NARA awards $252K contract for space climate control study to Jacobs Project Management Co

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,200 ($25.2K)

Contractor: Jacobs Project Management CO

Awarding Agency: National Archives and Records Administration

Start Date: 2024-11-01

End Date: 2026-04-24

Contract Duration: 539 days

Daily Burn Rate: $47/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: CLINTON: NARA SPACE TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY CONTROL COMPLIANCE STUDY PROJECT

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22201

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Archives and Records Administration obligated $25,200 to JACOBS PROJECT MANAGEMENT CO for work described as: CLINTON: NARA SPACE TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY CONTROL COMPLIANCE STUDY PROJECT Key points: 1. The contract focuses on a critical need for environmental control within federal archives. 2. Jacobs Project Management Co. has a history of managing complex facilities projects. 3. The fixed-price contract type suggests a defined scope and predictable costs. 4. The project duration of approximately 18 months allows for thorough analysis and reporting. 5. This study aims to ensure the long-term preservation of historical records. 6. The contract is a delivery order under a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle, indicating potential for future work.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $252,000 for a specialized study on climate control for archival spaces appears reasonable given the subject matter and the contractor's expertise. Benchmarking against similar studies is difficult without more specific project details, but the fixed-price nature suggests cost control was a consideration. The duration of the contract (539 days) allows for a comprehensive analysis, which should provide good value if the recommendations are actionable and lead to improved preservation of valuable records.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This competitive process is expected to drive fair pricing and ensure the government selects the most capable contractor for the specialized task of studying space temperature and humidity control compliance. The number of bidders was not specified, but the 'full and open' designation is a positive indicator of market engagement.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to lower prices and higher quality services, ensuring federal funds are used efficiently for essential preservation studies.

Public Impact

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) will benefit from improved environmental control strategies for its facilities. The study will deliver insights into maintaining optimal temperature and humidity levels, crucial for preserving historical documents and artifacts. The geographic impact is primarily within NARA facilities, likely concentrated in Virginia where the contract is managed. The project may indirectly impact archival professionals and researchers by ensuring better access to preserved materials.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the study uncovers unforeseen complexities in climate control systems.
Dependence on contractor expertise for accurate assessment and actionable recommendations.
Risk of recommendations being costly to implement, requiring future budget allocations.

Positive Signals

Clear focus on a critical preservation need for national archives.
Use of a fixed-price contract type to manage costs.
Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Contractor has experience in project management, likely including facilities-related work.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, specifically focusing on specialized environmental control systems for sensitive facilities. This niche area requires expertise in HVAC, building management, and preservation science. The market for such specialized consulting services is driven by the unique needs of institutions like archives, museums, and libraries, where maintaining stable environmental conditions is paramount to safeguarding valuable assets. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more granular data on the scope and complexity of the specific NARA facilities involved.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. Given the specialized nature of the work and the contractor selected (Jacobs Project Management Co., a large firm), it is unlikely that small businesses will be primary beneficiaries unless they are engaged as subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist and if small business participation is encouraged.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the National Archives and Records Administration's contracting officers and program managers. As a delivery order under an IDIQ, the overarching contract vehicle may have its own oversight mechanisms. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, but detailed project progress reports and final study findings may not be fully public. The Inspector General for NARA would have jurisdiction if any issues of fraud, waste, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

Federal Archives Preservation Programs
Government Facilities Management
Building HVAC System Modernization
Climate Control Technology Research
National Archives and Records Administration Operations

Risk Flags

Potential for high implementation costs of study recommendations.
Dependence on contractor expertise for accurate assessment.
Scope definition clarity for fixed-price contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Archives and Records Administration awarded $25,200 to JACOBS PROJECT MANAGEMENT CO. CLINTON: NARA SPACE TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY CONTROL COMPLIANCE STUDY PROJECT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JACOBS PROJECT MANAGEMENT CO.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Archives and Records Administration (National Archives and Records Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $25,200.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-11-01. End: 2026-04-24.

What is the track record of Jacobs Project Management Co. in handling similar environmental control studies for federal institutions?

Jacobs Project Management Co. is a large, established firm with extensive experience in program management, construction, and engineering across various sectors, including government facilities. While specific details on past climate control studies for federal archives are not immediately available in this data, their broad portfolio suggests they possess the capabilities to manage complex projects involving building systems and environmental controls. Their history includes managing large-scale infrastructure and facility upgrades, which often incorporate detailed assessments of environmental conditions. To fully assess their track record for this specific type of study, a deeper dive into their past performance on contracts with similar objectives, such as those for museums, libraries, or other sensitive government storage facilities, would be necessary. This would involve reviewing past performance evaluations and project outcomes.

How does the $252,000 contract value compare to similar NARA or federal archival climate control studies?

Directly comparing the $252,000 contract value to similar NARA or federal archival climate control studies is challenging without access to a comprehensive database of past contracts with identical scopes. However, for a specialized study focusing on temperature and humidity control compliance for potentially large or complex archival spaces, this value appears within a reasonable range. Such studies often require expert analysis of existing systems, environmental data collection, risk assessment for preservation, and detailed recommendations, which can be resource-intensive. The fixed-price nature of this contract suggests a defined scope, which helps in cost predictability. If the study leads to significant improvements in preservation or cost savings in energy usage, the value proposition would be enhanced. Further benchmarking against studies for comparable institutions (e.g., Smithsonian, Library of Congress) would provide a more robust comparison.

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

Primary risks associated with this contract include potential scope creep if the study uncovers unforeseen complexities in NARA's existing climate control systems, leading to cost overruns or delays, although the fixed-price contract aims to mitigate this. Another risk is the contractor's ability to provide actionable and cost-effective recommendations; mitigation involves the thorough vetting process during the full and open competition. There's also a risk that the implementation of recommended solutions could be prohibitively expensive, requiring future budget allocations that may not be secured. Mitigation for this might involve phased implementation plans or prioritizing recommendations based on impact and cost. The contract duration of 539 days allows for thorough analysis, which should help identify potential issues early.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' approach likely to be in ensuring value for money for this specific contract?

The 'full and open competition' approach is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring value for money, especially for specialized services like this climate control study. By allowing all responsible sources to submit bids, NARA maximizes the pool of potential contractors, increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and innovative solutions. This broad competition puts pressure on bidders to offer their best terms and technical approaches. While the specific number of bidders isn't provided, the process itself suggests that multiple firms likely vied for the contract, leading to a more favorable price discovery. The selection of Jacobs Project Management Co. under this framework implies they offered the best combination of technical merit and price, thus supporting the goal of achieving good value for the $252,000 investment.

What are the historical spending patterns of NARA on facilities management and preservation studies?

Historical spending patterns of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) on facilities management and preservation studies are not detailed in the provided data. However, as a federal agency responsible for preserving vast collections of historical records, NARA consistently requires significant investment in maintaining its facilities and ensuring optimal environmental conditions. Spending in this area typically includes operational costs for HVAC systems, energy, maintenance, and periodic specialized studies or upgrades. Contracts for such studies are often awarded through competitive processes, similar to this one, and their value can fluctuate based on the agency's specific needs, budget allocations, and the condition of its infrastructure. To understand historical patterns, one would need to analyze NARA's budget appropriations and contract awards over several fiscal years, looking for trends in spending on facilities, environmental controls, and preservation-related consulting services.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR NONBUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.

Address: 1100 N GLEBE RD STE 500, ARLINGTON, VA, 22201

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,200

Exercised Options: $25,200

Current Obligation: $25,200

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 88310320D00009

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline