Agriculture's Forest Service Awards $110K Design Contract for Detroit Cooler Retrofit

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $110,089 ($110.1K)

Contractor: Bratslavsky Consulting Engineers, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2022-08-08

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,514 days

Daily Burn Rate: $73/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: A&E DESIGN FOR THE RETROFIT AND RECONSTRUCTION OF THE DETROIT RS TREE COOLER

Place of Performance

Location: DETROIT, MARION County, OREGON, 97342

State: Oregon Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $110,089.27 to BRATSLAVSKY CONSULTING ENGINEERS, INC. for work described as: A&E DESIGN FOR THE RETROFIT AND RECONSTRUCTION OF THE DETROIT RS TREE COOLER Key points: 1. Contract awarded for engineering design services related to a specific facility. 2. The contract value is relatively low, suggesting a focused scope of work. 3. Competition method indicates an initial exclusion of sources, raising potential concerns. 4. The sector is Engineering Services, a common area for government contracting.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $110,089.27 appears reasonable for specialized A&E design services. Benchmarking against similar, smaller-scale facility design projects would provide a clearer picture of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This suggests that while competition was sought, certain entities were initially excluded, potentially limiting price discovery and the breadth of innovative solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is minimal given the relatively small contract value. However, the procurement method warrants scrutiny to ensure fair access and optimal pricing.

Public Impact

Ensures necessary infrastructure upgrades for Forest Service facilities. Supports specialized engineering firms in securing government contracts. Potential for improved operational efficiency at the Detroit RS facility.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition method raises questions about fairness and optimal pricing.
Lack of small business participation noted.

Positive Signals

Contract addresses a specific, necessary infrastructure need.
Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

Engineering Services (NAICS 541330) is a broad category. This contract focuses on a specific facility retrofit, likely within the operational support or infrastructure maintenance sub-sector for the Forest Service.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates no small business participation in this specific award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were adequately advertised or if the specialized nature of the work limited small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded via a delivery order, suggesting it might be part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. Oversight would focus on the justification for the limited competition and the overall performance of the contractor.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Forest Service Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition method.
No small business participation.
Potential for cost inefficiencies due to limited competition.
Justification for source exclusion not immediately clear.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $110,089.27 to BRATSLAVSKY CONSULTING ENGINEERS, INC.. A&E DESIGN FOR THE RETROFIT AND RECONSTRUCTION OF THE DETROIT RS TREE COOLER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BRATSLAVSKY CONSULTING ENGINEERS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $110,089.27.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-08-08. End: 2026-09-30.

What was the specific justification for excluding sources in the initial competition phase for this engineering design contract?

The justification for excluding sources would typically relate to specific technical requirements, prior performance on similar projects, or unique capabilities possessed by the selected contractor. Without further documentation, it's difficult to ascertain the precise reason, but it implies a belief that only certain firms could meet the project's specialized needs.

How does the $110,089.27 contract value compare to industry benchmarks for similar A&E design services for facility retrofits?

Benchmarking this contract value requires comparing it to similar projects in terms of scope, complexity, and facility type. For a specialized design task on a specific facility component like a cooler, this value might be appropriate. However, without detailed project specifications and market data for comparable engineering services, a definitive assessment of value for money is challenging.

What is the expected impact of this design contract on the operational effectiveness and efficiency of the Detroit RS facility?

This design contract is foundational for the retrofit and reconstruction of the Detroit RS tree cooler. Its successful execution should lead to improved cooling efficiency, reduced maintenance costs, and enhanced operational reliability for the facility. The ultimate impact hinges on the quality of the design and its subsequent implementation.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 1240BH22Q0069

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 500 W 27TH AVENUE, SUITE A, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99503

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $110,089

Exercised Options: $110,089

Current Obligation: $110,089

Actual Outlays: $50,561

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $39,260

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1205G219D0007

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline