FEMA's $27.2M architectural services contract to Fluor Enterprises Inc. awarded in 2004 shows long-term engagement

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $27,245,071 ($27.2M)

Contractor: Fluor Enterprises Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2004-03-04

End Date: 2008-12-17

Contract Duration: 1,749 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.6K/day

Competition Type: FOLLOW ON TO COMPETED ACTION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22209

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $27.2 million to FLUOR ENTERPRISES INC for work described as: TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Key points: 1. Contract awarded for architectural services, indicating a need for design and planning expertise. 2. The contract duration of 1749 days suggests a significant, long-term project or series of projects. 3. Awarded by the Department of Homeland Security (FEMA), highlighting its role in national infrastructure and emergency management. 4. The 'FOLLOW ON TO COMPETED ACTION' status implies prior competition, potentially leading to better pricing. 5. The 'TIME AND MATERIALS' contract type can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. 6. The contract was awarded to a single entity, Fluor Enterprises Inc., suggesting specialized capabilities or a competitive bidding process that favored this firm.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific deliverables or comparable projects. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while flexible, carries inherent risks of cost escalation if not rigorously monitored. Comparing this to other architectural services contracts within FEMA or DHS would require detailed analysis of scope and duration. The raw dollar amount of $27.2 million over nearly five years suggests a substantial investment in architectural expertise.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract is noted as a 'FOLLOW ON TO COMPETED ACTION,' which indicates that the initial award was subject to a competitive bidding process. This suggests that multiple firms had the opportunity to bid, and the selection was based on factors such as price, technical merit, and past performance. The fact that it's a follow-on action implies that the original competition was successful in identifying a capable contractor.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process generally benefits taxpayers by fostering price discovery and encouraging contractors to offer their best value. This can lead to more efficient use of public funds compared to sole-source procurements.

Public Impact

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) benefits from specialized architectural design and planning services. Supports the development and maintenance of critical infrastructure related to emergency preparedness and response. The services likely impact various geographic locations where FEMA operates or manages facilities. The contract supports a workforce of architects, engineers, and related professionals within Fluor Enterprises Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the efficiency of the services provided.
The long duration of the contract could indicate potential for scope creep or evolving requirements.

Positive Signals

Awarded as a follow-on to a competed action, suggesting a competitive process initially.
Fluor Enterprises Inc. is a large, established firm with significant experience in government contracting.
The contract duration implies a sustained need for these services, indicating importance to FEMA's mission.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Architectural Services sector, a subset of the broader Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry. This industry is characterized by specialized expertise and project-based work. Federal spending in this area supports the design, planning, and oversight of government facilities and infrastructure projects. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale architectural contracts awarded by federal agencies for similar purposes, such as facility design for disaster response or infrastructure resilience.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. As a large contract awarded to Fluor Enterprises Inc., a major corporation, the primary impact on small businesses would likely be through subcontracting opportunities. The extent of these opportunities would depend on Fluor's subcontracting plan and the specific needs of the architectural projects undertaken.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Homeland Security's contracting officers and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The contract's 'FOLLOW ON TO COMPETED ACTION' status suggests a structured procurement process. Transparency would be facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Accountability measures would be tied to contract performance clauses and reporting requirements, with potential oversight from the DHS Office of Inspector General if performance issues or fraud were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Architectural and Engineering Services
Professional Services
Emergency Management Support
Department of Homeland Security Contracts
Federal Emergency Management Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Time and Materials Contract Type Risk
Lack of Specific Performance Metrics
Potential for Scope Creep

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $27.2 million to FLUOR ENTERPRISES INC. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FLUOR ENTERPRISES INC.

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 $27.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2004-03-04. End: 2008-12-17.

What was the specific scope of architectural services provided under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract was for 'Architectural Services' (NAICS code 541310) awarded to Fluor Enterprises Inc. by FEMA. However, the specific scope of work, such as designing new facilities, renovating existing ones, or providing consulting on building codes and resilience, is not detailed in the summary data. Typically, architectural services encompass preliminary design, schematic design, design development, construction documents, and construction administration. For FEMA, these services could relate to the design of emergency operations centers, shelters, administrative facilities, or infrastructure resilience projects.

How does the $27.2 million contract value compare to similar architectural services contracts awarded by FEMA or DHS?

Comparing the $27.2 million contract value requires context regarding the duration and scope of services. This contract spanned approximately 4.8 years (1749 days). To benchmark, one would need to analyze other architectural services contracts awarded by FEMA or DHS within a similar timeframe and for comparable project types (e.g., facility design, infrastructure planning). Larger, more complex projects like designing major new facilities or nationwide resilience programs would naturally command higher values. Without specific details on the deliverables, a direct comparison is difficult, but $27.2 million over nearly five years for a major agency like FEMA suggests a significant, ongoing need for architectural expertise.

What are the potential risks associated with the 'TIME AND MATERIALS' contract type for this architectural services contract?

The 'TIME AND MATERIALS' (T&M) contract type, used here, allows the contractor to bill for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. The primary risk for the government is cost escalation, as there is less incentive for the contractor to control costs compared to a fixed-price contract. If not managed diligently with robust oversight, including detailed review of labor hours, rates, and material costs, T&M contracts can exceed initial budget expectations. For architectural services, this could mean higher-than-anticipated design hours or material costs for project components.

What does the 'FOLLOW ON TO COMPETED ACTION' status imply about the initial competition and contractor selection?

The 'FOLLOW ON TO COMPETED ACTION' designation signifies that the original contract award was the result of a competitive bidding process. This means that multiple offerors likely submitted proposals, and the contract was awarded based on factors such as price, technical qualifications, past performance, and other evaluation criteria. This implies that the government sought and received multiple bids, leading to a more informed selection and potentially better pricing than a sole-source award. A 'follow-on' aspect suggests that this specific contract is a continuation or extension of that initial competitive effort, possibly for related services or a subsequent phase of work.

What is Fluor Enterprises Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly with FEMA or DHS?

Fluor Enterprises Inc. is a large, well-established company with extensive experience in government contracting across various sectors, including engineering, construction, and professional services. While specific details of their past performance on FEMA or DHS contracts are not provided in the summary data, their size and longevity suggest a significant history of working with federal agencies. A deeper dive into contract databases would reveal the number and value of contracts they have held, their performance ratings, and any significant issues or awards received from these agencies. Their presence as a contractor for a $27.2M FEMA contract indicates a substantial relationship.

How has federal spending on architectural services evolved over the period this contract was active (2004-2008)?

The period of 2004-2008 saw significant federal activity, including reconstruction efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as domestic infrastructure needs. Federal spending on architectural and engineering services generally correlates with infrastructure investment and agency operational requirements. During this time, agencies like FEMA would have been active in planning and designing facilities related to disaster preparedness and response. Spending trends would likely reflect overall federal budget priorities, potentially increasing due to heightened security concerns and infrastructure modernization initiatives. Analyzing broader federal procurement data for this period would provide context on overall spending patterns in this sector.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Architectural Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FOLLOW ON TO COMPETED ACTION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Fluor Corporation (UEI: 006907190)

Address: ONE ENTERPRISE DR, ALISO VIEJO, CA, 40

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $81,854,000

Exercised Options: $27,354,000

Current Obligation: $27,245,071

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSFEHQ04D0126

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline