National Park Service awards $2.3M contract for Warders Memorial Bridge replacement in Alaska

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $231,249 ($231.2K)

Contractor: Bezek-Durst-Seiser, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-05-08

End Date: 2026-04-07

Contract Duration: 699 days

Daily Burn Rate: $331/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: CHIL 340774B REPLACE WARDERS MEMORIAL BRIDGE

Place of Performance

Location: SKAGWAY, SKAGWAY HOONAH ANGOON County, ALASKA, 99840

State: Alaska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $231,249.08 to BEZEK-DURST-SEISER, INC. for work described as: CHIL 340774B REPLACE WARDERS MEMORIAL BRIDGE Key points: 1. Contract awarded for architectural services related to a significant infrastructure project. 2. The project involves the replacement of the Warders Memorial Bridge, a critical piece of infrastructure. 3. The contract is a firm-fixed-price delivery order, indicating a defined scope and cost. 4. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 5. The duration of the contract is approximately two years, aligning with typical project timelines. 6. The contractor, BEZEK-DURST-SEISER, INC., will provide architectural services for this project.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.31 million for architectural services for a bridge replacement appears reasonable given the complexity of such projects. Benchmarking against similar large-scale infrastructure design contracts would provide a more precise assessment, but the scope suggests a significant undertaking. The firm-fixed-price nature of the award helps control costs for the government, assuming the scope is well-defined.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The number of bidders is not specified, but this method generally fosters price discovery and encourages competitive pricing. The government likely received multiple proposals, allowing for selection of the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider range of innovative solutions, ensuring the government receives the best possible value for its investment.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the National Park Service and the public who will utilize the improved bridge infrastructure. The services delivered include architectural design and potentially related engineering support for the bridge replacement. The geographic impact is localized to Alaska, specifically the area where the Warders Memorial Bridge is located. The project will likely involve skilled architectural and engineering professionals, potentially creating or sustaining jobs in these fields.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if initial architectural plans are not sufficiently detailed.
Risk of delays due to unforeseen site conditions or environmental reviews.
Dependence on the contractor's ability to meet project timelines and quality standards.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract helps manage cost overruns.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
Award to a single entity streamlines communication and project management.

Sector Analysis

The architectural services sector is crucial for infrastructure development, encompassing design, planning, and oversight of construction projects. This contract falls within the broader construction and engineering services market, which is a significant component of federal spending. The value of this contract is modest within the context of large federal infrastructure projects, but critical for the specific asset it addresses.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate a small business set-aside. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. The prime contractor is a single entity, and its subcontracting practices will determine the extent of small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the National Park Service contracting officers and project managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified architectural services. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases, though detailed project progress reports may not be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

National Park Service Capital Investments
Federal Highway Administration Bridge Projects
Infrastructure Improvement Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if scope is not clearly defined.
Risk of project delays due to environmental or logistical challenges in Alaska.
Contractor performance risk for complex architectural design.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $231,249.08 to BEZEK-DURST-SEISER, INC.. CHIL 340774B REPLACE WARDERS MEMORIAL BRIDGE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BEZEK-DURST-SEISER, 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 $231,249.08.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-05-08. End: 2026-04-07.

What is the track record of BEZEK-DURST-SEISER, INC. with federal contracts, particularly for infrastructure projects?

A review of federal procurement data indicates that BEZEK-DURST-SEISER, INC. has a history of receiving federal contracts. Further analysis would be required to detail their specific experience with bridge replacement or similar large-scale infrastructure projects, including their performance ratings, past issues, and the types of agencies they have served. Understanding their past performance is crucial for assessing their capability to successfully execute this complex architectural services contract for the National Park Service.

How does the $2.31 million cost compare to similar bridge replacement architectural service contracts?

Benchmarking this contract's value requires comparing it to similar architectural and engineering service contracts for bridge replacements of comparable size and complexity. Factors such as location (Alaska's unique logistical challenges), the specific structural requirements of the Warders Memorial Bridge, and the scope of architectural services (e.g., preliminary design, detailed design, construction oversight) will influence cost. Without specific comparable contract data, it's difficult to definitively state if $2.31 million is high or low, but it appears to be within a reasonable range for a significant infrastructure project.

What are the primary risks associated with this architectural services contract?

Key risks include potential delays due to the remote Alaskan location, environmental permitting challenges, and unforeseen site conditions that could impact design requirements. There's also a risk related to the accuracy and completeness of the initial project scope, which could lead to change orders or disputes. The contractor's technical capability and project management effectiveness are critical to mitigating these risks. The National Park Service must ensure robust oversight to manage these potential issues.

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

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally effective in ensuring value for projects with well-defined scopes, as it shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor. For architectural services, this means the contractor is incentivized to deliver the agreed-upon designs within the set price. However, if the scope is not perfectly defined upfront, there's a risk of disputes or change orders, which could increase the overall cost. The success of the FFP in delivering value here depends heavily on the clarity of the architectural requirements and the contractor's ability to execute within those parameters.

What is the historical spending trend for architectural services for bridge projects by the National Park Service?

Analyzing historical spending trends for architectural services related to bridge projects by the National Park Service would provide context for this $2.31 million award. This would involve examining past contract awards for similar services, identifying any patterns in contract values, durations, and the types of architectural firms engaged. Understanding this historical spending can help determine if current award levels are consistent, increasing, or decreasing, and whether the NPS is effectively managing its budget for such critical infrastructure needs.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Architectural Services

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 140P2024F0202

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3330 C ST STE 200, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99503

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $231,249

Exercised Options: $231,249

Current Obligation: $231,249

Actual Outlays: $168,063

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140P2020D0005

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline