Visitor contact station construction contract awarded to E CORP for $4.04M, aiming to centralize park services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,040,131 ($4.0M)

Contractor: E Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2021-06-01

End Date: 2026-01-07

Contract Duration: 1,681 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO CONSTRUCT A NEW VISITOR CONTACT STATION AS A CENTRAL POINT OF SERVICES FOR PARK VISITORS.

Place of Performance

Location: BRIAN HEAD, IRON County, UTAH, 84719

State: Utah Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $4.0 million to E CORP for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO CONSTRUCT A NEW VISITOR CONTACT STATION AS A CENTRAL POINT OF SERVICES FOR PARK VISITORS. Key points: 1. The contract's value appears reasonable for a new visitor contact station, considering construction costs and the scope of services to be centralized. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a potentially competitive bidding process that could lead to favorable pricing. 3. The definitive contract type with a firm fixed price offers cost certainty for the government, mitigating budget overrun risks. 4. The project is situated in Utah, indicating a specific geographic focus for the new visitor services infrastructure. 5. The National Park Service is the awarding agency, aligning with the mission to enhance visitor experiences and park management. 6. The contractor, E CORP, has been awarded this contract, and their track record will be a key factor in assessing performance. 7. The duration of the contract (1681 days) suggests a substantial construction project requiring careful management and oversight.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $4.04 million for a new visitor contact station seems aligned with typical construction projects of this nature. Benchmarking against similar commercial and institutional building construction projects within the National Park Service or other federal agencies would provide a more precise value assessment. The firm fixed-price structure helps control costs, but the final value will depend on the contractor's efficiency and any potential change orders.

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 a bid. With four bidders (no) participating, this suggests a healthy level of competition, which typically drives down prices and encourages innovation. The presence of multiple bidders allows for a more robust comparison of proposals and increases the likelihood of selecting the best value offer.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it fosters a competitive environment that can lead to more cost-effective solutions and better pricing for government projects.

Public Impact

Park visitors in Utah will benefit from a centralized point for services, information, and amenities. The construction of a new visitor contact station will enhance the overall visitor experience at the designated national park. The project will likely create temporary employment opportunities in the construction sector within Utah. Improved park infrastructure can lead to better resource management and visitor safety.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for construction delays impacting the opening of visitor services.
Ensuring the quality of construction meets long-term durability standards.
Managing potential cost overruns if unforeseen issues arise during construction.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process.
Awarded by the National Park Service, indicating alignment with agency mission.
Project aims to improve visitor experience and park accessibility.

Sector Analysis

The construction of visitor facilities falls under the broader commercial and institutional building construction sector. This sector is characterized by a wide range of projects, from small renovations to large-scale new builds. Federal spending in this area often supports public infrastructure, park development, and government facility upgrades. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing the cost per square foot for similar government or public-facing buildings, considering regional labor and material costs.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract (sb: false). Therefore, the primary impact on small businesses would be through potential subcontracting opportunities if E CORP engages them. Without explicit set-aside goals, the extent of small business participation will depend on the prime contractor's subcontracting strategy and the availability of qualified small businesses for specific construction trades.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the National Park Service contracting officers and project managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, which incentivizes the contractor to complete the work within budget. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting mechanisms. The Inspector General's office for the Department of the Interior may have jurisdiction for audits and investigations if any irregularities are suspected.

Related Government Programs

National Park Service Visitor Center Construction
Federal Building Construction Contracts
Department of the Interior Infrastructure Projects
Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if scope is not clearly defined.
Risk of construction delays due to weather or unforeseen site conditions.
Contractor performance history needs thorough vetting.
Ensuring compliance with local Utah building codes and regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $4.0 million to E CORP. THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO CONSTRUCT A NEW VISITOR CONTACT STATION AS A CENTRAL POINT OF SERVICES FOR PARK VISITORS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is E CORP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-06-01. End: 2026-01-07.

What is the track record of E CORP in completing similar federal construction projects on time and within budget?

Assessing the track record of E CORP requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving visitor centers or similar institutional buildings. This would involve examining contract databases for past awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of disputes or contract terminations. A positive track record with timely and budget-compliant project completions would indicate a lower risk for this current project. Conversely, a history of delays or cost overruns would raise concerns about E CORP's ability to deliver this visitor contact station successfully.

How does the awarded amount of $4.04 million compare to the average cost of similar visitor contact stations or park facilities?

To benchmark the $4.04 million award, one would need to compare it against the costs of recently constructed visitor contact stations or similar park facilities by federal agencies like the National Park Service, Forest Service, or Bureau of Land Management. Key comparison points would include the size (square footage), complexity of design, location (considering regional construction costs), and the amenities provided. If data is available, a cost-per-square-foot analysis would be most effective. Without specific comparable project data, it's difficult to definitively state if this award represents excellent or questionable value, but it appears within a reasonable range for a new facility.

What are the primary risk indicators associated with this definitive contract award?

The primary risk indicators for this definitive contract include the inherent risks associated with any large-scale construction project, such as potential weather delays, unforeseen site conditions, material cost fluctuations (though mitigated by fixed price), and labor availability. The duration of the contract (1681 days) also presents a longer timeframe during which risks can materialize. The specific contractor's past performance, if it indicates a history of delays or cost issues, would be a significant risk factor. Furthermore, the complexity of the visitor contact station's design and the remoteness of its location could introduce additional logistical and execution risks.

How effective is the firm fixed-price contract type in ensuring value for money for this construction project?

The firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally effective in ensuring value for money for construction projects by placing the risk of cost overruns on the contractor. This incentivizes the contractor to manage costs efficiently and complete the project within the agreed-upon price. For the government, it provides budget certainty. However, the effectiveness relies on the initial price being fair and reasonable, and the scope of work being well-defined to minimize change orders, which can increase costs. If the initial estimate was too low, the contractor might cut corners on quality, or if the scope is poorly defined, extensive change orders could negate the FFP benefits.

What is the historical spending pattern for visitor contact station construction by the National Park Service?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for visitor contact station construction by the National Park Service (NPS) would involve examining contract awards over the past several fiscal years. This would reveal the average contract values, the number of contracts awarded annually, the typical duration of such projects, and the prevalent contract types (e.g., FFP, cost-plus). Understanding these patterns helps contextualize the current $4.04 million award, indicating whether it is higher or lower than historical averages and if spending in this area has been increasing or decreasing. It also highlights the NPS's investment priorities in infrastructure development.

What are the implications of the 'UT' (Utah) state code on this contract's execution and oversight?

The 'UT' state code signifies that the project is located in Utah. This has several implications for the contract's execution and oversight. It means that local labor laws, building codes, and environmental regulations specific to Utah will apply. Procurement of local materials and subcontractors may be prioritized or influenced by regional availability and cost. Oversight will need to consider the logistical challenges and opportunities presented by the specific location within Utah, including travel for government representatives, site accessibility, and coordination with local authorities. The economic impact will also be primarily felt within the Utah construction market.

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

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 140P2021R0004

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1598 N HILL FIELD RD STE B, LAYTON, UT, 84041

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,040,131

Exercised Options: $4,040,131

Current Obligation: $4,040,131

Actual Outlays: $4,040,131

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline