Yosemite National Park transportation contract awarded to Aramark for $1.05M, competing under SAP

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,045,466 ($1.0M)

Contractor: Aramark Sports and Entertainment Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-05-09

End Date: 2026-04-27

Contract Duration: 353 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.0K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MARIPOSA GROVE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES AT YOSEMITE NP

Place of Performance

Location: YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, MARIPOSA County, CALIFORNIA, 95389

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $1.0 million to ARAMARK SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT SERVICES, LLC for work described as: MARIPOSA GROVE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES AT YOSEMITE NP Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the fixed-price nature and duration, though specific performance metrics are key. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a limited SAP competition, potentially impacting price discovery. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with contract duration and fixed-price terms being standard. 4. Performance context relies on successful delivery of scenic transportation services within a national park. 5. Sector positioning is within the tourism and transportation services for federal lands.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $1.05 million over 353 days is within a reasonable range for specialized transportation services in a national park setting. Benchmarking against similar contracts for park shuttle services or guided tours would provide a clearer picture of value. The firm fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor assumes the risk for cost overruns, which can be a positive indicator if the price is competitive.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a limited number of bidders compared to full and open competition. While two bids were received, the specific process and number of solicitations are not detailed. Limited competition can sometimes lead to higher prices if potential bidders are unaware of the opportunity or if barriers to entry are high.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, limited competition under SAP means there's a reduced assurance that the absolute lowest price was achieved. However, SAP is designed for efficiency in acquiring goods and services below certain thresholds, balancing cost and speed.

Public Impact

Visitors to Yosemite National Park will benefit from enhanced transportation services, improving access to scenic areas. The services delivered will include scenic and sightseeing transportation, facilitating visitor experience. The geographic impact is concentrated within Yosemite National Park, California. Workforce implications may include employment opportunities for drivers and support staff managed by Aramark.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition to result in suboptimal pricing.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical visitor transportation services.
Ensuring consistent service quality and reliability throughout the contract period.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract shifts cost risk to the contractor.
Contract duration allows for stable service provision.
Awarded to a known entity, potentially indicating prior satisfactory performance.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader tourism and transportation services sector, specifically catering to federal land management agencies. The market for park transportation is often specialized, with a limited number of providers experienced in operating within sensitive environmental and logistical constraints. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely involve other national park concession contracts for shuttle or tour operations.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. This suggests that the primary award went to a larger entity, and the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific award is likely minimal unless Aramark engages small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the National Park Service contracting officers and program managers responsible for Yosemite. Accountability measures are embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards and payment schedules. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

National Park Service Operations
Federal Land Management Transportation
Concession Contracts
Tourism and Visitor Services

Risk Flags

Limited Competition Under SAP
Potential for Price Not Being Lowest Achievable

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $1.0 million to ARAMARK SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT SERVICES, LLC. MARIPOSA GROVE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES AT YOSEMITE NP

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ARAMARK SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT SERVICES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $1.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-05-09. End: 2026-04-27.

What is Aramark's track record with the National Park Service or similar agencies?

Aramark Sports and Entertainment Services, LLC, has a significant history of providing services to various government entities, including concessions and hospitality services for national parks and other public venues. Their experience often includes food services, retail, and transportation. While specific performance details for this Yosemite contract are not yet available as it's a new award, Aramark's broader portfolio suggests they possess the operational capacity for such services. A review of past performance evaluations and any documented disputes or contract terminations with federal agencies would provide a more granular understanding of their reliability and quality of service delivery in similar contexts.

How does the $1.05 million contract value compare to similar transportation services in other national parks?

Benchmarking this $1.05 million contract requires comparing it to similar-sized national parks or parks with comparable visitor numbers and operational needs. Contracts for shuttle services, guided tours, or intra-park transportation can vary widely based on park size, terrain, length of operating season, and the scope of services. For instance, a contract for a smaller park with fewer visitors might be significantly less, while a contract for a larger, more complex park like Grand Canyon or Yellowstone could be substantially higher. Without specific data on comparable park contracts, it's difficult to definitively state if $1.05 million represents a high or low value. However, it suggests a moderate-sized contract for specialized transportation within a well-known national park.

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

The primary risks for this contract include potential service disruptions due to unforeseen events (e.g., weather, vehicle maintenance issues), contractor performance failures, or cost overruns if the fixed-price model was poorly estimated. Mitigation strategies are inherent in the contract structure and oversight. The firm fixed-price nature places the financial risk on Aramark. The National Park Service will mitigate performance risks through defined service level agreements, performance monitoring, and potential penalties for non-compliance. The contract duration of approximately one year allows for flexibility to address issues or re-compete if necessary. Regular communication and site visits by NPS officials will also aid in early risk identification and management.

What is the expected effectiveness of these transportation services in enhancing the visitor experience at Yosemite?

The effectiveness of these transportation services hinges on their ability to provide reliable, convenient, and accessible transit options for visitors within Yosemite National Park. If executed well, the services should reduce traffic congestion, improve access to popular viewpoints and trailheads, and offer a more relaxed way for visitors to experience the park's natural beauty. This can lead to higher visitor satisfaction, increased safety by reducing the number of personal vehicles, and better preservation of park resources. The specific routes, frequency of service, and vehicle comfort will be key determinants of effectiveness. Positive feedback and observed reductions in congestion would indicate success.

How has federal spending on similar transportation services in national parks trended over the past five years?

Federal spending on transportation services within national parks has generally seen an upward trend over the past five years, driven by increasing park visitation and a growing emphasis on sustainable transportation solutions. Agencies like the National Park Service (NPS) are investing more in shuttle systems and alternative transit to manage congestion and reduce environmental impact. While specific aggregate data for 'Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Land' across all parks isn't readily available in a simple trend format, broader NPS budget allocations for operations and visitor services, which include transportation, have shown growth. Factors like infrastructure improvements, the need for modernizing aging fleets, and the expansion of services in popular parks contribute to this trend.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Land › Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Land

Product/Service Code: TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCATION › TRANSPORTATION OF THINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140P8525Q0013

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2400 MARKET ST, PHILADELPHIA, PA, 19103

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,045,466

Exercised Options: $1,045,466

Current Obligation: $1,045,466

Actual Outlays: $982,276

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline