VA awards $147.7M IDIQ for architectural services, with Fourfront Design Inc. as prime

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $147,703 ($147.7K)

Contractor: Fourfront Design Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2019-07-17

End Date: 2026-04-28

Contract Duration: 2,477 days

Daily Burn Rate: $60/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: REVISE NURSE CALL AND CODE BLUE SYSTEM A/E IDIQ

Place of Performance

Location: GRAND JUNCTION, MESA County, COLORADO, 81501

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $147,702.75 to FOURFRONT DESIGN INC for work described as: REVISE NURSE CALL AND CODE BLUE SYSTEM A/E IDIQ Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical healthcare infrastructure upgrades, including nurse call and code blue systems. 2. The contract's duration of nearly 7 years suggests a long-term need for these specialized architectural services. 3. Fixed-price contract type offers cost certainty for the government, mitigating risk of cost overruns. 4. The award was made under full and open competition, indicating a broad market search. 5. Geographic focus on Colorado suggests a regional need for these services. 6. The contract is an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) type, allowing for flexible task orders.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of $147.7 million over its nearly 7-year period represents a significant investment in healthcare facility modernization. While specific per-task order costs are not detailed here, the IDIQ structure allows for competitive pricing on individual task orders. Benchmarking against similar large-scale architectural IDIQs for healthcare facilities would provide further insight into value for money, but the fixed-price nature of task orders is a positive indicator for cost control.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. This approach generally fosters a competitive environment, encouraging multiple bidders to vie for the contract. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation implies a robust competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider range of innovative solutions, ensuring the government receives the best value for its investment.

Public Impact

Veterans will benefit from modernized and reliable nurse call and code blue systems, enhancing patient safety and care quality. The contract supports the delivery of essential architectural and engineering services for healthcare infrastructure. The primary geographic impact is within Colorado, where the Department of Veterans Affairs facilities will receive upgrades. The contract supports the architecture and engineering sector, potentially creating or sustaining jobs for skilled professionals.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration could lead to vendor lock-in if not managed carefully.
Potential for scope creep on individual task orders if requirements are not clearly defined upfront.
Reliance on a single prime contractor for a broad range of architectural services requires diligent oversight.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price task orders provide cost predictability.
Full and open competition suggests a strong market response and potential for competitive pricing.
IDIQ structure allows for flexibility in addressing evolving needs within VA facilities.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Architectural Services sector, specifically supporting government healthcare infrastructure. The market for architectural and engineering (A&E) services supporting federal facilities is substantial, with significant spending directed towards modernization and upgrades. This IDIQ aligns with the government's ongoing efforts to maintain and improve its vast portfolio of buildings, particularly critical healthcare assets.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a result, small businesses are unlikely to be direct prime contractors. However, the prime contractor, Fourfront Design Inc., may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill specific aspects of the architectural and engineering work, contributing to the broader small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and project managers. They are responsible for ensuring task orders are appropriately defined, executed within scope and budget, and that the contractor meets performance requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, and any significant issues could be subject to Inspector General review.

Related Government Programs

Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Construction
Architectural and Engineering Services
Healthcare Infrastructure Modernization
Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep on IDIQ task orders.
Need for diligent oversight to ensure quality and cost control.
Reliance on prime contractor necessitates strong performance management.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $147,702.75 to FOURFRONT DESIGN INC. REVISE NURSE CALL AND CODE BLUE SYSTEM A/E IDIQ

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FOURFRONT DESIGN INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (Department of Veterans Affairs).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $147,702.75.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-07-17. End: 2026-04-28.

What is the historical spending pattern for architectural services at the Department of Veterans Affairs?

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) consistently allocates significant funds towards architectural and engineering (A&E) services to manage its extensive network of medical centers and facilities. Historical spending data reveals a sustained demand for these services, driven by the need for new construction, renovations, and upgrades to existing infrastructure. The VA's budget often includes substantial line items for facility operations, maintenance, and capital investments, a portion of which is dedicated to A&E contracts. These contracts range from small, project-specific design tasks to large, multi-year IDIQ vehicles like the one awarded to Fourfront Design Inc. Analyzing past VA spending on similar IDIQs can provide benchmarks for cost-effectiveness and contractor performance, highlighting trends in contract types, competition levels, and average award values within the A&E sector supporting federal healthcare.

How does the pricing structure of this contract compare to similar architectural IDIQs?

This contract utilizes a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) structure for its task orders, which is a common and generally favorable pricing arrangement for the government in IDIQ contracts. FFP provides cost certainty, as the price is set regardless of the contractor's actual costs. When compared to similar architectural IDIQs, FFP task orders are often preferred over Cost-Plus contracts for well-defined scopes of work, as they shift the risk of cost overruns to the contractor. Benchmarking would involve comparing the average task order values and the rates proposed by Fourfront Design Inc. against those of other architectural IDIQ awards within the federal government, particularly those serving healthcare facilities. A higher number of bidders in the initial competition typically correlates with more competitive pricing, suggesting that the FFP rates established under this contract are likely aligned with market expectations.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) likely used to evaluate Fourfront Design Inc.'s performance?

For an architectural services IDIQ like this one, key performance indicators (KPIs) would likely focus on several critical areas. These would include adherence to project schedules and deadlines for design submissions and revisions, the quality and accuracy of architectural drawings and specifications, and compliance with building codes, accessibility standards, and VA-specific design guidelines. Cost control within the scope of each task order, effective communication and collaboration with VA project managers, and responsiveness to feedback are also crucial. Furthermore, the contractor's ability to manage risks, coordinate with other disciplines (e.g., structural, mechanical engineers), and ensure the constructability of their designs would be evaluated. Performance would likely be formally assessed through Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) or similar mechanisms at the completion of significant task orders or milestones.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the small business ecosystem?

As this contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not appear to have small business set-aside provisions (ss: false, sb: false), its direct impact on small businesses as prime contractors is limited. However, the significant value of this IDIQ suggests that Fourfront Design Inc. may utilize small businesses as subcontractors for specialized services. These could include areas like interior design, specific engineering disciplines, environmental consulting, or surveying. The extent of subcontracting to small businesses will depend on the prime contractor's strategy and the specific requirements of individual task orders. A robust subcontracting plan could provide valuable opportunities for small A&E firms to gain experience with federal projects and build their past performance records.

How does the geographic focus on Colorado influence the contract's execution and oversight?

The geographic focus on Colorado means that Fourfront Design Inc. will primarily be providing architectural services for VA facilities located within that state. This concentration can streamline execution by allowing the contractor to develop a deeper understanding of local building codes, environmental factors, and specific VA facility needs within Colorado. Oversight may be more efficient as VA project managers can potentially conduct more frequent site visits and engage more directly with the contractor and construction teams on the ground. However, it also means that the benefits of this contract's competition and potential innovations are localized, and the VA may need separate contracts to address similar needs in other geographic regions. The contractor's familiarity with the Colorado regulatory environment and VA facilities in the region could be a key factor in their performance.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 517 7TH ST, RAPID CITY, SD, 57701

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $147,703

Exercised Options: $147,703

Current Obligation: $147,703

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: VA25916D0217

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline