National Park Service awards $23.6M contract for Tuolumne Meadows Campground rehabilitation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,596,991 ($23.6M)

Contractor: Martin Brothers Construction

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2021-09-30

End Date: 2024-10-31

Contract Duration: 1,127 days

Daily Burn Rate: $20.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: YOSE 229677 - REHABILITATE THE TUOLUMNE MEADOWS CAMPGROUND TO ENHANCE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

Place of Performance

Location: TUOLUMNE, TUOLUMNE County, CALIFORNIA, 95379

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $23.6 million to MARTIN BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION for work described as: YOSE 229677 - REHABILITATE THE TUOLUMNE MEADOWS CAMPGROUND TO ENHANCE VISITOR EXPERIENCE Key points: 1. Contract aims to improve visitor experience through campground upgrades. 2. Competition was robust, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. Contract duration of over three years allows for phased execution. 4. Fixed-price contract type shifts risk to the contractor. 5. Project is located in California, a state with significant tourism. 6. The contractor, Martin Brothers Construction, has a history of federal awards.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $23.6 million for campground rehabilitation appears reasonable given the scope of work, which includes enhancing visitor experience. Benchmarking against similar large-scale park infrastructure projects suggests this is within a typical range. The firm fixed-price structure indicates that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which can be a positive indicator of value if the contractor manages costs effectively. Further analysis would involve comparing specific rehabilitation tasks to industry standards.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The presence of two bidders (as suggested by 'no': 2) signifies a degree of competition, though more bidders would typically lead to stronger price discovery. The competitive process is a positive sign for achieving a fair market price.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down costs and encourage innovation.

Public Impact

Benefits park visitors by improving camping facilities and overall experience. Services delivered include rehabilitation and enhancement of campground infrastructure. Geographic impact is concentrated in Yosemite National Park, California. Workforce implications include potential job creation for construction and related trades in the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Positive Signals

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the heavy and civil engineering construction sector, specifically related to public infrastructure development and maintenance. The market for such projects is often characterized by a mix of large, established construction firms and specialized subcontractors. Spending on park infrastructure is crucial for maintaining national treasures and supporting tourism economies. Comparable projects might include other large-scale campground renovations or park facility upgrades across federal land management agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting goals for small businesses. This suggests that the primary award went to a larger firm, Martin Brothers Construction. Further investigation into the contractor's subcontracting plan would be necessary to determine the extent of small business participation in this project.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Park Service contracting officers and project managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver specified work within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though detailed project progress reports may not always be publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Risk Flags

Tags

construction, national-park-service, yosemite-national-park, california, definitive-contract, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, heavy-and-civil-engineering-construction, infrastructure-rehabilitation, visitor-experience

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $23.6 million to MARTIN BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION. YOSE 229677 - REHABILITATE THE TUOLUMNE MEADOWS CAMPGROUND TO ENHANCE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MARTIN BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $23.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-30. End: 2024-10-31.

What is the track record of Martin Brothers Construction with federal contracts, particularly with the National Park Service?

Martin Brothers Construction has a history of receiving federal contracts, as indicated by the presence of prior awards. To assess their track record thoroughly, one would need to examine the value, type, and performance history of their previous federal engagements. Specifically, looking at contracts with the National Park Service or similar agencies for construction and rehabilitation projects would provide relevant context. A review of past performance evaluations, if available, would offer insights into their reliability, quality of work, and adherence to schedules and budgets. Analyzing their contract completion rates and any instances of disputes or terminations would further inform an assessment of their capabilities and reliability as a federal contractor.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar campground rehabilitation projects in other national parks?

Benchmarking this $23.6 million contract against similar projects requires access to data on comparable National Park Service or other federal land management agency projects. Factors such as the size of the campground, the extent of rehabilitation needed (e.g., utility upgrades, site reconstruction, new facilities), and the geographic location (which influences labor and material costs) are critical for a fair comparison. Without specific data on comparable projects, it's challenging to definitively state whether this award represents exceptional value. However, the full and open competition suggests a market-driven price was sought, which is a positive indicator. A detailed analysis would involve identifying projects with similar scopes and durations and comparing their total costs and cost-per-campsite metrics.

What are the primary risks associated with this specific rehabilitation project, and how are they being mitigated?

The primary risks associated with the Tuolumne Meadows Campground rehabilitation project likely include environmental challenges (e.g., weather delays, sensitive ecosystems), logistical complexities due to the remote location, potential for unforeseen site conditions requiring additional work, and ensuring minimal disruption to ongoing park operations and visitor access. The firm fixed-price contract mitigates financial risk for the government by capping the total cost. Mitigation of other risks would depend on the contractor's project management plan, including detailed scheduling, contingency planning for weather, environmental compliance protocols, and coordination strategies with the National Park Service. The contract duration of over three years allows for phased execution, potentially spreading risk and enabling adaptive management.

What is the expected impact of this contract on visitor capacity and experience at Tuolumne Meadows Campground?

The contract's stated objective is to 'enhance visitor experience,' implying that the rehabilitation will lead to improved facilities, potentially increased capacity, or a more enjoyable camping environment. Specific impacts could include upgraded campsites, modernized restroom facilities, improved access roads and pathways, enhanced safety features, and better integration with the natural surroundings. The extent to which visitor capacity might increase would depend on the specific rehabilitation plans, such as whether sites are consolidated, expanded, or modernized. The project aims to ensure the campground remains a high-quality destination within Yosemite National Park, supporting the park's mission of providing access and enjoyment of natural resources.

How has federal spending on park infrastructure and campground rehabilitation evolved over the past five years?

Analyzing federal spending trends on park infrastructure and campground rehabilitation over the past five years would require aggregating data across agencies like the National Park Service, Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management. This trend analysis would likely show fluctuations influenced by appropriations cycles, specific infrastructure initiatives (e.g., Great American Outdoors Act), and the overall condition of federal lands. Spending may have increased in recent years due to a growing recognition of deferred maintenance backlogs and the importance of outdoor recreation. Examining historical spending patterns for the National Park Service specifically would reveal the proportion allocated to rehabilitation versus new construction or maintenance, providing context for the significance of this $23.6 million award.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ConstructionOther Heavy and Civil Engineering ConstructionOther Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIESCONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 140P2021R0082

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8801 FOLSOM BLVD STE 260, SACRAMENTO, CA, 95826

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $23,596,991

Exercised Options: $23,596,991

Current Obligation: $23,596,991

Actual Outlays: $23,596,991

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline

Start Date: 2021-09-30

Current End Date: 2024-10-31

Potential End Date: 2025-10-31 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2025-09-03

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