Interior Department awards $840K for fish hatchery holding ponds, with OKIE LLC winning the bid

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $840,275 ($840.3K)

Contractor: Okie LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-06-30

End Date: 2026-06-19

Contract Duration: 354 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: ID-MCCALL FISH HATCHERY-HOLDING PONDS

Place of Performance

Location: MCCALL, VALLEY County, IDAHO, 83638

State: Idaho Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $840,274.72 to OKIE LLC for work described as: ID-MCCALL FISH HATCHERY-HOLDING PONDS Key points: 1. Contract awarded for construction services at a fish hatchery, indicating investment in ecological infrastructure. 2. The contract was competed fully after excluding specific sources, suggesting a targeted approach to procurement. 3. A fixed-price contract type suggests cost certainty for the government, assuming scope is well-defined. 4. The project duration of 354 days points to a significant construction undertaking. 5. The award value is relatively modest, likely reflecting the specific scope of holding pond construction. 6. The geographic location in Idaho may point to regional conservation priorities.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $840,274.72 for construction of holding ponds at a fish hatchery appears to be within a reasonable range for such specialized infrastructure. Benchmarking against similar projects is difficult without more detailed project specifications and location-specific construction cost data. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost predictability for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The award to OKIE LLC, a single bidder in this instance, warrants further scrutiny regarding the initial exclusion of sources.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating that while a competitive process was intended, certain sources were initially excluded. Only two bidders were considered, and OKIE LLC was the awardee. The exclusion of sources limits the breadth of competition, potentially impacting price discovery and the range of innovative solutions considered. The rationale behind the exclusion needs to be clearly documented to ensure fairness and maximize taxpayer value.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition, stemming from the exclusion of sources, may have resulted in a higher price than could have been achieved through unrestricted full and open competition. Taxpayers may have missed out on potentially lower bids from a wider pool of qualified contractors.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which will receive upgraded or new holding pond facilities. The project will deliver essential construction services for the MCCALL FISH HATCHERY. The geographic impact is localized to Idaho, supporting regional fish conservation and management efforts. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for construction labor in the Idaho region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition due to exclusion of sources could lead to suboptimal pricing.
Lack of transparency regarding the reasons for excluding sources raises concerns about fairness.
Potential for scope creep in fixed-price contracts if initial requirements are not perfectly defined.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Award to a single bidder in a limited competition scenario suggests the contractor met specific requirements.
Project supports critical ecological infrastructure for fish conservation.

Sector Analysis

The construction sector, particularly for specialized facilities like fish hatcheries, involves unique engineering and environmental considerations. This contract falls under commercial and institutional building construction, a broad category. The market for such niche projects is often smaller than general construction, with specialized firms possessing the requisite expertise. The value of this contract is modest within the broader construction industry, but significant for the specific needs of the hatchery.

Small Business Impact

The contract details indicate that small business participation was not a primary set-aside consideration (ss: false, sb: false). There is no explicit mention of subcontracting goals for small businesses within the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific contract appears limited, unless OKIE LLC voluntarily engages small businesses for subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a division of the Department of the Interior. Accountability measures are inherent in the fixed-price contract type, requiring delivery of specified work within the agreed budget. Transparency is partially addressed through public contract databases, but the rationale for excluding sources would require specific inquiry to the agency. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Fisheries Management Programs
National Fish Hatchery System
Ecological Restoration Projects
Wildlife Conservation Initiatives

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Unclear Rationale for Source Exclusion
Potential for Cost Overruns if Scope is Poorly Defined

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $840,274.72 to OKIE LLC. ID-MCCALL FISH HATCHERY-HOLDING PONDS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is OKIE 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 $840,274.72.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-06-30. End: 2026-06-19.

What was the specific rationale for excluding certain sources from the competition for the MCCALL FISH HATCHERY holding ponds contract?

The provided data indicates the contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This designation suggests that while the procurement was intended to be competitive, specific potential bidders were deliberately excluded from the process. The exact reasons for this exclusion are not detailed in the summary data. Typically, such exclusions might be based on factors like a contractor's inability to meet highly specialized technical requirements, past performance issues, or specific national security concerns. Without further documentation from the Department of the Interior or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the precise justification remains unknown. Understanding this rationale is crucial for assessing whether the competition was appropriately managed and if the government secured the best possible value.

How does the award value of $840,274.72 compare to similar fish hatchery construction projects?

Directly comparing the $840,274.72 award value for the MCCALL FISH HATCHERY holding ponds to similar projects is challenging without detailed project specifications, geographic cost variations, and the specific scope of work. Fish hatchery construction can vary significantly in complexity, from simple pond lining to intricate water filtration and climate control systems. The 'holding ponds' designation suggests a potentially less complex scope than a full hatchery build-out. However, construction costs are heavily influenced by local labor rates, material availability, environmental regulations, and site-specific conditions in Idaho. While this value appears reasonable for a component of hatchery infrastructure, a definitive benchmark would require access to comparable project data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or other agencies managing similar facilities.

What are the potential risks associated with a fixed-price contract for construction services?

Fixed-price contracts, like the one awarded to OKIE LLC, offer cost certainty to the government, as the price is set upfront. However, risks exist if the initial scope of work is not precisely defined or if unforeseen conditions arise during construction. If the contractor encounters unexpected challenges (e.g., difficult soil conditions, material shortages), they bear the cost overruns, which could incentivize them to cut corners on quality to protect their profit margin. Conversely, if the scope is underestimated by the government, the contractor may realize a windfall profit. Effective project management, clear specifications, and robust oversight are critical to mitigating these risks and ensuring the project is completed to the required standards within budget.

What is the track record of OKIE LLC in securing federal construction contracts?

The provided data identifies OKIE LLC as the contractor for this specific delivery order. However, it does not offer details on their past performance, contract history, or overall track record with the federal government. To assess their reliability and experience, further research would be needed using federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) to review their previous awards, contract values, types of services rendered, and any performance evaluations. Understanding their history, particularly on similar construction projects, would provide valuable context for evaluating the risk associated with this current award.

What does the limited competition (2 bidders after exclusion) imply for the effectiveness of the procurement process?

A procurement process involving only two bidders after the exclusion of other sources suggests that the competition was constrained. While the government may have had valid reasons for excluding certain entities, a smaller pool of bidders generally reduces the likelihood of achieving the most competitive pricing and potentially limits the range of innovative solutions. It raises questions about whether the exclusion criteria were overly restrictive or if the market for this specific type of construction service is inherently limited. The effectiveness hinges on whether the two bidders were highly qualified and submitted competitive offers, and whether the exclusion process was justified and transparent. Without this information, it's difficult to definitively assess the procurement's effectiveness in maximizing value for taxpayers.

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: NA-IDIQ

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 18039 HWY 30, HAGERMAN, ID, 83332

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $840,275

Exercised Options: $840,275

Current Obligation: $840,275

Actual Outlays: $185,238

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140F0822D0129

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline