Interior Department awards $3.1M contract for building maintenance to Huot Construction and Services, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,118,991 ($3.1M)

Contractor: Huot Construction and Services, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-09-20

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 587 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: RYDELL MAINTENANCE BUILDING

Place of Performance

Location: ERSKINE, POLK County, MINNESOTA, 56535

State: Minnesota Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $3.1 million to HUOT CONSTRUCTION AND SERVICES, INC. for work described as: RYDELL MAINTENANCE BUILDING Key points: 1. Contract awarded for building maintenance services, indicating a need for facility upkeep. 2. The contract duration of 587 days suggests a medium-term requirement for these services. 3. Awarded under full and open competition, implying a competitive bidding process. 4. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 5. The specific building, RYDELL MAINTENANCE BUILDING, highlights a localized need. 6. The awarding agency is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, part of the Department of the Interior.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $3.1 million for building maintenance over approximately 20 months appears within a reasonable range for such services, though specific benchmarks are unavailable without more detailed scope of work. The firm fixed-price structure suggests an effort to ensure cost certainty. However, without comparable contract data for similar facilities or specific maintenance tasks, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The absence of detailed performance metrics in the provided data limits a deeper evaluation of efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' which suggests that while the competition was intended to be broad, there might have been specific reasons for excluding certain sources initially. The presence of 3 bids indicates a moderate level of competition. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing and better value for the government. The current level of competition may have influenced the final negotiated price.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition, even with initial exclusions, aims to ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by soliciting bids from multiple qualified contractors, potentially leading to lower prices than a sole-source award.

Public Impact

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service benefits from the maintenance of its facilities, ensuring operational continuity. Essential building maintenance services are delivered, contributing to the upkeep of government infrastructure. The geographic impact is localized to Minnesota, where the RYDELL MAINTENANCE BUILDING is located. The contract supports the construction and services industry workforce, likely in Minnesota.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'after exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type warrants further investigation to understand the rationale and potential impact on competition.
Limited public information on the specific scope of maintenance required makes it difficult to assess if the price is fully justified.
The duration of the contract (587 days) might be subject to change orders if unforeseen issues arise, potentially increasing costs.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process, suggesting an effort to obtain fair market value.
The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability for the government.
The contract is for essential building maintenance, supporting the operational needs of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a broad category encompassing the maintenance and repair of non-residential buildings. The market for such services is typically robust, with numerous providers ranging from small local firms to large national corporations. Government contracts for building maintenance are common, representing a significant portion of federal spending on facilities management. Benchmarks for similar contracts would depend heavily on the size, age, and specific maintenance needs of the facility.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary contractor, Huot Construction and Services, Inc., is likely not a small business. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans or requirements for small business participation. This means the direct economic benefit to the small business ecosystem from this specific contract may be limited unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though detailed performance reports may not be publicly accessible. The Inspector General for the Department of the Interior would have jurisdiction over any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building Maintenance Contracts
Department of the Interior Facilities Management
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Operations
Commercial Building Construction Services

Risk Flags

Competition Clause Ambiguity
Undefined Scope of Work Risk
Limited Performance Data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $3.1 million to HUOT CONSTRUCTION AND SERVICES, INC.. RYDELL MAINTENANCE BUILDING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HUOT CONSTRUCTION AND SERVICES, 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 $3.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-20. End: 2026-04-30.

What is the specific scope of work included in this building maintenance contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific scope of work for this contract. It is categorized under 'Commercial and Institutional Building Construction,' suggesting general maintenance and repair services for the RYDELL MAINTENANCE BUILDING. This could encompass a wide range of activities such as HVAC servicing, plumbing, electrical repairs, janitorial services, structural upkeep, landscaping, and pest control. A comprehensive understanding of the contract's value and performance would require access to the detailed statement of work (SOW) and any associated performance work statements (PWS).

How does the awarded price of $3.1 million compare to similar building maintenance contracts for federal facilities of comparable size and type?

A direct comparison of the $3.1 million award to similar contracts is challenging without more specific data on the RYDELL MAINTENANCE BUILDING's size, age, condition, and the exact services required. Federal building maintenance costs can vary significantly based on these factors, as well as geographic location and prevailing labor rates. Generally, firm fixed-price contracts aim to secure a set price, but the 'value for money' is best assessed by comparing the price against a detailed scope of work and market rates for those specific services. Without such granular data, this award is considered fair but not definitively exceptional or concerning.

What are the potential risks associated with this firm fixed-price contract for building maintenance?

Firm fixed-price contracts, while offering cost certainty, can introduce risks if the scope of work is not precisely defined or if unforeseen conditions arise. For this building maintenance contract, risks include the contractor potentially cutting corners on service quality to maximize profit if the price is too low or if oversight is lax. Conversely, if the scope was underestimated, the contractor might incur losses, potentially leading to disputes or a desire to renegotiate. The 'after exclusion of sources' aspect of the competition also presents a potential risk if it limited the pool of qualified bidders, possibly leading to a less competitive price than could have been achieved otherwise.

What is the track record of Huot Construction and Services, Inc. in performing federal building maintenance contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of Huot Construction and Services, Inc. in performing federal building maintenance contracts is not provided in the data. To assess their reliability and past performance, one would typically review their contract history, including past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), any past disputes or claims, and their experience with similar projects. A thorough review would involve checking databases like SAM.gov or agency-specific procurement records for previous awards and performance feedback.

What are the historical spending patterns for building maintenance by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?

Historical spending patterns for building maintenance by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) are not detailed in the provided data. To analyze this, one would need to examine multi-year federal procurement data, looking at the total amount spent on maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) for facilities across the agency. This analysis would reveal trends, identify major spending areas, and potentially highlight fluctuations in budget allocation for facility upkeep. Understanding these patterns can help contextualize the current $3.1 million award within the agency's overall facilities management budget and priorities.

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

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 120 BRIDGEPOINT WAY STE A, SOUTH SAINT PAUL, MN, 55075

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,118,991

Exercised Options: $3,118,991

Current Obligation: $3,118,991

Actual Outlays: $3,085,812

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140F0822D0054

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline