# Kennedy Center Selects ATSR for Washington Renovation

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts selected Minnesota-based ATSR as architect of record and management and construction administrator for its **$257 million** renovation through a competitively solicited national cooperative purchasing agreement, rather than a traditional federal solicitation. The procurement route has drawn questions, and the arrangement illustrates that a cooperative master agreement can provide a path to consideration without itself guaranteeing work: participating agencies conduct additional vetting and make their own contract awards.

- Sourcewell master agreements may give qualified firms access to consideration by participating agencies, but firms should distinguish agreement eligibility from an agency-specific award.
- Architecture and construction firms can evaluate whether their services fit relevant cooperative purchasing agreements; the Kennedy Center project does not indicate an active solicitation or provide procurement contact information.
- Procurement teams should account for the further vetting and contracting steps required by participating agencies when planning or using cooperative purchasing vehicles.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Construction & Infrastructure, Professional Services
**Topics:** Contracting Vehicles, Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** November 06, 2026

### Government Entities
- John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Kennedy Center)
- Sourcewell

### Vendors
- ATSR (Architect of record; management and construction administrator)

### Key Quotes
> It’s then up to the government agencies to do any further vetting and ink contracts.
> — Chad Coauette, CEO of Sourcewell

### Sources
- [Small Minnesota firm leading Kennedy Center renovation](https://www.startribune.com/atsr-architect-of-record-kennedy-center-renovation-trump/601909444) - Star Tribune