DOI Awards $340K for Engineering Tools to Gransberg and Associates, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $340,618 ($340.6K)

Contractor: Gransberg and Associates, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2021-04-30

End Date: 2024-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,341 days

Daily Burn Rate: $254/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ENGINEERING CONSULTING AND SERVICES FOR CREATING STANDARD PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS, A PARAMETRIC ESTIMATING TOOL, AND RISK ASSESSMENT TOOL

Place of Performance

Location: HADLEY, HAMPSHIRE County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01035

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $340,617.5 to GRANSBERG AND ASSOCIATES, INC. for work described as: ENGINEERING CONSULTING AND SERVICES FOR CREATING STANDARD PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS, A PARAMETRIC ESTIMATING TOOL, AND RISK ASSESSMENT TOOL Key points: 1. Contract awarded for specialized engineering tools and services. 2. Limited competition due to specific expertise required. 3. Potential risk associated with sole-source procurement. 4. Sector is Engineering Services, a critical support function.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award amount of $340,617.50 for engineering consulting and services appears reasonable for the scope of work, which includes developing standard performance specifications and specialized tools. However, without more detailed cost breakdowns or benchmarks for similar tool development contracts, a precise value assessment is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under limited competition, likely due to the specialized nature of the engineering consulting and the need for specific expertise in developing parametric estimating and risk assessment tools. This limited competition may have impacted price discovery, potentially leading to a higher price than if full and open competition were utilized.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for specialized engineering tools that aim to improve efficiency and risk management in federal projects. The long-term benefits of these tools could outweigh the initial cost if they lead to better project outcomes and cost savings.

Public Impact

Development of standard performance specifications will enhance consistency in future federal engineering projects. Parametric estimating and risk assessment tools could lead to more accurate budgeting and project planning. Improved risk management may prevent cost overruns and project delays in federal initiatives. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service benefits from enhanced analytical capabilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may not yield the best price.
Scope creep risk in tool development.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical tools.

Positive Signals

Development of specialized tools for efficiency.
Potential for long-term cost savings through better planning.
Enhancement of federal project management capabilities.

Sector Analysis

The Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330) is crucial for government infrastructure and project development. Spending in this sector often involves specialized expertise, and contract values can vary widely based on project complexity and duration. This contract falls within the typical range for specialized consulting and tool development.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded to a small business. There is an opportunity to ensure future solicitations in this area are structured to encourage small business participation where feasible.

Oversight & Accountability

The award was made via a Purchase Order, suggesting a streamlined process. Oversight will be critical to ensure the developed tools meet specifications and deliver the intended benefits, especially given the limited competition.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of the Interior Contracting
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition may result in suboptimal pricing.
Potential for vendor lock-in if tools are highly proprietary.
Risk of tools not meeting user needs without strong oversight.
Dependency on a single vendor for critical analytical capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $340,617.5 to GRANSBERG AND ASSOCIATES, INC.. ENGINEERING CONSULTING AND SERVICES FOR CREATING STANDARD PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS, A PARAMETRIC ESTIMATING TOOL, AND RISK ASSESSMENT TOOL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GRANSBERG AND ASSOCIATES, INC..

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 $340,617.5.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-04-30. End: 2024-12-31.

What is the expected return on investment for the parametric estimating and risk assessment tools?

The expected return on investment hinges on the successful implementation and adoption of the developed tools. If these tools lead to more accurate project cost estimations and proactive risk mitigation, they could significantly reduce budget overruns and project delays. Quantifying this ROI requires tracking project performance metrics before and after tool implementation and assessing the realized cost savings and efficiency gains.

How will the government ensure the tools developed are adaptable and maintainable beyond the initial contract period?

Ensuring adaptability and maintainability requires clear contract stipulations regarding documentation, source code delivery, and potentially knowledge transfer to government personnel or other contractors. The contract should specify the format and standards for documentation and code. Periodic reviews and potential follow-on contracts for updates or enhancements could also be considered to maintain the tools' relevance and functionality over time.

What measures are in place to validate the accuracy and effectiveness of the standard performance specifications and tools?

Validation measures should include rigorous testing phases where the tools are applied to historical or pilot projects to compare their outputs against actual outcomes. Performance specifications should be reviewed by subject matter experts and tested for clarity and applicability. Feedback loops from end-users during development and post-implementation are crucial for iterative refinement and ensuring the tools and specifications meet the intended operational needs effectively.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 140F0821P0002

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 903 FLAMING OAKS DR STE 1, NORMAN, OK, 73026

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $340,618

Exercised Options: $340,618

Current Obligation: $340,618

Actual Outlays: $340,618

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline