Interior Department awards $2.4M contract for Sandhill Crane Refuge maintenance, highlighting construction needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,395,238 ($2.4M)

Contractor: Guardian DB Services,LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-09-11

End Date: 2026-05-17

Contract Duration: 613 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: REPLACE MAINTENANCE SHOP T SANDHILL CRANE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Place of Performance

Location: GAUTIER, JACKSON County, MISSISSIPPI, 39553

State: Mississippi Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $2.4 million to GUARDIAN DB SERVICES,LLC for work described as: REPLACE MAINTENANCE SHOP T SANDHILL CRANE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Key points: 1. Contract addresses essential facility upkeep at a key wildlife refuge. 2. Competition was open, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 4. Contract duration of over 20 months indicates a significant scope of work. 5. Geographic focus on Mississippi highlights regional infrastructure needs. 6. The award to Guardian DB Services, LLC requires careful performance monitoring.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.4 million for building maintenance and construction appears reasonable given the duration and scope. Benchmarking against similar commercial and institutional building construction contracts within federal agencies is necessary for a definitive value assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure is a positive indicator for cost control, assuming the scope is well-defined and change orders are minimized. The contract's value is within a typical range for such specialized maintenance and construction services.

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,' indicating that while the competition was broad, specific reasons for excluding certain sources were documented. This suggests a deliberate process to ensure fair opportunity. The number of bids received (5) is a healthy sign of market interest and competition. A competitive process like this generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages multiple companies to bid, driving down prices and ensuring the government receives competitive offers. This process helps prevent overpayment and promotes efficient use of public funds.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the wildlife dependent on the Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge. Services delivered include maintenance and construction for institutional buildings within the refuge. The geographic impact is localized to the Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge in Mississippi. Workforce implications include potential employment opportunities for skilled trades in the Mississippi region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if initial building assessments are incomplete.
Ensuring contractor compliance with environmental regulations at a wildlife refuge.
Monitoring project timelines to avoid delays impacting refuge operations.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract limits cost overruns.
Open competition suggests a competitive pricing environment.
Clear delivery order structure provides defined tasks and milestones.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a vital part of the broader construction industry. Federal spending in this sector supports infrastructure maintenance and development across various government facilities. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other contracts for similar building construction and maintenance services awarded to federal agencies, particularly those managed by the Department of the Interior or focused on environmental and conservation areas.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate a small business set-aside. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely limited unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for specialized services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service contracting officer's representative (COR). Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases where this award is reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

National Wildlife Refuge System Operations and Maintenance
Federal Building and Facilities Construction
Environmental Conservation Infrastructure Projects
Department of the Interior Construction Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if scope is not clearly defined.
Risk of project delays impacting refuge operations.
Ensuring environmental compliance in a sensitive habitat.
Contractor performance and quality control.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $2.4 million to GUARDIAN DB SERVICES,LLC. REPLACE MAINTENANCE SHOP T SANDHILL CRANE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GUARDIAN DB SERVICES,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 $2.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-11. End: 2026-05-17.

What is the track record of Guardian DB Services, LLC in performing similar federal construction and maintenance contracts?

Guardian DB Services, LLC's track record in performing similar federal construction and maintenance contracts is a critical factor in assessing performance risk. A review of their past performance ratings, contract history with federal agencies, and any documented issues or successes on comparable projects would provide valuable insight. Specifically, examining their experience with projects in environmentally sensitive areas like national wildlife refuges, and their adherence to timelines and budgets on firm-fixed-price contracts, would be essential. Without specific past performance data, it's difficult to definitively gauge their reliability, but the award itself suggests they met initial qualification criteria.

How does the $2.4 million contract value compare to market rates for similar building maintenance and construction services in Mississippi?

Benchmarking the $2.4 million contract value against market rates for similar building maintenance and construction services in Mississippi requires detailed analysis of local construction costs, labor rates, and material prices. Factors such as the specific types of buildings, the complexity of the required work (e.g., structural repairs, HVAC upgrades, general maintenance), and the duration of the contract (613 days) influence the overall cost. Comparing this contract's estimated cost per square foot or per service hour to prevailing commercial rates in the region, adjusted for federal procurement standards and any unique refuge-specific requirements, would determine if it represents good value for taxpayers. The firm-fixed-price nature suggests the government aims for cost certainty.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Primary risks for this contract include potential scope creep if the initial assessment of building conditions is incomplete, leading to unforeseen work and cost increases despite the fixed-price structure. Delays in construction or maintenance activities could disrupt refuge operations or impact wildlife. Environmental compliance at a sensitive wildlife refuge presents another risk, requiring strict adherence to regulations. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust project management by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, clear definition of work requirements, regular progress monitoring, and stringent environmental oversight. The contractor's own risk management plan and adherence to contract specifications are also crucial.

How effective is the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' process in ensuring fair pricing and quality for this type of specialized construction?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' process aims to balance broad competition with specific needs. While 'full and open' suggests maximum participation, the 'exclusion of sources' implies certain pre-qualification or specific requirements narrowed the field. This can be effective if the exclusions are justified and based on necessary technical capabilities or past performance, ensuring only qualified bidders compete. Five bidders indicate sufficient competition. The effectiveness in ensuring fair pricing and quality hinges on the clarity of the solicitation, the evaluation criteria used, and the government's ability to negotiate favorable terms. It's generally more competitive than a sole-source award but less so than unrestricted full and open competition.

What is the historical spending pattern for building maintenance and construction at the Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge or similar facilities?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for building maintenance and construction at the Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge, or comparable facilities within the National Wildlife Refuge System, is essential for context. This involves examining past contract awards for similar services, their values, durations, and the types of work performed. Understanding whether spending has been consistent, increasing, or project-driven provides insight into the ongoing needs of the refuge's infrastructure. Significant deviations from historical spending could indicate new major repair projects, deferred maintenance finally being addressed, or potentially inflated costs. This contract's $2.4 million value should be assessed against this historical baseline.

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: 140FC124R0043

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1768 DAUPHIN ST, MOBILE, AL, 36604

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,395,238

Exercised Options: $2,395,238

Current Obligation: $2,395,238

Actual Outlays: $1,736,173

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140F0822D0051

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline