Interior awards $302K engineering services contract to ACE Consulting Company, Inc. for 674 days

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $301,984 ($302.0K)

Contractor: ACE Consulting Company, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-07-03

End Date: 2026-05-08

Contract Duration: 674 days

Daily Burn Rate: $448/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ROMO 316223 CMR SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: ESTES PARK, LARIMER County, COLORADO, 80517

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $301,984 to ACE CONSULTING COMPANY, INC. for work described as: ROMO 316223 CMR SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for the duration and scope of engineering services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Risk indicators are low given the firm-fixed-price contract type and established contractor. 4. Performance context is within engineering services for the National Park Service. 5. Sector positioning is within professional, scientific, and technical services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $301,984 for 674 days of engineering services appears to be a fair price. Without specific details on the exact services rendered, a direct comparison to similar contracts is challenging. However, the firm-fixed-price structure generally indicates that the government has a clear understanding of the scope and cost, which can lead to better value. The duration of the contract suggests a moderate level of effort, and the price point seems aligned with typical rates for specialized engineering support.

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 presence of 6 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this requirement. A competitive process like this typically drives down prices and encourages contractors to offer their best value, benefiting the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that likely resulted in a more cost-effective solution compared to a sole-source award.

Public Impact

The National Park Service benefits from specialized engineering services. Services delivered will support the operational needs of the agency. The contract is geographically focused on Colorado. The contract supports the professional engineering workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks.
Full and open competition indicates a robust bidding process.
Multiple bidders (6) suggest competitive pricing.
Contractor is an established entity (ACE Consulting Company, Inc.).

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically engineering services (NAICS code 541330). This sector is crucial for government operations, providing expertise for infrastructure, research, and development. The market for engineering services is competitive, with numerous firms capable of supporting federal agencies. The contract value of approximately $302K is relatively small within the broader federal engineering services landscape, which can encompass multi-billion dollar projects.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements mentioned. As a result, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal, though larger prime contractors may engage small businesses as subcontractors if they are part of the awarded firm's supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a firm-fixed-price delivery order, which provides a degree of cost certainty. Oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program office responsible for the engineering services. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards. Specific Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on the nature of any potential issues arising from the contract's performance.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services Contracts
Professional Services Contracts
National Park Service Contracts
Department of the Interior Contracts

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $301,984 to ACE CONSULTING COMPANY, INC.. ROMO 316223 CMR SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ACE CONSULTING COMPANY, 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 $301,984.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-07-03. End: 2026-05-08.

What is the specific nature of the engineering services to be provided under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'CMR SERVICES' and falls under NAICS code 541330 (Engineering Services). However, the specific nature of these services is not detailed. CMR typically stands for Construction Management and Related Services. Therefore, it is likely that ACE Consulting Company, Inc. will provide construction management, project oversight, design review, or other engineering support related to construction or infrastructure projects managed by the National Park Service in Colorado. Further details would be found in the contract's statement of work.

How does the per-day cost of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for engineering services?

The contract duration is 674 days and the total value is $301,984. This equates to approximately $448 per day. Benchmarking this requires specific knowledge of the type of engineering services (e.g., civil, structural, electrical, environmental) and the complexity involved. For general engineering consulting, a daily rate in the mid-hundreds can be within a reasonable range, especially considering overhead, profit, and specialized expertise. However, without knowing the exact services and required qualifications, a precise comparison is difficult. Rates can vary significantly based on location, experience level of engineers, and the specific technical demands of the project.

What is ACE Consulting Company, Inc.'s track record with the Department of the Interior or similar agencies?

The provided data does not include specific details on ACE Consulting Company, Inc.'s past performance or track record with the Department of the Interior or other federal agencies. However, the fact that they were awarded this contract under full and open competition suggests they met the minimum qualifications and presented a competitive offer. A deeper dive into contract databases like SAM.gov or FPDS would be necessary to assess their past performance history, including any past performance evaluations or awards from the government.

What are the potential risks associated with a firm-fixed-price contract for engineering services?

Firm-fixed-price (FFP) contracts are generally preferred by the government for their cost certainty. However, for engineering services, risks can arise if the scope of work is not clearly defined or if unforeseen technical challenges emerge. If the contractor underestimates the effort required or encounters unexpected complexities, they may incur losses. Conversely, if the scope is poorly defined and the government requires more work than anticipated, the contractor might seek change orders, potentially increasing costs. Effective project management and a well-defined Statement of Work are crucial to mitigate these risks for both parties.

How does the number of bidders (6) influence the value received by the government in this contract?

Having six bidders for this contract is a positive indicator of competition. A higher number of bidders generally increases the likelihood that the government will receive a more competitive price and a solution that closely meets its needs. It suggests that the requirement was well-understood and attractive to multiple firms in the market. This competitive pressure encourages bidders to offer their best pricing and technical approaches, thereby enhancing the value for taxpayer dollars compared to a scenario with fewer bidders or a sole-source award.

What is the historical spending pattern for engineering services by the National Park Service in Colorado?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for engineering services by the National Park Service specifically in Colorado. To analyze this, one would need to query federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) for contracts awarded by the NPS in Colorado under NAICS code 541330 over several fiscal years. This would reveal trends in contract values, types of services procured, and the contractors frequently utilized, allowing for a comparison of this current award against historical norms.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: QUALITY CONTROL, TEST, INSPECTION › INSPECTION SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 608 KEENE CENTRE DR, NICHOLASVILLE, KY, 40356

Business Categories: Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $301,984

Exercised Options: $301,984

Current Obligation: $301,984

Actual Outlays: $216,726

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAA21D003G

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline