DHS awards $12.5M for technical assistance in California, impacting architectural services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,528,456 ($12.5M)

Contractor: Fluor Enterprises Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2005-10-24

End Date: 2007-06-30

Contract Duration: 614 days

Daily Burn Rate: $20.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Place of Performance

Location: ALISO VIEJO, ORANGE County, CALIFORNIA, 92656

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $12.5 million to FLUOR ENTERPRISES INC for work described as: PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Key points: 1. Contract value of $12.5M for architectural services indicates a significant investment in specialized expertise. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust market for these services. 3. A duration of 614 days points to a substantial project scope requiring sustained technical support. 4. The contract's focus on architectural services aligns with infrastructure development and planning needs. 5. The award to Fluor Enterprises Inc. represents a key player in the federal contracting landscape for this sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $12.5M for architectural services over approximately two years requires careful benchmarking against similar federal contracts. Without specific details on the scope of 'technical assistance,' it's challenging to assess value for money. However, the duration suggests a substantial engagement. Comparing the per-diem or hourly rates implied by this contract to industry standards for architectural and engineering services would be crucial for a definitive value assessment. The absence of specific deliverables makes a direct comparison difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. This process generally fosters price discovery and allows the government to select the best value offer. The fact that it was competed openly suggests a healthy market for architectural services, potentially leading to more competitive pricing than a sole-source or limited competition award.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the most cost-effective solution for essential architectural services, reducing the risk of overpayment.

Public Impact

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) benefits from specialized technical assistance for its operations. Architectural services are delivered, likely supporting planning, design, or oversight of facilities or projects. The geographic impact is specified as California, suggesting a focus on projects or needs within that state. Workforce implications may include the need for skilled architects and technical specialists, potentially creating jobs in the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the technical assistance.
The 'technical assistance' is broadly defined, raising questions about the precise nature of services rendered and their necessity.
Contract duration of over 600 days without clear milestones could indicate potential for scope creep or inefficiencies.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
Contractor Fluor Enterprises Inc. is a large, established firm with experience in government contracting.
The contract addresses a specific need for architectural services, indicating a planned government requirement.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Architectural Services sector, a subset of the broader Engineering and Professional Services industry. This sector is critical for government infrastructure projects, disaster recovery, and facility management. Federal spending in architectural services can fluctuate based on infrastructure needs, new construction projects, and emergency response requirements. Benchmarking this $12.5M award requires comparison with other large-scale architectural support contracts awarded by agencies like FEMA, GSA, or DoD.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a large contract awarded to Fluor Enterprises Inc., it is unlikely that significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses were mandated, though the prime contractor may engage them voluntarily. This suggests the primary focus was on securing specialized capabilities from a large, experienced provider rather than fostering small business participation through set-asides.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Mechanisms likely include contract officer representative (COR) oversight, performance reviews, and financial audits. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

FEMA Disaster Relief Fund
Architectural and Engineering Services Contracts
Homeland Security Infrastructure Projects
Federal Facilities Planning and Design

Risk Flags

Time and Materials contract type poses cost overrun risks.
Broad definition of 'technical assistance' lacks specificity.
No clear performance metrics identified in the data.
Contract duration is substantial, requiring diligent oversight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $12.5 million to FLUOR ENTERPRISES INC. PROVIDING 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 $12.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-10-24. End: 2007-06-30.

What specific technical assistance was provided under this contract, and how was its effectiveness measured?

The provided data categorizes this contract under 'Architectural Services' and describes the service as 'PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.' However, it lacks specific details on the nature of this assistance. Was it related to post-disaster assessments, facility design reviews, code compliance, or something else? Without a detailed statement of work or performance reports, it is impossible to ascertain the specific services rendered or to evaluate their effectiveness. The broad description necessitates further inquiry into the contract's deliverables and any associated performance metrics or evaluations to understand the value provided to FEMA.

How does the contract value of $12.5M compare to similar technical assistance contracts for architectural services awarded by FEMA or other agencies?

A contract value of $12.5 million for architectural technical assistance over approximately two years is substantial. To benchmark its value, comparisons should be made with similar contracts awarded by FEMA or other agencies (e.g., GSA, DoD) for architectural support, disaster recovery planning, or facility assessments. Factors like contract duration, geographic scope (California in this case), and the specific nature of the technical assistance are crucial for a fair comparison. If similar contracts for comparable services were awarded at lower total values or with shorter durations, it might suggest this contract was priced at a premium or had an extended scope. Conversely, if it aligns with market rates for large-scale, long-term support, it could indicate fair pricing.

What is Fluor Enterprises Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly within DHS or FEMA, and in architectural services?

Fluor Enterprises Inc. is a large, well-established company with extensive experience in government contracting across various sectors, including engineering, construction, and technical services. A review of their federal contract history would reveal their performance on past DHS and FEMA contracts, as well as other agency awards. Key indicators to examine include past performance ratings, any contract disputes or terminations, and their success rate in winning competitive bids. Their significant presence suggests a capacity to handle large, complex projects, but a detailed analysis of their specific performance on similar architectural assistance contracts would be necessary to fully assess their suitability and reliability for this particular award.

Given the 'TIME AND MATERIALS' contract type (PT: 'TIME AND MATERIALS'), what are the potential risks regarding cost control and budget adherence?

The 'TIME AND MATERIALS' (T&M) contract type carries inherent risks for cost control. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements reimburse the contractor for the actual cost of labor (at specified hourly rates) and materials, plus a fee or profit. This structure can lead to budget overruns if the scope of work is not well-defined or if the project takes longer than anticipated. For taxpayers, the risk is that costs could escalate beyond initial estimates without a clear ceiling. Effective oversight, detailed tracking of hours and materials, and strong contract management are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives good value. The duration of 614 days amplifies these concerns.

What historical spending patterns exist for architectural services within FEMA, and how does this $12.5M award fit into that trend?

Analyzing historical spending for architectural services within FEMA requires accessing comprehensive federal procurement data over several fiscal years. Trends might show increased spending following major natural disasters or during periods of significant infrastructure investment. This $12.5 million award needs to be contextualized against FEMA's typical annual expenditure on such services. If FEMA's spending on architectural assistance has been steadily increasing, this contract might be part of a larger trend. Conversely, if it represents a significant one-off expenditure or a departure from historical norms, it warrants closer examination regarding the specific needs driving the award and its justification.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

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: $12,557,000

Exercised Options: $12,557,000

Current Obligation: $12,528,456

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSFEHQ04D0126

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline