National Park Service awards $1.5M contract for recreation area soil prep and planting in California

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $151,620 ($151.6K)

Contractor: Ecological Concerns Incorporated

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-09-19

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 468 days

Daily Burn Rate: $324/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: GOGA 186589 RECREATION AREA VISTA POINT

Place of Performance

Location: SAUSALITO, MARIN County, CALIFORNIA, 94965

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $151,620 to ECOLOGICAL CONCERNS INCORPORATED for work described as: GOGA 186589 RECREATION AREA VISTA POINT Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for the scope of ecological restoration and landscaping services. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a potentially efficient price discovery process. 3. Performance risk appears moderate given the nature of the services and contract type. 4. The contract duration aligns with typical seasonal needs for landscaping and ecological projects. 5. This contract falls within the broader category of natural resource management and conservation spending. 6. Small business participation is not explicitly indicated, warranting further review.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $1.52 million for soil preparation, planting, and cultivating services seems aligned with similar ecological restoration and landscaping projects undertaken by federal agencies. Benchmarking against other National Park Service contracts for similar services in California or comparable ecological zones would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor bears the primary risk for cost overruns, which is generally favorable for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a competitive process likely involving multiple bids. The presence of three bidders suggests a reasonable level of competition for this type of service. The SAP process is designed to ensure fair and reasonable pricing while streamlining procurement for smaller value contracts.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive bidding process under SAP likely resulted in a fair market price, maximizing the value of taxpayer dollars for this ecological restoration project.

Public Impact

The public benefits from the enhancement of a recreation area, improving its aesthetic appeal and ecological health. Services delivered include essential soil preparation, planting, and cultivation to support the natural environment. The geographic impact is localized to a specific recreation area within California. The project may have implications for local employment in landscaping and environmental services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for unforeseen environmental conditions impacting project scope or cost.
Dependence on seasonal weather patterns for successful planting and growth.
Ensuring long-term success and sustainability of the planted vegetation.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract limits cost escalation risk for the government.
Competitive bidding process likely secured a fair market price.
Contract duration is sufficient to complete the specified planting and cultivation tasks.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader environmental services and natural resource management sector. The market for ecological restoration and landscaping services is diverse, with many firms capable of performing such work. Spending in this area by agencies like the National Park Service is crucial for maintaining public lands and ecosystems. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within the broader construction and professional services categories, adjusted for the specialized nature of ecological work.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract was set aside for small businesses, nor does it detail subcontracting plans. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation and its impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the National Park Service contracting officer and project managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases, though specific performance details may not be publicly disclosed.

Related Government Programs

National Park Service Operations
Public Lands Management
Ecological Restoration Projects
Landscaping and Grounds Maintenance Services

Risk Flags

Potential for environmental challenges impacting project timeline or scope.
Contractor performance risk requires diligent oversight.
Long-term ecological success depends on factors beyond initial planting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $151,620 to ECOLOGICAL CONCERNS INCORPORATED. GOGA 186589 RECREATION AREA VISTA POINT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ECOLOGICAL CONCERNS INCORPORATED.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $151,620.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-19. End: 2026-12-31.

What is the track record of Ecological Concerns Incorporated with federal contracts, particularly with the National Park Service?

A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to assess the track record of Ecological Concerns Incorporated. This would involve examining past contract awards, performance evaluations, and any history of disputes or contract modifications. Understanding their experience with similar ecological restoration and landscaping projects, especially for the National Park Service, is crucial for evaluating their capability to successfully execute this current contract. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to definitively assess their reliability and past performance.

How does the $1.52 million contract value compare to similar ecological restoration projects in California?

Benchmarking this $1.52 million contract against similar ecological restoration and landscaping projects within California requires access to a comprehensive database of federal, state, and potentially private sector contracts. Factors such as the specific scope of work (soil preparation, planting types, area size), project duration, and environmental conditions would need to be comparable. Generally, firm fixed-price contracts for such services in California can range significantly based on these variables. A preliminary assessment suggests the value is within a reasonable range for a project of this nature, but a detailed comparison with anonymized data from similar contracts would provide a more robust value-for-money analysis.

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

The primary risks associated with this contract likely include environmental factors (e.g., unforeseen soil conditions, weather impacts on planting), potential for invasive species, and contractor performance. Mitigation strategies are inherent in the contract structure: the firm fixed-price nature shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor. The National Park Service will likely employ project managers to monitor progress, ensure adherence to specifications, and manage environmental compliance. Success also depends on the contractor's expertise in ecological restoration and their ability to adapt to site-specific challenges. Long-term success will also depend on post-planting maintenance and monitoring, which may or may not be fully covered by this contract.

What is the expected effectiveness of the services delivered under this contract for the recreation area?

The expected effectiveness of the services hinges on the successful execution of soil preparation and planting as per the contract's specifications. If implemented correctly, these services should lead to improved soil health, successful establishment of native or appropriate vegetation, enhanced biodiversity, and a more aesthetically pleasing recreation area. The long-term effectiveness will also depend on the National Park Service's ongoing management and maintenance of the area post-contract completion. The choice of plant species and restoration techniques will be critical factors in achieving desired ecological outcomes and visitor experience improvements.

How does this contract's spending compare to historical spending patterns for similar services by the National Park Service?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for similar services by the National Park Service would require accessing multi-year contract databases. This contract, valued at approximately $1.52 million over its duration, represents a significant investment in a specific recreation area's ecological health. Comparing this to the average annual or project-based spending on landscaping, ecological restoration, or grounds maintenance by the NPS would provide context. Factors like inflation, agency budget priorities, and the scale of past projects would influence such comparisons. Without historical data, it's difficult to determine if this represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in comparable services.

What is the significance of the contract type (BPA Call) and payment terms (Firm Fixed Price) for this project?

The contract being a BPA Call (Blanket Purchase Agreement Call) indicates that it was issued under an existing BPA, which is a pre-negotiated agreement for recurring or anticipated needs. This often streamlines the ordering process and can lead to better pricing through volume. The Firm Fixed Price (FFP) payment term is significant because it establishes a ceiling price for the work. The contractor is obligated to complete the specified scope of work for this price, assuming all the risk for cost overruns. This benefits the government by providing cost certainty and incentivizing the contractor to manage their costs efficiently. It is generally preferred for projects with well-defined scopes where risks can be reasonably assessed.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting › Support Activities for Crop Production › Soil Preparation, Planting, and Cultivating

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVERVAT SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140P20250319

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 125 WALK CIR, SANTA CRUZ, CA, 95060

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: $151,620

Exercised Options: $151,620

Current Obligation: $151,620

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140P2022A0021

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline