Transportation contract for engineering services awarded to NWI&T ATKINS SB JV, LLC for over $2.4M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,487,287 ($2.5M)

Contractor: Nwi&t Atkins SB JV, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2023-03-08

End Date: 2026-11-29

Contract Duration: 1,362 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: ID FS ERFO 2017(1)-29(1), STODDARD BRIDGE CI-II AND CPE SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: SALMON, LEMHI County, IDAHO, 83467

State: Idaho Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $2.5 million to NWI&T ATKINS SB JV, LLC for work described as: ID FS ERFO 2017(1)-29(1), STODDARD BRIDGE CI-II AND CPE SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded for engineering services related to bridge construction and maintenance. 2. The contract duration is over three years, indicating a significant project scope. 3. Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 5. The contractor is a joint venture, potentially indicating a specialized or large-scale capability. 6. The contract falls under engineering services, a critical sector for infrastructure development.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $2.49 million for engineering services over a 3-year period appears reasonable given the scope of bridge construction and maintenance. Benchmarking against similar contracts for large-scale infrastructure projects would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure suggests that the government has negotiated a set price, which can be advantageous if the contractor manages costs effectively. However, without detailed cost breakdowns or comparisons to industry standards for specific engineering tasks, a definitive value assessment is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The fact that it was competed openly suggests a healthy level of market interest and potential for competitive pricing. The number of bidders is not specified, but open competition generally leads to better price discovery and a wider selection of qualified contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from open competition through potentially lower prices and access to a broader range of innovative solutions. It ensures that the government is not limited to a single provider, fostering a more efficient use of public funds.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration, ensuring the upkeep and development of critical transportation infrastructure. Services delivered include engineering expertise for bridge construction and maintenance, vital for public safety and economic activity. The geographic impact is focused on Idaho, where the project is located, supporting regional infrastructure development. The contract supports specialized engineering jobs within the construction and engineering sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if the firm fixed-price contract does not adequately account for unforeseen complexities in bridge construction.
Dependence on a single joint venture contractor for a critical infrastructure project.
Risk of schedule delays impacting the timely completion of essential transportation upgrades.

Positive Signals

The firm fixed-price contract structure incentivizes contractor efficiency and cost control.
Award through full and open competition suggests a robust selection process and potential for high-quality service.
The multi-year duration allows for sustained focus and expertise on the project.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, a crucial component of the broader Construction and Infrastructure industry. The market for engineering services supporting federal transportation projects is substantial, driven by ongoing needs for maintenance, repair, and expansion of the nation's roadways and bridges. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing the average cost of similar engineering contracts awarded by the Federal Highway Administration or state Departments of Transportation for projects of comparable scale and complexity.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to NWI&T ATKINS SB JV, LLC, a joint venture. While the 'SB' in the name might suggest Small Business involvement, the data indicates the contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses within this joint venture, which could still provide some benefit to the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. Accountability measures are embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards and payment schedules tied to deliverables. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Federal Highway Administration Bridge Program
Department of Transportation Infrastructure Grants
National Highway System Projects
Engineering and Architectural Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns under Firm Fixed Price
Contractor performance history not detailed
Limited information on number of bidders

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $2.5 million to NWI&T ATKINS SB JV, LLC. ID FS ERFO 2017(1)-29(1), STODDARD BRIDGE CI-II AND CPE SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NWI&T ATKINS SB JV, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-03-08. End: 2026-11-29.

What is the track record of NWI&T ATKINS SB JV, LLC in performing similar federal contracts?

A detailed review of NWI&T ATKINS SB JV, LLC's past performance on federal contracts would be necessary to assess their track record. This would involve examining contract databases for previous awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of disputes or contract terminations. Understanding their experience with projects of similar size, scope, and complexity, particularly within the Department of Transportation or for bridge construction and maintenance, is crucial for evaluating their capability to successfully execute this current contract.

How does the awarded amount compare to the average cost of similar engineering services contracts for bridge projects?

To benchmark the value, we would compare the $2.49 million contract value against historical data for similar engineering services contracts awarded by the Federal Highway Administration or state Departments of Transportation for bridge construction and maintenance. Key comparison points include the contract duration (1362 days), the specific engineering disciplines required, and the geographic region. If data indicates that similar projects typically cost significantly more or less, it would suggest whether this contract represents excellent value, is priced competitively, or warrants further scrutiny regarding its cost-effectiveness.

What are the primary risks associated with this firm fixed-price contract for bridge engineering services?

The primary risks with a firm fixed-price (FFP) contract, especially for complex projects like bridge engineering, revolve around potential cost overruns for the contractor and subsequent impacts on project quality or schedule. If the contractor underestimates the scope, complexity, or unforeseen issues (e.g., subsurface conditions, material price fluctuations), they may cut corners to maintain profitability, potentially affecting the quality of engineering designs. Conversely, if the price is too high due to a lack of robust competition, the government may overpay. Schedule delays are also a risk if the contractor struggles with resource allocation or project management under the FFP constraint.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' process in ensuring competitive pricing for this type of engineering service?

The 'full and open competition' process is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring competitive pricing, as it allows any responsible source to submit an offer. This broad participation increases the likelihood of receiving multiple bids, which drives down prices as contractors compete against each other. For specialized engineering services like those required for bridge projects, the effectiveness depends on the number of qualified firms in the market and the clarity of the solicitation requirements. A well-defined solicitation can attract a sufficient number of bidders, leading to price discovery and potentially significant savings for the government compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.

What is the historical spending trend for engineering services contracts by the Federal Highway Administration in Idaho?

Analyzing historical spending trends for engineering services contracts by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) specifically within Idaho would provide context for this $2.49 million award. This involves examining FHWA's contract data over several fiscal years to identify patterns in contract values, types of services procured, and the number of contracts awarded. Understanding whether this award represents an increase, decrease, or is consistent with past spending levels can indicate shifts in program priorities, infrastructure investment strategies, or market conditions within the state. It also helps in assessing if the current procurement aligns with long-term federal and state infrastructure goals.

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: 1425 HIGHAM ST, IDAHO FALLS, ID, 83402

Business Categories: Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,487,287

Exercised Options: $2,487,287

Current Obligation: $2,487,287

Actual Outlays: $1,461,709

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 69056721D000001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline