Interior awards $431K engineering contract to HDR Engineering Inc. for critical utility work
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $431,445 ($431.4K)
Contractor: HDR Engineering Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2026-04-07
End Date: 2026-08-31
Contract Duration: 146 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: GRCA 352119 - NR CRITICAL UTILITY RESTOR
Place of Performance
Location: OMAHA, DOUGLAS County, NEBRASKA, 68106
State: Nebraska Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $431,444.71 to HDR ENGINEERING INC for work described as: GRCA 352119 - NR CRITICAL UTILITY RESTOR Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle. 3. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 4. The contract duration is relatively short, spanning approximately 5 months. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 indicates engineering services. 6. The contract is not set aside for small businesses.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $431,444.71 appears reasonable for specialized engineering services related to critical utilities. Without specific benchmarks for 'NR CRITICAL UTILITY RESTOR' projects, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor assumed the risk for cost overruns, which is generally favorable for the government. The award to HDR Engineering Inc., a known entity in the engineering sector, implies a level of confidence in their capabilities and pricing.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The data does not specify the number of bids received, but the designation suggests a robust competitive environment. This approach is intended to foster price discovery and ensure the government receives the best value by considering a wide range of potential contractors.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally leads to more competitive pricing, potentially saving taxpayer dollars by driving down costs through multiple bids.
Public Impact
The National Park Service benefits from specialized engineering expertise to maintain and restore critical utility infrastructure. Services delivered will likely involve assessment, design, or oversight of utility systems within a National Park Service area. The geographic impact is specific to the location of the critical utility project in Nebraska. The contract supports the engineering sector workforce, potentially creating or sustaining jobs for engineers and related professionals.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if 'critical utility restoration' is not precisely defined.
- Dependence on contractor expertise could be a risk if specialized knowledge is limited.
- Unforeseen site conditions could impact project timelines and costs, despite fixed-price structure.
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
- Award to an established engineering firm suggests a higher likelihood of successful project completion.
- Full and open competition indicates a potentially competitive pricing environment.
Sector Analysis
The engineering services sector (NAICS 541330) is a significant part of the federal contracting landscape, supporting a wide array of government functions. This contract fits within the broader category of infrastructure support and maintenance. Comparable spending in this sector can range from millions to billions annually, depending on the scope and agency. This specific award represents a focused investment in critical utility infrastructure, likely within a specific park or facility.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it indicate any specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal, with the primary award going to a larger, established firm. Future analysis could explore if HDR Engineering Inc. has a history of subcontracting with small businesses on similar projects.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the National Park Service's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific project details and performance metrics may not always be publicly disclosed. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.
Related Government Programs
- National Park Service Infrastructure Projects
- Federal Utility Modernization Programs
- Engineering and Technical Services Contracts
- Critical Infrastructure Protection
Risk Flags
- Potential for unforeseen site conditions impacting fixed-price contract.
- Scope definition critical for fixed-price contract success.
- Reliance on specialized engineering expertise.
Tags
engineering-services, department-of-the-interior, national-park-service, nebraska, firm-fixed-price, delivery-order, full-and-open-competition, infrastructure, utilities, critical-infrastructure
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $431,444.71 to HDR ENGINEERING INC. GRCA 352119 - NR CRITICAL UTILITY RESTOR
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is HDR ENGINEERING INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (National Park Service).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $431,444.71.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2026-08-31.
What is the specific nature of the 'NR CRITICAL UTILITY RESTOR' project and its location?
The contract description 'GRCA 352119 - NR CRITICAL UTILITY RESTOR' suggests a project focused on the restoration of critical utility services within a National Park Service (NPS) area, likely related to the 'GRCA' designation (which could refer to Grand Canyon National Park, though confirmation is needed). The 'NR' might denote a specific region or type of utility. The contract is associated with Nebraska ('SN NEBRASKA'), indicating the project's geographic location. The exact nature of the utilities (e.g., water, power, communication) and the scope of restoration would require further details from the contract statement of work.
How does the $431,444.71 award compare to similar critical utility restoration projects managed by the National Park Service?
Benchmarking this $431,444.71 award against similar critical utility restoration projects requires access to a broader dataset of NPS contracts. However, for specialized engineering services, this value appears to be in the mid-to-lower range for significant infrastructure work, suggesting it might be for a specific component, a smaller facility, or an initial phase of a larger restoration effort. Larger-scale utility overhauls in national parks can often run into millions of dollars. The firm fixed-price nature indicates a defined scope, which helps in cost control for this specific task.
What is HDR Engineering Inc.'s track record with the federal government, particularly the Department of the Interior?
HDR Engineering Inc. is a well-established engineering, architecture, and consulting firm with a significant history of contracting with various federal agencies, including the Department of the Interior and its sub-agencies like the National Park Service. Their portfolio typically includes large-scale infrastructure projects, environmental services, and facility design. A review of federal procurement data would likely show numerous awards to HDR across different departments, indicating a strong track record and familiarity with federal contracting processes and requirements. Their past performance would have been a key factor in the evaluation for this specific contract.
What are the potential risks associated with this contract, given its focus on 'critical utility restoration'?
Risks associated with critical utility restoration contracts often include unforeseen site conditions (e.g., underground obstructions, environmental hazards), potential for scope creep if the initial assessment is incomplete, and reliance on specialized contractor expertise. For this specific contract, the firm fixed-price (FFP) structure shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor, which is beneficial for the government but could incentivize the contractor to minimize scope if not carefully managed. The short duration (approx. 5 months) might also pose a risk if the project encounters significant delays beyond the contractor's control, potentially requiring contract modifications.
How does the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION' impact the value received by taxpayers for this engineering service?
Awarding this contract through 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION' is intended to maximize value for taxpayers. It allows any qualified firm to bid, fostering a competitive environment that typically drives down prices and encourages innovation. The presence of multiple bidders increases the likelihood that the government secures services at a fair market price. While the number of bidders isn't specified, the process itself suggests that the National Park Service sought the most cost-effective and technically suitable solution available in the market, rather than limiting options to a pre-qualified or sole-source provider.
What is the historical spending trend for engineering services (NAICS 541330) by the Department of the Interior?
The Department of the Interior (DOI) consistently spends significant amounts on engineering services, categorized under NAICS code 541330, to support its vast mission across land management, resource conservation, and infrastructure maintenance. Historical spending trends for DOI in this category often show annual obligations in the hundreds of millions to billions of dollars, reflecting the scale of its operations. This spending supports a wide range of needs, from water resource management and dam safety to facility design and environmental remediation. The specific contract awarded to HDR Engineering Inc. represents a small fraction of the DOI's overall engineering service expenditures.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: HDR, Inc
Address: 1917 S 67TH ST, OMAHA, NE, 68106
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $431,445
Exercised Options: $431,445
Current Obligation: $431,445
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 140P2026D0004
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-07
Current End Date: 2026-08-31
Potential End Date: 2026-08-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-07
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