Smithsonian Institution awards $14M contract for building envelope and infrastructure revitalization to SIRIS LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,025,553 ($14.0M)

Contractor: Siris LLC

Awarding Agency: Smithsonian Institution

Start Date: 2021-01-27

End Date: 2026-01-30

Contract Duration: 1,829 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NASM REVITALIZE BUILDING ENVELOPE & INFRASTRUCTURE

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20024

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Smithsonian Institution obligated $14.0 million to SIRIS LLC for work described as: NASM REVITALIZE BUILDING ENVELOPE & INFRASTRUCTURE Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is a delivery order under a larger agreement, indicating a phased approach to infrastructure work. 3. The firm fixed-price structure aims to control costs and provide predictability for the Smithsonian. 4. The duration of the contract (over 5 years) suggests a significant scope of work for building revitalization. 5. The primary service category is Architectural Services, aligning with the project's focus on building infrastructure.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $14.03 million for architectural services over a five-year period appears reasonable given the scope of revitalizing building envelopes and infrastructure. Benchmarking against similar large-scale architectural and engineering contracts for federal facilities suggests that pricing is within expected ranges, especially considering the specialized nature of historic building preservation often required by institutions like the Smithsonian. The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty, which is a positive indicator for value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which is expected to lead to more favorable pricing and better quality services for the government. The open competition suggests that SIRIS LLC was selected based on merit and competitive offering.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition provides taxpayers with assurance that the government sought the best value by allowing a wide range of qualified contractors to compete, potentially driving down costs and improving service delivery.

Public Impact

The Smithsonian Institution benefits from the revitalization of its critical building infrastructure, ensuring the preservation of its facilities and collections. The contract delivers essential architectural and engineering services for building envelope and infrastructure improvements. The geographic impact is concentrated in the District of Columbia, where the Smithsonian's primary facilities are located. The project supports the architecture and engineering sector workforce, potentially creating or sustaining jobs for skilled professionals.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if initial infrastructure assessments reveal unforeseen complexities.
Dependence on SIRIS LLC's performance over a multi-year period could pose risks if issues arise.
Coordination challenges between architectural design and actual construction phases.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost control and predictability.
Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive selection process.
Long contract duration allows for thorough planning and execution of complex infrastructure work.
Focus on building envelope and infrastructure is critical for long-term facility maintenance and operational efficiency.

Sector Analysis

The architectural services sector supporting federal infrastructure projects is a significant market. This contract falls within the broader construction and engineering services industry, which is characterized by specialized firms competing for large-scale government contracts. The Smithsonian Institution, as a major cultural and research entity, requires ongoing investment in its facilities, making this type of contract a recurring need within the sector. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar revitalization projects at large federal institutions would typically range in the millions to tens of millions of dollars.

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 specifically mandated for small businesses through a set-aside. However, the prime contractor, SIRIS LLC, may still engage small businesses as subcontractors based on their own procurement strategies and the availability of specialized services needed for the project.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Smithsonian Institution's contracting officers and project managers. They are responsible for monitoring performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and approving payments. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight by fixing the total cost. Transparency is facilitated through the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), where contract awards are publicly reported. Specific Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on the Smithsonian's internal policies and any applicable federal regulations.

Related Government Programs

National Park Service Facility Maintenance Contracts
General Services Administration (GSA) Public Buildings Service Contracts
Architectural and Engineering Services for Federal Buildings
Historic Preservation Fund Grants

Risk Flags

Potential for cost increases due to unforeseen site conditions.
Contractor performance risk over a long duration.
Dependency on accurate initial scope definition for fixed-price contract effectiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Smithsonian Institution awarded $14.0 million to SIRIS LLC. NASM REVITALIZE BUILDING ENVELOPE & INFRASTRUCTURE

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 $14.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-01-27. End: 2026-01-30.

What is the track record of SIRIS LLC in performing similar large-scale federal infrastructure revitalization projects?

Assessing SIRIS LLC's track record requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving building envelope and infrastructure revitalization. Information on contract history, past performance evaluations, and any reported disputes or corrective actions would be crucial. While the award itself indicates they met the qualifications for this contract, a deeper dive into their experience with projects of similar scale, complexity, and duration would provide a clearer picture of their capabilities and reliability. Specific details on their success in managing budgets, adhering to schedules, and delivering quality architectural services on comparable projects are key indicators.

How does the awarded amount of $14.03 million compare to the estimated cost or budget for this revitalization project?

The awarded amount of $14.03 million represents the total value obligated for the contract. To assess value for money, this figure should be compared against the Smithsonian Institution's initial cost estimates or budget allocated for the 'NASM REVITALIZE BUILDING ENVELOPE & INFRASTRUCTURE' project. If the awarded amount is significantly lower than estimates, it suggests successful cost negotiation or competitive bidding. Conversely, if it aligns closely or exceeds estimates, further scrutiny of the scope and pricing might be warranted. Without the initial estimates, a definitive value comparison is challenging, but the firm fixed-price nature provides a ceiling.

What are the primary risks associated with a multi-year contract for building infrastructure revitalization?

Multi-year contracts for building infrastructure revitalization carry several inherent risks. Firstly, there's the risk of unforeseen conditions discovered during the project, such as structural issues or hazardous materials, which can lead to cost overruns and schedule delays, even with a fixed-price contract if change orders are necessary. Secondly, contractor performance over an extended period can vary; maintaining consistent quality and responsiveness is crucial. Thirdly, changes in technology or building codes during the contract's lifespan might necessitate design modifications. Finally, economic fluctuations or changes in government funding priorities could potentially impact the project's continuity or scope, although the firm fixed-price nature aims to mitigate some of these.

How effective is the firm fixed-price contract type in ensuring cost control for this specific project?

The firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally considered effective for controlling costs when the scope of work is well-defined and the risks of unforeseen conditions are manageable. For the 'NASM REVITALIZE BUILDING ENVELOPE & INFRASTRUCTURE' project, FFP provides SIRIS LLC with a clear financial target, incentivizing them to manage their costs efficiently to maximize profit. The Smithsonian Institution benefits from cost certainty, as the total price is fixed unless scope changes occur. However, the effectiveness hinges on the thoroughness of the initial scope definition and the contractor's ability to accurately estimate all associated costs. If significant unforeseen issues arise, the FFP structure might lead to extensive negotiations for change orders.

What is the historical spending pattern for architectural services at the Smithsonian Institution?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for architectural services at the Smithsonian Institution would involve examining past contract awards for similar projects over several fiscal years. This would reveal trends in contract values, types of services procured (e.g., design, renovation, preservation), and the primary contractors engaged. Understanding this historical context helps in benchmarking the current $14.03 million award against typical expenditures. It can also indicate whether spending on such services has been consistent, increasing, or decreasing, and whether the institution relies on a few key architectural firms or engages a diverse range of providers.

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: $14,025,553

Exercised Options: $14,025,553

Current Obligation: $14,025,553

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