Department of Agriculture awards $2.49M contract for watershed environmental services to RJH Consultants, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,487,103 ($2.5M)

Contractor: RJH Consultants, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2024-09-23

End Date: 2027-05-10

Contract Duration: 959 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: WATERSHED PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENT FOR UPPER RIO PENASCO, SITES 1, 2, AND 3A IN NEW MEXICO

Place of Performance

Location: ENGLEWOOD, DOUGLAS County, COLORADO, 80112

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $2.5 million to RJH CONSULTANTS, INC. for work described as: WATERSHED PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENT FOR UPPER RIO PENASCO, SITES 1, 2, AND 3A IN NEW MEXICO Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition after exclusion of sources, suggesting a deliberate selection process. 2. The contract duration of 959 days indicates a medium-term project requiring sustained effort. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 points to specialized engineering services. 5. The contract is a Delivery Order, likely part of a larger Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. 6. The project focuses on environmental documentation for specific watershed sites in New Mexico.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.49 million for engineering services appears within a reasonable range for a project of this scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar environmental consulting contracts for watershed management would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The firm fixed-price structure offers cost predictability, but the specific pricing details and profit margins are not publicly available for a definitive value assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be broad, specific sources may have been excluded based on predefined criteria. The exact number of bidders and the rationale for excluding other potential sources are not detailed, making it difficult to fully assess the competitive landscape and its impact on price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: This procurement method suggests a potentially narrowed field of competition, which could lead to less aggressive pricing compared to unrestricted full and open competition. Taxpayers may benefit from the specialized expertise sought, but the potential for higher costs due to limited bidding needs consideration.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of Agriculture and potentially local stakeholders in the Upper Rio Penasco watershed. The contract will deliver environmental documentation services, crucial for understanding and managing watershed resources. The geographic impact is focused on Sites 1, 2, and 3A within the Upper Rio Penasco watershed in New Mexico. The project supports environmental planning and regulatory compliance, indirectly impacting local communities and ecosystems.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may have restricted price negotiation opportunities.
Lack of detailed public information on the exclusion criteria for sources hinders transparency.
The specific environmental risks associated with the watershed sites are not detailed in the provided data.

Positive Signals

Awarded to a single contractor, RJH Consultants, Inc., suggesting specialized capabilities.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
The project addresses critical environmental documentation needs for a specific watershed.

Sector Analysis

The engineering services sector, particularly environmental consulting, is a significant market supporting government infrastructure and resource management. This contract falls within the broader environmental consulting and engineering services industry, which is characterized by specialized expertise and project-based work. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar watershed management and environmental impact assessment projects can vary widely based on scope, complexity, and geographic location.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside consideration for this contract. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans with small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific award appears minimal, unless RJH Consultants, Inc. voluntarily engages small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Agriculture's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is limited by the available public data; further details on performance metrics and oversight activities would be needed for a comprehensive assessment. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Impact Statements
Watershed Management Programs
Natural Resource Conservation Service Contracts
Engineering Consulting Services
Federal Environmental Planning

Risk Flags

Limited competition may impact price competitiveness.
Transparency regarding source exclusion criteria is limited.
Contract performance details and outcomes are not publicly available.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $2.5 million to RJH CONSULTANTS, INC.. WATERSHED PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENT FOR UPPER RIO PENASCO, SITES 1, 2, AND 3A IN NEW MEXICO

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RJH CONSULTANTS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-23. End: 2027-05-10.

What is the track record of RJH Consultants, Inc. with federal contracts, particularly in environmental services?

Information regarding RJH Consultants, Inc.'s specific track record with federal contracts, especially within environmental services, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive analysis would require accessing federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) to review past performance, contract values, agencies served, and any reported performance issues or awards. Understanding their history with similar watershed projects would be crucial for assessing their capability and reliability for this specific contract.

How does the $2.49 million contract value compare to similar watershed environmental documentation projects?

The $2.49 million contract value for watershed environmental documentation is a moderate figure. Without specific details on the scope, complexity, and deliverables of the Upper Rio Penasco project, direct comparison is challenging. However, similar projects can range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars depending on the size of the watershed, the level of detail required for the environmental analysis (e.g., Environmental Assessment vs. Environmental Impact Statement), and the specific regulatory requirements. Benchmarking against contracts awarded by agencies like the EPA or Army Corps of Engineers for similar services would provide a more robust comparison.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Potential risks include scope creep, delays in environmental reviews, unforeseen site conditions, and contractor performance issues. The firm fixed-price contract mitigates financial risk for the government by capping costs. Mitigation for performance and schedule risks would rely on robust project management by the Department of Agriculture, clear performance standards, regular progress reviews, and potentially liquidated damages clauses. The 'limited' competition aspect could introduce a risk of suboptimal pricing if effective negotiation strategies are not employed.

What is the expected effectiveness of the environmental documentation to be produced under this contract?

The effectiveness of the environmental documentation hinges on its thoroughness, accuracy, and adherence to regulatory standards (e.g., NEPA). If RJH Consultants, Inc. delivers a comprehensive analysis that accurately identifies potential environmental impacts and proposes appropriate mitigation measures, the documentation will be highly effective in informing decision-making for the Upper Rio Penasco watershed. Its effectiveness will be measured by its utility in guiding future land and water management actions and satisfying legal and regulatory requirements.

What are the historical spending patterns for watershed management and environmental consulting within the Department of Agriculture?

Historical spending patterns for watershed management and environmental consulting within the Department of Agriculture, particularly through its Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), are substantial. Agencies within USDA frequently award contracts for environmental assessments, planning, and technical assistance related to agricultural lands and water resources. Analyzing past expenditures on similar services would reveal trends in contract values, types of services procured, and primary contractors. This specific $2.49 million award should be viewed within the context of the overall USDA budget allocated to environmental stewardship and conservation programs.

What does the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' designation imply for taxpayer value?

This designation implies that while the competition was not restricted from the outset, certain potential offerors were excluded based on specific criteria. This could be due to requirements for specialized experience, past performance, or specific technical capabilities that only a subset of firms possess. While it aims to ensure the selection of the most qualified contractor, it can also limit the number of bidders, potentially reducing competitive pressure on pricing. Taxpayer value is maximized when the most qualified contractor is selected at a fair and reasonable price. The effectiveness of this procurement method in achieving that balance depends on the justification for source exclusion and the rigor of the evaluation process.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: ARCHITECT-ENGINEER FAR 6.102

Solicitation ID: 2024-38

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 9800 MT. PYRAMID CT, ENGLEWOOD, CO, 80112

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,487,103

Exercised Options: $2,487,103

Current Obligation: $2,487,103

Actual Outlays: $1,662,922

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12FPC324D0011

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline