Interior's $136K Environmental Consulting Contract Awarded to SWCA, Inc. for Arizona Cultural Resource Management

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $136,361 ($136.4K)

Contractor: Swca, Incorporated

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-04-05

End Date: 2027-04-23

Contract Duration: 1,113 days

Daily Burn Rate: $123/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: VRSMP CULTURAL RESOURCE UPDATED CLASS I REPORT

Place of Performance

Location: PHOENIX, MARICOPA County, ARIZONA, 85012

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $136,361.4 to SWCA, INCORPORATED for work described as: VRSMP CULTURAL RESOURCE UPDATED CLASS I REPORT Key points: 1. Contract focuses on environmental consulting services for cultural resource management. 2. SWCA, Inc. is the sole awardee for this specific task order. 3. The contract is a firm-fixed-price definitive contract. 4. Awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller procurements.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $136,361.40 appears reasonable for specialized environmental consulting services. Benchmarking against similar, smaller-scale environmental assessment contracts would provide a clearer picture of its competitiveness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a limited number of offers. While competed, the specific competition details are not fully transparent, potentially impacting price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is relatively low given the contract's value, but ensuring competitive pricing within SAP is crucial for efficient use of funds.

Public Impact

Ensures compliance with environmental regulations for federal projects. Supports the preservation of cultural resources in Arizona. Provides specialized expertise in environmental consulting.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP
Lack of detailed price discovery information

Positive Signals

Clear scope of work
Firm-fixed-price contract type

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Consulting Services sector, specifically focusing on cultural resource management. Spending in this area is driven by regulatory requirements and project development needs, often involving specialized firms.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and does not specify if SWCA, Inc. is a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is managed by the Bureau of Reclamation within the Department of the Interior. The use of SAP suggests a streamlined process, but accountability relies on adherence to procurement regulations.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Consulting Services
Department of the Interior Contracting
Bureau of Reclamation Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for higher costs due to limited competition.
Lack of transparency on the number of offers received.
Need for detailed review of deliverables to ensure quality.
Contract duration extends over multiple fiscal years.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $136,361.4 to SWCA, INCORPORATED. VRSMP CULTURAL RESOURCE UPDATED CLASS I REPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SWCA, INCORPORATED.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Reclamation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $136,361.4.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-04-05. End: 2027-04-23.

What is the typical cost range for similar Class I cultural resource reports in Arizona?

The typical cost range for Class I cultural resource reports in Arizona can vary significantly based on project scope, land area, and complexity. Smaller, less complex reports might range from $10,000 to $30,000, while more extensive assessments for large infrastructure projects could exceed $100,000. This contract's value of $136,361.40 suggests a moderately complex or geographically broad scope.

What are the potential risks associated with limited competition under SAP for environmental consulting?

Limited competition under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) can pose risks such as potentially higher prices than a fully open competition, reduced incentive for contractors to innovate or offer the most cost-effective solutions, and a possibility of awarding to less qualified vendors if the pool of solicited contractors is small. This can lead to suboptimal value for taxpayer money.

How effectively does this contract ensure the preservation of cultural resources?

The effectiveness of this contract in ensuring cultural resource preservation hinges on the quality of SWCA, Inc.'s work and the Bureau of Reclamation's oversight. A Class I report is a preliminary assessment, so its true effectiveness lies in identifying potential resources and informing subsequent, more detailed studies or mitigation strategies, thereby guiding future project development to minimize impact.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCES - OTHER SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140R3024R0009

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 20 E THOMAS RD, PHOENIX, AZ, 85012

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $136,361

Exercised Options: $136,361

Current Obligation: $136,361

Actual Outlays: $110,303

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline