Forest Service Awards $4.9M Contract for Trail Site Repairs in Puerto Rico

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,902,177 ($4.9M)

Contractor: JPI Construction LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2024-07-08

End Date: 2026-12-26

Contract Duration: 901 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.4K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: REPAIRS TO THIRTEEN (13) DAMAGED TRAIL SITES. THE GOVT. FURNISHED A DESIGN-BID-BUILD TO A TOTAL OF NINE (9) OF THE DAMAGED SITES, MISCELLANEOUS TRAIL SPOT SURFACING TO APPROX. TWO (2) SITES, AND THE REMAINING LAST TWO (2) SITES WILL REQUIRE A CONTRAC

Place of Performance

Location: PALMER, RIO GRANDE County, PUERTO RICO, 00721

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $4.9 million to JPI CONSTRUCTION LLC for work described as: REPAIRS TO THIRTEEN (13) DAMAGED TRAIL SITES. THE GOVT. FURNISHED A DESIGN-BID-BUILD TO A TOTAL OF NINE (9) OF THE DAMAGED SITES, MISCELLANEOUS TRAIL SPOT SURFACING TO APPROX. TWO (2) SITES, AND THE REMAINING LAST TWO (2) SITES WILL REQUIRE A CONTRAC Key points: 1. Contract focuses on repairing 13 damaged trail sites, with a significant portion using a design-bid-build approach. 2. JPI Construction LLC secured the $4.9M award for this project. 3. The contract is for 'Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction' and is located in Puerto Rico. 4. The project duration is 901 days, indicating a substantial undertaking.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $4.9M for trail repairs appears reasonable given the scope of work involving 13 sites and a design-bid-build approach. Benchmarking against similar civil engineering projects of this scale would provide a more definitive assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not competed under SAP, suggesting a limited competition approach. This method may impact price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs compared to a fully open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for infrastructure repair and maintenance, which is a necessary public service. The limited competition raises questions about the optimal use of these funds.

Public Impact

Restoration of damaged trail sites will improve recreational access and safety for the public. The repairs are crucial for preserving natural resources and preventing further environmental degradation. Economic benefits may arise from local employment during the construction phase. The project's success will be measured by the quality and durability of the trail repairs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may result in suboptimal pricing.
Potential for cost overruns given the project duration and scope.
Geographic location in Puerto Rico may present logistical challenges.

Positive Signals

Addresses critical infrastructure needs for public recreation.
Utilizes a structured design-bid-build approach for clarity.
Clear contract award to a specific company.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the 'Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction' sector, which includes a wide range of infrastructure projects. Spending in this sector is often driven by public needs for transportation, recreation, and environmental protection.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication in the provided data whether small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The Forest Service is responsible for overseeing this contract. Accountability will be measured by the timely and quality completion of the trail repairs according to the contract specifications.

Related Government Programs

Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Forest Service Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Long project duration
Potential for unforeseen site-specific challenges
Geographic isolation impacting logistics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $4.9 million to JPI CONSTRUCTION LLC. REPAIRS TO THIRTEEN (13) DAMAGED TRAIL SITES. THE GOVT. FURNISHED A DESIGN-BID-BUILD TO A TOTAL OF NINE (9) OF THE DAMAGED SITES, MISCELLANEOUS TRAIL SPOT SURFACING TO APPROX. TWO (2) SITES, AND THE REMAINING LAST TWO (2) SITES WILL REQUIRE A CONTRAC

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JPI CONSTRUCTION LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-07-08. End: 2026-12-26.

What specific criteria were used to justify the limited competition for this contract?

The justification for limited competition typically involves factors such as urgency, unique capabilities of the selected contractor, or specific circumstances that preclude a full and open solicitation. Without further documentation, it is difficult to ascertain the precise reasons for not competing this contract more broadly under SAP.

How will the long project duration of 901 days be managed to mitigate potential cost increases or scope creep?

Managing a long project duration requires robust contract oversight, including regular progress reviews, clear milestones, and change order management processes. The Forest Service will need to actively monitor the project to ensure adherence to the original scope and budget, and to address any unforeseen issues promptly.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for evaluating the success of these trail repairs?

Key performance indicators likely include the structural integrity and longevity of the repaired trails, user satisfaction, adherence to environmental protection standards during construction, and completion within the allocated budget and timeframe. Post-construction assessments will be crucial for verifying the effectiveness of the repairs.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 12445224R0025

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1513 CALLE LAS MARIAS APT 1A, SAN JUAN, PR, 00911

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Hispanic American Owned Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,902,177

Exercised Options: $4,902,177

Current Obligation: $4,902,177

Actual Outlays: $1,942,259

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline