Interior Department awards $13.2M contract for Lake Mead harbor extension, highlighting civil engineering needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,192,697 ($13.2M)

Contractor: SNC Tallimat, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-01-31

End Date: 2027-05-16

Contract Duration: 835 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: EXTEND PUBLIC LAUNCH RAMP AT HEMENWAY HARBOR - 332529, LAKE MEAD NATIONAL RECREATION AREA, BOULDER CITY, NEVADA

Place of Performance

Location: BOULDER CITY, CLARK County, NEVADA, 89005

State: Nevada Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $13.2 million to SNC TALLIMAT, LLC for work described as: EXTEND PUBLIC LAUNCH RAMP AT HEMENWAY HARBOR - 332529, LAKE MEAD NATIONAL RECREATION AREA, BOULDER CITY, NEVADA Key points: 1. Contract value of $13.2 million for infrastructure development. 2. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, suggesting a deliberate procurement process. 3. The contract is a definitive contract type, indicating a long-term agreement. 4. Performance period spans over two years, from January 2025 to May 2027. 5. The project is located in a critical environmental and recreational area, Lake Mead National Recreation Area. 6. The contractor, SNC Tallimat, LLC, will be responsible for heavy and civil engineering construction. 7. The contract is firm-fixed-price, providing cost certainty for the government.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $13.2 million appears reasonable for a significant civil engineering project involving harbor extension. Benchmarking against similar infrastructure projects within the National Park Service or other federal agencies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests that cost risks are largely borne by the contractor, which can be advantageous for the government if the scope is well-defined. However, without detailed cost breakdowns or comparisons to independent cost estimates, a definitive assessment of pricing efficiency is challenging.

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.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be broad, specific sources may have been excluded based on pre-defined criteria or prior exclusions. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' designation generally implies a competitive process designed to solicit offers from all responsible prospective contractors. This approach aims to foster price discovery and ensure the government receives competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition, even with exclusions, generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple bids and driving down costs through market forces. This process helps ensure that the selected contractor offers the best value at a competitive price.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are visitors to the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, who will experience improved facilities. The project will deliver enhanced public access and potentially safer docking and launching facilities at Hemenway Harbor. The geographic impact is localized to Boulder City, Nevada, specifically within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. The project will likely create temporary employment opportunities for construction workers and related support staff in the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in civil engineering projects, which could lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.
Environmental impact assessments and mitigation strategies need rigorous oversight to ensure compliance with regulations.
Coordination with multiple stakeholders, including park management and potentially local authorities, can be complex.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The project addresses a clear need for infrastructure improvement in a high-use recreational area.
The 'full and open competition' process suggests a commitment to achieving competitive pricing.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction sector, a critical component of infrastructure development. The market for such services is substantial, driven by government investments in public works, transportation, and recreational facilities. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve large-scale construction projects for federal agencies like the Army Corps of Engineers or the Bureau of Reclamation, often involving significant capital outlays for projects with long-term public utility. The National Park Service frequently contracts for similar infrastructure upgrades to maintain and improve its vast network of facilities.

Small Business Impact

The contract details indicate that small business participation was not a specific set-aside (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests the primary competition was likely among larger firms capable of undertaking heavy civil engineering projects. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting goals for small businesses within the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific contract appears limited, though larger prime contractors may engage small businesses for specialized support services.

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 would be embedded in the contract's performance work statement, requiring adherence to specifications, timelines, and quality standards. Transparency is generally facilitated through federal contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract's execution.

Related Government Programs

Lake Mead National Recreation Area Operations
National Park Service Infrastructure Improvement Projects
Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction Contracts
Federal Public Works Projects
Department of the Interior Capital Investments

Risk Flags

Potential for environmental impact during construction.
Risk of unforeseen subsurface conditions.
Possibility of weather-related delays impacting schedule.
Need for robust project management to control scope creep.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $13.2 million to SNC TALLIMAT, LLC. EXTEND PUBLIC LAUNCH RAMP AT HEMENWAY HARBOR - 332529, LAKE MEAD NATIONAL RECREATION AREA, BOULDER CITY, NEVADA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SNC TALLIMAT, 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 $13.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-01-31. End: 2027-05-16.

What is the track record of SNC Tallimat, LLC in completing similar federal construction projects?

Information regarding SNC Tallimat, LLC's specific track record on federal construction projects is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance on similar contracts, including project scope, timeliness of completion, adherence to budget, and client satisfaction ratings. Federal procurement databases and past performance reviews would be the primary sources for this information. Without this data, it's difficult to definitively assess their capability and reliability for this specific harbor extension project.

How does the awarded amount of $13.2 million compare to similar harbor extension or civil engineering projects within the National Park Service?

The $13.2 million award for the Hemenway Harbor extension needs to be benchmarked against comparable projects to assess value. Projects involving marina construction, breakwater development, or dredging within national parks or similar federal lands can vary significantly in cost based on location, environmental challenges, and scale. For instance, a similar project in a more remote or environmentally sensitive area might incur higher costs due to logistical complexities and mitigation requirements. A detailed comparison would involve analyzing contract databases for projects with similar scopes (e.g., square footage of new dockage, length of breakwaters, volume of dredging) and geographic contexts to determine if this award represents a competitive market rate.

What are the primary risks associated with this civil engineering contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks for this civil engineering project include potential environmental impacts during construction (e.g., water quality, wildlife disruption), unforeseen subsurface conditions (geotechnical issues), weather-related delays, and potential scope creep. Mitigation strategies typically involve thorough environmental impact assessments and permitting, detailed geotechnical surveys prior to construction, robust project management plans with contingency allowances for weather, and a clearly defined scope of work with a change order process. The firm-fixed-price contract shifts some cost risk to the contractor, incentivizing them to manage these risks effectively.

How effective is the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' process in ensuring competitive pricing for this type of project?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' process aims to balance broad competition with specific requirements. By excluding certain sources, the agency might be targeting contractors with specialized capabilities or addressing past performance issues. If the exclusions are justified and a sufficient number of qualified bidders remain, this process can still yield competitive pricing. However, if the exclusions significantly limit the pool of potential bidders, it could reduce competitive pressure and potentially lead to higher prices than a truly unrestricted full and open competition. The effectiveness hinges on the rationale for exclusions and the number of responsive bids received.

What is the historical spending trend for infrastructure projects at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area?

Analyzing historical spending trends for infrastructure projects at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area would provide context for the $13.2 million award. This would involve examining past contracts awarded by the National Park Service for similar improvements, maintenance, or construction within the area. Trends might reveal patterns of increasing costs due to inflation, specific environmental challenges, or a backlog of deferred maintenance. Understanding this history can help assess whether the current investment is part of a sustained effort or a one-time major expenditure, and whether the funding levels are consistent with past needs.

What are the long-term implications of this harbor extension for the operational capacity and visitor experience at Hemenway Harbor?

The harbor extension is expected to significantly enhance the operational capacity and visitor experience at Hemenway Harbor. By providing additional docking, launching, or mooring facilities, it can accommodate a larger number of recreational vessels, potentially reducing wait times and improving access to Lake Mead. This can lead to increased visitor satisfaction, potentially boosting local tourism and related economic activity. Furthermore, improved infrastructure can enhance safety and efficiency for boaters and park staff managing harbor operations, contributing to the overall effectiveness of the recreation area.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering 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: 140P2024R0147

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2700 GAMBELL ST STE 300, 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, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,192,697

Exercised Options: $13,192,697

Current Obligation: $13,192,697

Actual Outlays: $7,583,799

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline