National Park Service awards $26K for vehicle outfitting at Castillo de San Marcos, a small but essential contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,034 ($26.0K)

Contractor: Dana Safety Supply, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $72/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: VEHICLE OUTFITTING FOR CASTILLO DE SAN MARCOS NATIONAL MONUMENT (CASA)

Place of Performance

Location: GREENSBORO, GUILFORD County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27409

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $26,033.61 to DANA SAFETY SUPPLY, INC. for work described as: VEHICLE OUTFITTING FOR CASTILLO DE SAN MARCOS NATIONAL MONUMENT (CASA) Key points: 1. This contract represents a minor expenditure within the broader National Park Service budget, focusing on specialized equipment. 2. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the government. 3. Competition was full and open, suggesting a potentially competitive bidding process for this specific need. 4. The duration of the contract is one year, aligning with operational needs for vehicle outfitting. 5. The awarded amount is relatively small, indicating a focused scope of work rather than a large-scale procurement. 6. The procurement falls under 'Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing,' suggesting specialized technical requirements.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $26,033.61 for vehicle outfitting is modest. Without specific details on the exact outfitting required, direct benchmarking is challenging. However, for specialized equipment for a national monument, this price appears reasonable, especially given it was awarded through full and open competition. The firm fixed-price structure helps manage cost risks for the government.

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 offers. This suggests a healthy level of competition, which typically leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government. The number of bidders is not specified, but the process itself implies a market capable of meeting the requirement.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by leveraging market forces to secure the best possible price and quality for the required vehicle outfitting.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the National Park Service staff operating vehicles at Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, ensuring their vehicles are properly equipped for their duties. The services delivered involve the outfitting of vehicles, likely with specialized communication or operational equipment necessary for park management and visitor services. The geographic impact is localized to St. Augustine, Florida, where Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is located. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving the installation or integration of equipment by the contractor, with no significant impact on park staff roles.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on the outfitting requirements makes it difficult to fully assess value for money.
The PSC code '334290' (Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing) is broad and could encompass a wide range of items, requiring further clarification.
The contract duration is relatively short (364 days), which might necessitate future procurements if the need is ongoing.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive marketplace.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty.
The contract supports the operational needs of a significant national monument.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader 'Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing' sector, which is a niche within the manufacturing industry. The National Park Service, as a government agency, procures various goods and services to maintain its facilities and operations. Spending on vehicle outfitting is a common requirement across many government entities that operate fleets. Benchmarking this specific contract is difficult without more granular data on the type of equipment, but it represents a small, specialized procurement within the government's overall spending on operational equipment.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the awardee, DANA SAFETY SUPPLY, INC., is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. There is no indication of subcontracting requirements. Therefore, this specific award does not appear to directly benefit the small business ecosystem through set-asides or mandated subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Park Service contracting officer and program managers responsible for Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. As a delivery order under a larger vehicle outfitting requirement (implied by 'delivery order'), oversight might also be part of a broader contract management framework. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, but specific performance monitoring details are not publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

National Park Service Operations Support
Federal Vehicle Procurement and Maintenance
Government Communications Equipment
Historic Site Operations

Risk Flags

Potential for undefined scope impacting value
Limited public detail on specific equipment provided

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $26,033.61 to DANA SAFETY SUPPLY, INC.. VEHICLE OUTFITTING FOR CASTILLO DE SAN MARCOS NATIONAL MONUMENT (CASA)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DANA SAFETY SUPPLY, 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 $26,033.61.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2027-03-31.

What specific types of vehicle outfitting were procured under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'VEHICLE OUTFITTING FOR CASTILLO DE SAN MARCOS NATIONAL MONUMENT (CASA)' and falls under the Product Service Code (PSC) '334290 - Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing.' However, the exact nature of the outfitting is not detailed. This could range from specialized communication systems, emergency equipment, navigation aids, or other operational enhancements tailored to the needs of park rangers and maintenance staff operating vehicles within the historical context of the monument. Further details would be required from the contract's statement of work or award documentation to specify the exact equipment and services provided.

How does the cost of this contract compare to similar vehicle outfitting contracts for national parks or historical sites?

Direct comparison is challenging without knowing the specific outfitting items. However, the total award of $26,033.61 for a 364-day period is relatively modest for government vehicle outfitting. Larger contracts for fleet modernization or extensive equipment installation can run into hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars. For a single monument's specific needs, this amount suggests a focused scope, possibly for a limited number of vehicles or a specific set of equipment. The firm fixed-price nature helps control costs, and the full and open competition suggests market rates were sought.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Potential risks include scope creep if the outfitting requirements are not clearly defined, or if the contractor fails to deliver equipment that meets specifications. Delays in delivery could impact park operations. Mitigation strategies include the firm fixed-price contract type, which incentivizes the contractor to complete the work within budget. The National Park Service's oversight and acceptance process for delivered goods and services also serve as a mitigation measure. Awarding through full and open competition potentially reduces the risk of non-performance by selecting a capable vendor.

What is the track record of DANA SAFETY SUPPLY, INC. in fulfilling government contracts, particularly for the National Park Service?

Information on DANA SAFETY SUPPLY, INC.'s specific track record with the National Park Service or other government agencies is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance history, including on-time delivery, quality of goods/services, and adherence to contract terms on previous federal awards. Publicly available contract databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) might contain more extensive records of their past performance and any reported issues or commendations.

How does this contract fit into the broader spending patterns of the National Park Service for operational equipment?

This $26,033.61 contract represents a very small fraction of the National Park Service's overall budget, which encompasses a vast array of expenses including salaries, maintenance, conservation efforts, and capital improvements across hundreds of sites. Spending on vehicle outfitting is a recurring operational necessity for managing park resources and ensuring staff mobility and safety. While this specific award is minor, it is indicative of the ongoing need for specialized equipment to support the diverse functions of park management nationwide. The NPS likely procures similar, often larger, outfitting contracts for its broader fleet.

What is the significance of the PSC code '334290 - Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing' in understanding this contract's purpose?

The PSC code '334290' categorizes the contract under the manufacturing of communications equipment that doesn't fit into more specific categories. For this vehicle outfitting contract at Castillo de San Marcos, it suggests the equipment being installed relates to communication systems. This could include radios, GPS tracking devices, satellite communication units, or other specialized devices necessary for park rangers to communicate effectively within the monument grounds, coordinate with other park staff, or maintain contact with external agencies, especially in areas with limited cellular service. It highlights a focus on enhancing operational communication capabilities for park vehicles.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Communications Equipment Manufacturing › Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: ALARM, SIGNAL, SECURITY DETECTION

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

Address: 500 S EDWARDIA DR, GREENSBORO, NC, 27409

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $26,034

Exercised Options: $26,034

Current Obligation: $26,034

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS07F0512T

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline