Marquette Greenway Trail Construction contract awarded to EC Praus LLC for over $5.1 million

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,112,281 ($5.1M)

Contractor: EC Praus LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-02-04

End Date: 2026-03-16

Contract Duration: 405 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.6K/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: INDU 305176 - MARQUETTE GREENWAY TRAIL CONSTRUCTION

Place of Performance

Location: PROVO, UTAH County, UTAH, 84604

State: Utah Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $5.1 million to EC PRAUS LLC for work described as: INDU 305176 - MARQUETTE GREENWAY TRAIL CONSTRUCTION Key points: 1. Value for money assessed through competitive bidding process. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a robust bidding environment for this project. 3. Risk indicators appear manageable given the fixed-price contract type. 4. Performance context is a trail construction project with a defined timeline. 5. Sector positioning is within heavy and civil engineering construction. 6. The contract is a definitive contract type, suggesting a clear scope.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $5.1 million for trail construction appears reasonable, especially given it was awarded under full and open competition. Benchmarking against similar heavy and civil engineering construction projects would provide further insight into value for money. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract shifts risk to the contractor, which can be advantageous for the government if the scope is well-defined.

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 multiple bidders were likely considered. With 4 bidders participating, the level of competition suggests that the pricing is likely to be market-driven and that the government received competitive offers. This process generally leads to better price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently, as the government secured services from the most competitive offer. This reduces the risk of overpayment and promotes a fair market price.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are users of the Marquette Greenway Trail, including recreational users and potentially commuters. The services delivered include the construction of a trail, enhancing public infrastructure. The geographic impact is localized to Utah, where the trail is being built. Workforce implications include job creation in the construction sector within Utah.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if initial design is incomplete.
Weather delays could impact project timeline and costs if not adequately managed.
Environmental compliance during construction needs careful monitoring.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract limits cost overruns for the government.
Defined contract duration of 405 days provides a clear performance expectation.
Awarded under full and open competition suggests a competitive and fair price.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the heavy and civil engineering construction sector, a significant part of the infrastructure development market. Projects like trail construction are crucial for public recreation and transportation. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar trail projects would be necessary for a more precise assessment, but the value appears aligned with typical infrastructure investments.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. This suggests that larger firms were the primary participants in the competition. Further investigation into subcontracting plans would be needed to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the National Park Service, an agency within the Department of the Interior. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract and the defined performance period. Transparency is generally high for federal contracts, with award details publicly available.

Related Government Programs

National Park Service Infrastructure Projects
Federal Trail Development Programs
Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction Contracts
Department of the Interior Capital Investments

Risk Flags

Potential for environmental impact during construction.
Risk of weather-related delays impacting project schedule.
Need for robust oversight to ensure quality and adherence to design.
Contractor performance risk, though mitigated by fixed-price contract.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $5.1 million to EC PRAUS LLC. INDU 305176 - MARQUETTE GREENWAY TRAIL CONSTRUCTION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EC PRAUS 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 $5.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-02-04. End: 2026-03-16.

What is the track record of EC Praus LLC in completing similar heavy and civil engineering construction projects for the federal government?

Information regarding EC Praus LLC's specific track record with federal agencies for similar heavy and civil engineering construction projects is not detailed in the provided data. A thorough review would involve examining past performance evaluations, contract completion history, and any reported disputes or challenges on previous federal contracts. Understanding their experience with projects of comparable scale and complexity, particularly trail construction or similar outdoor infrastructure, would be crucial for assessing their capability to successfully execute the Marquette Greenway Trail project within the specified timeline and budget.

How does the awarded amount of $5.1 million compare to the estimated cost or budget for the Marquette Greenway Trail Construction project?

The provided data indicates the awarded amount is $5,112,281.06. Without access to the government's initial cost estimate or approved budget for this specific project, a direct comparison to determine if the award represents a cost saving or an overrun is not possible. However, the fact that it was awarded under full and open competition with four bidders suggests that the price achieved was competitive. Further analysis would require obtaining the government's independent government cost estimate (IGCE) or budget allocation for this project to assess the value proposition accurately.

What are the primary risks associated with the Marquette Greenway Trail Construction project, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks for this trail construction project include potential environmental impacts during construction, unforeseen site conditions (e.g., geological issues, historical artifacts), weather-related delays, and contractor performance issues. The firm fixed-price contract mitigates financial risk for the government by capping costs. Mitigation for other risks would likely involve detailed site surveys, adherence to environmental regulations, robust project management by the National Park Service, clear communication protocols, and performance bonds from the contractor. The 405-day duration also provides a defined timeframe for managing these risks.

What is the historical spending pattern for trail construction projects by the National Park Service or the Department of the Interior?

Historical spending on trail construction by the National Park Service (NPS) and the Department of the Interior (DOI) can vary significantly year-to-year based on appropriations, infrastructure needs, and specific program funding. Generally, the NPS manages a vast network of trails across numerous parks, requiring continuous investment in maintenance, repair, and new construction. Analyzing past DOI or NPS budget allocations for capital improvements and specifically for trail infrastructure over the last 5-10 years would reveal trends. This contract's value of $5.1 million should be viewed within the context of the overall NPS budget for construction and land management.

How does the competition level (4 bidders) for this contract influence the final price and potential for future cost savings?

A competition level of four bidders for a federal contract, especially under full and open competition, is generally considered healthy. This level of participation typically drives down prices as contractors vie for the award. It suggests that the market has sufficient capacity and interest in this type of work. For taxpayers, this means the government is likely receiving a fair market price for the construction services. In terms of future cost savings, a well-executed project under competitive conditions can set a positive benchmark for similar future procurements, potentially leading to more efficient bidding processes and cost-effective awards down the line.

What are the specific performance metrics or deliverables expected under this contract, and how will they be measured?

While the provided data specifies the contract type (Definitive Contract) and duration (405 days), it does not detail the specific performance metrics or deliverables. Typically, for a construction project of this nature, deliverables would include completed trail segments according to specified design standards, adherence to environmental protection measures, and final project closeout documentation. Performance metrics would likely involve adherence to the construction schedule, quality of materials and workmanship, safety compliance, and completion of the project within the fixed price. The National Park Service would be responsible for monitoring progress against these metrics and ensuring compliance.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 140P2024R0155

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2201 N 800 E, PROVO, UT, 84604

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Joint Venture Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Joint Venture Women Owned Small Business, SBA Certified 8 a Joint Venture, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,112,281

Exercised Options: $5,112,281

Current Obligation: $5,112,281

Actual Outlays: $4,530,688

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline