Everglades National Park Visitor Center Construction Contract Awarded for $48.4 Million

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $48,417,054 ($48.4M)

Contractor: Perini Management Services, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2023-07-11

End Date: 2025-12-31

Contract Duration: 904 days

Daily Burn Rate: $53.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: EVER 244476, CONSTRUCT MARJORY STONEMAN DOUGLAS VISITOR CENTER, EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, FL

Place of Performance

Location: EVERGLADES CITY, COLLIER County, FLORIDA, 34139

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $48.4 million to PERINI MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC. for work described as: EVER 244476, CONSTRUCT MARJORY STONEMAN DOUGLAS VISITOR CENTER, EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, FL Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Perini Management Services, Inc. for construction of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Visitor Center. 2. Project aims to enhance visitor experience and facilities within Everglades National Park. 3. The contract is a firm-fixed-price definitive contract, indicating a clear scope and price. 4. Construction is scheduled to be completed by December 31, 2025. 5. The contract value represents a significant investment in park infrastructure. 6. This project is part of broader efforts to modernize national park facilities.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $48.4 million for the construction of a visitor center appears reasonable given the scale and complexity of such projects within a national park setting. Benchmarking against similar large-scale visitor center constructions or significant building projects in protected areas would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs for the government, assuming the scope was well-defined.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple qualified contractors had the opportunity to bid. This competitive process is expected to yield a fair market price and encourage efficiency from the selected contractor. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' designation implies a robust competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by ensuring the government receives competitive pricing and the best value for its investment, reducing the likelihood of overpayment.

Public Impact

Visitors to Everglades National Park will benefit from improved facilities and a new visitor center. The construction project will deliver a modern and functional visitor center, enhancing the park experience. The project is geographically located in Florida, specifically within Everglades National Park. Construction activities will likely create temporary employment opportunities in the local area.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for construction delays impacting the opening date.
Risk of unforeseen site conditions in a national park environment.
Ensuring environmental compliance during construction in a sensitive ecosystem.

Positive Signals

Award to an experienced contractor, Perini Management Services, Inc.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Completion by a defined date (December 31, 2025).

Sector Analysis

The construction of visitor centers and infrastructure within national parks falls under the broader construction sector, specifically commercial and institutional building construction. This contract represents a significant investment in public infrastructure, aiming to improve visitor access and services. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large-scale construction projects for federal agencies, particularly those involving public facilities in environmentally sensitive areas.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not specify any small business set-aside provisions. Therefore, it is unlikely that small businesses were specifically targeted for this prime contract. However, Perini Management Services, Inc. may engage small businesses as subcontractors, which would be a positive impact on the small business ecosystem if such opportunities arise.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the National Park Service, a division of the Department of the Interior. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, which obligates the contractor to deliver the specified work within the agreed budget. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, though specific oversight activities and Inspector General involvement would depend on the project's progression and any reported issues.

Related Government Programs

National Park Service Visitor Center Construction
Federal Building and Infrastructure Projects
Department of the Interior Construction Contracts
Everglades National Park Development

Risk Flags

Environmental impact during construction
Potential for cost overruns if scope changes
Timely completion of construction

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $48.4 million to PERINI MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.. EVER 244476, CONSTRUCT MARJORY STONEMAN DOUGLAS VISITOR CENTER, EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, FL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PERINI MANAGEMENT SERVICES, 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 $48.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-07-11. End: 2025-12-31.

What is the track record of Perini Management Services, Inc. in completing large-scale federal construction projects, particularly within national park settings?

Perini Management Services, Inc. has a history of performing large-scale construction and renovation projects for various federal agencies, including the Department of Defense and the Department of Justice. Their experience often involves complex projects with stringent requirements. While specific details on projects within national park settings are not immediately available in this data, their general portfolio suggests capability in handling significant infrastructure development. A deeper dive into their past performance, including on-time and on-budget completion rates for similar projects, would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment of their track record for this specific visitor center construction.

How does the awarded amount of $48.4 million compare to the estimated cost or bids from other competitors?

The provided data indicates the awarded amount is $48,417,054. Without access to the original solicitation, the estimated cost, or the bids from other competitors, it is difficult to definitively state how this amount compares. However, the contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' which implies that the government sought the best value through a competitive bidding process. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract suggests that this price was deemed acceptable and competitive at the time of award. Further analysis would require access to the bid tabulation and cost estimates associated with the solicitation.

What are the primary risks associated with constructing a visitor center in a national park like Everglades, and how are they mitigated in this contract?

Key risks in constructing a visitor center within a national park include environmental sensitivities, potential for unforeseen site conditions (e.g., soil stability, wildlife habitats), logistical challenges of working in remote or protected areas, and ensuring minimal disruption to existing park operations and visitors. This contract, being a firm-fixed-price definitive contract, aims to mitigate cost risks for the government by locking in the price. The contractor, Perini Management Services, Inc., is responsible for managing these risks. Mitigation strategies likely include detailed site surveys, environmental impact assessments, robust project management plans, and adherence to strict environmental and operational protocols set by the National Park Service.

What is the expected impact of this new visitor center on the overall visitor experience and park management in Everglades National Park?

The construction of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Visitor Center is expected to significantly enhance the visitor experience by providing modern, accessible, and informative facilities. This includes potentially updated exhibits, improved amenities, and better orientation services for the millions of visitors to Everglades National Park. From a park management perspective, a new, well-equipped visitor center can improve visitor flow, reduce strain on existing facilities, and serve as a more effective hub for educational programs and resource protection efforts. It represents a substantial investment in the park's infrastructure, aiming to support its mission of conservation and public enjoyment.

How does the total contract value of $48.4 million fit into the historical spending patterns for visitor center construction or similar infrastructure projects by the National Park Service?

The $48.4 million contract value is substantial and likely represents one of the larger single investments in visitor center infrastructure for the National Park Service in recent years. Historical spending on visitor centers can vary widely based on size, complexity, location, and the specific needs of the park. While not an everyday occurrence, major visitor center projects often run into the tens of millions of dollars, especially when they involve significant new construction or extensive renovations in iconic or high-visitation parks. To contextualize this further, one would need to compare it against the NPS budget for construction and capital improvements over several fiscal years and identify other comparable visitor center projects.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 140P2023R0031

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Tutor Perini Corporation

Address: 73 MOUNT WAYTE AVE, FRAMINGHAM, MA, 01702

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $48,417,054

Exercised Options: $48,417,054

Current Obligation: $48,417,054

Actual Outlays: $48,176,404

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED

Timeline