Interior's National Park Service awards $6.98M contract for STEA-PNRRA Track Usage to Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,988 ($7.0K)

Contractor: Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-06

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 359 days

Daily Burn Rate: $19/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: STEA-PNRRA TRACK USAGE

Place of Performance

Location: SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA County, PENNSYLVANIA, 18503

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $6,988.13 to PENNSYLVANIA NORTHEAST REGIONAL RAILROAD AUTHORITY for work described as: STEA-PNRRA TRACK USAGE Key points: 1. Contract awarded for track usage services to a regional railroad authority. 2. Limited competition due to the specific geographic and operational nature of the service. 3. Risk of cost overruns exists if pricing is not benchmarked against similar regional contracts. 4. The IT sector is not directly involved; this falls under transportation infrastructure.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which provides some cost certainty. However, without available competition data, it's difficult to assess if the price is optimal compared to similar services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract is not available for competition, suggesting a limited or sole-source scenario. This lack of competition may hinder price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The firm fixed price contract aims to control costs, but the limited competition raises concerns about whether the government is receiving the best possible value.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation and maintenance of critical rail infrastructure for the National Park Service. Supports regional transportation and economic activity within Pennsylvania. Potential for increased costs to taxpayers due to limited competitive bidding.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition
Lack of benchmark data

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract
Clear contract duration

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the transportation sector, specifically related to short line railroads. Spending benchmarks for such specialized infrastructure services can vary significantly based on location and specific operational needs.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were solicited or had the capability to perform this specialized service.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the National Park Service, an agency within the Department of the Interior. Standard oversight procedures for federal contracts should apply, including performance monitoring and financial accountability.

Related Government Programs

Short Line Railroads
Department of the Interior Contracting
National Park Service Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Lack of benchmark data
Potential for cost overruns
No small business participation identified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $6,988.13 to PENNSYLVANIA NORTHEAST REGIONAL RAILROAD AUTHORITY. STEA-PNRRA TRACK USAGE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PENNSYLVANIA NORTHEAST REGIONAL RAILROAD AUTHORITY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6,988.13.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-06. End: 2027-03-31.

What is the justification for limiting competition on this contract, and how was the price determined to be fair and reasonable?

The justification for limited competition is crucial for understanding the value proposition. If the service is unique to the Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority's infrastructure, a sole-source or limited competition award might be necessary. However, the agency must still demonstrate a robust price reasonableness analysis, potentially through historical pricing, independent cost estimates, or comparison to similar, albeit not identical, regional rail services.

What are the potential risks associated with a non-competitive award for track usage services, and how are they being mitigated?

The primary risk of a non-competitive award is paying a premium due to the absence of market forces driving down prices. Mitigation strategies could include rigorous negotiation, detailed cost breakdowns from the contractor, and establishing clear performance metrics to ensure service quality. The agency should also explore opportunities for future competition if the service landscape changes.

How does this contract contribute to the National Park Service's mission, and what is the expected effectiveness of the awarded services?

This contract likely ensures access to and maintenance of rail lines crucial for park operations, visitor access, or resource management within or near National Parks in Pennsylvania. The effectiveness will be measured by the reliability of the track usage, adherence to safety standards, and the seamless integration of these services into the NPS's overall operational plan, ultimately supporting the preservation and enjoyment of park resources.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Rail Transportation › Short Line Railroads

Product/Service Code: LEASE/RENT FACILITIES › LEASE/RENTAL OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 280 CLIFF ST, SCRANTON, PA, 18503

Business Categories: U.S. Government Authorities, Category Business, Government, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, U.S. Regional/State Government

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,988

Exercised Options: $6,988

Current Obligation: $6,988

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline