Grand Canyon National Park environmental cleanup contract awarded to DCR Services & Construction Inc. for $2.5M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $251,083 ($251.1K)

Contractor: DCR Services & Construction Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-07-18

End Date: 2027-03-11

Contract Duration: 601 days

Daily Burn Rate: $418/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FINALIZE ENGINEERING EVALUATION/COST ANALYSIS (EE/CA) FOR A CONTAMINATED SITE IN GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK; INCLUDES TWO OPTION YEARS FOR ONGOING TECHNICAL SUPPORT.

Place of Performance

Location: DETROIT, WAYNE County, MICHIGAN, 48201

State: Michigan Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $251,082.98 to DCR SERVICES & CONSTRUCTION INC for work described as: FINALIZE ENGINEERING EVALUATION/COST ANALYSIS (EE/CA) FOR A CONTAMINATED SITE IN GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK; INCLUDES TWO OPTION YEARS FOR ONGOING TECHNICAL SUPPORT. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical environmental remediation and ongoing technical support. 2. Full and open competition suggests a robust bidding process. 3. Fixed-price contract type helps control costs for the government. 4. Contract duration of 601 days indicates a substantial scope of work. 5. Performance period extends into fiscal year 2027, requiring sustained effort. 6. The contract is a delivery order, suggesting it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $2.5 million for environmental consulting services over a period of roughly two years appears reasonable given the scope of a contaminated site evaluation and ongoing technical support. Benchmarking against similar environmental remediation contracts for national parks or large federal sites would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure is generally favorable for cost control, assuming 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, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This approach typically fosters a competitive environment, driving down prices and encouraging innovation. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition suggests that multiple firms likely vied for this contract, leading to a more efficient price discovery process.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition through potentially lower prices and a wider selection of qualified contractors, ensuring that federal funds are used efficiently for critical environmental services.

Public Impact

Benefits the National Park Service by addressing environmental contamination within Grand Canyon National Park. Delivers essential environmental consulting services, including site evaluation and technical support. Geographic impact is localized to Grand Canyon National Park, preserving a natural and cultural resource. Workforce implications include employment for environmental scientists, engineers, and technicians involved in the project.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if initial site evaluation uncovers unforeseen complexities.
Reliance on a single contractor for both initial evaluation and ongoing support could pose risks if performance issues arise.
Ensuring adequate oversight to confirm the effectiveness and completeness of the environmental remediation.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process that likely yielded a fair price.
Contract includes option years for technical support, ensuring continuity of services.
Awarded to a single contractor (DCR SERVICES & CONSTRUCTION INC) which can streamline project management.

Sector Analysis

Environmental consulting services, including site remediation and technical support, fall under the broader environmental services sector. This sector is crucial for government agencies managing public lands and addressing environmental compliance. The market size for environmental consulting is substantial, driven by regulatory requirements and the need for specialized expertise in areas like hazardous waste management and site cleanup. This contract fits within the National Park Service's mandate to protect and preserve natural and cultural resources.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, small businesses are unlikely to be direct recipients of this prime contract. However, the prime contractor, DCR SERVICES & CONSTRUCTION INC, may engage small businesses as subcontractors for specialized services or support, contributing to the broader small business ecosystem. Further analysis of subcontracting plans would be needed to assess the full impact on small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the National Park Service contracting officer and project managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver services within the agreed-upon cost. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, though specific oversight reports or inspector general involvement would depend on the nature and scale of any issues that arise.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Remediation Services
Contaminated Site Cleanup
National Park Service Operations
Environmental Consulting Contracts
Federal Land Management

Risk Flags

Potential for cost increases if site conditions are more complex than initially assessed.
Performance risk associated with ensuring effective environmental remediation.
Dependence on contractor expertise for accurate technical support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $251,082.98 to DCR SERVICES & CONSTRUCTION INC. FINALIZE ENGINEERING EVALUATION/COST ANALYSIS (EE/CA) FOR A CONTAMINATED SITE IN GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK; INCLUDES TWO OPTION YEARS FOR ONGOING TECHNICAL SUPPORT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DCR SERVICES & CONSTRUCTION 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 $251,082.98.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-07-18. End: 2027-03-11.

What is the track record of DCR SERVICES & CONSTRUCTION INC with the federal government, particularly with the National Park Service?

A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to fully assess DCR SERVICES & CONSTRUCTION INC's track record. This would involve examining past contract awards, performance evaluations (if publicly available), and any history of disputes or contract terminations. Understanding their experience with similar environmental projects, especially within national park settings, would provide crucial context for evaluating their capability to successfully execute this Grand Canyon National Park contract. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to definitively gauge their reliability and past performance.

How does the awarded amount of $2.5 million compare to similar environmental cleanup contracts for national parks or large federal sites?

Benchmarking this $2.5 million contract against similar environmental cleanup and consulting contracts for national parks or large federal sites is essential for assessing value for money. Factors such as the size and complexity of the contaminated site, the specific remediation technologies required, and the duration of the contract significantly influence costs. Contracts for large-scale hazardous waste removal or complex site remediation can range from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of dollars. A preliminary comparison suggests that $2.5 million for an evaluation and two years of technical support is within a reasonable range for a significant environmental project, but a detailed analysis of comparable contracts would be needed for a definitive conclusion.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Key risks for this contract include potential unforeseen complexities at the contaminated site that could lead to cost overruns or schedule delays, despite the firm fixed-price structure. Another risk is the contractor's performance, particularly concerning the effectiveness of the environmental remediation and the quality of ongoing technical support. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust government oversight, clear performance metrics, and contingency planning. The National Park Service will likely employ project managers to monitor progress closely and ensure adherence to the contract's technical specifications and environmental standards. The inclusion of option years for technical support also implies a need for sustained monitoring and evaluation of the contractor's long-term effectiveness.

How effective is the firm fixed-price contract type in ensuring cost control for this specific environmental project?

The firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally considered effective for cost control when the scope of work is well-defined and the risks of unforeseen issues are manageable. For an environmental evaluation and technical support contract, FFP provides the government with cost certainty, as the contractor assumes the risk of cost overruns. However, if the initial site evaluation reveals significantly more complex contamination than anticipated, the contractor might seek change orders, potentially increasing the total cost. The success of FFP in this context hinges on the thoroughness of the initial scope definition and the government's ability to manage any necessary modifications effectively.

What is the historical spending pattern for environmental consulting services by the National Park Service or the Department of the Interior?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for environmental consulting services by the National Park Service (NPS) and the Department of the Interior (DOI) is crucial for contextualizing this $2.5 million award. Federal procurement databases would reveal the typical annual expenditures for such services, the average contract values, and the frequency of awards. Understanding these patterns can highlight whether this contract represents a significant increase or decrease in spending, identify trends in contracting for environmental services, and reveal which agencies or park units most frequently procure these services. This historical perspective helps in assessing the current contract's scale and importance within the broader agency context.

What are the specific environmental challenges or contaminants being addressed at this Grand Canyon National Park site?

The provided data does not specify the exact nature of the contamination or the specific environmental challenges at the Grand Canyon National Park site. The contract is for the 'FINALIZE ENGINEERING EVALUATION/COST ANALYSIS (EE/CA) FOR A CONTAMINATED SITE.' This suggests that the initial phase of the contract will involve detailed investigation to identify the types and extent of contaminants, assess the risks they pose, and determine the most appropriate and cost-effective remediation strategies. Without the EE/CA report itself, the precise contaminants (e.g., heavy metals, petroleum products, historical waste) and the scope of the remediation remain undefined.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS PROTECTION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 140P2125Q0105

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2200 HUNT ST, DETROIT, MI, 48207

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, HUBZone Firm, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $297,190

Exercised Options: $251,083

Current Obligation: $251,083

Actual Outlays: $7,807

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAA18D009A

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline