Nearly $17.5M for Elwha Klallam Fish Hatchery Construction, awarded to James W. Fowler Co

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,477,853 ($17.5M)

Contractor: James W. Fowler CO.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2009-09-18

End Date: 2011-05-13

Contract Duration: 602 days

Daily Burn Rate: $29.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: TAS::14 1041::TAS RECOVERY, CONSTRUCT LOWER ELWHA KLALLAM FISH HATCHERY, THIS PROJECT CONSISTS OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FISH HATCHERY INCLUDING SITE IMPROVEMENTS, WATER SUPPLY AND DRAINAGE PIPELINES, WATER SUPPLY WELLS, TWO BUILDINGS, FISH CULTURE FACILITIES INCLUDING RACEWAYS, PONDS, AND ADULT HOLDING PONDS, A FISH LADDER AND RELATED MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. ALSO INCLUDED ARE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ACCESS ROAD TO THE SITE AS WELL AS WIDENING OF A ROAD LEADING TO THE SITE. THE SITE IS LOCATED ON THE LOWER ELWHA KLALLAM INDIAN RESERVATION, APPROXIMATELY 6 MILES WEST OF PORT ANGELES.OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK

Place of Performance

Location: PORT ANGELES, CLALLAM County, WASHINGTON, 98362

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $17.5 million to JAMES W. FOWLER CO. for work described as: TAS::14 1041::TAS RECOVERY, CONSTRUCT LOWER ELWHA KLALLAM FISH HATCHERY, THIS PROJECT CONSISTS OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FISH HATCHERY INCLUDING SITE IMPROVEMENTS, WATER SUPPLY AND DRAINAGE PIPELINES, WATER SUPPLY WELLS, TWO BUILDINGS, FISH CULTURE FACILITIES INCLUDING RACEWAYS, P… Key points: 1. Project scope includes significant civil engineering and construction for a fish hatchery and associated infrastructure. 2. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The firm fixed-price contract type indicates that the contractor assumes the risk for cost overruns. 4. The project is located on the Lower Elwha Klallam Indian Reservation, highlighting potential tribal economic benefits. 5. The duration of the contract was approximately 602 days, from September 2009 to May 2011. 6. The National Park Service is the contracting agency, indicating a focus on environmental and conservation efforts.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total contract value of approximately $17.5 million for a fish hatchery construction project appears within a reasonable range for such specialized infrastructure. Without specific benchmarks for comparable fish hatchery projects of this scale and complexity, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the firm fixed-price nature of the contract shifts cost risk to the contractor, which can be a positive indicator for the government if the contractor's bid was competitive.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The data indicates there were 8 bids received, suggesting a healthy level of competition for this project. A higher number of bids generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition for this contract likely resulted in a more competitive bid, potentially saving taxpayer dollars compared to a sole-source or limited competition award.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, with the hatchery located on their reservation, potentially supporting cultural and economic initiatives. The project delivers essential infrastructure for fish culture and conservation, supporting ecological restoration efforts in the region. The geographic impact is localized to the Lower Elwha Klallam Indian Reservation near Port Angeles, Washington. The construction phase would have involved a workforce in heavy and civil engineering construction trades.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions or construction complexities arise, though mitigated by firm fixed-price.
Ensuring timely completion within the 602-day timeframe is crucial for project objectives.
Long-term operational and maintenance costs of the hatchery are not detailed in this contract award.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract shifts cost risk to the contractor.
Awarded through full and open competition with multiple bids received.
Project supports environmental conservation and tribal interests.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction' sector, a segment of the construction industry focused on large-scale infrastructure projects. The market for specialized facilities like fish hatcheries can be niche, but the overall construction sector is substantial. Benchmarking this specific project's cost against general civil engineering projects is difficult due to its specialized nature, but the nearly $17.5 million value indicates a significant undertaking.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract. As it was awarded through full and open competition, it's possible that small businesses could have bid directly or participated as subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation or subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the National Park Service contracting officers and project managers. The firm fixed-price nature provides a degree of financial oversight by locking in costs. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, though specific oversight reports or IG investigations related to this particular contract are not detailed here.

Related Government Programs

Fish Hatchery Construction Projects
National Park Service Infrastructure Projects
Tribal Economic Development Contracts
Environmental Restoration Projects
Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction

Risk Flags

Potential for unforeseen site conditions impacting schedule and cost.
Ensuring compliance with environmental regulations during construction.
Long-term operational sustainability and funding for the hatchery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $17.5 million to JAMES W. FOWLER CO.. TAS::14 1041::TAS RECOVERY, CONSTRUCT LOWER ELWHA KLALLAM FISH HATCHERY, THIS PROJECT CONSISTS OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FISH HATCHERY INCLUDING SITE IMPROVEMENTS, WATER SUPPLY AND DRAINAGE PIPELINES, WATER SUPPLY WELLS, TWO BUILDINGS, FISH CULTURE FACILITIES INCLUDING RACEWAYS, PONDS, AND ADULT HOLDING PONDS, A FISH LADDER AND RELATED MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. ALSO INCLUDED ARE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ACCESS ROAD TO THE SITE AS WELL AS WIDENING OF A ROAD LEADING TO THE SITE. THE SITE IS L

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JAMES W. FOWLER CO..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-09-18. End: 2011-05-13.

What is the track record of James W. Fowler Co. with federal contracts, particularly in construction?

James W. Fowler Co. has a history of federal contracting, primarily within the heavy and civil engineering construction domain. Reviewing their past performance on similar projects, especially those involving environmental or infrastructure components, would provide insight into their reliability and execution capabilities. Data on contract modifications, past performance evaluations, and any disputes or claims associated with their federal awards would be crucial for a comprehensive assessment. Understanding their experience with firm fixed-price contracts and their ability to manage complex projects within budget and schedule is also important.

How does the cost of this fish hatchery construction compare to similar projects awarded by the government?

Direct cost comparison is challenging without a database of highly similar fish hatchery projects with detailed scope and location specifics. However, the nearly $17.5 million price tag for a facility involving site improvements, multiple buildings, complex fish culture systems, and road access suggests a substantial investment. Benchmarking against other large-scale civil engineering or specialized facility construction contracts managed by agencies like the Army Corps of Engineers or NOAA could offer a broader perspective on unit costs (e.g., cost per square foot of building, cost per acre of site development), but the unique requirements of a fish hatchery make precise comparisons difficult.

What are the primary risks associated with this specific construction contract?

Key risks include potential construction delays due to weather, unforeseen site conditions (especially given the location on a reservation which may have unique environmental or archaeological considerations), and contractor performance issues. While the firm fixed-price contract mitigates financial risk for the government regarding cost overruns, delays could still impact the project's ecological or tribal objectives. Ensuring adequate oversight and proactive risk management by the National Park Service throughout the project lifecycle is essential to address these potential challenges.

How effective is the National Park Service in managing large-scale construction contracts like this one?

The effectiveness of the National Park Service (NPS) in managing large construction contracts can vary. NPS typically manages complex projects related to park infrastructure and conservation. Their success often depends on the experience of their contracting and project management staff, the clarity of project requirements, and the robustness of their oversight processes. For this specific contract, the firm fixed-price award and full and open competition suggest standard procurement practices were followed. Evaluating NPS's overall track record with similar projects, including their ability to stay within budget and schedule, would provide a more definitive answer.

What has been the historical spending trend for fish hatchery construction or similar environmental infrastructure by the Department of the Interior?

Historical spending trends for fish hatchery construction by the Department of the Interior (DOI) would likely show fluctuations based on appropriations, specific conservation initiatives (like salmon recovery efforts in the Pacific Northwest), and infrastructure needs across its various bureaus (e.g., Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation). While this specific contract is a single data point, a broader analysis of DOI's budget allocations and contract awards for environmental infrastructure and conservation facilities over the past decade would reveal patterns. Such an analysis might indicate periods of increased investment driven by legislative actions or urgent ecological needs.

Were there any significant contract modifications or disputes related to this project?

The provided data does not detail any contract modifications, change orders, or disputes associated with this specific contract award (NA 237990). A comprehensive review would require accessing contract modification history and any associated documentation. Significant modifications could indicate unforeseen issues or scope changes, while disputes might highlight performance or contractual disagreements. The absence of readily available modification data does not necessarily mean none occurred, but it suggests no major, publicly flagged issues at the time of this award summary.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 12775 WESTVIEW DR, DALLAS, OR, 97338

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,477,853

Exercised Options: $17,477,853

Current Obligation: $17,477,853

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline