State Department Awards $56.8M for Mexico City Embassy Design Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $56,804,921 ($56.8M)
Contractor: TOD Williams Billie Tsien/Davis Brody Bond Architects, a Joint Venture
Awarding Agency: Department of State
Start Date: 2013-05-06
End Date: 2026-12-31
Contract Duration: 4,987 days
Daily Burn Rate: $11.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 54
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: DESIGN SERVICES FOR MEXICO CITY, MEXICO NEW EMBASSY COMPOUND. IGF::OT::IGF.
Place of Performance
Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK County, NEW YORK, 10013
State: New York Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of State obligated $56.8 million to TOD WILLIAMS BILLIE TSIEN/DAVIS BRODY BOND ARCHITECTS, A JOINT VENTURE for work described as: DESIGN SERVICES FOR MEXICO CITY, MEXICO NEW EMBASSY COMPOUND. IGF::OT::IGF. Key points: 1. Significant contract for architectural design services on a major diplomatic facility. 2. Joint venture of established firms indicates a high level of expertise. 3. Long contract duration suggests a complex, multi-phase project. 4. Fixed-price contract aims to control costs, but scope creep is a potential risk.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $56.8 million for architectural design services appears reasonable given the scale and complexity of designing a new embassy compound. Benchmarking against similar large-scale government construction projects would provide further context.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method typically leads to more competitive pricing by allowing all qualified vendors to bid.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it promotes efficiency and cost-effectiveness in government spending.
Public Impact
Impacts diplomatic infrastructure and U.S. presence abroad. Supports architectural and engineering sectors. Potential for job creation in design and related fields. Long-term asset for the U.S. government.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns if project scope expands.
- Geopolitical risks associated with the project location.
- Long-term maintenance and operational costs not detailed.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Firm fixed-price contract structure.
- Experienced joint venture selected.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Architectural Services sector, specifically for large-scale government facilities. Spending in this area is often tied to infrastructure modernization and diplomatic initiatives, with benchmarks varying widely based on project scope and location.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to a joint venture of established firms, suggesting that small businesses may not be directly involved as prime contractors. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses could exist, but are not explicitly detailed in the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of State is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard oversight mechanisms for large construction projects, including regular progress reviews and quality control, should be in place to ensure accountability and adherence to contract terms.
Related Government Programs
- Architectural Services
- Department of State Contracting
- Department of State Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for scope creep leading to cost overruns.
- Long contract duration increases exposure to changing economic conditions.
- Geopolitical risks in Mexico City.
- Dependence on a single joint venture for critical design phase.
- Lack of detail on small business participation.
Tags
architectural-services, department-of-state, ny, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of State awarded $56.8 million to TOD WILLIAMS BILLIE TSIEN/DAVIS BRODY BOND ARCHITECTS, A JOINT VENTURE. DESIGN SERVICES FOR MEXICO CITY, MEXICO NEW EMBASSY COMPOUND. IGF::OT::IGF.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TOD WILLIAMS BILLIE TSIEN/DAVIS BRODY BOND ARCHITECTS, A JOINT VENTURE.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $56.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2013-05-06. End: 2026-12-31.
What is the estimated total project cost, including construction, for the new embassy compound?
The provided data only details the design services contract value of $56.8 million. The total project cost for the entire new embassy compound, encompassing construction, furnishings, and other related expenses, is not specified. A comprehensive understanding of the overall financial commitment requires further information on the subsequent construction phases and associated budgets.
What are the specific performance metrics and deliverables expected from the joint venture for the design services?
The contract likely includes detailed performance metrics and deliverables related to architectural design, engineering plans, and project management. These would typically encompass adherence to design standards, timely submission of blueprints and specifications, compliance with security requirements, and coordination with relevant stakeholders. Specifics would be outlined in the contract's statement of work.
How will the long-term sustainability and energy efficiency of the new embassy compound be ensured through the design?
The design services contract should incorporate requirements for sustainable building practices and energy efficiency, aligning with U.S. government standards and potentially local environmental regulations. This could include specifications for materials, HVAC systems, water conservation, and renewable energy integration. The effectiveness of these measures will depend on the detailed design specifications and their subsequent implementation during construction.
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: 54
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 315 HUDSON ST, 9TH FLOOR, NEW YORK, NY, 10013
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $56,804,921
Exercised Options: $56,804,921
Current Obligation: $56,804,921
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2013-05-06
Current End Date: 2026-12-31
Potential End Date: 2026-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-24
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