National Park Service awards $34.6M contract for bathhouse rehabilitation, highlighting construction needs in Arkansas

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $34,316,195 ($34.3M)

Contractor: Medvolt - Roundhouse JV

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-07-26

End Date: 2026-10-13

Contract Duration: 444 days

Daily Burn Rate: $77.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: HOSP 318915 REHABILITATE PARK BATHHOUSES

Place of Performance

Location: HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, GARLAND County, ARKANSAS, 71901

State: Arkansas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $34.3 million to MEDVOLT - ROUNDHOUSE JV for work described as: HOSP 318915 REHABILITATE PARK BATHHOUSES Key points: 1. Contract addresses critical infrastructure needs for public facilities. 2. Project scope includes rehabilitation of park bathhouses, suggesting a focus on visitor amenities. 3. The award value indicates a significant investment in park maintenance and upgrades. 4. The contract duration of 444 days suggests a comprehensive rehabilitation effort. 5. Fixed-price contract type may offer cost certainty for the government. 6. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $34.6 million for rehabilitating park bathhouses appears reasonable given the scope of work, which likely involves structural repairs, plumbing, electrical, and aesthetic upgrades. Benchmarking against similar large-scale commercial and institutional building construction projects, especially those involving public facilities and historical considerations, would provide a more precise value assessment. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract suggests that the government has a clear understanding of the project's requirements and associated costs, aiming to mitigate cost overruns.

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 bids. The presence of two bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific project. While two bidders are better than one, a higher number of bids typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider range of innovative solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages multiple companies to vie for the contract, potentially driving down costs and improving the quality of services offered.

Public Impact

Park visitors will benefit from improved and safer restroom and bathing facilities. The rehabilitation of bathhouses will enhance the overall visitor experience in the national park. The project is geographically located in Arkansas, potentially boosting the local economy through construction jobs. The construction activities will likely involve skilled labor, supporting the regional workforce in the building trades.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for delays if unforeseen structural issues are discovered during rehabilitation.
Ensuring compliance with historical preservation standards for park facilities can add complexity and cost.
Coordination with park operations to minimize disruption to visitors during construction.

Positive Signals

The firm fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Awarding under full and open competition suggests a fair and transparent procurement process.
The contract is for rehabilitation, indicating an investment in maintaining existing public assets.

Sector Analysis

The construction sector, particularly commercial and institutional building construction, is a vital part of the U.S. economy. This contract falls within the sub-sector of building renovation and repair, which is crucial for maintaining public infrastructure. Spending on park infrastructure is often influenced by federal appropriations for agencies like the National Park Service, aiming to preserve natural and cultural resources while providing visitor amenities. Comparable projects might include renovations of visitor centers, campgrounds, or other public-use facilities within federal lands.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to MEDVOLT - ROUNDHOUSE JV, and there is no explicit indication of small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements in the provided data. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved as subcontractors or if the joint venture itself has small business participation. Without this information, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem remains unclear.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the National Park Service contracting officers and project managers. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight by setting a ceiling on costs. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases where contract awards are published. Depending on the complexity and potential risks, an Inspector General may also have jurisdiction for audits and investigations.

Related Government Programs

National Park Service Operations
Federal Building and Facilities Construction
Public Infrastructure Rehabilitation
National Parks Maintenance

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen conditions arise.
Risk of project delays due to weather or site complexities.
Ensuring contractor's adherence to quality standards and timelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $34.3 million to MEDVOLT - ROUNDHOUSE JV. HOSP 318915 REHABILITATE PARK BATHHOUSES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MEDVOLT - ROUNDHOUSE JV.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $34.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-07-26. End: 2026-10-13.

What is the track record of MEDVOLT - ROUNDHOUSE JV in completing similar rehabilitation projects for federal agencies?

Information regarding the specific track record of the joint venture MEDVOLT - ROUNDHOUSE JV in completing similar rehabilitation projects for federal agencies is not directly available in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes on previous government contracts undertaken by either MEDVOLT or ROUNDHOUSE JV individually or as a partnership. This due diligence is crucial for understanding their capacity, reliability, and experience in managing complex construction projects, especially those within sensitive environments like national parks.

How does the awarded amount of $34.6 million compare to the estimated cost or budget for this bathhouse rehabilitation project?

The provided data indicates an award amount of $34,619,500. However, it does not include the initial estimated cost or the allocated budget for this specific project. To assess value for money, a comparison between the awarded price and the government's independent cost estimate is essential. If the award is significantly lower than the estimate, it could indicate strong competition or a conservative initial estimate. Conversely, if the award is close to or exceeds the estimate, it might warrant further scrutiny into the bidding process and cost justification.

What are the primary risks associated with rehabilitating park bathhouses, and how are they being mitigated by the contract terms?

Primary risks in rehabilitating park bathhouses include unforeseen structural issues (e.g., foundation problems, mold, asbestos), potential environmental hazards, weather-related delays, and ensuring compliance with historical preservation standards. The contract's firm fixed-price structure mitigates financial risk for the government by capping the total cost, provided the scope remains unchanged. However, it places more risk on the contractor to absorb unexpected costs. The contract duration of 444 days allows for potential weather delays, and the full and open competition process may have selected a contractor with demonstrated experience in managing such risks.

What is the historical spending pattern for bathhouse rehabilitation or similar infrastructure projects by the National Park Service?

Historical spending patterns for bathhouse rehabilitation and similar infrastructure projects by the National Park Service are not detailed in the provided data. To analyze this, one would need to examine historical contract awards for the National Park Service over several fiscal years, categorizing them by project type (e.g., building renovation, utility upgrades, visitor facilities). This would reveal trends in spending levels, the frequency of such projects, and the average contract values, providing context for the current $34.6 million award and identifying potential fluctuations in investment priorities or funding availability for park infrastructure.

How many bids were received, and what does the number of bidders suggest about the competitiveness of this procurement?

The data indicates that two bids were received for this contract. While receiving multiple bids is positive, two bidders suggest a moderately competitive environment. A higher number of bids (e.g., five or more) typically indicates broader market interest and can lead to more aggressive pricing and innovation from contractors seeking to win the award. With only two bidders, there is a possibility that the competition was less intense than it could have been, potentially impacting the final price achieved for the government.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 140P2025R0004

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2345 GRAND BLVD STE 700, KANSAS CITY, MO, 64108

Business Categories: Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $34,316,195

Exercised Options: $34,316,195

Current Obligation: $34,316,195

Actual Outlays: $223,055

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline