SIRIS LLC Awarded $2.4M for Architectural Services by Smithsonian Institution

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,436,215 ($2.4M)

Contractor: Siris LLC

Awarding Agency: Smithsonian Institution

Start Date: 2022-01-25

End Date: 2025-01-31

Contract Duration: 1,102 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE CONTRACT HAS BEEN FUNDED BY OFRM WITH NO OPDC CAP FUNDING.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20003

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Smithsonian Institution obligated $2.4 million to SIRIS LLC for work described as: THE CONTRACT HAS BEEN FUNDED BY OFRM WITH NO OPDC CAP FUNDING. Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is a firm-fixed-price delivery order, providing cost certainty for the government. 3. The duration of over 1100 days indicates a significant, long-term project. 4. The contract is funded by OFRM, with no OPDC cap funding mentioned. 5. Geographic location is Washington D.C., potentially impacting local architectural firms. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541310 points to architectural services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.4 million for architectural services over approximately three years appears to be within a reasonable range for a project of this nature. Benchmarking against similar contracts for architectural services for large institutions would be necessary for a definitive value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure helps manage cost risks for the government. However, without specific deliverables or scope details, a precise comparison is challenging.

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 price discovery and encourages competitive pricing. The Smithsonian Institution's use of this procurement method suggests a commitment to obtaining the best value through a broad market solicitation.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically leads to lower prices and a wider range of innovative solutions being considered, maximizing the use of public funds.

Public Impact

The Smithsonian Institution benefits from specialized architectural services to support its facilities and projects. The services delivered are architectural, likely involving design, planning, and potentially oversight of construction or renovation projects. The geographic impact is concentrated in the District of Columbia, where the Smithsonian's facilities are primarily located. The contract may have implications for the local architectural workforce in the D.C. area, providing employment opportunities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on the scope of architectural services makes it difficult to assess the full value and potential risks.
The long contract duration could present challenges if project requirements evolve significantly over time.
No information is provided on the number of bidders, which could offer further insight into the competitiveness of the award.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust and fair procurement process.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability for the government.
The contract is for architectural services, a critical component for maintaining and developing institutional infrastructure.

Sector Analysis

The architectural services sector is a vital part of the construction and professional services industry. This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on architectural design and planning. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms capable of undertaking government contracts. The Smithsonian Institution, as a major cultural and research entity, requires ongoing architectural support for its numerous buildings and grounds, making this a typical, albeit significant, contract within the sector.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific benefits for the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside provision. The prime contractor, SIRIS LLC, will likely manage the entire scope of work, though they may engage subcontractors at their discretion, which could indirectly involve small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Smithsonian Institution's internal contracting and project management offices. As a federal agency, the Smithsonian is subject to oversight from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and potentially the Office of Inspector General (OIG) for fraud, waste, and abuse. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases like FPDS. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract simplifies some aspects of financial oversight.

Related Government Programs

Smithsonian Institution Facilities Management
Federal Architectural and Engineering Services
Government Building Design and Construction
Cultural Institution Infrastructure Projects

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep due to long contract duration.
Unforeseen site conditions or historical preservation issues.
Contractor performance risk.
Changes in federal regulations or agency policies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Smithsonian Institution awarded $2.4 million to SIRIS LLC. THE CONTRACT HAS BEEN FUNDED BY OFRM WITH NO OPDC CAP FUNDING.

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 $2.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-01-25. End: 2025-01-31.

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

Information regarding SIRIS LLC's specific track record with federal architectural services contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance on similar government contracts, including client feedback, on-time delivery rates, and adherence to budget. Without this historical data, it is difficult to definitively assess their capability and reliability for this specific Smithsonian Institution project. Further research into federal procurement databases and past performance reviews would be necessary to establish a detailed understanding of their performance history.

How does the $2.4 million contract value compare to similar architectural services contracts awarded by federal agencies?

The $2.4 million contract value for architectural services over approximately three years is a moderate-sized award. Federal agencies frequently procure architectural services for a wide range of projects, from small renovations to large-scale new constructions. Contracts can range from tens of thousands to tens of millions of dollars, depending on the project's complexity, scope, and duration. For a significant institution like the Smithsonian, this value appears reasonable for comprehensive architectural support. Benchmarking against contracts for similar institutions (e.g., other museums, large federal campuses) or for projects of comparable scale would provide a more precise comparison of value for money.

What are the primary risks associated with this architectural services contract?

Key risks for this contract include potential scope creep, where the project's requirements expand beyond the initial agreement, leading to cost overruns or delays, despite the firm-fixed-price structure. Another risk is the potential for unforeseen site conditions or historical preservation challenges that could impact design and construction timelines and costs. Contractor performance risk, related to SIRIS LLC's ability to deliver quality architectural services on time and within budget, is also a factor. Finally, changes in federal regulations or Smithsonian policies during the contract's long duration could necessitate adjustments.

How effective is the Smithsonian Institution in managing its architectural services contracts?

The effectiveness of the Smithsonian Institution in managing its architectural services contracts can be inferred from its consistent need for such services and its use of established procurement methods like full and open competition. The agency's long-standing presence and numerous facilities suggest a developed internal capacity for project oversight. However, a definitive assessment of effectiveness would require analyzing past project outcomes, client satisfaction surveys, and any reported issues or disputes on previous architectural contracts. The current contract's firm-fixed-price nature and defined duration are positive indicators for management.

What are the historical spending patterns for architectural services at the Smithsonian Institution?

Historical spending patterns for architectural services at the Smithsonian Institution likely show consistent investment in maintaining and upgrading its vast array of museums, research facilities, and grounds. The institution's numerous historic buildings and ongoing exhibition development necessitate continuous architectural input. Spending would fluctuate based on major capital improvement projects, new construction initiatives, and routine maintenance or renovation cycles. Analyzing past contract awards for architectural services over several fiscal years would reveal trends in contract values, types of services procured, and the prime contractors frequently utilized.

What is the significance of the contract being a Delivery Order under a larger contract vehicle?

The fact that this is a 'Delivery Order' (aw: DELIVERY ORDER) implies it was issued under an existing indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar multiple-award contract vehicle. This means the Smithsonian Institution likely had a pre-competed framework agreement in place, allowing them to quickly task specific services as needed. For taxpayers, this can be efficient as the initial competition for the IDIQ vehicle likely secured favorable terms. However, it also means the specific competition for this $2.4 million order might have been limited to the awardees of the parent contract, rather than a full and open competition from scratch.

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: $2,436,215

Exercised Options: $2,436,215

Current Obligation: $2,436,215

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