DHS FEMA Awards $10.5M for Bridge Infrastructure Support Services, Architecturally Focused
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $10,545,273 ($10.5M)
Contractor: National Istac
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2004-12-06
End Date: 2011-10-06
Contract Duration: 2,495 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT SERVICES CONTRACT - BRIDGE
Place of Performance
Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22209
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $10.5 million to NATIONAL ISTAC for work described as: INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT SERVICES CONTRACT - BRIDGE Key points: 1. Contract awarded to NATIONAL ISTAC for architectural services related to bridge infrastructure. 2. The contract spans over 7 years, indicating a long-term need for these services. 3. The value of $10.5M is significant for specialized architectural support in infrastructure. 4. Competition type is 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION', suggesting a broad search for qualified bidders.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $10.5M over 7 years averages approximately $1.5M annually. Without specific benchmarks for bridge architectural services, it's difficult to definitively assess pricing, but it appears moderate for specialized federal support.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically fosters competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value. The price discovery mechanism relies on the competitive bidding process.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are utilized for specialized architectural services to support critical infrastructure projects, aiming for efficient and effective project execution.
Public Impact
Supports critical infrastructure projects, potentially impacting public safety and transportation. Architectural services ensure the design and integrity of vital bridge structures. Long-term contract suggests ongoing federal investment in infrastructure maintenance and development.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Contract duration is extensive (7 years).
- No specific small business participation noted.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Supports critical infrastructure.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under architectural services, a key component of the construction and engineering sector. Federal spending in this area is crucial for maintaining and upgrading national infrastructure, with benchmarks varying widely based on project scope and complexity.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates the contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors or if opportunities were missed.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Department of Homeland Security (FEMA) under full and open competition, suggesting a structured procurement process. Oversight would focus on contract performance, adherence to architectural standards, and budget management.
Related Government Programs
- Architectural Services
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- Federal Emergency Management Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration (7 years).
- No explicit small business set-aside.
- Limited detail on specific project outcomes.
- Potential for cost overruns if scope changes significantly.
Tags
architectural-services, department-of-homeland-security, va, do, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $10.5 million to NATIONAL ISTAC. INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT SERVICES CONTRACT - BRIDGE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is NATIONAL ISTAC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Federal Emergency Management Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $10.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2004-12-06. End: 2011-10-06.
What specific types of bridge projects were supported by these architectural services, and what was the overall impact on infrastructure development?
The contract supported bridge infrastructure projects, likely involving design, planning, and oversight. The specific impact on infrastructure development would depend on the scale and criticality of the bridges involved. Without more detailed project information, it's challenging to quantify the exact developmental impact, but it contributes to the broader goal of maintaining and improving national transportation networks.
Were there any identified risks associated with the long duration of this contract, and how were they mitigated?
A primary risk of a long-duration contract is potential cost escalation or misalignment with evolving needs. Mitigation strategies could include periodic reviews, performance-based incentives, and clear contract modification clauses. The firm fixed-price structure may offer some cost certainty, but flexibility for unforeseen technical challenges or design changes would be crucial.
How effectively did the full and open competition process ensure the best value for taxpayer dollars in this architectural services contract?
Full and open competition is designed to maximize value by encouraging multiple bids and fostering price and quality competition. The effectiveness in this case depends on the number and quality of bids received, the evaluation criteria used, and the final negotiated price relative to the services rendered. A thorough post-award review would be needed to confirm optimal value realization.
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: ARCHITECT-ENGINEER FAR 6.102
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Dewberry Companies LC, the (UEI: 621316814)
Address: 8401 ARLINGTON BLVD, FAIRFAX, VA, 11
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $10,545,273
Exercised Options: $10,545,273
Current Obligation: $10,545,273
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HSFEHQ04D0128
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2004-12-06
Current End Date: 2011-10-06
Potential End Date: 2011-10-06 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2011-10-07
More Contracts from National Istac
- Technical Support — $97.8M (Department of Homeland Security)
- Technical Support — $88.3M (Department of Homeland Security)
- Tech Assistance — $28.9M (Department of Homeland Security)
- Technical Support — $22.5M (Department of Homeland Security)
- Infrastructure Support Services Contract - Bridge — $19.2M (Department of Homeland Security)
Other Department of Homeland Security Contracts
- THE United States Coast Guard HAS a Requirement to Procure UP to Twenty-Six (26) Fast Response Cutters (frcs) on a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) Basis With an Economic Price Adjustment (EPA). Phase II of the FRC Program Will Complete the Fleet for a Total of 58 Cutters — $2.1B (Bollinger Shipyards Lockport, L.L.C.)
- Design and Construct NEW Vertical Barrier and Power Distribution, Lighting, Cameras, Equipment Shelters and Linear Ground Detection System (lgds) in Hildago County, NM — $1.8B (Fisher Sand & Gravel CO)
- Production&delivery of National Security Cutter (NSC) 6 — $1.7B (Huntington Ingalls Incorporated)
- YUM-2 Vertical Border and Waterborne Barrier Construction — $1.7B (Fisher Sand & Gravel CO)
- Construct Vertical Border Barrier — $1.6B (Fisher Sand & Gravel CO)