Interior Department awards $155K engineering contract to Joseph David Associates LLC for Standing Rock Community School

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $155,601 ($155.6K)

Contractor: Joseph David Associates LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2022-05-19

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,687 days

Daily Burn Rate: $92/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: A23 - STANDING ROCK COMMUNITY SCHOOL BLD

Place of Performance

Location: FORT YATES, SIOUX County, NORTH DAKOTA, 58538

State: North Dakota Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $155,601.32 to JOSEPH DAVID ASSOCIATES LLC for work described as: A23 - STANDING ROCK COMMUNITY SCHOOL BLD Key points: 1. Contract awarded for engineering services, indicating a need for specialized technical expertise. 2. The contract duration extends over several years, suggesting a long-term project requirement. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests cost certainty for the government. 4. The award was made under full and open competition, implying a robust bidding process. 5. The small business status of the contractor is not indicated, requiring further investigation. 6. The specific project, Standing Rock Community School, highlights investment in educational infrastructure for Native American communities.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $155,601.32 appears modest for engineering services, especially considering the multi-year duration. Benchmarking against similar engineering contracts for educational facilities or Bureau of Indian Affairs projects would be necessary to fully assess value for money. Without more detailed scope of work or comparable data, it's difficult to definitively state if the pricing is competitive or represents excellent value. The fixed-price nature provides some cost control, but the overall value proposition is unclear without further analysis.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' which suggests that while initially there might have been some exclusions, the final award was made through a competitive process open to all eligible bidders. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' designation generally implies a healthy level of competition, which should theoretically lead to better price discovery and value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by driving down costs and encouraging high-quality service delivery from multiple potential providers.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are students and staff at the Standing Rock Community School, who will receive improved or maintained educational facilities. The contract delivers essential engineering services, likely related to the design, renovation, or maintenance of school buildings. The geographic impact is focused on the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's service area in North Dakota. The contract supports the education sector by ensuring the physical infrastructure of a school is sound and functional.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on the engineering scope makes it difficult to assess potential risks related to project execution or unforeseen issues.
The contract value seems relatively low for a multi-year engineering project, raising questions about the comprehensiveness of the services included or the potential for change orders.
Information on the contractor's specific experience with educational facilities or Bureau of Indian Affairs projects is not readily available, posing a potential performance risk.

Positive Signals

The award was made through full and open competition, indicating a structured and potentially fair selection process.
The firm fixed-price contract type offers cost predictability for the awarding agency.
The contract supports critical educational infrastructure, aligning with government priorities for Native American communities.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS code 541330). This sector is characterized by firms providing specialized design and consulting services for various industries, including construction and public infrastructure. The market size for engineering services is substantial, with government contracts forming a significant portion. This specific award appears to be a smaller, project-specific engagement rather than a large-scale program, fitting within the broader landscape of federal procurement for specialized technical support.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a small business set-aside. The award to Joseph David Associates LLC, whose size status is not specified, means that opportunities for small business participation would depend on the prime contractor's own subcontracting plans or the nature of the services required.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards and delivery schedules. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Bureau of Indian Affairs Construction Projects
Bureau of Indian Education School Infrastructure
Federal Engineering Services Contracts
Department of the Interior Facilities Management

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep or change orders due to undefined engineering tasks.
Contract value may be low relative to the project duration, requiring careful monitoring of service delivery.
Limited public information on contractor's specific experience with similar projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $155,601.32 to JOSEPH DAVID ASSOCIATES LLC. A23 - STANDING ROCK COMMUNITY SCHOOL BLD

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JOSEPH DAVID ASSOCIATES LLC.

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 $155,601.32.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-05-19. End: 2026-12-31.

What is the specific scope of engineering services required for the Standing Rock Community School project?

The provided data does not detail the specific engineering services. However, given the context of a community school, these services could range from structural assessments, HVAC system design and upgrades, electrical system improvements, plumbing, architectural consultations for renovations or new construction, or site engineering for grounds development. The duration of the contract (over 4 years) suggests a potentially comprehensive or phased project. Further details would likely be found in the contract's statement of work (SOW) or task orders issued under this award.

How does the contract value of $155,601.32 compare to typical engineering service contracts for similar educational facilities?

Without specific details on the scope of work, a direct comparison is challenging. However, $155,601.32 over approximately 4 years (May 2022 - Dec 2026) represents an average annual value of roughly $38,900. This figure seems modest for comprehensive engineering services for a school, potentially indicating a focus on specific, limited tasks, a single phase of a larger project, or perhaps a smaller facility. Larger renovation or new construction projects typically involve engineering contracts valued significantly higher, often in the hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars, depending on the project's scale and complexity.

What is the track record of Joseph David Associates LLC in performing federal engineering contracts, particularly for educational institutions?

The provided data identifies Joseph David Associates LLC as the contractor but does not offer details on their performance history, past projects, or specific expertise with educational facilities or agencies like the Bureau of Indian Affairs. A review of the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or other contract databases would be necessary to ascertain their track record, including contract values, types of services rendered, past performance ratings, and any history of contract disputes or awards.

What are the potential risks associated with a firm fixed-price contract for engineering services in this context?

Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contracts aim to provide cost certainty. However, risks can arise if the scope of work is not clearly defined or if unforeseen issues emerge during the project. For engineering services, this could mean the contractor underestimating the complexity, leading to requests for change orders to cover additional work, potentially increasing the final cost. Conversely, if the scope is too restrictive, the quality of engineering solutions might be compromised. Effective project management and clear communication are crucial to mitigate these risks under an FFP structure.

How does the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' clause impact the procurement process and potential value?

This clause indicates that while certain sources might have been initially excluded (perhaps due to specific requirements or prior relationships), the final award decision was made through a process open to all responsible sources meeting the solicitation's criteria. This approach aims to balance the need for specific capabilities with the benefits of broad competition. It suggests that the agency sought to maximize the pool of potential bidders while potentially addressing unique project needs, which should theoretically lead to competitive pricing and a wider range of technical solutions compared to a sole-source award.

What is the historical spending pattern for engineering services by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education?

Analyzing historical spending requires access to comprehensive federal procurement data. Generally, agencies like the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) procure engineering services regularly to maintain and improve infrastructure on tribal lands and educational facilities. Spending patterns can fluctuate based on federal appropriations, infrastructure needs assessments, and specific program initiatives. A detailed analysis would involve examining FPDS data over several fiscal years to identify trends in contract types, values, and awarded contractors for engineering services within these bureaus.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 18908 AINSWORTH RD, SPIRO, OK, 74959

Business Categories: American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $155,601

Exercised Options: $155,601

Current Obligation: $155,601

Actual Outlays: $69,079

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140A1620D0004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline