DoD awards $17.5M A-E design services task order to Stanley Consultants, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,524,656 ($17.5M)

Contractor: Stanley Consultants, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-07-16

End Date: 2026-07-01

Contract Duration: 1,811 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: USDA TASK ORDER 2.1, A-E DESIGN SERVICES.

Place of Performance

Location: MUSCATINE, MUSCATINE County, IOWA, 52761

State: Iowa Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $17.5 million to STANLEY CONSULTANTS, INC. for work described as: USDA TASK ORDER 2.1, A-E DESIGN SERVICES. Key points: 1. Task order awarded under a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract, suggesting potential for follow-on work. 2. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 3. The contract duration is 1811 days, indicating a long-term need for these services. 4. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 points to engineering services, a critical component of infrastructure projects. 6. The contract is for Architectural and Engineering (A-E) design services, essential for planning and executing construction projects.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $17.5 million for A-E design services appears reasonable given the 5-year duration and the nature of engineering services. Benchmarking against similar large-scale design contracts within the Department of Defense would provide a more precise value assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure is generally favorable for the government, as it caps costs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This task order was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this method generally fosters competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value offer.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically leads to more competitive pricing and ensures the government receives high-quality services at a fair market value.

Public Impact

The Department of Defense benefits from essential design services for its infrastructure projects. The contract supports the delivery of architectural and engineering design plans. The geographic impact is likely concentrated around Department of Defense installations requiring design services, with a specific mention of Iowa (IA) as the place of performance. The contract supports the engineering and design workforce, potentially creating or sustaining jobs in this sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if initial design requirements are not clearly defined.
Reliance on a single task order under a larger IDIQ could concentrate risk if the prime contractor faces performance issues.
The long duration of the contract may require ongoing monitoring to ensure continued alignment with evolving project needs.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract type limits cost overruns for the government.
Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive selection process.
The contractor, Stanley Consultants, Inc., has a track record in engineering services, implying relevant expertise.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, a critical component of the broader Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. The market for federal A-E services is substantial, driven by the government's continuous need for infrastructure design, maintenance, and modernization. Spending in this sector is often influenced by federal budget allocations for defense, infrastructure, and public works projects.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included small business set-asides or subcontracting goals. As a large contract awarded to a prime contractor, it is possible that opportunities for small businesses may exist through subcontracting, but this would depend on the prime contractor's strategy and the specific requirements of the task order.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant project management office within the Department of the Army. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, which incentivizes the contractor to meet specifications within the agreed budget. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Military Construction
Architectural and Engineering Services
Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity Contracts
Federal Design and Engineering Contracts

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may increase risk of scope creep or obsolescence.
Potential for performance degradation over extended contract period.
Lack of specific detail on number of bidders impacts full competition assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $17.5 million to STANLEY CONSULTANTS, INC.. USDA TASK ORDER 2.1, A-E DESIGN SERVICES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is STANLEY CONSULTANTS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-07-16. End: 2026-07-01.

What is the historical spending pattern for Stanley Consultants, Inc. with the Department of Defense?

Analyzing the historical spending for Stanley Consultants, Inc. with the Department of Defense requires access to comprehensive federal procurement data. Based on available information, Stanley Consultants, Inc. has a history of receiving contracts from various federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, for engineering and architectural services. To provide a precise historical spending pattern, one would need to query databases like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) for all contracts awarded to this entity by the DoD over a specific period (e.g., the last 5-10 years). This analysis would reveal the total dollar value of contracts, the types of services rendered, and the specific branches or agencies within the DoD that utilized their services. It would also highlight any trends in contract values or service categories over time, indicating the contractor's sustained or fluctuating engagement with the DoD.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar A-E design services contracts awarded by the DoD?

The $17.5 million awarded to Stanley Consultants, Inc. for A-E design services is a significant but not extraordinary amount for a multi-year federal design contract. To benchmark effectively, we would compare this value against other task orders or contracts for similar services (NAICS 541330) awarded by the Department of Defense or its various branches (Army, Navy, Air Force) over the past few fiscal years. Factors such as contract duration, scope complexity, and geographic location play a crucial role in determining fair market value. For instance, a 5-year contract for complex facility design at a major installation would naturally command a higher price than a shorter-term contract for minor renovations. A detailed comparison would involve identifying contracts with similar durations and service descriptions and analyzing their total awarded values and average annual costs to ascertain if Stanley Consultants' award falls within an expected range.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how is performance being monitored?

While specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are not detailed in the provided summary data, typical KPIs for A-E design services contracts focus on adherence to design schedules, quality of deliverables (e.g., accuracy of drawings, specifications), compliance with building codes and regulations, and responsiveness to government feedback. Performance monitoring is generally conducted by a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) or a Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) assigned by the agency. They would review design submittals, conduct progress meetings, and assess the contractor's performance against the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) and any established performance standards. Formal performance evaluations, such as Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) reports, are also used to document contractor performance, which can influence future award decisions.

What is the potential risk associated with the long duration (1811 days) of this contract?

The long duration of 1811 days (approximately 5 years) for this A-E design services contract presents several potential risks. Firstly, there is a risk of scope creep, where the project requirements may evolve significantly over the contract period, potentially leading to cost increases if not managed properly through contract modifications. Secondly, the extended timeline increases the possibility of changes in technology, regulations, or agency needs that could render the initial designs outdated or less effective. Thirdly, maintaining consistent quality and contractor performance over such a long period requires diligent oversight. Finally, economic fluctuations or changes in federal funding priorities could impact the project's continuity or scope, posing a risk to both the contractor's resource allocation and the government's project objectives.

How does the 'Firm Fixed Price' contract type benefit the government in this scenario?

The 'Firm Fixed Price' (FFP) contract type is highly beneficial for the government in this scenario because it establishes a ceiling on the total cost the government will pay, regardless of the contractor's actual costs incurred. This shifts the primary risk of cost overruns from the government to the contractor, Stanley Consultants, Inc. The contractor is incentivized to manage its resources efficiently and control costs to maximize its profit margin. For the government, this means greater cost certainty and predictability, which is crucial for budget planning. As long as the contractor meets the specified requirements and quality standards, the government pays the agreed-upon fixed price. This contract type is particularly suitable for well-defined projects where the scope of work is clear and unlikely to change significantly.

Industry Classification

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

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 225 IOWA AVE, MUSCATINE, IA, 52761

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,834,553

Exercised Options: $17,524,656

Current Obligation: $17,524,656

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 7

Total Subaward Amount: $6,229,556

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W912QR19D0031

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline