Interior Department awards $65K design services contract to Jackola Engineering & Architecture PC for Wyoming project

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $65,419 ($65.4K)

Contractor: Jackola Engineering & Architecture PC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2022-09-23

End Date: 2023-03-29

Contract Duration: 187 days

Daily Burn Rate: $350/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: WY DRY CREEK PETRIFIED TREE TITLE I & II DESIGN SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: BUFFALO, JOHNSON County, WYOMING, 82834

State: Wyoming Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $65,419.04 to JACKOLA ENGINEERING & ARCHITECTURE PC for work described as: WY DRY CREEK PETRIFIED TREE TITLE I & II DESIGN SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded for design services, indicating a need for specialized engineering expertise. 2. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a focused scope of work. 3. The award was made under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which warrants further investigation into the exclusion criteria. 4. The duration of the contract is 187 days, aligning with typical project timelines for design services. 5. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which provides cost certainty for the government. 6. The small business set-aside flag is false, indicating no specific preference for small businesses in this award.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $65,419.04 is modest for engineering and architectural design services. Benchmarking this against similar contracts is difficult without more specific project details. However, for a design services contract of this size and duration, the pricing appears within a reasonable range, assuming the scope of work is well-defined and the contractor's overhead and profit margins are standard for the industry. The fixed-price nature of the contract helps manage cost risks for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This procurement method suggests that while the intent was competition, certain sources were excluded. The specific reasons for exclusion are not detailed in the provided data, making it difficult to assess the breadth of competition. Typically, this method is used when specific capabilities or prior work are required, or if initial solicitations did not yield adequate responses. The limited competition may have implications for price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition could potentially lead to higher prices for taxpayers compared to a truly open and unrestricted competition, as the pool of potential bidders was narrowed.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Land Management, who will receive design services for a project in Wyoming. The services delivered will be engineering and architectural design, crucial for the planning and execution of infrastructure or land management projects. The geographic impact is specific to Wyoming, where the project is located. There are no direct workforce implications mentioned, but the contract supports the engineering and architecture sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The procurement method 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' raises questions about the fairness and extent of the competition.
Lack of detailed project scope makes it challenging to fully assess value for money.
The specific reasons for excluding certain sources are not provided, hindering a complete understanding of the competition dynamics.

Positive Signals

The contract is Firm Fixed Price, providing cost certainty.
The contract duration is defined, allowing for project management.
The award is to a specific engineering and architecture firm, suggesting a targeted selection process.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS code 541330). This sector is characterized by firms providing specialized design, consulting, and project management services for various industries, including government infrastructure and land management. The market size for engineering services is substantial, with government contracts forming a significant portion. This specific award appears to be a small component of broader federal spending on engineering and design, likely related to land management or conservation efforts by the Bureau of Land Management.

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 or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside requirement. The prime contractor, Jackola Engineering & Architecture PC, is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data, but their size would determine if they are considered small or large for federal contracting purposes.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management. Accountability measures are inherent in the Firm Fixed Price contract type, which obligates the contractor to deliver specified services for an agreed-upon price. Transparency is facilitated by federal contract databases where such awards are reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Bureau of Land Management Design Contracts
Department of the Interior Engineering Services
Federal Design and Engineering Services
Wyoming Federal Contracts

Risk Flags

Limited Competition Justification
Potential for Cost Overruns if Scope is Undefined
Risk of Suboptimal Design due to Limited Bidders

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $65,419.04 to JACKOLA ENGINEERING & ARCHITECTURE PC. WY DRY CREEK PETRIFIED TREE TITLE I & II DESIGN SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JACKOLA ENGINEERING & ARCHITECTURE PC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Land Management).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $65,419.04.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-23. End: 2023-03-29.

What specific project is this design contract for, and what is the expected outcome?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'WY DRY CREEK PETRIFIED TREE TITLE I & II DESIGN SERVICES.' While the exact nature of 'Dry Creek Petrified Tree Title I & II' is not detailed, it strongly suggests a project related to the design and planning for facilities, exhibits, or infrastructure associated with a petrified wood site managed by the Bureau of Land Management in Wyoming. The expected outcome would be a set of detailed design documents, blueprints, and specifications necessary for the subsequent construction or implementation phases of this project. This could include architectural plans, engineering designs for any structures, and potentially environmental impact assessments or site planning.

Can the value of this contract be considered competitive given the scope?

The contract value of $65,419.04 for design services is relatively modest. Without a detailed scope of work, it's challenging to definitively assess its competitiveness. However, for specialized design services, especially those requiring specific expertise or site knowledge, this amount could be reasonable for a defined phase or component of a larger project. The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method implies that the competition was limited, which could influence pricing. If the scope was extensive, this value might be low, suggesting potential underbidding or a very narrow focus. Conversely, if the scope was limited, it could represent fair market value.

What are the implications of the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' procurement method?

This procurement method, often referred to as 'negotiated procurement' or 'other than full and open competition' under specific circumstances, means that the agency solicited offers but then excluded certain sources from the competition. The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) outlines specific justifications for such exclusions, which could include reasons like the need for a unique capability, urgency, or if only one responsible source can satisfy the requirement. The implication for taxpayers is that the competitive pressure might be reduced compared to a truly open solicitation, potentially leading to higher costs. It also raises questions about why certain sources were excluded and if the justification for exclusion was robust and properly documented.

What is the track record of Jackola Engineering & Architecture PC with federal contracts?

The provided data does not include information on the track record of Jackola Engineering & Architecture PC with federal contracts. To assess their performance, one would need to examine their past federal contract awards, including contract values, types, agencies involved, and any performance reviews or past performance information available through federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS. A review of their history would reveal their experience in delivering similar services, their compliance with contract terms, and their overall reliability as a federal contractor.

How does this contract compare to other federal spending on engineering and design services?

This $65,419.04 contract is a very small expenditure within the broader landscape of federal spending on engineering and design services. The U.S. government awards billions of dollars annually for such services across various agencies like the Department of Defense, Department of Transportation, and agencies managing public lands and infrastructure. This specific contract likely represents a niche requirement for the Bureau of Land Management, possibly for a specific site enhancement or planning task. Compared to large-scale infrastructure design projects, this award is minor, but it is representative of the numerous smaller, specialized service contracts that agencies utilize for specific needs.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract?

Potential risks include scope creep if the design requirements are not clearly defined, leading to cost overruns despite the fixed-price nature. There's also a risk related to the limited competition, as the excluded sources might have offered better value or unique solutions. Contractor performance risk exists, although the fixed-price contract incentivizes timely and quality delivery. Furthermore, if the design is flawed, it could lead to increased costs and delays in subsequent construction phases. The specific nature of the 'Dry Creek Petrified Tree' project might also involve unique environmental or geological considerations that could pose risks if not adequately addressed in the design.

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: ARCHITECT-ENGINEER FAR 6.102

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2250 HIGHWAY 93 S, KALISPELL, MT, 59901

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, HUBZone Firm, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $65,419

Exercised Options: $65,419

Current Obligation: $65,419

Actual Outlays: $62,539

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140L0621D0004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline