Interior Department awards $2.56M contract for Mackay Island NWR rehabilitation, highlighting construction needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,560,420 ($2.6M)

Contractor: Midnight Sun-Centennial Sunnliaq JV, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-08-12

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 506 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: REHAB LIVE OAK POINT SHORE AT MACKAY ISLAND NWR

Place of Performance

Location: KNOTTS ISLAND, CURRITUCK County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27950

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $2.6 million to MIDNIGHT SUN-CENTENNIAL SUNNLIAQ JV, LLC for work described as: REHAB LIVE OAK POINT SHORE AT MACKAY ISLAND NWR Key points: 1. Contract addresses critical infrastructure needs for wildlife refuge. 2. Competition level suggests potential for fair pricing. 3. Fixed-price contract type limits cost overrun risk. 4. Project duration aligns with rehabilitation scope. 5. Geographic focus on North Carolina impacts local economy. 6. Construction sector is vital for environmental preservation efforts.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.56 million for rehabilitation work at Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge appears reasonable given the scope of construction and the fixed-price nature of the award. Benchmarking against similar commercial and institutional building construction projects of comparable size and complexity would provide further insight, but the award to a joint venture suggests a capacity to handle the project. The duration of the contract (506 days) also seems appropriate for a rehabilitation project of this nature.

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 competition was sought, certain sources were initially excluded. The award to a single joint venture (MIDNIGHT SUN-CENTENNIAL SUNNLIAQ JV, LLC) out of six potential bidders suggests that while multiple entities were aware of the opportunity, only one was ultimately selected. The specific reasons for excluding other sources would need further investigation to fully assess the impact on price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition, despite initial openness, may mean taxpayers did not benefit from the most aggressive pricing possible. However, the presence of multiple bidders indicates some level of market engagement.

Public Impact

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service benefits from improved refuge infrastructure. The project will involve construction services, potentially creating temporary jobs in North Carolina. The rehabilitation of Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge will enhance its ecological function and visitor experience. Local communities in North Carolina may see economic activity from construction-related services and materials.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The specific criteria for excluding sources in the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' award are not detailed, potentially limiting transparency.
The track record and past performance of the joint venture, MIDNIGHT SUN-CENTENNIAL SUNNLIAQ JV, LLC, require further examination to ensure successful project completion.
The long-term maintenance costs and sustainability of the rehabilitation efforts are not explicitly addressed in the award data.

Positive Signals

The contract is a firm-fixed-price award, which shifts cost risk to the contractor.
The project duration is clearly defined, providing a timeline for completion.
The award is for a critical rehabilitation project at a National Wildlife Refuge, supporting conservation goals.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a broad category encompassing the building and renovation of non-residential structures. The federal government is a significant consumer of construction services, particularly for maintaining and upgrading its vast portfolio of facilities, including national parks, refuges, and government buildings. Spending in this sector is often driven by infrastructure needs, modernization efforts, and environmental compliance. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be assessed against the cost per square foot or per project type for similar government or private sector construction projects.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary impact on the small business ecosystem would be through potential subcontracting opportunities. The prime contractor, a joint venture, may engage small businesses for specialized construction tasks or material supply. Further analysis of the subcontracting plan would be necessary to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the awarding agency. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract type, which incentivizes the contractor to complete the work within budget. Transparency is partially achieved through public contract databases, but detailed project progress reports and Inspector General oversight would provide a more comprehensive view of accountability and performance.

Related Government Programs

National Wildlife Refuge System Infrastructure Projects
Federal Building and Renovation Contracts
Environmental Restoration Projects
Construction Services for Federal Agencies

Risk Flags

Limited competition details
Contractor track record unknown
Potential environmental impact during construction

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $2.6 million to MIDNIGHT SUN-CENTENNIAL SUNNLIAQ JV, LLC. REHAB LIVE OAK POINT SHORE AT MACKAY ISLAND NWR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MIDNIGHT SUN-CENTENNIAL SUNNLIAQ JV, 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 $2.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-08-12. End: 2026-12-31.

What is the specific nature of the rehabilitation work at Mackay Island NWR?

The contract data indicates the project involves 'Commercial and Institutional Building Construction' for the 'REHAB LIVE OAK POINT SHORE AT MACKAY ISLAND NWR'. While the exact scope isn't detailed, this typically involves repairs, upgrades, or reconstruction of structures and shorelines within the refuge. Given the location (a wildlife refuge), the work could include restoring natural habitats, repairing or constructing visitor facilities, improving access points, or reinforcing shorelines against erosion. The duration of 506 days suggests a substantial undertaking rather than minor repairs.

How does the $2.56 million award compare to similar construction projects for federal agencies?

Without specific details on the scope of work (e.g., square footage, type of structures, specific environmental remediation), a direct comparison is challenging. However, $2.56 million is a moderate-sized contract for construction. Federal agencies frequently award contracts in this range for building renovations, infrastructure repairs, and specialized construction. For context, similar projects might include rehabilitating visitor centers, constructing small administrative buildings, or undertaking significant landscape/shoreline restoration within federal lands. The firm-fixed-price nature suggests the government has a clear understanding of the project scope and associated costs.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract award?

Potential risks include the contractor's ability to execute the complex rehabilitation work within the specified timeline and budget, especially given the environmental sensitivities of a wildlife refuge. The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' could indicate unique requirements or a limited pool of qualified contractors, potentially increasing risk if the selected joint venture underperforms. Weather-related delays in coastal North Carolina are also a common risk for construction projects. Finally, ensuring minimal disruption to the refuge's wildlife and ecosystems during construction is a critical risk to manage.

What is the track record of MIDNIGHT SUN-CENTENNIAL SUNNLIAQ JV, LLC?

Information on the specific track record of the joint venture 'MIDNIGHT SUN-CENTENNIAL SUNNLIAQ JV, LLC' is not provided in the basic award data. Joint ventures are often formed for specific projects, pooling resources and expertise from parent companies. To assess their track record, one would need to investigate the past performance of each individual company within the joint venture on similar federal or commercial construction contracts. This would involve reviewing past performance evaluations, project completion history, and any history of disputes or contract terminations.

How has federal spending on commercial and institutional building construction trended in recent years?

Federal spending on commercial and institutional building construction has generally remained robust, driven by the need to maintain and modernize aging federal infrastructure, build new facilities, and address environmental resilience. Agencies like the Department of Defense, Department of the Interior (managing public lands and facilities), and General Services Administration are major contributors to this spending. Trends are influenced by infrastructure bills, agency budget allocations, and national priorities. While specific year-over-year figures fluctuate, there's a consistent demand for construction services to support government operations and public services.

What does the 'Delivery Order' (aw: DELIVERY ORDER) designation imply for this contract?

The 'Delivery Order' designation typically means this contract is a type of indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar vehicle where specific task orders or delivery orders are issued against a pre-negotiated contract. In this case, it appears to be a specific order placed against a larger contract vehicle, likely for a defined project scope and duration as indicated by the start and end dates. This allows agencies flexibility in acquiring services as needed, but this specific award represents a firm commitment for the rehabilitation project at Mackay Island NWR.

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: 140FC125R0004

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3201 C ST STE 801, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99503

Business Categories: Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,519,740

Exercised Options: $2,560,420

Current Obligation: $2,560,420

Actual Outlays: $2,207,500

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $2,135,463

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140F0822D0079

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline