Interior's $32.8M Zion Shuttle Contract Awarded to RATP Dev USA Inc. for Transit Operations

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $32,804,754 ($32.8M)

Contractor: Ratp DEV USA Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2020-02-07

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 2,519 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: ZION TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM AND SHUTTLE BUS OPERATIONS

Place of Performance

Location: SPRINGDALE, WASHINGTON County, UTAH, 84767

State: Utah Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $32.8 million to RATP DEV USA INC for work described as: ZION TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM AND SHUTTLE BUS OPERATIONS Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the duration and scope of transportation services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Potential risks include service disruptions and contractor performance issues. 4. This contract supports essential transportation within a major national park. 5. The contract falls within the 'Bus and Other Motor Vehicle Transit Systems' sector. 6. Favorable pricing is suggested by the firm-fixed-price structure.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of approximately $32.8 million over its potential duration (February 2020 to December 2026) suggests a moderate annual spend for comprehensive shuttle bus operations. Benchmarking against similar large-scale transit contracts within national parks or similar public transportation systems would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The firm-fixed-price structure generally indicates that the contractor assumes the risk for cost overruns, which can be favorable for the government if managed effectively.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This approach typically fosters a competitive environment, encouraging multiple bidders to offer their best pricing and service proposals. The number of bidders is not specified, but the method itself suggests a robust process aimed at achieving competitive pricing and optimal service delivery for the National Park Service.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of securing the most cost-effective solution and encourages innovation among potential service providers.

Public Impact

Visitors to Zion National Park benefit from reliable and efficient shuttle transportation, enhancing their experience and reducing traffic congestion. The contract ensures the continuous operation of essential transit services within the park. The geographic impact is concentrated within Zion National Park, Utah. The contract supports jobs related to bus operation, maintenance, and management.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for service disruptions impacting visitor access and park operations.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical transportation infrastructure.
Ensuring consistent quality of service and vehicle maintenance over the contract term.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive award process.
Long-term contract provides stability for service provision.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the transportation sector, specifically focusing on public transit operations. The market for providing such services often involves specialized companies with expertise in fleet management, driver services, and route optimization. The value of this contract is significant within its niche, reflecting the operational scale and importance of transit within a high-traffic national park. Comparable spending might be found in contracts for public transportation in urban areas or other large-scale visitor transportation services.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside criterion for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary focus was on securing the best overall value through full and open competition. While there's no explicit small business set-aside, RATP Dev USA Inc., as a large prime contractor, may engage small businesses as subcontractors for various support services, though this is not detailed in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the National Park Service contracting officer and administrative contracting officer. Performance monitoring, service level agreement adherence, and financial accountability are key oversight mechanisms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, though specific operational details may be proprietary. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

National Park Service Operations
Public Transportation Contracts
Federal Fleet Management
Visitor Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for service disruptions impacting visitor access.
Ensuring consistent service quality and vehicle maintenance over the contract term.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical park transportation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $32.8 million to RATP DEV USA INC. ZION TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM AND SHUTTLE BUS OPERATIONS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RATP DEV USA INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (National Park Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $32.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-02-07. End: 2026-12-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for Zion National Park shuttle bus operations?

Historical spending data for Zion National Park shuttle bus operations prior to this contract (awarded Feb 2020) is not directly provided. However, the current contract's total potential value of $32.8 million over approximately 6.8 years (Feb 2020 - Dec 2026) suggests an average annual expenditure of roughly $4.8 million. This figure represents the government's investment in ensuring essential transportation services within the park. Analyzing previous contracts, if available, would reveal trends in operational costs, potential price escalations, and the evolution of service requirements over time, providing a richer context for the current contract's value and performance.

How does the per-unit cost of this contract compare to similar transit services?

A precise per-unit cost comparison is challenging without specific metrics like cost per passenger mile, cost per vehicle hour, or cost per passenger trip. The provided data focuses on the total contract value and duration. However, the firm-fixed-price nature of the contract suggests that RATP DEV USA Inc. has factored in anticipated operational costs, including labor, fuel, maintenance, and profit, to arrive at a competitive price. Benchmarking against other large-scale shuttle operations in national parks or similar public transit systems, considering factors like terrain, passenger volume, and service hours, would be necessary for a meaningful per-unit cost assessment.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how is performance measured?

Key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract would likely revolve around service reliability, punctuality, passenger satisfaction, safety records, and vehicle maintenance standards. While specific KPIs are not detailed in the provided data, the National Park Service would establish measurable targets within the contract's performance work statement (PWS). Performance would be monitored through regular reporting by the contractor, potential site visits, passenger feedback mechanisms, and audits. Adherence to these KPIs would determine the contractor's overall performance rating and potentially influence future contract awards.

What is RATP DEV USA Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly in transportation?

RATP DEV USA Inc. is a subsidiary of the RATP Group, a global public transport operator. Their track record with federal contracts, particularly in transportation, would need to be assessed through databases like SAM.gov or FPDS. Generally, companies of this scale often have experience managing large public transit operations. A review of their past federal awards, performance ratings on previous contracts, and any history of disputes or corrective actions would provide insight into their reliability and capability to fulfill the requirements of the Zion shuttle operations contract.

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

Potential risks include service disruptions due to unforeseen events (e.g., weather, mechanical failures, labor disputes), fluctuations in operating costs (though mitigated by FFP), and ensuring consistent service quality over the contract's duration. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust performance monitoring by the National Park Service, clear contractual requirements for maintenance and contingency planning, and the contractor's own internal risk management processes. The firm-fixed-price structure places the burden of cost overruns on the contractor, incentivizing efficient operations. Penalties for non-performance or service failures may also be stipulated in the contract.

How does this contract align with the National Park Service's broader mission and sustainability goals?

This contract directly aligns with the National Park Service's mission to preserve natural and cultural resources and provide for public enjoyment. By providing efficient shuttle services, the contract helps reduce private vehicle traffic within Zion National Park, thereby minimizing environmental impact (e.g., emissions, erosion) and enhancing the visitor experience by reducing congestion and improving access to key areas. It supports sustainability goals by promoting public transportation as an alternative to single-occupancy vehicles, contributing to cleaner air and a more preserved natural environment within the park.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Urban Transit Systems › Bus and Other Motor Vehicle Transit Systems

Product/Service Code: TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCATION › TRAVEL, LODGING, RECRUITMENT SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 140P1219R0003

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Agence DES Participations DE L'etat

Address: 3800 SANDSHELL DR STE 180, FORT WORTH, TX, 76137

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $61,056,972

Exercised Options: $32,804,754

Current Obligation: $32,804,754

Actual Outlays: $27,764,745

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline