Interior Department awards $300K engineering contract for Quivira NWR Great Plains Nature Center design

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $299,986 ($300.0K)

Contractor: Tepa Engineering Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-04-08

End Date: 2026-05-14

Contract Duration: 401 days

Daily Burn Rate: $748/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: QUIVIRA NWR GREAT PLAINS NATURE CENTER DESIGN

Place of Performance

Location: WICHITA, SEDGWICK County, KANSAS, 67220

State: Kansas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $299,985.96 to TEPA ENGINEERING SERVICES LLC for work described as: QUIVIRA NWR GREAT PLAINS NATURE CENTER DESIGN Key points: 1. Contract awarded to TEPA ENGINEERING SERVICES LLC for design services. 2. The contract is a firm-fixed-price delivery order. 3. Performance period spans over one year, from April 2025 to May 2026. 4. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 5. The project aims to support the Great Plains Nature Center at Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541330 for Engineering Services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $300,000 for engineering design services appears reasonable for a project of this scope. Benchmarking against similar design contracts for nature centers or wildlife refuge facilities would provide a more precise assessment. However, given the fixed-price nature, the government has a defined cost ceiling. The specific deliverables and complexity of the design will ultimately determine the true value for money.

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,' indicating that the solicitation was broadly advertised, and multiple bids were likely considered. The specific exclusion of sources might suggest a pre-qualification or a specific set of requirements that narrowed the field, but the 'full and open' aspect implies a competitive process. The number of bidders is not specified, but the method suggests a robust competition.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for taxpayers compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and visitors to the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. The contract will deliver design services for the Great Plains Nature Center. The geographic impact is focused on Kansas, specifically the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. The project supports conservation education and public engagement efforts related to wildlife and natural resources.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if design requirements are not clearly defined upfront.
Reliance on TEPA ENGINEERING SERVICES LLC's expertise for accurate and cost-effective design solutions.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment.
Clear performance period with defined start and end dates.

Sector Analysis

Engineering services, classified under NAICS code 541330, represent a significant sector within federal contracting. This contract fits within the broader category of professional services supporting environmental and conservation initiatives. Comparable spending in this sector often involves architectural and engineering design for public infrastructure, visitor centers, and natural resource management facilities. The market for these services is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized expertise.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside requirement. The prime contractor, TEPA ENGINEERING SERVICES LLC, is responsible for its own subcontracting decisions if any are needed for specialized services not performed in-house.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily be managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an agency within the Department of the Interior. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms and the defined performance period. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases where award details are published. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

National Wildlife Refuge System
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Construction and Engineering Projects
Nature Center Development Programs
Federal Visitor Center Design Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep
Contractor performance risk
Accuracy of cost estimates for design services

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $299,985.96 to TEPA ENGINEERING SERVICES LLC. QUIVIRA NWR GREAT PLAINS NATURE CENTER DESIGN

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TEPA ENGINEERING 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 $299,985.96.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-04-08. End: 2026-05-14.

What is the track record of TEPA ENGINEERING SERVICES LLC with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of the Interior or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?

A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to fully assess TEPA ENGINEERING SERVICES LLC's track record. This would involve examining past contract awards, performance evaluations (if available), and any history of disputes or issues. Understanding their experience with similar projects, such as nature centers or wildlife refuge facilities, would also be crucial. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to definitively gauge their reliability and past performance in delivering federal projects on time and within budget. However, their selection for this contract suggests they met the agency's requirements at the time of award.

How does the awarded amount of $299,985.96 compare to the estimated cost or market rates for similar engineering design services for nature centers?

The awarded amount of approximately $300,000 for engineering design services for the Great Plains Nature Center is a key data point. To benchmark this value, one would compare it against similar contracts awarded by federal agencies, state governments, or even large non-profits for the design of visitor centers, educational facilities, or conservation-related infrastructure. Factors such as the size of the facility, complexity of the design (e.g., LEED certification requirements, specialized exhibits), and the specific engineering disciplines involved (structural, mechanical, electrical, civil) would influence cost. A firm-fixed-price contract provides a defined ceiling, but understanding the scope of work is essential for a true value-for-money assessment.

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

Key risks for this contract include potential scope creep if the design requirements are not meticulously defined and managed, leading to cost overruns or schedule delays. Another risk is the reliance on the contractor's technical expertise; if the design is flawed, it could lead to construction issues later. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust contract management by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, including clear statement of work, regular progress reviews, and change order control processes. The firm-fixed-price nature also incentivizes the contractor to manage costs effectively. Performance bonds, if required, can offer financial protection against contractor default.

How effective is the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method in ensuring competitive pricing for this type of engineering service?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' (F&O C AES) method aims to balance broad competition with specific agency needs. It implies that the solicitation was widely advertised, but certain sources were excluded, possibly due to pre-qualification requirements, past performance issues, or specific technical capabilities. While it's more competitive than a sole-source award, the exclusion of some potential bidders could theoretically limit the number of offers received, potentially impacting price discovery. The effectiveness hinges on how narrowly the exclusion criteria were defined and whether sufficient qualified bidders remained to foster robust competition.

What is the historical spending pattern for engineering services related to National Wildlife Refuge facilities by the Department of the Interior?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for engineering services related to National Wildlife Refuge facilities by the Department of the Interior would reveal trends in contract values, types of services procured, and common contractors. This data can help establish benchmarks for future procurements and identify potential areas for cost savings or efficiency improvements. Understanding the frequency and scale of such contracts provides context for the current award. For instance, if similar design projects have consistently cost more or less, it could indicate whether this $300,000 award is within the expected range.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2275 CASSENS DR, FENTON, MO, 63026

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $299,986

Exercised Options: $299,986

Current Obligation: $299,986

Actual Outlays: $200,537

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140F0822D0307

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline