Interior's National Park Service Awards $1.3M for Glacier Visitor Transport
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $1,326,633 ($1.3M)
Contractor: Alternative Staffing Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2026-04-07
End Date: 2027-04-06
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.6K/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: VISITOR TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
Place of Performance
Location: WEST GLACIER, FLATHEAD County, MONTANA, 59936
State: Montana Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $1.3 million to ALTERNATIVE STAFFING CORPORATION for work described as: VISITOR TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR GLACIER NATIONAL PARK Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Alternative Staffing Corporation for visitor transportation. 2. Spending is for temporary help services in Montana. 3. The contract duration is one year, ending April 2027. 4. This is a delivery order under a larger contract. 5. The contract type is Time and Materials.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's value of $1.3M for one year of temporary staffing seems high for the described service. Benchmarking against similar temporary staffing contracts for specialized services would be necessary to confirm fair pricing.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting limited competition. While SAP aims for efficiency, it may not always yield the best price discovery compared to full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for this service, and the efficiency of the procurement method impacts the overall value for money.
Public Impact
Enhances visitor experience at Glacier National Park by providing transportation. Supports park operations and accessibility for tourists. Creates temporary employment opportunities in Montana.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns with Time and Materials contract.
- Limited competition may have resulted in a higher price.
- Dependence on a single vendor for critical visitor services.
Positive Signals
- Ensures essential visitor services are met.
- Supports park operations during peak season.
- Provides flexibility in staffing levels.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under temporary help services, often used by government agencies to supplement their workforce for specific projects or peak demands. Benchmarks for this sector vary widely based on the skill set and duration required.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved in this procurement, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would involve monitoring the vendor's performance, ensuring adherence to contract terms, and verifying that the services provided meet the National Park Service's needs and quality standards.
Related Government Programs
- Temporary Help Services
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- National Park Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost creep due to Time and Materials pricing.
- Limited competition may not have secured the best value.
- Lack of clarity on specific services provided for the cost.
- No indication of small business participation.
Tags
temporary-help-services, department-of-the-interior, mt, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $1.3 million to ALTERNATIVE STAFFING CORPORATION. VISITOR TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ALTERNATIVE STAFFING CORPORATION.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (National Park Service).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $1.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2027-04-06.
What is the specific nature of the 'visitor transportation services' and how does the $1.3M value align with industry standards for similar services in a national park setting?
The contract specifies 'Temporary Help Services' (NAICS 561320) for visitor transportation. The $1.3M value for a one-year Time and Materials contract requires detailed justification. Without knowing the exact number of vehicles, drivers, hours, and specific routes, it's difficult to benchmark. However, for a park like Glacier, significant operational needs could drive costs, but a thorough review of the labor rates and estimated hours against comparable contracts is crucial to ensure value.
Given the 'limited' competition under SAP, what steps were taken to ensure the government received a fair and reasonable price for these transportation services?
Under SAP, agencies are expected to obtain price reasonableness through various means, such as comparing offers to historical prices paid, using commercial price lists, or obtaining quotes from multiple sources if feasible. For a 'limited' competition, the agency likely relied on pre-existing relationships or limited outreach. The effectiveness of these methods in securing a competitive price needs to be assessed, especially for a contract valued over $1 million.
How will the National Park Service measure the effectiveness and quality of the visitor transportation services provided by Alternative Staffing Corporation under this Time and Materials contract?
Effectiveness will likely be measured through metrics such as on-time performance, passenger satisfaction surveys, vehicle maintenance records, and driver compliance with safety regulations. The agency's quality assurance surveillance plan (QASP) would detail these performance standards and how they will be monitored and enforced throughout the contract period to ensure the services meet the park's operational and visitor experience goals.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Employment Services › Temporary Help Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 702 E IDAHO ST, KALISPELL, MT, 59901
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $1,326,633
Exercised Options: $1,326,633
Current Obligation: $1,326,633
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 140P1422D0001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-07
Current End Date: 2027-04-06
Potential End Date: 2027-04-07 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-07
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