Transportation contract for Wyoming National Park entrance road design awarded to Jacobs Engineering Group for $7.47M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,469,059 ($7.5M)

Contractor: Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2021-09-14

End Date: 2026-12-16

Contract Duration: 1,919 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: WY NPS YELL 12(3), NORTHEAST ENTRANCE ROAD ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND 30% DESIGN

Place of Performance

Location: BELLEVUE, KING County, WASHINGTON, 98004

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $7.5 million to JACOBS ENGINEERING GROUP INC. for work described as: WY NPS YELL 12(3), NORTHEAST ENTRANCE ROAD ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND 30% DESIGN Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 1919 days (over 5 years) indicates a long-term project. 3. The fixed-price contract type may offer cost certainty but could limit flexibility. 4. The awardee, Jacobs Engineering Group, is a large, established firm in the engineering sector. 5. The project focuses on environmental assessment and design, crucial for infrastructure development. 6. The contract is a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $7.47 million for an environmental assessment and 30% design of a national park entrance road appears reasonable given the project's scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar large-scale infrastructure design projects suggests that costs can vary significantly based on complexity, environmental factors, and location. Without specific comparable projects for national park entrances, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of cost control for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and innovation. The Federal Highway Administration's use of full and open competition suggests they sought the best value from the widest possible pool of qualified engineering firms.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining competitive pricing and ensures that government funds are used efficiently by selecting the most capable and cost-effective offeror.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the National Park Service and the public who will use the improved infrastructure at Yellowstone National Park. The project will deliver an environmental assessment and 30% design for the Northeast Entrance Road. The geographic impact is specific to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. The contract supports the engineering and design workforce, likely involving specialized environmental and civil engineers.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in long-term design projects if not managed tightly.
Environmental assessments can uncover complex issues requiring significant design modifications.
Reliance on a single large contractor for a critical infrastructure component.

Positive Signals

Award through full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
Fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Jacobs Engineering Group has a strong track record in large infrastructure projects.

Sector Analysis

Engineering services, particularly those related to transportation infrastructure and environmental consulting, represent a significant segment of the federal contracting market. The Federal Highway Administration frequently procures such services to maintain and improve the nation's roadways. This contract fits within the broader category of infrastructure development and environmental compliance, a sector that sees consistent government investment. Comparable spending benchmarks for large-scale road design and environmental impact studies can range widely, but projects involving national parks often carry unique complexities.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Jacobs Engineering Group, a large business. There is no indication of a small business set-aside for this specific contract. While the prime contractor is a large entity, there may be opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors, depending on the specific needs and subcontracting plans outlined by Jacobs Engineering Group. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on the extent to which subcontracting opportunities are made available.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), a division of the Department of Transportation. Accountability measures are typically embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards, delivery schedules, and payment milestones. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

National Park Service Infrastructure Projects
Federal Highway Administration Design Contracts
Environmental Impact Assessments
Roadway and Bridge Design Services
Transportation Infrastructure Investment

Risk Flags

Long contract duration increases risk of scope creep and potential for unforeseen issues.
Environmental assessments can uncover complex challenges requiring significant design changes.
Fixed-price contracts may offer less flexibility for evolving project requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $7.5 million to JACOBS ENGINEERING GROUP INC.. WY NPS YELL 12(3), NORTHEAST ENTRANCE ROAD ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND 30% DESIGN

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JACOBS ENGINEERING GROUP INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Federal Highway Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $7.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-14. End: 2026-12-16.

What is the track record of Jacobs Engineering Group with the Federal Highway Administration?

Jacobs Engineering Group has a substantial history of contracting with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and other Department of Transportation (DOT) agencies. Their portfolio includes a wide range of services, from preliminary engineering and design to construction management and environmental consulting for various transportation projects across the United States. Reviewing historical contract data indicates they have been awarded numerous contracts, often through competitive bidding processes, for projects of significant scale and complexity. Their performance on these past contracts, as reflected in contract close-out data and any available performance evaluations, would provide insight into their reliability and capability in delivering similar services.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar environmental assessment and design contracts for national park infrastructure?

Comparing the $7.47 million award for the Yellowstone National Park entrance road project requires careful consideration of project specifics. Environmental assessments and 30% designs for national park infrastructure can be highly variable due to unique environmental sensitivities, regulatory requirements, and the scale of the proposed improvements. Projects involving complex ecosystems, historical preservation concerns, or significant public access challenges tend to command higher costs. Without direct, highly comparable projects with identical scopes, environmental conditions, and geographic locations, a precise benchmark is difficult. However, for large-scale federal infrastructure design projects, this value appears within a plausible range, especially considering the multi-year duration and the specialized nature of working within a national park setting.

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

Key risks for this contract include potential delays due to unforeseen environmental findings during the assessment phase, challenges in obtaining necessary permits or approvals, and scope creep if project requirements evolve significantly. The long duration (over 5 years) also increases the risk of cost escalation if not managed under a fixed-price agreement. Mitigation strategies likely include robust project management by both the contractor and the FHWA, clear definition of project scope and deliverables, contingency planning for environmental discoveries, and regular progress reviews. The fixed-price contract structure itself serves as a risk mitigation tool for the government by capping the total cost, although it shifts some cost overrun risk to the contractor.

How effective is the fixed-price contract type for a project involving environmental assessment and design?

A Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type, as used here, is generally preferred by the government for its cost predictability. For a project involving environmental assessment and design, an FFP contract incentivizes the contractor to control costs and complete the work efficiently. However, it can be less flexible if unforeseen issues necessitate significant design changes or scope adjustments, potentially leading to change orders or disputes if not managed carefully. The success of an FFP contract in this context relies heavily on a well-defined scope of work at the outset and effective change management processes to handle any necessary modifications.

What is the historical spending trend for engineering services related to national park infrastructure by the Federal Highway Administration?

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) consistently allocates funds towards engineering services for national park infrastructure, reflecting the ongoing need for maintenance, upgrades, and new development within these protected areas. Historical spending data would likely show a pattern of regular awards for design, environmental studies, and project management related to park roads, bridges, and visitor facilities. While specific annual figures fluctuate based on budget allocations and project pipelines, the overall trend indicates a sustained commitment to improving park accessibility and safety through professional engineering services. This particular contract aligns with that established pattern of federal investment in park infrastructure.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL

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: 1100 112TH AVE NE STE 500, BELLEVUE, WA, 98004

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $7,469,059

Exercised Options: $7,469,059

Current Obligation: $7,469,059

Actual Outlays: $6,790,320

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 20

Total Subaward Amount: $3,117,892

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 69056721D000007

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline