National Park Service awards $3.4M contract for Mammoth Caves heritage trail boardwalk reconstruction

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,441,241 ($3.4M)

Contractor: Ajce Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-09-30

End Date: 2026-05-31

Contract Duration: 608 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.7K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: MAMMOTH CAVES NP -RECONSTRUCT HERITAGE TRAIL BOARDWALK:

Place of Performance

Location: MAMMOTH CAVE, EDMONSON County, KENTUCKY, 42259

State: Kentucky Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $3.4 million to AJCE CORPORATION for work described as: MAMMOTH CAVES NP -RECONSTRUCT HERITAGE TRAIL BOARDWALK: Key points: 1. The contract value appears reasonable given the scope of reconstructing a heritage trail boardwalk. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a competed award, suggesting potential for fair pricing. 3. The firm-fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. The project duration of approximately 20 months aligns with typical construction timelines for such infrastructure. 5. This contract falls within the heavy and civil engineering construction sector, supporting critical park infrastructure.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.44 million for reconstructing a heritage trail boardwalk at Mammoth Caves National Park seems aligned with the scope of work. Without specific benchmarks for similar boardwalk reconstructions in national parks, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty. The award to AJCE Corporation, a known entity in heavy construction, suggests a level of confidence in their ability to deliver.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a competitive process likely involving multiple bids. The award to AJCE Corporation suggests they were the most advantageous offer. The use of SAP for awards under $250,000 (though this award is higher, suggesting it may have been processed under specific exceptions or higher thresholds within SAP) typically aims to balance efficiency with competition.

Taxpayer Impact: A competed award under SAP generally ensures taxpayers receive competitive pricing, as multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid, driving down costs through market forces.

Public Impact

Visitors to Mammoth Caves National Park will benefit from improved and safer access to heritage trails. The reconstruction of the boardwalk will preserve the natural and historical integrity of the park's heritage areas. The project's geographic impact is localized to Mammoth Caves National Park in Kentucky. The construction activities will likely involve local labor and potentially support local material suppliers.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for delays if unforeseen site conditions are encountered during reconstruction.
Weather-dependent construction schedule could impact project completion timeline.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract limits the government's exposure to cost increases.
Award to an established contractor suggests a higher likelihood of successful project execution.
Project aims to improve visitor experience and preserve park infrastructure.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the heavy and civil engineering construction sector, specifically focusing on infrastructure development within a protected natural environment. The market for national park infrastructure projects is often characterized by specialized contractors capable of working in sensitive ecological areas and adhering to strict preservation guidelines. Benchmarking against similar park boardwalk or trail reconstruction projects would provide further context on cost-effectiveness.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was competed under SAP and does not specify any small business set-aside provisions. Therefore, it is unlikely that small businesses were specifically targeted for this award. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may arise depending on AJCE Corporation's procurement practices, but this is not explicitly detailed in the provided information.

Oversight & Accountability

The National Park Service, as part of the Department of the Interior, has established oversight mechanisms for construction contracts. The firm-fixed-price contract type provides a degree of financial oversight by setting a ceiling on costs. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

National Park Service Infrastructure Projects
Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction Contracts
Trail and Boardwalk Construction

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions arise.
Risk of schedule delays due to weather or environmental factors.
Contractor performance risk, though mitigated by firm-fixed-price and selection process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $3.4 million to AJCE CORPORATION. MAMMOTH CAVES NP -RECONSTRUCT HERITAGE TRAIL BOARDWALK:

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AJCE CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-30. End: 2026-05-31.

What is the track record of AJCE Corporation in completing similar heavy civil engineering construction projects, particularly for federal agencies?

AJCE Corporation has a history of performing heavy and civil engineering construction. While specific details on their track record with federal agencies for similar boardwalk reconstructions are not provided in this data snippet, their selection for this contract suggests they meet the qualifications and experience requirements set forth by the National Park Service. Further investigation into their past performance ratings, project completion history, and any past issues or commendations on federal contracts would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability and expertise in this domain. Reviewing their portfolio of completed projects, especially those involving sensitive environmental or historical sites, would be beneficial.

How does the awarded amount of $3.44 million compare to the estimated cost or budget for this specific heritage trail boardwalk reconstruction project?

The provided data indicates the awarded amount is $3,441,241.31. However, it does not include the initial estimated cost or the allocated budget for this project. To assess value for money, a comparison between the awarded amount and the government's independent cost estimate would be necessary. If the award is significantly below the estimate, it could indicate strong competition or a conservative estimate. Conversely, if it's close to or above the estimate, it might warrant further scrutiny, especially if the estimate was considered robust. Without the estimated cost, it's challenging to definitively state if the price was optimal.

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

Primary risks for this contract include potential construction delays due to weather, unforeseen site conditions (e.g., geological issues, environmental sensitivities), and contractor performance issues. The firm-fixed-price contract type mitigates financial risk for the government by capping the total cost. The National Park Service likely has project management oversight, including regular site inspections and progress reviews, to monitor performance and address issues proactively. The contract duration of approximately 20 months also provides a defined timeframe for completion. Specific environmental impact assessments and site surveys conducted prior to the award would have identified and planned for ecological risks.

What is the expected impact of this boardwalk reconstruction on visitor access and the preservation of the heritage site at Mammoth Caves National Park?

The reconstruction of the heritage trail boardwalk is expected to significantly improve visitor access by providing a safer, more durable, and potentially more accessible pathway through the designated heritage area. This will enhance the visitor experience by allowing easier and more comfortable exploration of the park's significant natural and historical features. Concurrently, the project aims to preserve the integrity of the heritage site by replacing aging infrastructure with modern, resilient materials and construction techniques. This ensures the long-term protection of the underlying environment and the historical context the boardwalk traverses, preventing further degradation and maintaining the site's value for future generations.

How does the competition level (full-and-open) for this contract influence the final price and the quality of the outcome?

A full-and-open competition generally leads to a more competitive bidding environment, where multiple qualified contractors vie for the award. This increased competition typically drives down prices as contractors strive to offer their most cost-effective proposals to win the contract. Furthermore, it allows the procuring agency, in this case, the National Park Service, to select the offer that represents the best overall value, considering not only price but also technical approach, past performance, and other evaluation factors. This process increases the likelihood of securing a high-quality outcome at a fair market price for the taxpayer.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar heavy and civil engineering construction projects within the National Park Service over the last five years?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for similar projects within the National Park Service over the last five years would provide valuable context for this $3.44 million contract. This would involve examining the number of such contracts awarded, their average values, the types of construction involved (e.g., trails, bridges, visitor centers), and the agencies or regions that received the most funding. Such an analysis could reveal trends in pricing, identify common contractors, and highlight periods of increased or decreased investment in park infrastructure. Without this historical data, it's difficult to ascertain if the current award represents a typical investment or an outlier in terms of cost and frequency for the NPS.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140P5324R0026

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8570 SW 127TH ST, CORAL GABLES, FL, 33156

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,441,241

Exercised Options: $3,441,241

Current Obligation: $3,441,241

Actual Outlays: $2,927,920

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline