Environmental consulting services for cultural resource survey at El Yunque National Forest awarded for $177,406

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $177,406 ($177.4K)

Contractor: R. Christopher Goodwin & Associates, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2025-07-10

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 355 days

Daily Burn Rate: $500/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROJECT PR ERFO FS ELYUN816 2022-1(1), EL YUNQUE NATIONAL FOREST, CULTURAL RESOURCE SURVEY AND REPORT.

Place of Performance

Location: ASHBURN, LOUDOUN County, VIRGINIA, 20147

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $177,405.78 to R. CHRISTOPHER GOODWIN & ASSOCIATES, INC. for work described as: PROJECT PR ERFO FS ELYUN816 2022-1(1), EL YUNQUE NATIONAL FOREST, CULTURAL RESOURCE SURVEY AND REPORT. Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 355 days indicates a focused scope of work for the survey and reporting. 3. Fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 4. The awardee, R. Christopher Goodwin & Associates, Inc., is a specialized environmental consulting firm. 5. The project falls under environmental consulting services, a common need for federal land management agencies.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $177,406 for a cultural resource survey and report appears reasonable for the scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar environmental consulting services for federal land management agencies suggests this is within expected cost ranges. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost control, and the specific deliverables (survey and report) are clearly defined, contributing to value assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 5 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this specialized service. This competitive environment is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition likely resulted in a more favorable price for taxpayers compared to a sole-source or limited competition award. Multiple bidders help drive down costs and ensure the government is not overpaying for the required services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the El Yunque National Forest, ensuring compliance with cultural resource protection laws. The services delivered include a comprehensive cultural resource survey and a detailed report, aiding in land management decisions. The geographic impact is localized to the El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico. The contract supports specialized environmental consulting professionals, contributing to the workforce in this sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if survey requirements are not precisely defined.
Dependence on the contractor's expertise for accurate and thorough cultural resource identification.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Clear project duration suggests well-defined objectives.

Sector Analysis

The environmental consulting services sector is a significant market supporting federal agencies in compliance, planning, and resource management. This contract for cultural resource survey and reporting fits within the broader environmental services industry, which includes areas like environmental impact assessments, compliance monitoring, and natural resource management. Comparable spending in this sector often involves detailed site assessments and documentation for infrastructure projects or land management activities.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. The award went to R. Christopher Goodwin & Associates, Inc., which may or may not be a small business itself, but the contract was not specifically set aside for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Forest Service, given the nature of the project and location. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract, requiring specific deliverables (survey and report) by a set deadline. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though detailed internal oversight processes are not publicly specified.

Related Government Programs

National Forest System Land Management
Cultural Resource Management
Environmental Impact Analysis
Historic Preservation Act Compliance

Risk Flags

Potential for incomplete survey data.
Risk of contractor performance issues impacting project timeline.
Environmental conditions in El Yunque may pose logistical challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $177,405.78 to R. CHRISTOPHER GOODWIN & ASSOCIATES, INC.. PROJECT PR ERFO FS ELYUN816 2022-1(1), EL YUNQUE NATIONAL FOREST, CULTURAL RESOURCE SURVEY AND REPORT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is R. CHRISTOPHER GOODWIN & ASSOCIATES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Federal Highway Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $177,405.78.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-07-10. End: 2026-06-30.

What is the track record of R. Christopher Goodwin & Associates, Inc. with federal contracts, particularly for environmental consulting services?

R. Christopher Goodwin & Associates, Inc. has a history of performing environmental consulting services for various federal agencies. While specific details on past performance for similar cultural resource surveys within national forests are not provided in this data snippet, their engagement suggests they possess the requisite expertise. A deeper dive into their contract history, including past performance reviews and any past issues or successes on similar projects, would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability and capability in fulfilling this specific contract's requirements.

How does the awarded amount of $177,406 compare to similar cultural resource survey contracts?

The awarded amount of $177,406 for a cultural resource survey and report at El Yunque National Forest appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized environmental consulting services. Without direct comparative data on contracts of identical scope, location, and complexity, a precise benchmark is difficult. However, considering the duration (355 days) and the nature of the work (survey and report), this figure suggests a competitive pricing strategy was likely employed, especially given the full and open competition with five bidders. Further analysis would require access to a database of comparable federal contracts.

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

Key risks include potential inaccuracies or omissions in the cultural resource survey, delays in reporting, and scope creep. Mitigation strategies are inherent in the contract structure: the firm-fixed-price nature incentivizes the contractor to complete the work within budget, while the defined duration and deliverables provide clear expectations. The requirement for a comprehensive report serves as a key deliverable for quality assurance. The competitive bidding process also helps mitigate risks by selecting a qualified contractor with a proven ability to perform such services.

How effective is the Forest Service in managing contracts for environmental consulting services like this one?

The effectiveness of the Forest Service in managing environmental consulting contracts is generally considered robust, given their extensive experience with land management and associated compliance requirements. This contract, awarded through full and open competition with multiple bidders, suggests a standard and effective procurement process. The success of the contract will ultimately depend on the quality of the contractor's deliverables and the Forest Service's oversight in ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and project objectives. Historical data on Forest Service contract management would provide a more definitive assessment.

What has been the historical spending pattern for cultural resource surveys within the Federal Highway Administration or Forest Service?

Historical spending on cultural resource surveys by agencies like the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Forest Service is substantial, driven by legal mandates such as the National Historic Preservation Act and NEPA. These agencies frequently contract for surveys to identify and protect historical and archaeological resources impacted by infrastructure projects or land management activities. While specific aggregate spending figures for cultural resource surveys are not detailed here, it is a recurring and significant expenditure category. The frequency and scale of these contracts reflect the ongoing need to balance development and conservation.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 693C7325Q000020

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 309 JEFFERSON HWY STE A, NEW ORLEANS, LA, 70121

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $177,406

Exercised Options: $177,406

Current Obligation: $177,406

Actual Outlays: $58,875

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAA20D002Q

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline