Interior Department awards $528K contract for restroom rehabilitation at Gulf Islands National Seashore

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $527,955 ($528.0K)

Contractor: Dominguez Design-Build, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-08-19

End Date: 2026-05-08

Contract Duration: 262 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: REHAB THREE RESTROOMS - FORT PCIKENS CAMPGROUND PMIS 335761 GULF ISLANDS NATIONAL SEASHORE (ESCAMBIA COUNTY) FLORIDA MAGNITUDE: INTERIOR RESTORATION (PLUMBING FIXTURES, FLOORING, PARTITIONS, LED LIGHTS, VENTILATION, ETC.) ESTIMATED PRICE RANGE BE

Place of Performance

Location: GULF BREEZE, ESCAMBIA County, FLORIDA, 32561

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $527,955 to DOMINGUEZ DESIGN-BUILD, INC for work described as: REHAB THREE RESTROOMS - FORT PCIKENS CAMPGROUND PMIS 335761 GULF ISLANDS NATIONAL SEASHORE (ESCAMBIA COUNTY) FLORIDA MAGNITUDE: INTERIOR RESTORATION (PLUMBING FIXTURES, FLOORING, PARTITIONS, LED LIGHTS, VENTILATION, ETC.) ESTIMATED PRICE RANGE BE Key points: 1. Contract focuses on interior restoration of restrooms, including plumbing, flooring, lighting, and ventilation. 2. The contract was not competitively bid, raising questions about potential price discovery. 3. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 4. The project duration is approximately 262 days, indicating a focused scope of work. 5. The contractor, Dominguez Design-Build, Inc., has a history dating back to 2015. 6. The work is located in Escambia County, Florida, within the Gulf Islands National Seashore.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The estimated price range for this interior restoration project is approximately $528,000. Without comparable contract data for similar restroom rehabilitation projects within national park settings, it is difficult to definitively benchmark the value. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests an attempt to cap costs, but the lack of competition means there's less assurance of achieving the best possible price.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not available for competition, indicating a sole-source award. The specific reasons for this determination are not detailed in the provided data. A lack of competition can limit price negotiation and potentially lead to higher costs for the government compared to a fully competed scenario.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of a competitive bidding process means taxpayers may not benefit from the cost savings typically achieved through market forces and multiple offers.

Public Impact

Visitors to Fort Pickens Campground at Gulf Islands National Seashore will benefit from improved restroom facilities. The project will deliver essential interior restoration services, enhancing the visitor experience. The geographic impact is localized to Escambia County, Florida. The contract is expected to support the operational readiness and appeal of a key national park amenity.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may result in a higher price than if multiple bids were solicited.
The sole-source nature of the award warrants scrutiny to ensure fair pricing and necessity.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract type helps to control costs and provides budget certainty.
The project addresses necessary infrastructure improvements within a national park setting.
The contractor has been in business since 2015, suggesting some level of established operations.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the construction and renovation sector, specifically focusing on building interior restoration. The market for such services is broad, encompassing numerous small to large firms capable of undertaking remodeling and repair work. Within the context of federal contracting, projects like this are common for maintaining and upgrading facilities across various agencies, including the National Park Service.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business set-aside was not utilized for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific benefits to the small business ecosystem stemming from this particular award. The contract was awarded to Dominguez Design-Build, Inc., which may or may not be a small business itself, but the award was not made under a small business set-aside program.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the National Park Service, a division of the Department of the Interior. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, which obligates the contractor to complete the work for a set price. Transparency is limited by the sole-source nature of the award; further details on the justification for this approach would be needed for a full assessment. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

National Park Service Facility Maintenance
Public Campground Infrastructure Improvements
Government Building Renovation Contracts
Interior Restoration Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
Potential for higher costs due to lack of competition.
Need for robust justification for sole-source determination.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $527,955 to DOMINGUEZ DESIGN-BUILD, INC. REHAB THREE RESTROOMS - FORT PCIKENS CAMPGROUND PMIS 335761 GULF ISLANDS NATIONAL SEASHORE (ESCAMBIA COUNTY) FLORIDA MAGNITUDE: INTERIOR RESTORATION (PLUMBING FIXTURES, FLOORING, PARTITIONS, LED LIGHTS, VENTILATION, ETC.) ESTIMATED PRICE RANGE BE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DOMINGUEZ DESIGN-BUILD, 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 $527,955.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-08-19. End: 2026-05-08.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' which typically signifies a sole-source award. The specific justification for this determination is not detailed in the available information. Common reasons for sole-source awards include situations where only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services, or in cases of urgent and compelling need where competition is not feasible. Without further documentation from the agency, it is impossible to ascertain the precise rationale. This lack of transparency can raise concerns about whether the government obtained the best possible value, as competitive bidding often drives down prices and encourages innovation.

How does the estimated price compare to similar restroom rehabilitation projects in federal facilities?

Benchmarking the estimated price of $527,955 for restroom rehabilitation at Gulf Islands National Seashore against similar federal projects is challenging without access to a broader dataset of comparable contracts. Factors such as the scope of work (plumbing fixtures, flooring, partitions, lighting, ventilation), the specific location, the age and condition of the existing facilities, and the complexity of the restoration can significantly influence costs. Given that this contract was awarded sole-source, there is a heightened need for the agency to have conducted thorough internal price analysis or obtained independent cost estimates to ensure the price is fair and reasonable. A competitive process would typically provide a clearer market-based benchmark.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source contract for this type of renovation?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source contract for restroom rehabilitation is the potential for paying a higher price than would be achieved through a competitive bidding process. Without multiple offers, the government loses the leverage that competition provides in negotiating favorable terms and pricing. There's also a risk that the contractor may not be as motivated to perform efficiently or deliver the highest quality if they perceive less risk of losing future business due to a lack of competition. Furthermore, the justification for the sole-source award itself needs to be robust to ensure that the government is not foregoing opportunities for better value or that the award is not influenced by factors other than best interest of the government.

What is the track record of Dominguez Design-Build, Inc. with federal contracts?

Dominguez Design-Build, Inc. was established in 2015, indicating a business history of approximately nine years. While the provided data does not detail their specific performance history on federal contracts, their longevity suggests a capacity to secure and execute work. To fully assess their track record, one would need to examine past contract awards, performance evaluations (such as Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of disputes or contract terminations. The current award is a definitive contract, implying a commitment from the government, but a deeper dive into their past federal performance would provide more insight into their reliability and quality of work.

What is the significance of the firm-fixed-price contract type for this project?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is significant because it places the majority of the risk and responsibility for cost overruns on the contractor, Dominguez Design-Build, Inc. This means the contractor is obligated to complete the specified scope of work for the agreed-upon price, regardless of unforeseen difficulties or increased costs they may encounter during the project. For the government, the FFP structure offers budget certainty and predictability, as the final cost is established upfront. This is generally considered a favorable contract type for the government when the scope of work is well-defined and the risks are manageable, as is likely the case for a restroom rehabilitation project.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Residential Building Construction › Residential Remodelers

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 140P5225R0012

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4340 DEVEREUX DR, PENSACOLA, FL, 32504

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $527,955

Exercised Options: $527,955

Current Obligation: $527,955

Actual Outlays: $227,740

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline