Interior's $461M Refuge Infrastructure Plan Awarded to Joseph David Associates LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $461,426 ($461.4K)

Contractor: Joseph David Associates LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2019-10-09

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 2,548 days

Daily Burn Rate: $181/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: REFUGE INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN (SRIFP)

Place of Performance

Location: ALBUQUERQUE, BERNALILLO County, NEW MEXICO, 87103

State: New Mexico Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $461,425.68 to JOSEPH DAVID ASSOCIATES LLC for work described as: REFUGE INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN (SRIFP) Key points: 1. The contract is for the Refuge Infrastructure Plan (SRIFP) with a significant value of $461.4 million. 2. Awarded to Joseph David Associates LLC, the contract falls under the Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development. 3. The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting a potentially less competitive bidding process for this large sum. 4. The duration of the contract is 2548 days, ending in September 2026, indicating a long-term commitment. 5. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs, but the large value and limited competition method warrant scrutiny.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $461.4 million is substantial. Without specific benchmarks for similar large-scale infrastructure plans, it's difficult to definitively assess pricing. However, the use of SAP for such a large award raises questions about whether the government secured the best possible price.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which typically involves fewer bidders than full and open competition. While this can expedite the process, it may limit price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The large contract value, coupled with potentially limited competition, could result in taxpayers paying more than necessary if a more robust competition had been pursued.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be overpaying due to the limited competition method used for a contract of this magnitude. The long duration of the contract (over 7 years) means sustained financial commitment from the government. The focus on refuge infrastructure suggests potential environmental and conservation benefits, but the cost-effectiveness is a concern. The award to a single entity for such a large sum warrants close monitoring of performance and spending.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition for a large contract value
Potential for overpayment due to SAP
Long contract duration

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract type
Focus on infrastructure development

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under general government administration and infrastructure development, specifically for wildlife refuges. Benchmarking spending for such large, specialized infrastructure projects is challenging without more granular data on similar initiatives.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further investigation is needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Given the significant value and long duration, robust oversight is crucial to ensure Joseph David Associates LLC meets performance requirements and stays within budget. The use of SAP for this award suggests a need for enhanced review of the procurement process itself.

Related Government Programs

Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development
Department of the Interior Contracting
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for inadequate competition
Risk of overpayment
Lack of transparency in procurement justification
Long-term financial commitment
Unclear performance metrics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $461,425.68 to JOSEPH DAVID ASSOCIATES LLC. REFUGE INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN (SRIFP)

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 (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $461,425.68.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-10-09. End: 2026-09-30.

What specific criteria were used to justify using SAP for a contract valued at over $461 million, and what steps were taken to ensure fair market price discovery?

The justification for using SAP for a contract of this magnitude is unclear and potentially problematic. SAP is typically intended for acquisitions below the simplified acquisition threshold. Awarding such a large sum under SAP suggests a deviation from standard procurement practices, potentially limiting competition and price discovery. Further review of the justification and the procurement file is necessary to understand the rationale and ensure adequate price competition was achieved.

What are the specific deliverables and performance metrics for this Refuge Infrastructure Plan, and how will the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ensure effective execution over the 2548-day period?

The provided data lacks specific details on the deliverables and performance metrics for the Refuge Infrastructure Plan. Effective execution over the 2548-day period will depend on clear milestones, regular progress reporting, and robust quality assurance processes by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Without these details, assessing the likelihood of successful and timely completion is difficult, and the risk of cost overruns or delays increases.

How does the $461.4 million expenditure align with the overall budget and priorities for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's refuge system, and what is the anticipated return on investment?

The alignment of this $461.4 million expenditure with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's broader budget and priorities is not detailed in the provided data. A thorough analysis would require understanding the specific infrastructure needs being addressed, their criticality to the refuge system's mission, and projected long-term benefits. Assessing the return on investment is challenging without defined outcomes and cost-benefit analyses related to improved conservation, visitor access, or operational efficiency.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Public Administration › Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development › Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140F0219R0037

Offers Received: 5

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: $461,426

Exercised Options: $461,426

Current Obligation: $461,426

Actual Outlays: $382,341

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline