National Park Service awards $3,128 contract for HVAC repair at Padre Island National Seashore

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,128 ($3.1K)

Contractor: Malek Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2026-05-29

Contract Duration: 51 days

Daily Burn Rate: $61/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: REPAIR ED CENTER HVAC SYSTEM - PADRE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE

Place of Performance

Location: CORPUS CHRISTI, NUECES County, TEXAS, 78418

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $3,128 to MALEK INC for work described as: REPAIR ED CENTER HVAC SYSTEM - PADRE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential facility maintenance, ensuring operational continuity. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a streamlined process for a relatively small award. 3. Performance risk appears low given the nature of the service and short duration. 4. This contract supports the upkeep of critical infrastructure at a national park. 5. Spending aligns with typical facility maintenance needs for federal properties.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3,128 is modest, suggesting a focus on a specific repair rather than a large-scale upgrade. Benchmarking per-unit costs for HVAC repair is difficult without detailed scope, but the overall award size appears reasonable for a single repair task. Compared to larger facility maintenance contracts, this represents a small, localized expenditure.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a limited competition environment suitable for smaller dollar awards. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP typically involves a streamlined process that may not achieve the same level of price discovery as full and open competition. The award type is a Purchase Order.

Taxpayer Impact: For a contract of this size, limited competition is common and generally does not significantly impact taxpayer value, as the administrative costs of a broader competition would outweigh potential savings.

Public Impact

Benefits park visitors and staff by ensuring a comfortable and functional environment. Services delivered include the repair of the HVAC system at the Padre Island National Seashore Visitor Center. Geographic impact is localized to Padre Island National Seashore in Texas. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving a small team for the repair.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the initial assessment of the HVAC issue was incomplete.
Reliance on a single vendor for a critical repair could pose a risk if follow-up is needed.

Positive Signals

Focus on essential infrastructure maintenance ensures continued park operations.
Awarding to a single vendor for a specific repair can expedite service delivery.
The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Facilities Support Services sector, which encompasses a wide range of maintenance and repair activities for government-owned buildings and infrastructure. Spending in this sector is consistent across federal agencies to maintain operational readiness and preserve assets. The market for HVAC repair services is competitive, with many small and medium-sized businesses capable of performing such work.

Small Business Impact

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, which can sometimes favor small businesses. However, without specific set-aside information or details on the bidders, it's unclear if small businesses were specifically targeted or benefited. Subcontracting implications are likely minimal for a repair of this scope.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the National Park Service contracting officer and program managers responsible for Padre Island National Seashore. Accountability is ensured through the terms of the Purchase Order and the firm fixed-price agreement. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, though detailed performance metrics may not be publicly available for such a small award.

Related Government Programs

National Park Service Operations and Maintenance
Federal Building and Facility Maintenance
HVAC System Repair and Maintenance

Risk Flags

Potential for incomplete scope definition under SAP
Limited competition may impact price discovery

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $3,128 to MALEK INC. REPAIR ED CENTER HVAC SYSTEM - PADRE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MALEK INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (National Park Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3,128.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-05-29.

What is the specific nature of the HVAC system repair required?

The provided data indicates the contract is for the 'REPAIR ED CENTER HVAC SYSTEM' at Padre Island National Seashore. While the exact technical issue (e.g., component failure, refrigerant leak, control malfunction) is not detailed in the summary data, the scope is limited to repair rather than replacement or upgrade. The 'ED CENTER' likely refers to an Education Center or administrative building within the park. The firm fixed-price nature suggests a defined scope of work was agreed upon prior to award.

How does this contract's value compare to typical HVAC repair costs for federal facilities of similar size?

Direct comparison is challenging without knowing the specific system type, age, and the exact repair needed. However, a $3,128 award for a single HVAC repair is generally considered a modest amount. Larger, more complex repairs or system replacements can range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars. For a specific component repair or troubleshooting, this value appears within a reasonable range for specialized services, especially considering potential travel and diagnostic time for a remote location like Padre Island.

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

Potential risks include the possibility of unforeseen issues arising during the repair, leading to cost overruns if not managed under a firm fixed-price contract, or delays if the contractor encounters difficulties. Another risk is the adequacy of the repair, potentially requiring repeat service. Mitigation strategies include the firm fixed-price structure, which shifts cost risk to the contractor, and the short duration (estimated 51 days from award to completion), which limits the window for extended issues. The National Park Service will likely have oversight to ensure the repair meets specifications before final payment.

What is the track record of the contractor, MALEK INC, in performing similar federal contracts?

Information on MALEK INC's specific track record for federal contracts is not provided in the summary data. To assess their performance history, one would typically review past contract awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of disputes or claims. For a small contract awarded via SAP, the vetting process might be less extensive than for larger, sole-source, or complex procurements. Further research into their past performance in facility maintenance or HVAC services would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment.

What is the historical spending pattern for HVAC repair and maintenance at Padre Island National Seashore?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for Padre Island National Seashore. To analyze this, one would need to query federal procurement databases for all contracts awarded to this park or the specific facility (e.g., Visitor Center) for HVAC-related services over several fiscal years. This would reveal trends in spending, frequency of repairs versus replacements, and average costs, providing context for the current $3,128 award.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities Support Services

Product/Service Code: ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC EQPT COMPNTS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2521 ANTELOPE ST, CORPUS CHRISTI, TX, 78408

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,128

Exercised Options: $3,128

Current Obligation: $3,128

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline