Interior renovates softball field for $4.5M, awarded to Cherokee CRC LLC under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,500,662 ($4.5M)

Contractor: Cherokee CRC LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2023-09-21

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 922 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: RENOVATE SOFTBALL FIELD

Place of Performance

Location: LAWRENCE, DOUGLAS County, KANSAS, 66046

State: Kansas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $4.5 million to CHEROKEE CRC LLC for work described as: RENOVATE SOFTBALL FIELD Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the scope of construction and renovation. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a robust bidding process, potentially driving competitive pricing. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a firm fixed-price contract and a single award. 4. Performance context is a renovation project, suggesting a defined scope. 5. Sector positioning is within commercial and institutional building construction.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $4.5 million for renovating a softball field is a significant investment. Benchmarking against similar athletic facility construction or renovation projects would be necessary for a precise value-for-money assessment. However, the firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the government. Without specific details on the scope of work (e.g., field upgrades, lighting, seating), it's challenging to definitively assess if the price is competitive, but it falls within a reasonable range for substantial construction projects.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that while the initial intent might have been to exclude certain sources, the final award was made through a broad competitive process. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the designation suggests that multiple responsible sources were considered. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process, even with initial exclusions, generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple companies to bid, which can lead to lower prices and better terms.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely students and staff at the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education facilities in Kansas. The services delivered include the renovation and construction of a softball field. The geographic impact is localized to Kansas, where the project is being executed. Workforce implications include potential job creation for construction workers and related trades during the project's duration.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on the scope of work makes it difficult to fully assess value for money.
The 'after exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type warrants further investigation into the initial rationale for exclusion.
No information provided on small business subcontracting, which could be a missed opportunity for economic inclusion.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty.
Project addresses infrastructure needs for educational and recreational facilities.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a broad category encompassing the building and renovation of various non-residential structures. The market for such construction is substantial, driven by government infrastructure needs, private development, and institutional upgrades. This specific project, focused on an athletic facility, represents a niche within the larger construction market. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found in data related to public works, school facilities, and recreational infrastructure projects.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb: false) and the prime contractor, Cherokee CRC LLC, is not explicitly identified as a small business in this data snippet. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans or actual subcontracting to small businesses. This suggests that opportunities for small businesses may have been limited on this specific prime contract, and further investigation into subcontracting would be needed to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education within the Department of the Interior. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, which obligates the contractor to deliver the specified work within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards. While no specific Inspector General jurisdiction is mentioned, the Department of the Interior's Office of Inspector General would likely have oversight authority for significant expenditures.

Related Government Programs

Bureau of Indian Affairs Facilities Management
Bureau of Indian Education School Construction
Department of the Interior Infrastructure Projects
Federal Athletic Facility Construction
Commercial and Institutional Building Construction Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep given the long contract duration.
Need for detailed review of 'after exclusion of sources' rationale.
Uncertainty regarding small business subcontracting participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $4.5 million to CHEROKEE CRC LLC. RENOVATE SOFTBALL FIELD

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CHEROKEE CRC 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 $4.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-21. End: 2026-03-31.

What specific renovations are included in the $4.5 million softball field project?

The provided data does not detail the specific scope of renovations for the softball field. It only indicates the project involves 'RENOVATE SOFTBALL FIELD' and falls under the 'Commercial and Institutional Building Construction' North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code. To understand the value for money and assess the project's impact, a detailed breakdown of the work would be necessary. This could include items such as field grading, turf replacement, drainage improvements, installation of new dugouts, seating, lighting, or scoreboards. Without this granular information, it's difficult to compare the cost to industry standards for specific renovation tasks.

How does the $4.5 million cost compare to similar softball field renovations at federal facilities?

Directly comparing the $4.5 million cost without a detailed scope of work is challenging. However, major renovations or new constructions of athletic fields, especially those with comprehensive upgrades like lighting, irrigation, and spectator facilities, can easily reach several million dollars. For context, smaller community fields might cost hundreds of thousands, while professional-level facilities can run into tens of millions. Given this contract is for a federal entity (Bureau of Indian Affairs/Education), it might include specific compliance or accessibility requirements that could influence cost. A thorough benchmark would require analyzing contracts for similar-sized facilities with comparable features and geographic locations.

What is the track record of Cherokee CRC LLC in performing federal construction contracts?

The provided data identifies Cherokee CRC LLC as the contractor for this $4.5 million softball field renovation. However, it does not offer information on their past performance, track record with federal agencies, or experience with similar construction projects. To assess their reliability and capability, one would need to consult federal procurement databases like SAM.gov for past performance reviews, contract history, and any reported issues or successes on previous government contracts. Understanding their history is crucial for evaluating the risk associated with this current project.

What are the potential risks associated with a firm fixed-price contract for a construction project of this nature?

Firm fixed-price (FFP) contracts are generally preferred for their cost certainty. However, for construction projects, especially renovations, risks can arise if the scope of work is not perfectly defined or if unforeseen conditions are encountered. If Cherokee CRC LLC underestimated the complexity or cost of the renovations, they could face reduced profit margins or potential financial strain. Conversely, if the scope was overly generous in the government's favor, the contractor might deliver a lower quality product to maintain profitability. The 'after exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type also introduces a minor risk if the initial exclusions were not fully justified, potentially limiting the pool of qualified bidders.

How does the duration of the contract (922 days) align with the scope of renovating a softball field?

A contract duration of 922 days (approximately 2.5 years) for renovating a softball field seems potentially long, depending on the scope and complexity. Standard athletic field renovations, even substantial ones, are often completed within a few months to a year. This extended duration might suggest a phased approach, significant unforeseen complexities, or perhaps the contract includes additional related work beyond the immediate field renovation, such as ongoing maintenance or integration with other facility upgrades. It could also reflect a conservative timeline to account for weather delays or bureaucratic processes common in government projects. Further clarification on the project's phases and specific deliverables would be needed to fully assess the appropriateness of this timeline.

What is the significance of the 'Commercial and Institutional Building Construction' NAICS code for this contract?

The NAICS code 236220, 'Commercial and Institutional Building Construction,' signifies that the primary activity of this contract involves the construction or renovation of buildings intended for commercial or institutional purposes. While a softball field is an outdoor facility, its construction and renovation often fall under this broader category due to the associated infrastructure, potential for supporting structures (like restrooms or concessions), and the fact that it serves an institutional purpose (educational/recreational). This classification helps in categorizing the spending, benchmarking costs against similar construction projects, and understanding the market segment the contractor operates within.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 140A2323R0027

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Cherokee Nation RED Wing, L.L.C.

Address: 2 W. 2ND ST., TULSA, OK, 74103

Business Categories: 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, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,500,662

Exercised Options: $4,500,662

Current Obligation: $4,500,662

Actual Outlays: $2,570,503

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140A1623D0022

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline