GSA Awards $15.5M for Architectural Design Support to SmithGroup, Inc. Over 12 Years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,515,257 ($15.5M)

Contractor: Smithgroup, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2003-11-17

End Date: 2015-12-01

Contract Duration: 4,397 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROVIDE ADDITIONAL ARCHICTURAL AND ENGINEERING DESIGN SUPPORT AND GRAPHIC SERVICES.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20407

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $15.5 million to SMITHGROUP, INC. for work described as: PROVIDE ADDITIONAL ARCHICTURAL AND ENGINEERING DESIGN SUPPORT AND GRAPHIC SERVICES. Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $15.5M awarded over a 12-year period. 2. SmithGroup, Inc. secured the contract through full and open competition. 3. The contract spans a long duration, raising potential concerns about sustained value and market relevance. 4. Architectural services (NAICS 541310) are critical for public infrastructure projects.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $15.5M over 12 years suggests an average annual spend of approximately $1.3M. Benchmarking against similar large-scale architectural support contracts would be necessary to assess if this represents competitive pricing for the scope and duration.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust price discovery process. This method generally leads to more competitive pricing as multiple qualified firms can bid.

Taxpayer Impact: While competition was broad, the long contract duration may have limited the ability for new entrants or smaller firms to compete effectively over time, potentially impacting long-term cost savings for taxpayers.

Public Impact

Long-term support for public buildings can ensure consistent design quality and project continuity. The substantial investment in architectural services indicates a commitment to maintaining and developing federal infrastructure. The duration of the contract may limit opportunities for emerging architectural firms to gain experience with federal projects.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration (12 years)
No small business participation noted

Positive Signals

Full and open competition
Clear service category (Architectural Services)

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically architectural services. Federal spending in this area is often tied to infrastructure development, renovation, and maintenance, with benchmarks varying significantly based on project scale and complexity.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small businesses were not explicitly involved in this contract, as the 'sb' field is false. This suggests a potential missed opportunity for small business participation in federal architectural projects.

Oversight & Accountability

Awarded by the General Services Administration (GSA), Public Buildings Service, this contract likely falls under standard federal procurement oversight. The long duration warrants periodic reviews to ensure continued relevance and cost-effectiveness.

Related Government Programs

Architectural Services
General Services Administration Contracting
Public Buildings Service Programs

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may lead to price escalation or outdated services.
Lack of small business participation.
Potential for vendor lock-in over an extended period.
Need for robust oversight to ensure continued value.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $15.5 million to SMITHGROUP, INC.. PROVIDE ADDITIONAL ARCHICTURAL AND ENGINEERING DESIGN SUPPORT AND GRAPHIC SERVICES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SMITHGROUP, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $15.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2003-11-17. End: 2015-12-01.

What specific architectural and engineering services were provided under this contract, and how did their scope evolve over the 12-year period?

The contract provided 'additional architectural and engineering design support and graphic services.' Over its 12-year duration, the scope likely encompassed a range of activities from initial design concepts and detailed blueprints to graphic representations for presentations and public outreach. The evolving needs of federal building projects, including sustainability requirements and technological advancements, would have influenced the specific services rendered.

Given the 12-year term, what mechanisms were in place to ensure the pricing remained competitive and reflected market changes?

While awarded under full and open competition, the long duration necessitates mechanisms for price adjustments and potential re-negotiations. This could include economic price adjustment clauses or periodic reviews of market rates. Without specific details on these provisions, it's difficult to definitively assess sustained price competitiveness throughout the contract's life.

How effectively did SmithGroup, Inc. deliver architectural and graphic services to meet the GSA's evolving needs over such an extended period?

Assessing effectiveness requires performance reviews and project outcomes, which are not detailed in the provided data. However, a 12-year contract suggests a level of satisfaction or necessity for sustained support. The GSA's Public Buildings Service would have internal metrics to evaluate the quality, timeliness, and overall value of the services provided by SmithGroup, Inc.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: GS-11P-94-EGC-0023

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Smithgroup Companies, Inc. (UEI: 096962261)

Address: 1850 K ST N W STE 250, WASHINGTON, DC, 98

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,515,257

Exercised Options: $15,515,257

Current Obligation: $15,515,257

Timeline