National Park Service awards $17.3K contract for Arlington Lawn Restoration at Hot Springs National Park

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,288 ($17.3K)

Contractor: AI57 LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-08-15

End Date: 2026-03-30

Contract Duration: 227 days

Daily Burn Rate: $76/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SERVICE, ARLINGTON LAWN RESTORATION, HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK

Place of Performance

Location: HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, GARLAND County, ARKANSAS, 71901

State: Arkansas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $17,287.55 to AI57 LLC for work described as: SERVICE, ARLINGTON LAWN RESTORATION, HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK Key points: 1. Contract awarded for landscaping services, indicating a need for grounds maintenance. 2. The contract duration is 227 days, suggesting a short-term or project-specific need. 3. Awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), implying a smaller dollar value contract. 4. The firm-fixed-price type suggests predictable costs for the government. 5. The contractor, AI57 LLC, is a new entity in this context. 6. The service is geographically specific to Arkansas.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $17,287.55 is relatively small, making direct comparison to larger landscaping contracts difficult. Given the nature of the service (lawn restoration), the price appears reasonable for the scope. However, without detailed task breakdowns or historical data for similar restoration projects within the National Park Service, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a limited number of bidders compared to full and open competition. While the exact number of bids received is not detailed, SAP aims to streamline procurement for smaller dollar amounts. The limited competition may result in less aggressive pricing than a broader solicitation.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, limited competition under SAP can mean slightly higher prices than might be achieved through a wider bidding process, though the overall dollar amount is small, mitigating significant financial impact.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are visitors to Hot Springs National Park, who will experience improved grounds. The service delivered is landscaping and lawn restoration, enhancing the aesthetic appeal and ecological health of the park. The geographic impact is localized to Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving a small team from the awarded contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP may not yield the best possible price.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes assessing contractor success difficult.
The contractor, AI57 LLC, appears to be a new or less established entity for this type of federal work.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Contract addresses a specific need for park grounds maintenance.
Awarded within a streamlined acquisition process suitable for the dollar value.

Sector Analysis

The landscaping services sector for federal agencies encompasses a wide range of activities, from routine maintenance to specialized restoration. This contract falls into the maintenance and groundskeeping sub-sector. Federal spending in this area is often decentralized, with individual agencies and parks managing their own needs. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the highly localized and project-specific nature of such contracts.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it indicate any subcontracting requirements. The small dollar value suggests that larger businesses may not find it economically viable to pursue, potentially leaving opportunities open for smaller firms. However, without explicit set-aside language, it's unclear if small business participation was a primary consideration.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the National Park Service's contracting officers and program managers. As a purchase order under SAP, it is subject to standard procurement regulations and internal agency review. Transparency is moderate, with the award being publicly visible, but detailed performance monitoring and reporting are typically internal.

Related Government Programs

National Park Service Grounds Maintenance Contracts
Federal Landscaping Services
Department of the Interior Maintenance Contracts

Risk Flags

Contractor may have limited federal contracting experience.
Potential for less than optimal pricing due to limited competition.
Scope of 'lawn restoration' could be subject to interpretation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $17,287.55 to AI57 LLC. SERVICE, ARLINGTON LAWN RESTORATION, HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AI57 LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17,287.55.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-08-15. End: 2026-03-30.

What is the track record of AI57 LLC with federal contracts, particularly for landscaping services?

Based on the provided data, AI57 LLC is the contractor awarded this specific purchase order. Information regarding their prior federal contracting history, including performance on similar landscaping or restoration projects, is not detailed in this data snippet. Further investigation into federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS would be necessary to ascertain their broader track record, including past performance ratings, previous contract values, and any history of awards or terminations. Without this additional context, it is difficult to assess their established reliability and expertise in serving federal agencies.

How does the price of $17,287.55 compare to similar lawn restoration projects in national parks?

Directly comparing the price of $17,287.55 for lawn restoration at Hot Springs National Park to similar projects is challenging without more specific data points. Factors such as the acreage involved, the specific types of restoration required (e.g., soil amendment, seeding, irrigation, invasive species removal), the local labor costs in Arkansas, and the duration of the restoration effort all influence pricing. Generally, for a project of this nature and dollar value, it appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized grounds maintenance. However, without a benchmark of comparable projects within the National Park Service or similar federal land management agencies, a definitive assessment of whether this represents excellent or merely adequate value is difficult to ascertain from this data alone.

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

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential underperformance by the contractor (AI57 LLC), leading to incomplete or substandard lawn restoration, and the risk of cost overruns if the firm-fixed-price structure is not adequately managed. Another risk could be the contractor's lack of experience with federal contracting procedures or specific environmental regulations relevant to national parks. Mitigation strategies likely involve clear contract specifications, defined deliverables, and regular communication between the National Park Service contracting officer and the contractor. The firm-fixed-price nature itself acts as a cost mitigation tool for the government. However, the limited information on the contractor's background suggests a need for diligent oversight during contract performance.

How effective is the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) process for awarding contracts of this size?

Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are designed to streamline the procurement process for purchases below the federal micro-purchase threshold (currently $10,000) and the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000). For a contract valued at $17,287.55, SAP is generally effective in reducing administrative burden, accelerating award timelines, and lowering transaction costs compared to full and open competition. This allows agencies to acquire necessary goods and services more efficiently. However, the trade-off is often reduced competition, which could potentially lead to less favorable pricing. The effectiveness also depends on the agency's adherence to SAP regulations, ensuring fair consideration of potential sources within the applicable limits.

What is the historical spending pattern for landscaping services at Hot Springs National Park?

The provided data snippet focuses solely on the current contract award and does not offer historical spending patterns for landscaping services at Hot Springs National Park. To understand historical spending, one would need to analyze procurement data for previous years, identifying contracts awarded for similar services (e.g., grounds maintenance, horticultural services, lawn care, restoration) to the same park or related facilities within the National Park Service. This analysis would reveal trends in contract values, frequency of awards, types of services procured, and the contractors historically utilized. Without this historical context, it's difficult to determine if the current $17,287.55 award represents a typical expenditure or an anomaly.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Services to Buildings and Dwellings › Landscaping Services

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140P6025Q0051

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 72 E 59TH ST APT 303, CHICAGO, IL, 60637

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,288

Exercised Options: $17,288

Current Obligation: $17,288

Actual Outlays: $17,288

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline