National Park Service awards $36M shuttle bus contract to Paul Revere Transportation, LLC for Grand Canyon services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $35,992,834 ($36.0M)

Contractor: Paul Revere Transportation, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2020-12-01

End Date: 2026-11-30

Contract Duration: 2,190 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: GRAND CANYON (GRCA) NATIONAL PARK SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE

Place of Performance

Location: GRAND CANYON, COCONINO County, ARIZONA, 86023

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $36.0 million to PAUL REVERE TRANSPORTATION, LLC for work described as: GRAND CANYON (GRCA) NATIONAL PARK SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the duration and scope of services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract type is a definitive contract, which can introduce cost uncertainty. 4. Performance is benchmarked against similar transit services within the National Park System. 5. The contractor has a track record in transportation services, though specific park experience needs review. 6. The contract is for labor hours, which requires careful monitoring of effort and efficiency.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total contract value of $35.99 million over approximately six years suggests an average annual cost of around $6 million. This figure needs to be benchmarked against the operational costs of similar shuttle services in other large national parks, considering factors like fleet size, route complexity, and passenger volume. The labor hours pricing structure necessitates close oversight to ensure efficient resource utilization and prevent cost overruns. Without specific per-hour rates or detailed operational plans, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the overall award seems within a plausible range for extensive park transit.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This process typically fosters price discovery and encourages multiple bidders to offer competitive proposals. The number of bidders is not specified, but the use of full and open competition generally implies a robust selection environment, which is favorable for obtaining fair market prices and innovative solutions. This approach maximizes the opportunity for the government to select the best value offer.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition through potentially lower prices and a wider selection of qualified contractors, leading to better service delivery and resource stewardship.

Public Impact

Visitors to Grand Canyon National Park will benefit from continued shuttle bus services, enhancing their experience and access to park attractions. The services provided include the operation and maintenance of shuttle buses within the park. The geographic impact is concentrated within Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. The contract supports jobs in transportation, maintenance, and related operational roles.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost creep due to the labor hours contract type if not closely managed.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical park service could pose operational risks if performance falters.
Limited insight into the specific qualifications and experience of Paul Revere Transportation, LLC beyond general transportation services.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment.
Contract duration provides stability for service provision and planning.
The National Park Service has a vested interest in ensuring reliable service for visitor access and environmental protection.

Sector Analysis

The transportation sector within federal contracting is vast, encompassing a wide range of services from public transit to specialized logistics. This contract falls under transit and ground passenger transportation, a segment crucial for public access to national parks and other federal facilities. Spending in this area is often driven by the need to manage visitor flow, reduce environmental impact from private vehicles, and provide essential mobility within large, complex sites. Benchmarking this contract's value would involve comparing it to similar transit operations in other national parks or large public venues, considering scale, service intensity, and operational complexity.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific benefits for the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside provision. The primary contractor, Paul Revere Transportation, LLC, will be responsible for fulfilling the contract requirements. Analysis of their subcontracting plans, if any, would be necessary to determine any indirect impact on small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the National Park Service contracting officers and program managers. They are responsible for monitoring performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and approving payments. The Department of the Interior's Office of Inspector General may also conduct audits or investigations into the contract's execution and financial management to ensure accountability and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases and public reporting mechanisms.

Related Government Programs

National Park Service Operations
Federal Transit Administration Programs
Department of the Interior Fleet Management
Public Transportation Contracts

Risk Flags

Labor Hours Contract Type Risk
Contractor Performance History Unknown
Potential for Cost Overruns

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $36.0 million to PAUL REVERE TRANSPORTATION, LLC. GRAND CANYON (GRCA) NATIONAL PARK SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PAUL REVERE TRANSPORTATION, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $36.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-12-01. End: 2026-11-30.

What is the specific experience of Paul Revere Transportation, LLC in operating shuttle services within national parks or similar large-scale public transit environments?

Detailed information regarding Paul Revere Transportation, LLC's specific experience in operating shuttle services within national parks or similar large-scale public transit environments is not provided in the summary data. While the contractor operates within the 'All Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation' sector, the nuances of park operations—such as managing high visitor volumes, navigating sensitive environmental areas, and adhering to park-specific regulations—require specialized expertise. A thorough review of their past performance, client references (particularly from government agencies or park systems), and demonstrated capabilities in managing complex logistics and customer service in similar settings would be necessary to fully assess their suitability and mitigate potential performance risks.

How does the labor hour pricing structure compare to fixed-price or other contract types for similar park shuttle services, and what are the associated risks?

Labor hour contracts, like the one awarded to Paul Revere Transportation, LLC, are typically used when the extent or duration of the work cannot be predetermined. This structure allows the government to pay for the actual labor hours expended at pre-negotiated rates. Compared to fixed-price contracts, labor hour contracts offer greater flexibility but also carry higher risks of cost overruns if the contractor's efficiency is low or if the scope of work expands unexpectedly. For park shuttle services, where demand can fluctuate and operational challenges may arise, a labor hour contract necessitates robust government oversight to monitor hours worked, ensure efficient task completion, and prevent scope creep. Fixed-price contracts, conversely, offer greater cost certainty for the government but may require more detailed initial scope definition and could lead to contractor underperformance if the price is set too low.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) established for this Grand Canyon shuttle bus service contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) for the Grand Canyon shuttle bus service contract. Typically, for such contracts, KPIs would focus on metrics like on-time performance, passenger wait times, vehicle availability, safety incident rates, customer satisfaction scores, and adherence to environmental protocols. SLAs would define the minimum acceptable performance levels for these KPIs, often with associated remedies or penalties for non-compliance. The National Park Service would be responsible for establishing and monitoring these metrics to ensure the contractor delivers reliable, safe, and efficient transportation services that enhance the visitor experience and support park management objectives.

What is the historical spending pattern for shuttle bus services at Grand Canyon National Park or similar large national parks?

Historical spending data for shuttle bus services specifically at Grand Canyon National Park or comparable large national parks is not included in the provided summary. However, federal agencies like the National Park Service often award multi-year contracts for essential services such as transportation. The current award of $35.99 million over approximately six years (2020-2026) suggests an average annual expenditure of roughly $6 million. To establish a historical pattern, one would need to examine previous contracts for this service at Grand Canyon, noting their values, durations, and the contractors involved. Comparing this spending to similar parks would also provide context on the scale and cost-effectiveness of the park's transportation management strategy.

What measures are in place to ensure the safety and reliability of the shuttle bus fleet operated under this contract?

While specific safety and reliability measures are not detailed in the summary data, federal contracts for public transportation services invariably include stringent requirements. These typically encompass regular vehicle maintenance schedules, adherence to all federal and state safety regulations (e.g., Department of Transportation standards), driver background checks and training, and incident reporting protocols. The National Park Service would likely mandate regular inspections of the fleet, require the contractor to maintain comprehensive insurance, and establish procedures for addressing mechanical failures or accidents promptly. The contract's performance monitoring by the contracting officer's representative (COR) would also play a crucial role in ensuring ongoing safety and reliability.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation › All Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation

Product/Service Code: TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCATION › TRAVEL, LODGING, RECRUITMENT SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 140P1520R0006

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 100 EASTERN AVE, CHELSEA, MA, 02150

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $64,298,735

Exercised Options: $35,992,834

Current Obligation: $35,992,834

Actual Outlays: $27,666,121

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline