Interior Department awards $17.8M contract for Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park rehabilitation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,832,244 ($17.8M)

Contractor: Koman Sustainable Solutions, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2023-09-26

End Date: 2026-12-18

Contract Duration: 1,179 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: LYJO 290111 & 316068 - REHABILITATE TEXAS WHITE HOUSE & REHABILITATE HANGAR BUILDING, LYNDON B. JOHNSON NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

Place of Performance

Location: JOHNSON CITY, BLANCO County, TEXAS, 78636

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $17.8 million to KOMAN SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: LYJO 290111 & 316068 - REHABILITATE TEXAS WHITE HOUSE & REHABILITATE HANGAR BUILDING, LYNDON B. JOHNSON NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Koman Sustainable Solutions, LLC for rehabilitation of Texas White House and Hangar Building. 2. Project aims to preserve historical structures within the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park. 3. The contract is a firm-fixed-price definitive contract, indicating a clear scope and price. 4. Duration of the contract is 1179 days, spanning from September 2023 to December 2026. 5. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 6. The project falls under the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction NAICS code. 7. The award amount is $17,832,244. 8. The contract is located in Texas.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $17.8 million for the rehabilitation of two historical buildings appears reasonable given the scope and duration. While direct comparisons are difficult without specific project details, large-scale historical preservation projects often involve significant costs due to specialized labor, materials, and adherence to strict historical accuracy standards. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests that the pricing was determined upfront, which can be advantageous for the government if the contractor accurately estimates costs. Further benchmarking against similar rehabilitation projects for national park facilities would provide a more precise value assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The solicitation process likely involved a competitive bidding period where multiple construction firms could present their proposals. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competition, which is generally expected to drive competitive pricing and encourage the selection of qualified contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it promotes a level playing field, encourages multiple bids, and typically leads to more competitive pricing, ensuring that government funds are used efficiently.

Public Impact

Preserves and rehabilitates key historical structures associated with President Lyndon B. Johnson. Enhances the visitor experience at the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park. Supports the long-term preservation of national heritage sites. Likely creates construction-related jobs in Texas during the contract period. Ensures the continued accessibility and integrity of the historical park for future generations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen historical preservation challenges arise.
Dependence on the contractor's ability to meet strict historical accuracy and quality standards.
Risk of project delays due to the complexity of rehabilitating historic structures.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive selection process.
Contractor has a defined period to complete the work, allowing for structured execution.
Project directly supports the National Park Service's mission of preservation.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, specifically focusing on historical preservation and rehabilitation. The market for such specialized construction services is driven by government agencies, historical societies, and private entities seeking to maintain and restore significant structures. The value of this contract, at $17.8 million, is substantial for a single project within this niche, reflecting the complexity and importance of preserving presidential historical sites. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other large-scale historical building renovations or restorations undertaken by federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition' and the data indicates 'sb' (small business set-aside) is false. This suggests that the contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses. While Koman Sustainable Solutions, LLC may be a small business itself, the procurement process did not mandate a small business set-aside. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses, which would typically be detailed in the contract's terms and conditions. The impact on the small business ecosystem will depend on whether Koman Sustainable Solutions, LLC utilizes small businesses for any subcontracted work.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily be managed by the National Park Service (NPS), an agency within the Department of the Interior. The NPS will likely have contracting officers and project managers responsible for monitoring performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and approving payments. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability for the contractor to deliver the specified work within the agreed-upon budget. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific project progress reports may not always be publicly available. The Inspector General for the Department of the Interior would have jurisdiction over any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

National Park Service Preservation Programs
Historic Preservation Fund
Federal Buildings Fund
Department of the Interior Construction Contracts
Presidential Library and Museum Construction/Maintenance

Risk Flags

Potential for unforeseen conditions in historic structures
Need for specialized historical preservation expertise
Risk of scope creep impacting fixed price

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $17.8 million to KOMAN SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS, LLC. LYJO 290111 & 316068 - REHABILITATE TEXAS WHITE HOUSE & REHABILITATE HANGAR BUILDING, LYNDON B. JOHNSON NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KOMAN SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-26. End: 2026-12-18.

What is the track record of Koman Sustainable Solutions, LLC with federal contracts, particularly for historical preservation?

Information regarding Koman Sustainable Solutions, LLC's specific track record with federal contracts, especially concerning historical preservation projects, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing the company's past performance on similar government contracts, including their history of on-time delivery, adherence to budget, quality of work, and any past performance issues or awards. Federal procurement databases and contractor performance systems (like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS) would be the primary sources for this information. Without access to these detailed records, it is difficult to definitively assess their suitability and experience for this specific rehabilitation project.

How does the $17.8 million award compare to similar rehabilitation projects for national park facilities?

Benchmarking the $17.8 million award for the rehabilitation of the Texas White House and Hangar Building requires comparison with similar large-scale historical preservation and rehabilitation projects undertaken by the National Park Service or other federal agencies managing historical sites. Factors such as the size and condition of the structures, the extent of the required work (e.g., structural repairs, interior restoration, system upgrades), and the specific historical significance influencing material and labor choices all impact cost. Generally, major historical restorations can range from several million to tens of millions of dollars. Without specific project scope details for comparable contracts, a precise comparison is challenging, but $17.8 million suggests a significant undertaking for two key structures within a presidential park.

What are the primary risks associated with rehabilitating historic structures like the Texas White House?

Rehabilitating historic structures, such as the Texas White House, presents several inherent risks. A primary concern is the discovery of unforeseen conditions, such as structural damage, hazardous materials (like asbestos or lead paint), or deteriorated original components, which can lead to scope changes and cost overruns. Maintaining historical accuracy requires specialized materials and skilled labor, which can be more expensive and harder to source than standard construction resources. Furthermore, compliance with stringent preservation guidelines and regulations adds complexity and potential for delays. The firm-fixed-price contract structure aims to mitigate cost risks for the government, but it places a greater burden on the contractor to accurately estimate and manage these potential challenges.

How effective is the firm-fixed-price contract type in ensuring value for money for this type of project?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally considered effective for projects with a well-defined scope, such as the rehabilitation of specific buildings, as it provides cost certainty for the government. The contractor assumes the risk of cost overruns, incentivizing efficient project management and cost control. For a project like this, where the scope of rehabilitation is likely understood, an FFP contract can ensure value for money by locking in the price upfront. However, if unforeseen issues arise that significantly alter the scope, change orders can increase the total cost, potentially diminishing the initial cost certainty. The effectiveness hinges on the thoroughness of the initial scope definition and the contractor's ability to manage risks within the fixed price.

What is the historical spending pattern for rehabilitation projects at the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for rehabilitation projects at the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park would provide context for the current $17.8 million award. This would involve examining past contracts awarded by the National Park Service for maintenance, repair, and restoration work at this specific park or similar presidential sites. Understanding the frequency, scale, and cost of previous projects can help determine if this award represents a typical investment or an unusually large expenditure. Without access to historical contract data specific to this park, it's difficult to establish a baseline. However, large-scale rehabilitation projects are often infrequent, with smaller, routine maintenance occurring more regularly.

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: 140P2023R0088

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2700 GAMBELL ST, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99503

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,832,244

Exercised Options: $17,832,244

Current Obligation: $17,832,244

Actual Outlays: $6,946,426

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 39

Total Subaward Amount: $25,965,666

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline