Interior awards $1.5M engineering services contract to Panamerican Consultants Inc. for Fort Pickens

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $149,836 ($149.8K)

Contractor: Panamerican Consultants Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2021-05-19

End Date: 2026-05-04

Contract Duration: 1,811 days

Daily Burn Rate: $83/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CLR/CLI FOR FORT PICKENS UNIT GUIS

Place of Performance

Location: GULF BREEZE, ESCAMBIA County, FLORIDA, 32561

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $149,836 to PANAMERICAN CONSULTANTS INC for work described as: CLR/CLI FOR FORT PICKENS UNIT GUIS Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is for engineering services, a critical component for infrastructure maintenance and development. 3. Fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 4. The duration of the contract is over 1800 days, indicating a long-term need. 5. The award was a single delivery order, suggesting a specific project or phase. 6. The contract value is relatively modest, indicating a focused scope of work.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $1.5 million for engineering services appears reasonable given the long duration of over 1800 days. Without specific details on the scope of engineering work, direct comparison to similar contracts is challenging. However, the fixed-price nature of the award suggests an effort to control costs. Benchmarking against typical engineering service rates for similar projects would provide further insight into value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' While this indicates an initial intent for broad competition, the 'exclusion of sources' clause suggests specific circumstances led to limiting the pool of bidders. Further clarification is needed on why certain sources were excluded. The fact that it was still 'full and open' implies multiple bids were likely considered from the eligible pool.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering price discovery and potentially leading to lower costs. However, the exclusion of sources warrants scrutiny to ensure it did not unduly limit competition and inflate prices.

Public Impact

The National Park Service benefits from this contract by securing essential engineering expertise. Services delivered will likely support the maintenance, repair, or upgrade of infrastructure at Fort Pickens. The geographic impact is concentrated in Florida, specifically at Fort Pickens. The contract supports the engineering workforce, potentially through direct hires or subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed scope of work makes it difficult to assess if the price is competitive.
The 'exclusion of sources' clause requires further investigation to ensure fair competition.
Long contract duration could lead to scope creep or unforeseen cost increases if not managed tightly.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process, indicating potential for good value.
Fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty.
The contract supports critical infrastructure needs for a national park.

Sector Analysis

Engineering services are a vital part of the professional, scientific, and technical services sector. This sector supports a wide range of government functions, including infrastructure development and maintenance. The market for engineering services is competitive, with numerous firms capable of undertaking complex projects. This contract likely falls within the broader category of government support services, where spending can fluctuate based on infrastructure needs and project lifecycles.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information about subcontracting plans. The award to Panamerican Consultants Inc. does not provide immediate insight into its size category. Further analysis would be needed to determine the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the National Park Service's program management and contracting offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed budget. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases, though specific project details might be limited.

Related Government Programs

National Park Service Infrastructure Projects
Federal Engineering Services Contracts
Department of the Interior Construction and Engineering Support

Risk Flags

Competition level requires further clarification due to 'exclusion of sources'.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $149,836 to PANAMERICAN CONSULTANTS INC. CLR/CLI FOR FORT PICKENS UNIT GUIS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PANAMERICAN CONSULTANTS 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 $149,836.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-05-19. End: 2026-05-04.

What is the specific scope of engineering services required under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'Engineering Services' (NAICS 541330) for 'Fort Pickens Unit GUIS'. However, the specific nature of the engineering tasks, such as design, analysis, inspection, or consulting, is not detailed. Understanding the precise deliverables is crucial for evaluating the contract's value, assessing risks, and comparing it to similar projects. Without this information, it's difficult to determine if the $1.5 million award is commensurate with the work performed.

How does the $1.5 million contract value compare to similar engineering services contracts for national park infrastructure?

Benchmarking this $1.5 million contract requires comparing it to similar engineering services contracts awarded by the National Park Service or other agencies for projects of comparable scope and complexity within park settings. Factors such as the type of engineering (e.g., civil, structural, environmental), the specific assets being addressed (e.g., buildings, utilities, roads), and the geographic location can significantly influence costs. A preliminary assessment suggests the value is moderate, but a detailed comparison with contracts for similar work at other national parks would be necessary to ascertain if it represents good value for money.

What are the primary risks associated with this long-term engineering services contract?

The primary risks associated with this contract, spanning over 1800 days (approximately 5 years), include potential scope creep, where the project's requirements expand beyond the initial agreement, leading to cost overruns. Another risk is the contractor's performance degradation over a long period or the potential for the contractor to become less responsive if competition was limited. Furthermore, changes in technology or regulatory requirements during the contract's life could necessitate modifications, impacting cost and schedule. Ensuring robust oversight and clear performance metrics is key to mitigating these risks.

What does the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' designation imply for this contract?

This designation suggests that while the contract was initially intended for broad competition ('Full and Open'), certain potential sources were deliberately excluded before the solicitation was released. The reasons for exclusion are not provided but could range from specific technical capabilities required, past performance issues with certain contractors, or national security concerns. This implies that the competition, while open to all eligible bidders meeting the criteria, was not truly open to every interested party, potentially limiting the number of bids received and impacting price discovery.

What is the track record of Panamerican Consultants Inc. in performing similar government engineering contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of Panamerican Consultants Inc. in performing similar government engineering contracts is not provided in the initial data. A thorough analysis would require reviewing their past performance ratings on federal contracts, the types and values of previous projects, and any history of contract disputes or awards. Assessing their experience with projects similar in scope and complexity to those at Fort Pickens is essential for evaluating their capability and reliability for this engagement.

How does the fixed-price contract type influence the government's financial exposure?

A Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type, as indicated for this award, generally shifts the majority of the cost risk from the government to the contractor. The contractor agrees to a set price for the defined scope of work, and is responsible for managing their costs to achieve profitability. This provides the government with significant cost certainty, as the final price is not expected to change unless the contract scope is formally modified through a change order. This structure incentivizes the contractor to control costs efficiently.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 91 TILLMAN ST, MEMPHIS, TN, 38111

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $149,836

Exercised Options: $149,836

Current Obligation: $149,836

Actual Outlays: $138,663

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: INP16PC00097

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline