DOI Awards $17.9M Contract for Crab Orchard NWR Water/Sewer Line Replacement
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $17,939,711 ($17.9M)
Contractor: City of Marion
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2021-10-01
End Date: 2026-12-31
Contract Duration: 1,917 days
Daily Burn Rate: $9.4K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: GAOA WATER AND SEWER LINE REPLACEMENT AT CRAB ORCHARD NWR
Place of Performance
Location: MARION, WILLIAMSON County, ILLINOIS, 62959
State: Illinois Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $17.9 million to CITY OF MARION for work described as: GAOA WATER AND SEWER LINE REPLACEMENT AT CRAB ORCHARD NWR Key points: 1. Significant investment in critical infrastructure at a National Wildlife Refuge. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and potential cost savings. 3. Long contract duration (5 years) may impact price competitiveness over time. 4. Focus on essential utility upgrades for environmental and operational benefits.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $17.9M for water and sewer line replacement appears substantial. Without specific benchmarks for similar projects at National Wildlife Refuges, it's difficult to definitively assess if this price is competitive. The lack of competition in the award process further complicates a thorough value assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach limits price discovery and may prevent the government from securing the most cost-effective solution available in the market.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition could result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for this essential infrastructure upgrade.
Public Impact
Ensures reliable water and sewer services for Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge operations. Improves environmental conditions by replacing aging and potentially failing infrastructure. Supports the long-term sustainability and functionality of the refuge. Potential for disruption during construction phases impacting visitor access or wildlife.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Long contract duration.
- Lack of clear justification for sole-source.
Positive Signals
- Addresses critical infrastructure needs.
- Supports environmental protection.
- Long-term operational benefits for the refuge.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the construction sector, specifically focusing on utility infrastructure. Spending on infrastructure projects, especially for federal lands and facilities, is common. Benchmarks for similar water and sewer line replacement projects at federal sites would be needed for a precise comparison.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not awarded to a small business. There is no indication that small businesses were solicited or considered for this sole-source award, missing an opportunity to support small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny. Oversight should focus on the justification for not competing the contract and ensuring that the fixed-price terms adequately protect the government from cost overruns throughout the contract's extended duration.
Related Government Programs
- Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition may lead to higher costs.
- Potential for cost overruns despite fixed-price contract due to long duration.
- Limited transparency in the procurement process.
- No small business participation noted.
Tags
water-and-sewer-line-and-related-structu, department-of-the-interior, il, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $17.9 million to CITY OF MARION. GAOA WATER AND SEWER LINE REPLACEMENT AT CRAB ORCHARD NWR
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CITY OF MARION.
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 $17.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-10-01. End: 2026-12-31.
What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis instead of utilizing a competitive bidding process?
The provided data does not include the specific justification for the sole-source award. Typically, sole-source contracts are justified when only one responsible source is available or capable of meeting the government's needs. This could be due to unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent requirements where competition is not feasible. A thorough review of the contract file would be necessary to ascertain the official rationale.
How does the $17.9M contract value compare to similar water and sewer line replacement projects at other federal facilities of comparable size and complexity?
Without access to a database of comparable federal construction projects, a precise cost comparison is not possible. Factors such as geographic location, soil conditions, specific material requirements, and prevailing labor rates significantly influence project costs. The lack of competition in this award makes it harder to benchmark against potentially lower prices achieved through competitive solicitations.
What mechanisms are in place to ensure the quality and timely completion of the work, given the 5-year duration and sole-source nature of the contract?
Standard contract management practices, including defined milestones, performance standards, and inspection protocols, should be in place. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will likely assign a contract officer's representative (COR) to monitor progress and ensure adherence to specifications. The firm fixed-price structure incentivizes the contractor to complete the work efficiently, but close oversight is crucial to manage risks associated with the long duration and lack of competition.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Construction › Utility System Construction › Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction
Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR NONBUILDINGS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: 140F0821R0013
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1102 TOWER SQUARE PLZ STE 7, MARION, IL, 62959
Business Categories: Category Business, Government, U.S. Local Government, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $17,939,711
Exercised Options: $17,939,711
Current Obligation: $17,939,711
Actual Outlays: $11,237,317
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-10-01
Current End Date: 2026-12-31
Potential End Date: 2026-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-12
Other Department of the Interior Contracts
- Department of Health and Human Services, Administration of Children and Families, Office of Refugee Resettlement's Legal Services for Unaccompanied Children — $832.4M (Acacia Center for Justice)
- Military Family Life Counseling Program Igf::ot::igf — $638.8M (MHN Government Services LLC)
- Military Family Life Counseling Program — $637.0M (Magellan Healthcare Inc)
- Grants Program Solutions and Information Technology Support Services — $446.3M (Guidehouse Digital LLC)
- THE Purpose of This Requirement for Grants Program Solutions and IT Support Services IS to Provide Efficient and Effective Grant, Financial, and Contract Management Services, IT Solutions, and Support to the Grantsolutions and ITS Partners — $403.1M (Guidehouse Inc.)