Interior Department awards $4.9M engineering contract to Stantec Consulting Services Inc. for Montana services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,938,654 ($4.9M)

Contractor: Stantec Consulting Services Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2022-04-26

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 1,465 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 2022 COMPREHENSIVE REVIEWS GROUP 2

Place of Performance

Location: MISSOULA, MISSOULA County, MONTANA, 59808

State: Montana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $4.9 million to STANTEC CONSULTING SERVICES INC. for work described as: 2022 COMPREHENSIVE REVIEWS GROUP 2 Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 1465 days indicates a long-term need for engineering services. 3. Fixed-price contract type may offer cost certainty but could limit flexibility. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 points to specialized engineering services. 5. The award was a single delivery order, suggesting it's part of a larger contract vehicle or program. 6. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, indicating larger firms were likely primary bidders.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $4.9 million contract requires more detailed cost breakdowns and comparisons to similar engineering service contracts within the Department of the Interior or for similar projects in Montana. Without specific deliverables or labor categories, it's difficult to assess if the pricing is competitive. The fixed-price nature suggests an attempt to control costs, but the overall value depends on the quality and efficiency of the services provided over the contract's four-year duration.

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 data does not specify the number of bids received, which is crucial for a complete assessment of competition dynamics. A high number of bidders typically suggests robust competition, potentially leading to better pricing and value for the government. Conversely, a low number of bidders might indicate a more specialized market or limited interest.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down prices and encourage innovation. This process aims to ensure the government receives the best possible value by considering a wide range of qualified contractors.

Public Impact

The Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education are the primary beneficiaries, likely receiving essential engineering support for their operations and infrastructure in Montana. Services delivered are categorized under engineering, which could encompass design, planning, and oversight of construction or infrastructure projects. The geographic impact is focused on Montana, where the services will be utilized. The contract supports the federal government's mission to serve Native American communities through the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the contractor's track record on this particular award.
The fixed-price contract type could lead to scope creep issues if not managed carefully, potentially increasing costs beyond initial estimates.
Limited information on the specific engineering services required makes it challenging to evaluate the appropriateness of the contract value.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a fair and transparent procurement process.
The fixed-price contract type provides a degree of cost certainty for the government.
The contract is for engineering services, a critical function for infrastructure development and maintenance.

Sector Analysis

The engineering services sector is a vital component of the federal procurement landscape, supporting a wide array of government functions from infrastructure development to research and development. NAICS code 541330, Engineering Services, encompasses firms that provide specialized engineering expertise. Federal spending in this sector is substantial, covering areas like civil, mechanical, electrical, and environmental engineering. This contract with Stantec Consulting Services Inc. fits within this broader category, likely addressing specific engineering needs for the Department of the Interior's operations in Montana.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the data indicates no small business participation (sb: false). This suggests that the scope and requirements of the engineering services likely favored larger, more established firms with the capacity and expertise to handle such a contract. While there's no direct subcontracting information provided, the absence of a small business set-aside implies that opportunities for small businesses may be limited on this specific award, though they could potentially participate in other contract vehicles.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Interior's contracting officers and program managers. The Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education would be responsible for monitoring performance and ensuring compliance with contract terms. Transparency is facilitated through public contract databases like FPDS. The Inspector General for the Department of the Interior may have jurisdiction for audits and investigations if any concerns regarding waste, fraud, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

Department of the Interior Infrastructure Projects
Bureau of Indian Affairs Services
Bureau of Indian Education Support
Federal Engineering Services Contracts
Montana Federal Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep in fixed-price contracts
Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data
Limited detail on number of bidders impacting competition assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $4.9 million to STANTEC CONSULTING SERVICES INC.. 2022 COMPREHENSIVE REVIEWS GROUP 2

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is STANTEC CONSULTING SERVICES INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-04-26. End: 2026-04-30.

What specific engineering services are being provided under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract falls under NAICS code 541330, 'Engineering Services.' However, it does not specify the exact nature of these services. Typically, engineering services can range from architectural design, civil engineering for infrastructure, environmental consulting, mechanical and electrical engineering, to project management and construction oversight. For this particular contract with the Department of the Interior in Montana, the services could be related to infrastructure development, facility maintenance, or environmental assessments for Bureau of Indian Affairs or Bureau of Indian Education facilities and lands. A detailed statement of work (SOW) within the contract documents would provide this specificity.

How does the $4.9 million contract value compare to similar engineering service contracts awarded by the Department of the Interior?

Comparing the $4.9 million value requires access to a broader dataset of similar contracts. The Department of the Interior awards numerous contracts for engineering services across various bureaus and geographic locations. Factors influencing contract value include the scope of work, duration, complexity, and specific expertise required. Without a direct comparison of contracts with similar scopes, durations, and service types within the Interior Department, it is difficult to definitively state whether $4.9 million is high, low, or average. However, for a contract spanning over four years (1465 days), this value suggests a significant, ongoing need for specialized engineering support.

What is the track record of Stantec Consulting Services Inc. with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of the Interior?

Stantec Consulting Services Inc. is a large, established engineering and consulting firm with a significant presence in federal contracting. While this specific award is for $4.9 million, the company likely holds numerous other contracts across various federal agencies. To assess their track record, one would need to examine their past performance on similar contracts, including on-time delivery, adherence to budget, quality of work, and any past performance issues or awards. A review of the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or other contract databases would reveal the extent of their federal contract history, including awards, task orders, and any reported issues or positive performance feedback.

What are the potential risks associated with a fixed-price contract of this duration?

Fixed-price contracts, while offering cost certainty, carry inherent risks, especially for long-duration projects like this 1465-day contract. One primary risk is that the contractor may underestimate the costs or effort required, leading to reduced profit margins or potential quality compromises to stay within budget. Conversely, if the government's needs change significantly over the four years, modifications to the fixed price can be complex and may not fully reflect the increased scope or effort. Scope creep, where additional work is added without a corresponding price adjustment, is another significant risk. Effective contract management, clear definition of requirements, and robust change control processes are crucial to mitigate these risks.

How does the competition level (full and open) impact the value received by taxpayers for this contract?

Awarding this contract through 'full and open competition' generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment. This process allows any qualified vendor to submit a bid, increasing the pool of potential offerors. A larger number of bidders typically drives down prices as companies compete to win the contract. It also encourages innovation and efficiency, as contractors strive to offer the best value proposition. While the exact number of bidders isn't specified, the 'full and open' designation suggests that the government sought the most competitive offers available in the market, aiming to secure the best possible outcome for taxpayer funds.

What is the historical spending pattern for engineering services by the Department of the Interior in Montana?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for engineering services by the Department of the Interior in Montana would require a deep dive into federal procurement data over several fiscal years. This would involve filtering contracts by agency (Department of the Interior), geographic location (Montana), and NAICS code (541330 or similar engineering codes). Such an analysis could reveal trends in spending levels, common types of engineering services procured, and the primary contractors utilized. It could also highlight whether this $4.9 million award represents a significant increase or decrease in typical spending for such services in the region, providing context for the current award's scale and importance.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Stantec Consulting Michigan Inc.

Address: 410 17TH ST STE 1400, DENVER, CO, 80202

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,938,654

Exercised Options: $4,938,654

Current Obligation: $4,938,654

Actual Outlays: $4,933,367

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $448,345

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140A1218D0014

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline