Interior Department awards $275K for Little Bighorn maintenance, focusing on building construction

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $274,644 ($274.6K)

Contractor: Northern Management Services, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-08-13

End Date: 2026-07-15

Contract Duration: 336 days

Daily Burn Rate: $817/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: LIBI: MAINTENANCE SHOP REPAIRS FOR LITTLE BIGHORN BATTLEFIELD NATIONAL MONUMENT

Place of Performance

Location: CROW AGENCY, BIG HORN County, MONTANA, 59022

State: Montana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $274,644 to NORTHERN MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC. for work described as: LIBI: MAINTENANCE SHOP REPAIRS FOR LITTLE BIGHORN BATTLEFIELD NATIONAL MONUMENT Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized building maintenance services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. No immediate risk indicators are apparent from the contract details. 4. This contract supports the preservation of a significant national monument. 5. The contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $274,644 for a 336-day period for maintenance shop repairs at a national monument seems within a reasonable range for specialized construction services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for historical site maintenance or commercial building repairs would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, given the specific location and nature of the work, the price appears to be fair, assuming quality workmanship and materials.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which indicates that the solicitation was broadly advertised, and multiple bids were likely considered. This method generally promotes a competitive environment, allowing for price discovery and potentially leading to better value for the government. The specific exclusion of sources might relate to pre-qualification criteria or specific technical requirements.

Taxpayer Impact: This competitive approach is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of securing services at a fair market price, preventing potential overpayment and ensuring efficient use of public funds.

Public Impact

The National Park Service benefits from the upkeep of essential facilities at the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. Services delivered include maintenance and repair of a shop building, ensuring operational readiness. The geographic impact is localized to the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument in Montana. Workforce implications include employment for skilled trades involved in construction and maintenance.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process.
Contract type is Firm Fixed Price, providing cost certainty for the government.
Contract duration is reasonable for the scope of work described.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, specifically addressing maintenance and repair needs for a government facility. The market for such services is diverse, encompassing numerous construction firms capable of undertaking building upkeep. Spending in this sector for federal agencies often involves preserving historical sites, maintaining operational facilities, and constructing new infrastructure. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be derived from contracts for similar building types and sizes within the National Park Service or other federal land management agencies.

Small Business Impact

The contract details indicate that small business participation was not a specific set-aside requirement (ss: false, sb: false). While this contract was competed fully and openly, there is no explicit mention of subcontracting goals for small businesses. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether small businesses participated in the bidding process or were subcontracted by the prime contractor, Northern Management Services, Inc.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the National Park Service, a division of the Department of the Interior. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, which obligates the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is facilitated by the public availability of contract data. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to this award.

Related Government Programs

National Park Service Facility Maintenance
Historic Site Preservation Contracts
Commercial Building Repair Services
Federal Construction Projects

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $274,644 to NORTHERN MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.. LIBI: MAINTENANCE SHOP REPAIRS FOR LITTLE BIGHORN BATTLEFIELD NATIONAL MONUMENT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NORTHERN MANAGEMENT SERVICES, 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 $274,644.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-08-13. End: 2026-07-15.

What is the track record of Northern Management Services, Inc. with federal contracts, particularly within the Department of the Interior?

Northern Management Services, Inc. has a history of federal contracting, with this award being one of several. Analyzing their past performance on similar contracts, especially those involving building maintenance or construction for agencies like the National Park Service, is crucial. A review of their contract history would reveal their success rate, any past performance issues, and their experience with firm-fixed-price agreements. Understanding their prior work can help assess their capability to successfully execute the current contract and provide insights into their pricing strategies and reliability as a federal contractor.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar maintenance contracts for national park facilities?

The awarded amount of $274,644 for maintenance shop repairs at Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument represents a specific investment in facility upkeep. To benchmark this value, one would compare it to contracts for similar-sized building maintenance and repair projects within the National Park Service or other agencies managing historical or recreational sites. Factors such as geographic location, complexity of repairs, and duration of the contract period are critical for a fair comparison. Without specific data on comparable contracts, it's challenging to definitively state if this amount is high or low, but it appears reasonable for specialized work at a national monument.

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

Potential risks for this contract could include unforeseen structural issues discovered during repairs, contractor performance delays, or cost overruns if the scope expands beyond the initial fixed price. Mitigation strategies are embedded in the contract's firm-fixed-price structure, which places the financial risk on the contractor. The National Park Service's oversight and quality assurance processes are also key mitigation tools. Additionally, the 'Full and Open Competition' likely selected a contractor with demonstrated capability, reducing performance risk. The contract duration and defined scope of work further help manage expectations and potential disruptions.

What is the expected effectiveness of the services provided by this contract in supporting the monument's operations?

The effectiveness of this contract hinges on the successful completion of maintenance and repair work on the shop building. A well-maintained shop facility is essential for the operational readiness of the monument's maintenance and support staff. This ensures that equipment and vehicles can be serviced, and necessary repairs can be carried out efficiently, thereby supporting the overall preservation and visitor experience at Little Bighorn. The contract's success will be measured by the quality of the repairs and the timely completion of the work, contributing to the long-term sustainability of the monument's infrastructure.

What are the historical spending patterns for facility maintenance at Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for facility maintenance at Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument would provide context for the current $274,644 award. This involves examining previous contract awards for similar services, their values, and frequencies. Understanding if this represents a typical annual expenditure, a one-time major repair, or an increase/decrease in maintenance investment is important. Such analysis can reveal trends in maintenance needs, the effectiveness of past maintenance strategies, and potential budget fluctuations for facility upkeep at the monument over time.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR NONBUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 607 CHURCH ST, SANDPOINT, ID, 83864

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $274,644

Exercised Options: $274,644

Current Obligation: $274,644

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140P1424D0008

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline