HHS awards $887K for surveying services to Aubertine & Currier Architects, Engineers & Land Surveyors PLLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $88,696 ($88.7K)

Contractor: Aubertine & Currier Architects Engineers & Land Surveyors PLLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2022-08-16

End Date: 2023-08-15

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $244/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BPA CALL

Place of Performance

Location: LOCKPORT, NIAGARA County, NEW YORK, 14094

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $88,696.08 to AUBERTINE & CURRIER ARCHITECTS ENGINEERS & LAND SURVEYORS PLLC for work described as: BPA CALL Key points: 1. Contract awarded under GSA's Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) for surveying and mapping services. 2. The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a focus on smaller value procurements. 3. The contract duration of 364 days suggests a project-based need rather than long-term service requirements. 4. The fixed-price contract type helps to control costs and provides predictability for the agency. 5. The award was made to a single vendor, Aubertine & Currier Architects, Engineers & Land Surveyors PLLC. 6. The geographic location of the contractor is New York.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $886,960.08 for surveying and mapping services appears to be within a reasonable range for a single-year engagement. However, without specific details on the scope of work, such as the acreage surveyed or the complexity of the mapping required, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar, detailed surveying contracts would be necessary for a more definitive evaluation of pricing and value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a limited number of bidders compared to full and open competition. While the specific number of bids received is not provided, SAP is designed for procurements below the simplified acquisition threshold, often utilizing GSA schedules or other pre-competed vehicles. This approach aims for efficiency but may not always yield the most competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, competition under SAP can lead to faster contract awards and potentially lower administrative costs. However, the limited competition might mean that the government does not secure the absolute lowest price achievable through a broader bidding process.

Public Impact

The Indian Health Service (IHS) benefits from this contract by obtaining essential surveying and mapping services. These services are critical for land management, infrastructure planning, and potentially for health facility development within areas served by IHS. The geographic impact is likely concentrated in New York, where the contractor is based, and potentially in areas where IHS operates. The contract supports professional services jobs within the surveying and mapping sector, primarily in New York.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP may not have resulted in the most cost-effective outcome for taxpayers.
Lack of detailed scope of work makes it difficult to benchmark the value and assess if the price is competitive.
The contract is a BPA Call, which implies it's an order against a larger agreement, and the overall value and competition of the BPA itself are unknown.

Positive Signals

The contract utilizes a firm-fixed-price structure, which provides cost certainty for the government.
The use of a GSA schedule (implied by BPA Call) can streamline the procurement process and potentially offer pre-negotiated rates.
The contract duration is aligned with a specific project need, suggesting efficient resource allocation.

Sector Analysis

The surveying and mapping services sector is a niche but essential part of the broader professional services industry. This contract falls under NAICS code 541370. The market for these services is driven by infrastructure development, land management, environmental assessments, and regulatory compliance. Federal spending in this area supports various agencies, including those focused on health, defense, and natural resources. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend heavily on the specific type and scale of surveying required.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside (ss=false, sb=false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific benefits for small businesses mandated by this particular award. The primary contractor, Aubertine & Currier Architects, Engineers & Land Surveyors PLLC, is a firm, and its size status relative to small business definitions is not provided.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and specifically the Indian Health Service (IHS). As a BPA Call, oversight may also be influenced by the terms and oversight mechanisms of the underlying Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, which provide award details. Specific accountability measures would be detailed in the contract's statement of work and performance requirements.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Award Schedules
Indian Health Service (IHS) Facilities Management
Surveying and Mapping Services
Professional Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Limited competition may impact price optimization.
Scope of work details are not provided, hindering detailed value assessment.
Contractor's federal performance history is not detailed in the provided data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $88,696.08 to AUBERTINE & CURRIER ARCHITECTS ENGINEERS & LAND SURVEYORS PLLC. BPA CALL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AUBERTINE & CURRIER ARCHITECTS ENGINEERS & LAND SURVEYORS PLLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Indian Health Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $88,696.08.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-08-16. End: 2023-08-15.

What is the specific scope of work for this surveying and mapping contract, and how does it compare to typical IHS surveying needs?

The provided data does not detail the specific scope of work for this $886,960.08 contract awarded to Aubertine & Currier Architects, Engineers & Land Surveyors PLLC. However, as it is for the Indian Health Service (IHS), the surveying and mapping services likely pertain to land management, boundary surveys, topographic mapping, or site assessments for healthcare facilities and related infrastructure on or near tribal lands. Typical IHS needs might include surveys for new clinic construction, expansion projects, environmental impact studies, or ensuring compliance with land use regulations. Without a detailed SOW, it's difficult to benchmark against typical needs or assess the appropriateness of the price and duration.

How many bids were received for this contract, and what does the competition level imply for price discovery?

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), and the data indicates one award (no: 1). While SAP is designed for procurements under the simplified acquisition threshold (typically $250,000, though higher thresholds exist for certain categories), it generally involves a limited number of bidders compared to full and open competition. The specific number of bids received is not detailed in the provided data. A limited competition environment, even within SAP, might not always drive the lowest possible price, as the vendor may face less pressure to offer deeply competitive rates compared to a scenario with multiple, highly competitive bids.

What is the track record of Aubertine & Currier Architects, Engineers & Land Surveyors PLLC with federal contracts, particularly with HHS or IHS?

The provided data identifies Aubertine & Currier Architects, Engineers & Land Surveyors PLLC as the awardee but does not offer details on their specific track record with federal contracts, including previous awards from HHS or IHS. To assess their track record, one would need to consult federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) to review their past performance, contract values, types of services rendered, and any performance evaluations. A history of successful, on-time, and within-budget contract completions would indicate reliability, while a pattern of issues could raise concerns.

How does the $886,960.08 contract value compare to historical federal spending on similar surveying and mapping services by IHS?

Benchmarking the $886,960.08 contract value against historical federal spending on similar surveying and mapping services by IHS requires access to historical contract data. This specific award is for a 364-day duration under a BPA Call. To compare, one would need to analyze past IHS contracts for surveying and mapping, considering factors like contract type, scope complexity, geographic location, and duration. Without this comparative data, it's challenging to definitively state whether this award represents high, low, or average spending for such services. The fact that it's competed under SAP might suggest it's not an exceptionally large-scale project compared to major infrastructure initiatives.

Are there any identified risks associated with this contract, such as performance issues, cost overruns, or contractor viability?

The provided data does not explicitly list any risks associated with this specific contract. However, general risks inherent in surveying and mapping contracts can include unforeseen site conditions, delays due to weather or access issues, scope creep, and potential inaccuracies in data collection. Since this is a firm-fixed-price contract, the risk of cost overruns primarily lies with the contractor, assuming the scope is well-defined. Contractor viability is typically assessed during the procurement process; however, long-term risks are not apparent from this award data alone. Further assessment would require reviewing performance history and the specific contract terms.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - CONSTRUCTION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 522 BRADLEY ST, WATERTOWN, NY, 13601

Business Categories: Category Business, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $88,696

Exercised Options: $88,696

Current Obligation: $88,696

Actual Outlays: $88,696

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75H71520A00010

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline