GSA awards $19.3M contract for International Falls Port of Entry design, with 33 bids received

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,265,436 ($19.3M)

Contractor: Snow Kreilich Architects Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2023-07-12

End Date: 2026-08-21

Contract Duration: 1,136 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 33

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ARCHITECT AND ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE NEW INTERNATIONAL FALLS LAND PORT OF ENTRY PROJECT IN INTERNATIONAL FALLS, MN.

Place of Performance

Location: MINNEAPOLIS, HENNEPIN County, MINNESOTA, 55401

State: Minnesota Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $19.3 million to SNOW KREILICH ARCHITECTS INC for work described as: ARCHITECT AND ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE NEW INTERNATIONAL FALLS LAND PORT OF ENTRY PROJECT IN INTERNATIONAL FALLS, MN. Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the scope of designing a new international port of entry. 2. Strong competition with 33 bidders suggests a healthy market for architectural services in this sector. 3. Definitive contract type with a firm fixed price provides cost certainty for the government. 4. Project duration of over three years indicates a complex and long-term design effort. 5. Geographic focus on Minnesota highlights regional infrastructure development needs. 6. The award to SNOW KREILICH ARCHITECTS INC suggests a selection based on qualifications and competitive pricing.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $19.3 million for architectural and engineering services for a new international port of entry is substantial. Benchmarking against similar large-scale public infrastructure design projects, this figure appears within a reasonable range, especially considering the specialized nature of port of entry design and the firm fixed-price contract type which shifts risk to the contractor. The number of bids received (33) further supports the idea that the pricing was competitive.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, with 33 bids received. This high level of competition is a positive indicator, suggesting that the General Services Administration (GSA) cast a wide net and attracted a significant number of qualified firms. The extensive bidding process likely contributed to achieving a competitive price and selecting a contractor with strong qualifications for this complex project.

Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are being used efficiently, as multiple firms vied for the contract, driving down costs and ensuring the best value is obtained.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are federal agencies responsible for border security and customs, who will utilize the new facility. The project will deliver architectural and engineering design services for a critical piece of international infrastructure. The geographic impact is concentrated in International Falls, Minnesota, supporting regional economic development and cross-border trade. The contract supports the architecture and engineering workforce, particularly in the region where the design firm is located.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in a multi-year design project for a complex facility.
Ensuring timely delivery of design milestones to keep the overall construction project on schedule.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
High number of bidders indicates strong market interest and potential for quality selection.
Awarding to a firm with demonstrated architectural expertise is a positive signal.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Architectural Services sector (NAICS 541310), a segment of the broader Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. The market for designing public infrastructure, particularly border facilities, is specialized and often involves significant government contracts. The total federal spending on architectural services can fluctuate but represents a consistent need for design expertise across various agencies for new construction and renovation projects.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. While the prime contractor is SNOW KREILICH ARCHITECTS INC, there is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within the provided data. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are expected to participate in the subcontracting effort.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) typically has robust oversight mechanisms for its construction and design projects, including regular progress reviews and quality assurance checks. The Public Buildings Service (PBS) within GSA is responsible for managing such contracts. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, though specific details of ongoing oversight are not provided here.

Related Government Programs

Federal Port of Entry Modernization Projects
General Services Administration Public Buildings Service Contracts
Architectural and Engineering Design Services for Federal Facilities

Risk Flags

Potential for schedule delays
Risk of design changes impacting budget
Contractor performance risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $19.3 million to SNOW KREILICH ARCHITECTS INC. ARCHITECT AND ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE NEW INTERNATIONAL FALLS LAND PORT OF ENTRY PROJECT IN INTERNATIONAL FALLS, MN.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SNOW KREILICH ARCHITECTS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Public Buildings Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $19.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-07-12. End: 2026-08-21.

What is the track record of SNOW KREILICH ARCHITECTS INC with federal contracts, particularly with the GSA?

A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to fully assess SNOW KREILICH ARCHITECTS INC's track record with federal contracts. While this award indicates their capability to win competitive bids, understanding their past performance on similar projects, including any history of cost overruns, schedule delays, or quality issues, would provide a more comprehensive picture. Specifically, examining their prior work with the General Services Administration (GSA) would highlight their familiarity with GSA's processes, standards, and expectations for public building projects. Without specific historical data on their federal contract performance, it's difficult to definitively assess their reliability and past success in delivering government projects.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar port of entry design contracts?

Comparing the $19.3 million awarded to SNOW KREILICH ARCHITECTS INC for the International Falls Port of Entry design requires access to a database of similar projects. Port of entry designs are specialized, involving complex security, customs, and logistical requirements, which can influence costs. Factors such as the size of the facility, the scope of services (e.g., preliminary design, detailed design, construction administration), and the specific location's environmental and site conditions all play a role. Generally, large-scale public infrastructure design contracts can range from several million to tens of millions of dollars. The high number of bidders (33) suggests that the GSA likely received competitive proposals, and the awarded amount is presumed to be a fair market value based on the bids received and the project's complexity.

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

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential design changes or scope creep during the multi-year design phase, unforeseen site conditions impacting the design, and the contractor's ability to meet the demanding schedule. Mitigation strategies likely include robust contract management by the GSA, clear definition of project requirements, phased reviews of design deliverables, and contingency planning for site-specific challenges. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract also shifts some financial risk to the contractor, incentivizing them to manage costs effectively. Furthermore, the extensive competition suggests a pool of capable firms, reducing the risk of contractor underperformance.

How effective is the competition level in ensuring value for taxpayers?

The "full and open competition" with 33 bidders is a strong indicator of effective price discovery and value for taxpayers. A large number of bids typically means that multiple firms were willing to compete, driving down the price through market forces. This level of competition suggests that the GSA was able to select a contractor not only based on qualifications but also at a price point that reflects the market's assessment of the required services. It minimizes the risk of overpayment and increases the likelihood that the government is receiving high-quality services at a competitive rate, thereby maximizing the value of taxpayer investment.

What is the historical spending trend for architectural services by the GSA for similar infrastructure projects?

Analyzing historical spending trends for architectural services by the GSA for similar infrastructure projects would require access to detailed GSA procurement data over several fiscal years. This would involve identifying contracts for port of entry designs, border facilities, or other large-scale public infrastructure projects managed by the Public Buildings Service. Trends might reveal average contract values, typical competition levels, and the range of pricing for such services. Understanding these historical patterns can help contextualize the current $19.3 million award, indicating whether it is higher, lower, or in line with previous expenditures for comparable projects, and whether spending in this category has been increasing or decreasing.

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

Solicitation ID: 47PF0022R0039

Offers Received: 33

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 219 N 2ND ST, MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 55401

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,151,620

Exercised Options: $19,265,436

Current Obligation: $19,265,436

Actual Outlays: $16,505,935

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 5

Total Subaward Amount: $8,943,097

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline