National Park Service awards $1.67M contract for ferryboat gangway, highlighting specialized maritime equipment needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,702 ($16.7K)

Contractor: 4TAS LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-06

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 85 days

Daily Burn Rate: $196/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: X:NOGRN, PURCHASE ALUMINUM GANGWAY FOR FERRYBOAT EUREKA, SAN FRANCISCO MARITIME NHP (SAFR).

Place of Performance

Location: VALLEJO, SOLANO County, CALIFORNIA, 94592

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $16,702 to 4TAS LLC for work described as: X:NOGRN, PURCHASE ALUMINUM GANGWAY FOR FERRYBOAT EUREKA, SAN FRANCISCO MARITIME NHP (SAFR). Key points: 1. Contract addresses a specific, critical need for operational readiness of a historic ferryboat. 2. The award to 4TAS LLC suggests a competitive landscape for specialized maritime fabrication. 3. Fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. Short performance period indicates a focused scope of work for the gangway fabrication. 5. Geographic focus on San Francisco aligns with the operational base of the ferryboat. 6. The contract's value is modest within the broader context of federal infrastructure spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $1.67 million for a custom-built aluminum gangway appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the equipment and the need for compliance with maritime standards. Benchmarking against similar custom fabrication projects for public infrastructure or specialized marine equipment would provide a more precise value assessment. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor has absorbed potential cost fluctuations, which is generally favorable for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders likely had the opportunity to submit proposals. This competitive process is expected to drive fair pricing and encourage the selection of a qualified contractor. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation is a positive indicator for price discovery and value.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by ensuring that the government receives competitive pricing and access to the best available solutions, preventing potential overpayment that could occur with less competitive solicitations.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the National Park Service and visitors to the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, ensuring the operational readiness of the ferryboat Eureka. The service delivered is the fabrication and delivery of a critical piece of maritime infrastructure: an aluminum gangway. The geographic impact is localized to San Francisco, California, where the ferryboat operates. Workforce implications include skilled labor in aluminum fabrication and maritime construction, likely within the San Francisco Bay Area.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for delays if fabrication or delivery encounters unforeseen maritime regulatory hurdles.
Dependence on the specialized expertise of 4TAS LLC for quality and timely delivery.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
Clear delivery deadline promotes timely execution.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader industrial sector of specialized equipment manufacturing and maritime support services. The market for custom marine gangways is niche, often involving companies with specific engineering and fabrication capabilities to meet stringent safety and operational requirements. Spending in this area is typically project-driven, supporting the maintenance and operational needs of maritime agencies and historical sites.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved in the supply chain or as potential subcontractors, which could impact the broader small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Park Service contracting officers and program managers. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract simplifies financial oversight by setting a clear ceiling. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases, and any specific Inspector General involvement would depend on audit triggers or reported irregularities.

Related Government Programs

National Park Service Capital Asset Project Funding
Federal Maritime Administration Procurement
Historic Vessel Preservation Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for specialized fabrication delays
Reliance on contractor's specific expertise

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $16,702 to 4TAS LLC. X:NOGRN, PURCHASE ALUMINUM GANGWAY FOR FERRYBOAT EUREKA, SAN FRANCISCO MARITIME NHP (SAFR).

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is 4TAS 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 $16,702.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-06. End: 2026-06-30.

What is the track record of 4TAS LLC in delivering similar maritime equipment?

Information regarding the specific track record of 4TAS LLC in delivering similar maritime equipment, such as gangways, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and client references for 4TAS LLC. This would help ascertain their experience with custom fabrication, adherence to maritime standards, and reliability in meeting delivery schedules for comparable projects. Without this data, it is difficult to fully gauge their suitability beyond the fact that they were selected through a competitive process.

How does the $1.67 million cost compare to similar custom gangway procurements?

Benchmarking the $1.67 million cost against similar custom gangway procurements is challenging without access to a broader dataset of comparable contracts. Factors such as material (aluminum specified here), size, load capacity, design complexity, and specific regulatory compliance requirements (e.g., ADA accessibility, Coast Guard standards) significantly influence pricing. Generally, custom-fabricated maritime equipment is expensive due to specialized engineering, skilled labor, and material costs. This figure appears within a plausible range for a specialized, custom-built piece of marine infrastructure, but a definitive comparison would necessitate a detailed analysis of similar projects awarded by federal agencies or port authorities.

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

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential delays in fabrication or delivery due to unforeseen technical challenges, supply chain disruptions for specialized aluminum, or labor issues. Another risk could be the contractor's ability to meet stringent quality and safety standards required for maritime equipment. Mitigation strategies are evident in the contract structure: the firm fixed-price (FFP) nature transfers most cost overrun risk to the contractor. The relatively short performance period (delivery by June 30, 2026, from an award likely in late 2025 or early 2026) also helps contain risk by limiting the window for potential issues. The full and open competition process aims to select a contractor with a proven ability to deliver.

How effective is the National Park Service in managing specialized equipment procurements like this?

The effectiveness of the National Park Service (NPS) in managing specialized equipment procurements can be inferred from the contract details. The use of 'full and open competition' suggests adherence to standard, robust procurement practices designed to ensure fair pricing and quality. The firm fixed-price contract type indicates a preference for cost certainty. The specific nature of the item (gangway for a historic ferry) implies that the NPS has identified a critical operational need and is addressing it through appropriate channels. However, a deeper assessment of NPS effectiveness would require examining their procurement success rates, timeliness of project completion, and user satisfaction with delivered equipment across various projects.

What are the historical spending patterns for maritime equipment by the National Park Service?

Historical spending patterns for maritime equipment by the National Park Service are not detailed in the provided data. This specific contract for a ferryboat gangway represents a single data point. To understand broader patterns, one would need to analyze NPS budgets and contract awards over several fiscal years, looking for trends in spending on vessel maintenance, operational equipment, and infrastructure related to maritime sites. Such analysis could reveal whether spending on items like gangways is a recurring need, part of larger capital improvement projects, or an infrequent requirement driven by specific asset lifecycles.

What is the significance of the PSC code (if available) or NAICS code for this procurement?

The provided data includes a North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code: '333923 - Overhead Traveling Crane, Hoist, and Monorail System Manufacturing'. While this NAICS code seems specific to crane and hoist manufacturing, it might indicate the contractor's primary industry classification or a related area of expertise that could be leveraged for fabricating complex mechanical systems like gangways. The Product and Service Code (PSC) is listed as blank (''). A more precise PSC code related to marine equipment or ship parts would offer clearer insight into the specific market segment targeted by this procurement. The NAICS code suggests the procurement might be leveraging a contractor with experience in heavy machinery fabrication.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing › Overhead Traveling Crane, Hoist, and Monorail System Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: OPERATION OF GOVT OWNED FACILITY › OPERATE GOVT OWNED BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: GSA EBUY RFQ 1799488

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2942 BELLS RD, RICHMOND, VA, 23234

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,702

Exercised Options: $16,702

Current Obligation: $16,702

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSMS25D005Q

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline