DOT awards $3.85M for Columbia River Highway Trail design, with a 5-year performance period

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,854,315 ($3.9M)

Contractor: David Evans and Associates, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2021-11-01

End Date: 2027-03-17

Contract Duration: 1,962 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: OR DOT CRGNSA 100(7), HISTORIC COLUMBIA RIVER HIGHWAY STATE TRAIL, MITCHELL POINT DR. TO RUTHTON PARK TRAILHEAD UPDATE THE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN DEVELOPED TO SUPPORT NEPA DOCUMENT TO DEVELOP THE 30% PS&E & TO NATIONAL (NSA) PERMIT APPLICATION

Place of Performance

Location: PORTLAND, MULTNOMAH County, OREGON, 97201

State: Oregon Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $3.9 million to DAVID EVANS AND ASSOCIATES, INC. for work described as: OR DOT CRGNSA 100(7), HISTORIC COLUMBIA RIVER HIGHWAY STATE TRAIL, MITCHELL POINT DR. TO RUTHTON PARK TRAILHEAD UPDATE THE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN DEVELOPED TO SUPPORT NEPA DOCUMENT TO DEVELOP THE 30% PS&E & TO NATIONAL (NSA) PERMIT APPLICATION Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the extensive design and permitting scope. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive pricing environment. 3. The contract duration of nearly five years indicates a complex, long-term project. 4. Performance is benchmarked against similar federal highway design and engineering contracts. 5. This contract positions the Federal Highway Administration within the transportation infrastructure sector. 6. The project aims to enhance recreational access and historical preservation.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.85 million for a 30% PS&E and permit application for a significant trail project is within the expected range for complex engineering services. Compared to similar federal contracts for conceptual design and NEPA support, this pricing seems competitive. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs for the government, assuming the scope is well-defined.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This competitive process is expected to drive down costs and ensure the government receives the best value. The number of bidders is not specified, but the method of award suggests a robust selection process.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a market that drives competitive pricing and encourages innovation among contractors.

Public Impact

Benefits recreational users and tourists seeking access to the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail. Services delivered include conceptual design development and National System Administration permit applications. Geographic impact is focused on the Columbia River Gorge area in Oregon. Workforce implications include employment for engineers, designers, and environmental specialists.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep given the long performance period and phased approach.
Reliance on a single contractor for a multi-year, critical design phase.

Positive Signals

Clear project objectives for trail enhancement and historical preservation.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a strong selection process.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting transportation infrastructure projects. The market for such services is characterized by specialized firms capable of handling complex design, environmental review, and permitting processes. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar federal highway and trail design projects indicate that this award is in line with market rates for comprehensive engineering solutions.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. Given the specialized nature of the engineering services required for developing PS&E and permit applications for a major trail project, it is likely that larger, more experienced firms were best positioned to compete. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist within specific technical areas, but the prime contract is not designated for them.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) contracting officer's representative (COR). The firm-fixed-price contract and phased delivery of design documents provide clear accountability. Transparency is maintained through federal contract databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud or misconduct.

Related Government Programs

Federal Highway Administration - National Highway System
National Park Service - Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
Oregon Department of Transportation - State Trails Program

Risk Flags

Long performance period may increase risk of scope creep.
Complex permitting requirements could lead to delays or cost overruns.
Geological or environmental challenges in the Gorge could impact design.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $3.9 million to DAVID EVANS AND ASSOCIATES, INC.. OR DOT CRGNSA 100(7), HISTORIC COLUMBIA RIVER HIGHWAY STATE TRAIL, MITCHELL POINT DR. TO RUTHTON PARK TRAILHEAD UPDATE THE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN DEVELOPED TO SUPPORT NEPA DOCUMENT TO DEVELOP THE 30% PS&E & TO NATIONAL (NSA) PERMIT APPLICATION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DAVID EVANS AND ASSOCIATES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-11-01. End: 2027-03-17.

What is the track record of David Evans and Associates, Inc. with the Federal Highway Administration on similar projects?

David Evans and Associates, Inc. has a history of working with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and other transportation agencies on complex engineering and design projects. Their experience often includes highway design, bridge engineering, and environmental services. For projects similar to the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail update, their track record would likely demonstrate successful completion of design phases, NEPA documentation, and permitting processes. A review of past FHWA contracts awarded to this firm would provide specific data on their performance, on-time delivery, and adherence to budget on comparable infrastructure initiatives. This historical performance is a key factor in assessing their capability for the current Mitchell Point project.

How does the $3.85 million contract value compare to similar federal trail design and engineering projects?

The $3.85 million contract value for the conceptual design, 30% PS&E, and National System Administration (NSA) permit application for the Mitchell Point segment of the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail appears to be within a reasonable range when benchmarked against similar federal projects. Complex trail projects, especially those involving significant historical context, challenging terrain, and extensive environmental permitting like this one, often require substantial engineering and design investment. Comparable contracts for large-scale recreational trail development, including design and permitting phases, can range from several hundred thousand to several million dollars, depending on the project's scope, length, and complexity. The firm-fixed-price nature of this award also suggests that the government has a clear understanding of the costs involved, further supporting the assessment of value.

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

Primary risks for this contract include potential scope creep due to the long performance period (nearly five years) and the phased nature of the design and permitting process. Unforeseen environmental or geological conditions in the Columbia River Gorge could also lead to design changes and cost increases, despite the firm-fixed-price structure. Mitigation strategies likely involve rigorous scope definition in the contract, detailed review processes for each design phase, and contingency planning for potential site-specific challenges. The Federal Highway Administration's oversight, through a dedicated COR, is crucial for monitoring progress, managing changes, and ensuring adherence to the original objectives. The requirement for a 30% PS&E and permit application also serves as an intermediate risk-reduction step before full construction design.

How effective is the full and open competition method in ensuring value for this specific type of engineering service?

The full and open competition method is generally highly effective for ensuring value in specialized engineering services like those required for this contract. By allowing all qualified firms to bid, it fosters a competitive environment that drives down prices and encourages contractors to offer their best technical solutions. For complex design and permitting tasks, this method ensures that the government can select a contractor not only based on price but also on demonstrated technical expertise, relevant experience, and a thorough understanding of the project's unique challenges. The competitive process helps to validate the reasonableness of the proposed costs and the proposed technical approach, thereby maximizing the value derived from taxpayer funds for this critical infrastructure update.

What are the historical spending patterns for similar trail development or historic preservation projects managed by the FHWA?

Historical spending patterns for similar trail development or historic preservation projects managed by the FHWA show a wide variation based on project scale, complexity, and location. Projects involving extensive engineering design, environmental impact studies (NEPA), and complex permitting processes, particularly in sensitive or historically significant areas like the Columbia River Gorge, tend to command higher contract values. FHWA often funds projects that enhance recreational access, improve safety, or preserve historical transportation corridors. Spending can range from smaller planning and design contracts in the hundreds of thousands to multi-million dollar construction and oversight contracts. The $3.85 million for the design and permitting phase of the Mitchell Point section aligns with the higher end for design-focused work on significant heritage trails.

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

Solicitation ID: 69056722F000002

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2100 S RIVER PKWY STE 100, PORTLAND, OR, 97201

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,854,315

Exercised Options: $3,854,315

Current Obligation: $3,854,315

Actual Outlays: $3,745,780

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 69056721D000006

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline