USDA awards $12.5M for lab facility design to HOK Group, Inc. in 2004

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,477,024 ($12.5M)

Contractor: HOK Group, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2004-04-29

End Date: 2010-01-01

Contract Duration: 2,073 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: DESIGN SERVICES FOR PH 2 CONSOLIDATED LABORATORY FACILITY

Place of Performance

Location: AMES, STORY County, IOWA, 50010

State: Iowa Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $12.5 million to HOK GROUP, INC. for work described as: DESIGN SERVICES FOR PH 2 CONSOLIDATED LABORATORY FACILITY Key points: 1. The contract value of $12.5M for architectural services is significant. 2. HOK Group, Inc. is a major player in architectural design. 3. The contract was not competed, raising potential concerns about price discovery. 4. The sector is construction/facilities, requiring specialized design expertise.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $12.5M for architectural services is substantial. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this price represents fair market value compared to similar large-scale facility design projects.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and may result in a higher cost to taxpayers than if multiple firms had competed.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for a $12.5M contract suggests potential for overpayment, impacting taxpayer funds.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may have paid more due to the absence of competitive bidding. The long duration (2004-2010) for design services warrants scrutiny. Lack of transparency in the procurement process can erode public trust.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
High contract value
Long contract duration

Positive Signals

Awarded to a known firm (HOK Group, Inc.)

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the construction and facilities sector, specifically for architectural design services. Benchmarks for similar large-scale government facility designs would be needed for a precise comparison.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to HOK Group, Inc., a large firm, and there is no indication of small business participation or subcontracting in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

The non-competed nature of this significant contract raises questions about the oversight of the procurement process and whether justification for sole-source was adequately documented.

Related Government Programs

Architectural Services
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Agricultural Research Service Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of transparency in procurement
Potential for inflated costs
No data on performance or effectiveness

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $12.5 million to HOK GROUP, INC.. DESIGN SERVICES FOR PH 2 CONSOLIDATED LABORATORY FACILITY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HOK GROUP, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Agricultural Research Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $12.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2004-04-29. End: 2010-01-01.

Was there a justifiable reason for awarding this $12.5M contract on a sole-source basis?

The provided data does not contain the justification for the sole-source award. Typically, sole-source contracts are used when only one responsible source is available, or in cases of urgent need. Without further documentation, it's impossible to confirm the validity of the sole-source decision for this significant architectural design contract.

What was the final cost compared to the initial award amount, and were there any cost overruns?

The data shows an award amount of $12,477,024. However, it does not provide information on the final cost or any potential cost overruns that may have occurred during the contract's execution from 2004 to 2010. Tracking the final expenditure against the awarded amount is crucial for assessing financial performance.

How effectively did the architectural design services contribute to the successful construction of the Consolidated Laboratory Facility?

The provided data focuses solely on the contract award for design services and does not include any information regarding the subsequent construction phase or the effectiveness of the design. Evaluating the design's effectiveness would require post-construction reviews, user feedback, and assessment of the facility's operational 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 - GENERAL

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Contractor Details

Address: 1 METROPOLITAN SQ STE 600, SAINT LOUIS, MO, 90

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,477,024

Exercised Options: $12,477,024

Current Obligation: $12,477,024

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 533K1521700

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline