Interior Department awards $13.8M contract for Little Bighorn visitor facility replacement

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,828,834 ($13.8M)

Contractor: Nomlaki Technologies, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-07-23

End Date: 2026-07-07

Contract Duration: 714 days

Daily Burn Rate: $19.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: LIBI 241430 - REPLACE DILAPIDATED VISITOR FACILITY, LITTLE BIGHORN BATTLEFIELD NATIONAL MONUMENT

Place of Performance

Location: CROW AGENCY, BIG HORN County, MONTANA, 59022

State: Montana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $13.8 million to NOMLAKI TECHNOLOGIES, LLC for work described as: LIBI 241430 - REPLACE DILAPIDATED VISITOR FACILITY, LITTLE BIGHORN BATTLEFIELD NATIONAL MONUMENT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Nomlaki Technologies, LLC for construction services. 2. Project aims to replace a dilapidated visitor facility at a significant historical site. 3. The contract type is a Firm Fixed Price Definitive Contract. 4. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources. 5. The contract duration is 714 days. 6. The project is located in Montana.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $13.8 million for replacing a visitor facility appears reasonable given the scope of construction work at a national monument. Benchmarking against similar construction projects for federal facilities of comparable size and complexity would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure shifts risk to the contractor, which can be beneficial for budget certainty.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that while the competition was intended to be broad, specific sources may have been excluded for defined reasons. With four bidders participating, the level of competition suggests a reasonable opportunity for price discovery. However, the 'exclusion of sources' clause warrants further investigation to understand its impact on the breadth of competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition, despite source exclusions, likely resulted in a competitive price for taxpayers. The presence of multiple bidders generally drives down costs compared to sole-source or limited competition scenarios.

Public Impact

Visitors to the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument will benefit from improved facilities. The project will deliver new construction services, replacing outdated infrastructure. The geographic impact is localized to the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument in Montana. The contract will likely create or sustain jobs in the construction sector within Montana.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions arise during construction.
Dependence on contractor's ability to meet project timelines and quality standards.
The 'exclusion of sources' clause in the competition method needs clarification to ensure maximum fair opportunity.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides budget certainty for the government.
Award to a single contractor streamlines management and accountability.
The project addresses a critical need for facility replacement at a national monument.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, a significant segment of the broader construction industry. Federal spending in this area supports infrastructure development and maintenance across various agencies. Comparable projects often involve the construction or renovation of public facilities, visitor centers, and administrative buildings, with costs varying widely based on size, complexity, and location.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses mandated by a set-aside. The primary contractor, Nomlaki Technologies, LLC, will manage the project, and their subcontracting practices will determine any indirect opportunities for small businesses in the construction supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be managed by the National Park Service, an agency within the Department of the Interior. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract, requiring the contractor to deliver the specified facility within the agreed-upon cost and timeline. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though specific project oversight details and Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on internal agency protocols.

Related Government Programs

National Park Service Facility Construction
Department of the Interior Construction Contracts
Visitor Center Construction
Historic Site Infrastructure

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to unforeseen site conditions.
Risk of project delays impacting visitor access.
Need for clarification on 'exclusion of sources' in competition.
Ensuring compliance with historical preservation standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $13.8 million to NOMLAKI TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. LIBI 241430 - REPLACE DILAPIDATED VISITOR FACILITY, LITTLE BIGHORN BATTLEFIELD NATIONAL MONUMENT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NOMLAKI TECHNOLOGIES, 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 $13.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-07-23. End: 2026-07-07.

What is the track record of Nomlaki Technologies, LLC in completing similar federal construction projects?

A review of federal contract databases would be necessary to fully assess Nomlaki Technologies, LLC's track record. Information regarding past performance, including project types, contract values, timeliness of completion, and any instances of disputes or contract terminations, would provide insight into their capabilities. Without specific historical data on this contractor, it's difficult to definitively assess their suitability beyond the current award. Federal procurement systems often include past performance evaluations as a key factor in award decisions, suggesting that this contractor was deemed capable based on prior experience.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar visitor facility construction projects at other National Parks or Monuments?

Benchmarking this $13.8 million contract against similar projects requires detailed comparison of scope, size, location, and complexity. Visitor centers can vary significantly in square footage, amenities, and architectural requirements. For instance, a basic structure in a less remote area might cost considerably less than a complex, architecturally significant building at a high-profile site like Little Bighorn. A comprehensive analysis would involve identifying comparable NPS or other federal agency construction projects awarded within the last 2-3 years, adjusting for inflation and regional cost differences, to determine if this contract represents a fair market price.

What are the specific risks associated with replacing a facility at a historical site like Little Bighorn?

Replacing a facility at a historical site like the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument presents unique risks. These include potential discovery of historical artifacts or unmarked graves during excavation, requiring careful archaeological monitoring and potential project delays. Environmental considerations, such as protecting sensitive ecosystems or managing historical preservation requirements, can add complexity. Furthermore, ensuring minimal disruption to ongoing visitor access and operations at the monument during construction requires meticulous planning and coordination. The contractor must adhere to strict guidelines to protect the integrity of the historical landscape.

What is the expected impact of this new facility on visitor experience and resource management at the monument?

The new visitor facility is expected to significantly enhance the visitor experience by providing modern, accessible, and safe amenities, potentially including improved exhibit spaces, restrooms, and information areas. This can lead to increased visitor satisfaction and longer stays. From a resource management perspective, a new, purpose-built facility may incorporate more sustainable design features, reducing the monument's environmental footprint. It could also centralize operations, improving efficiency for park staff and potentially offering better protection for sensitive park resources by consolidating visitor services away from fragile areas.

What has been the historical spending trend for facility construction and maintenance by the National Park Service in Montana?

Analyzing historical spending trends for the National Park Service in Montana requires accessing detailed budget and contract data over several fiscal years. This would involve identifying all contracts related to construction, renovation, and maintenance of facilities within NPS sites in Montana. Trends might reveal patterns of investment in infrastructure, periods of increased or decreased spending, and the types of projects prioritized. Such analysis could contextualize the $13.8 million award for the Little Bighorn facility, indicating whether it aligns with or deviates from historical spending levels and priorities for the region.

Could the 'exclusion of sources' clause in the competition have limited the number of qualified bidders and potentially increased the final price?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' clause is unusual and warrants scrutiny. Typically, 'full and open competition' implies soliciting offers from all responsible sources without restriction. The 'exclusion of sources' suggests that certain potential bidders were intentionally disqualified, possibly due to specific requirements, past performance issues, or other documented reasons. If these exclusions significantly narrowed the field of qualified bidders, it could have reduced competitive pressure, potentially leading to a higher price than if all eligible sources had been allowed to compete. The justification for these exclusions is critical to understanding their impact on price discovery and taxpayer value.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 140P2024R0111

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2945 RAMCO ST STE 145B, WEST SACRAMENTO, CA, 95691

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity 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: $13,828,834

Exercised Options: $13,828,834

Current Obligation: $13,828,834

Actual Outlays: $9,514,717

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline