indicates a thorough vetting process.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector, specifically focusing on design services for public spaces. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized expertise. The Smithsonian Institution, as a major cultural institution, frequently engages in projects requiring significant design and engineering input for its facilities and grounds.

Small Business Impact

There is no explicit indication of a small business set-aside for this contract. However, the prime contractor, Quinn Evans Architects Inc., may engage small businesses as subcontractors for specialized services or support roles. The overall impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on the subcontracting opportunities generated by this project.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Smithsonian Institution's contracting officers and project managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract, requiring delivery of specified design services. Transparency is generally maintained through public contract databases, though specific design documents may not be fully public.

Related Government Programs

National Mall Revitalization Projects
Smithsonian Museum Facility Upgrades
Public Art Installation Funding
Urban Park Design and Engineering Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if scope is not tightly managed.
Risk of design not meeting long-term maintenance needs.
Dependency on contractor's specialized expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Smithsonian Institution awarded $3.3 million to QUINN EVANS ARCHITECTS INC. DD AND CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS_HMSG SCULPTURE GARDEN REVITALIZATION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is QUINN EVANS ARCHITECTS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Smithsonian Institution (Smithsonian Institution).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-01-27. End: 2026-04-20.

What is the track record of Quinn Evans Architects Inc. with federal contracts, particularly with the Smithsonian Institution?

Quinn Evans Architects Inc. has a history of working on significant cultural and historic preservation projects. While specific federal contract data requires deeper database analysis, their portfolio often includes work with institutions similar to the Smithsonian. Their experience with large-scale public projects suggests a capacity to handle complex requirements. Further investigation into their past performance ratings and any prior awards from the Smithsonian would provide a clearer picture of their track record and suitability for this specific revitalization effort.

How does the $3.26 million contract value compare to similar sculpture garden or public space revitalization projects managed by federal agencies?

Benchmarking this $3.26 million contract requires comparing it to projects of similar scale, complexity, and geographic location. Revitalizing a sculpture garden can involve extensive landscape architecture, structural engineering for installations, and potentially upgrades to utilities and accessibility. Projects of this nature can range widely in cost depending on the size of the area, the scope of new installations or renovations, and the historical significance of the site. Without specific comparable project data, it's difficult to definitively state if this value is high or low, but it appears to be within a plausible range for a significant public space enhancement.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks include potential scope creep, as revitalization projects can uncover unforeseen issues with existing infrastructure or site conditions. Delays in design approvals or permitting could also impact the timeline. The firm-fixed-price contract mitigates financial risk for the government by capping costs, but it places the burden of managing these risks on the contractor. The Smithsonian's project management and oversight, along with the contractor's experience, are crucial mitigation factors. Clear definition of deliverables and change order processes are also vital.

How effective is the full and open competition process in ensuring value for money for this type of architectural and engineering service?

Full and open competition is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring value for money when procuring architectural and engineering services. It allows a broad pool of qualified firms to compete, driving down prices through market forces and encouraging innovation. For a project like the sculpture garden revitalization, this process likely resulted in the selection of a firm with the best combination of technical expertise, design vision, and cost-effectiveness. The Smithsonian's adherence to this method suggests a commitment to maximizing taxpayer return on investment.

What is the historical spending pattern of the Smithsonian Institution on architectural and engineering services for its facilities?

The Smithsonian Institution consistently invests in the maintenance, renovation, and expansion of its numerous facilities and grounds. Historical spending on architectural and engineering services is substantial, reflecting the scale and complexity of its museum campuses and collections. Annual expenditures can fluctuate based on major capital projects, but typically include significant allocations for design, planning, and oversight of construction and renovation work across its various museums and research centers. This contract represents a portion of that ongoing investment in preserving and enhancing its public assets.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering 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: 1214 28TH ST NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20007

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,254,087

Exercised Options: $9,254,087

Current Obligation: $3,265,709

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: F11CC10100

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline