Interior Department awards $57M for Trinity River Fish Hatchery modernization, focusing on construction

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $57,000,000 ($57.0M)

Contractor: Tepa EC, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-09-18

End Date: 2030-05-30

Contract Duration: 1,715 days

Daily Burn Rate: $33.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: TRINITY RIVER FISH HATCHERY (TRFH) MODERNIZATION PROJECT

Place of Performance

Location: LEWISTON, TRINITY County, CALIFORNIA, 96052

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $57.0 million to TEPA EC, LLC for work described as: TRINITY RIVER FISH HATCHERY (TRFH) MODERNIZATION PROJECT Key points: 1. The contract value of $57 million for a hatchery modernization project suggests a significant investment in infrastructure. 2. The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' indicates a competitive process, though with specific exclusions. 3. The project duration of over 1700 days points to a complex, multi-year undertaking. 4. The firm-fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 5. The project is located in California, a region with significant environmental and water management concerns.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $57 million for the Trinity River Fish Hatchery modernization appears to be a substantial investment. Benchmarking against similar large-scale public works or specialized construction projects would be necessary for a precise value-for-money assessment. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests an effort to contain costs. The specific nature of hatchery modernization may involve unique cost drivers not directly comparable to general construction.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This suggests that while the competition was intended to be broad, certain sources were excluded from consideration. The exact reasons for these exclusions are not detailed but could relate to specific technical capabilities, past performance, or other pre-qualification criteria. The presence of two bidders indicates some level of competition, but the exclusions might have limited the overall pool of potential offerors.

Taxpayer Impact: While competition existed, the exclusion of certain sources could potentially limit the government's ability to secure the absolute lowest price. Taxpayers benefit from competition, but the extent of this benefit is moderated by the pre-defined exclusions.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the fish populations the hatchery supports, aiming for improved survival and propagation rates. The project will deliver modernized infrastructure for fish rearing, potentially increasing operational efficiency and capacity. The geographic impact is localized to the Trinity River area in California, crucial for regional fisheries and ecosystems. The project will likely involve a workforce of construction professionals, engineers, and potentially specialized environmental or hatchery personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen construction challenges arise, despite the fixed-price contract.
Risk of delays due to the complexity of modernizing an existing, operational facility.
Dependence on the contractor's specialized expertise in both construction and potentially hatchery operations.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
The project addresses critical infrastructure needs for fish conservation.
The competition, even with exclusions, suggests a structured procurement process.

Sector Analysis

The construction sector is a significant area of federal spending, encompassing a wide range of projects from infrastructure to specialized facilities. This contract falls under commercial and institutional building construction, specifically for a biological facility. Federal spending in this area often supports environmental conservation, resource management, and public works. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within large-scale public infrastructure or specialized facility construction contracts.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside consideration for this specific contract. This suggests the prime contract was likely awarded to a larger entity. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses, which could be a missed opportunity to engage the small business ecosystem in specialized construction or support services related to the hatchery modernization.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, a division of the Department of the Interior. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract, which penalizes deviations from agreed-upon costs. Transparency may be enhanced through public reporting of federal contract awards and performance. Inspector General jurisdiction would typically cover investigations into fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Bureau of Reclamation Construction Projects
National Fish Hatchery System
California Environmental Infrastructure Projects
Department of the Interior Capital Investments

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to complexity
Risk of project delays
Limited competition due to source exclusions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $57.0 million to TEPA EC, LLC. TRINITY RIVER FISH HATCHERY (TRFH) MODERNIZATION PROJECT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TEPA EC, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Reclamation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $57.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-18. End: 2030-05-30.

What is the historical spending by the Bureau of Reclamation on similar fish hatchery modernization projects?

Analyzing historical spending by the Bureau of Reclamation on fish hatchery modernization requires a deep dive into their procurement databases and budget allocations over several fiscal years. While specific data for 'Trinity River Fish Hatchery (TRFH) Modernization Project' is not publicly available in a comparative format, general trends can be inferred. The Bureau of Reclamation manages numerous water infrastructure projects, including those related to fisheries. Past projects might include upgrades to dams, canals, and, indeed, hatcheries. The cost of such projects can vary dramatically based on scope, location, and the extent of modernization required. For instance, a simple upgrade of filtration systems might cost a few million dollars, while a complete overhaul of a large hatchery's infrastructure, including new buildings, advanced climate control, and water management systems, could easily reach tens of millions, aligning with the $57 million awarded here. Without specific project names and values, it's difficult to provide precise historical benchmarks, but the current award is consistent with the scale of major infrastructure investments undertaken by the Bureau for environmental and resource management purposes.

How does the per-unit cost of this hatchery modernization compare to industry benchmarks for similar construction?

Determining a precise 'per-unit cost' for a complex infrastructure project like the Trinity River Fish Hatchery modernization is challenging without a clear definition of the 'unit.' If we consider 'per square foot' of new or renovated building space, it might be comparable to other institutional or specialized commercial construction. However, the unique requirements of a fish hatchery—such as specialized water treatment, climate control, life support systems, and environmental containment—significantly increase costs beyond standard construction. Therefore, a direct comparison to general commercial building benchmarks would likely be misleading. The $57 million contract value, spread over an estimated construction area and duration, needs to be evaluated against projects with similar technical specifications and environmental controls. Industry benchmarks for highly specialized biological facilities or environmental infrastructure projects would be more relevant, but these are often not as readily available or standardized as general construction metrics. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract suggests the contractor has factored these complexities into their bid.

What are the specific reasons for excluding certain sources in this 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' contract?

The designation 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' implies that the contracting agency, the Bureau of Reclamation in this case, initially intended to solicit bids from all responsible sources but subsequently excluded specific ones. The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) outlines conditions under which sources may be excluded, such as when a source fails to meet specific pre-qualification criteria, has a history of poor performance, or if national security concerns are involved. For a project like the Trinity River Fish Hatchery modernization, exclusions could be based on a demonstrated lack of specialized experience in constructing or renovating biological facilities, inadequate financial capacity to undertake a project of this magnitude, or failure to meet stringent environmental or safety standards required for such a sensitive site. Without specific documentation from the agency detailing the rationale for exclusion, it's impossible to pinpoint the exact reasons. However, the agency must have justified these exclusions to ensure the best value and successful completion of the project.

What is the track record of TEPA EC, LLC in completing large-scale federal construction projects, particularly those involving environmental or biological facilities?

Assessing the track record of TEPA EC, LLC requires examining their past performance on federal contracts, specifically looking for projects of similar scale, complexity, and type. Information on federal contract awards and performance can often be found in government databases like SAM.gov (System for Award Management) or through contract award histories. For a $57 million project involving hatchery modernization, the Bureau of Reclamation would have likely vetted TEPA EC, LLC's experience in areas such as large-scale construction, environmental compliance, and potentially specialized systems relevant to aquaculture or biological facilities. A review of their past projects would reveal their success in meeting deadlines, staying within budget, and the quality of their work. If TEPA EC, LLC has a history of successful, on-time, and within-budget completion of comparable federal projects, it indicates a lower risk for this current contract. Conversely, any history of significant delays, cost overruns, or performance issues would raise concerns about their capacity to deliver on the TRFH modernization.

How will the modernization of the Trinity River Fish Hatchery impact fish populations and regional conservation efforts?

The modernization of the Trinity River Fish Hatchery (TRFH) is fundamentally aimed at improving its capacity and efficiency to support fish populations, which in turn benefits regional conservation efforts. Hatcheries play a critical role in supplementing natural fish stocks, aiding in the recovery of endangered or threatened species, and supporting recreational and commercial fisheries. Upgraded facilities typically incorporate more advanced technologies for water quality control, disease prevention, and optimized rearing conditions, leading to higher survival rates for juvenile fish. This improved output can bolster wild populations facing environmental pressures, habitat degradation, or overfishing. For the Trinity River, which is part of a complex ecosystem and water management system in California, a modernized hatchery can contribute to meeting recovery goals for species like Coho salmon or steelhead trout. The project's success in enhancing fish production and survival will directly translate into more robust fish populations, supporting ecological balance and the economic activities dependent on healthy fisheries.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 140R2025R0006

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5045 LIST DR STE 110, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, 80919

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $57,000,000

Exercised Options: $57,000,000

Current Obligation: $57,000,000

Actual Outlays: $1,030,160

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140A1623D0026

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline