DOWL, LLC awarded $250K for Mount Rainier ERFO repairs, focusing on engineering design services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $250,624 ($250.6K)

Contractor: Dowl, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2025-08-20

End Date: 2026-08-15

Contract Duration: 360 days

Daily Burn Rate: $696/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: A/E DESIGN FOR WA ERFO NPS MORA 2022-2(2) MOUNT RAINIER ERFO REPAIRS PHASE 2

Place of Performance

Location: REDMOND, KING County, WASHINGTON, 98052

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $250,624.34 to DOWL, LLC for work described as: A/E DESIGN FOR WA ERFO NPS MORA 2022-2(2) MOUNT RAINIER ERFO REPAIRS PHASE 2 Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized engineering design services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these services. 3. Fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. Project duration aligns with typical design and planning phases for infrastructure repairs. 5. Geographic focus on Washington state indicates specific regional needs. 6. This contract supports critical infrastructure resilience and maintenance.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $250,624 for engineering design services for emergency repairs at Mount Rainier National Park appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized A/E services. Benchmarking against similar federal contracts for engineering design for park infrastructure or emergency response projects would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, given the fixed-price nature, the government has a defined cost ceiling.

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 firms had the opportunity to bid. This process is expected to foster competitive pricing and ensure the government receives the best value. The number of bidders is not specified, but the method of competition suggests a robust market for these engineering services.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down prices through market forces and ensuring that the most capable and cost-effective provider is selected.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the National Park Service and visitors to Mount Rainier National Park, who will experience improved safety and accessibility. The services delivered include essential engineering design for repairs, ensuring the structural integrity and functionality of park infrastructure. The geographic impact is localized to Mount Rainier National Park in Washington state. The contract supports a specialized engineering workforce, likely involving civil engineers, structural engineers, and design technicians.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if unforeseen design challenges arise during the repair planning phase.
Dependence on timely approvals and feedback from the National Park Service to maintain project schedule.
Risk of design not fully accounting for long-term climate change impacts on park infrastructure.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive market, likely leading to fair pricing.
The contract is for a defined period, allowing for focused execution of design services.
The project addresses critical infrastructure needs within a national park, enhancing visitor safety and resource protection.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Architecture and Engineering (A/E) services sector, specifically focusing on civil engineering and design for infrastructure repair. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms capable of providing specialized design expertise. Federal agencies frequently contract for A/E services to support the maintenance and improvement of public infrastructure, with spending often influenced by infrastructure needs, disaster recovery efforts, and annual appropriations.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate a small business set-aside. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are likely to be involved in the subcontracting chain for this project.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the National Park Service (NPS). The fixed-price contract type provides a degree of financial oversight by establishing a ceiling cost. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, though specific oversight mechanisms for design services can vary.

Related Government Programs

National Park Service Infrastructure Projects
Federal Highway Administration Design Contracts
Emergency Relief Program (ERFO) Projects
Engineering and Architectural Services

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep
Dependence on timely approvals
Design may not account for long-term climate impacts

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $250,624.34 to DOWL, LLC. A/E DESIGN FOR WA ERFO NPS MORA 2022-2(2) MOUNT RAINIER ERFO REPAIRS PHASE 2

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DOWL, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $250,624.34.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-08-20. End: 2026-08-15.

What is the typical cost range for similar A/E design services for emergency repairs in national parks?

The typical cost range for A/E design services for emergency repairs in national parks can vary significantly based on the complexity, scope, and urgency of the repairs. For projects involving damage assessment, preliminary design, and detailed construction drawings for moderate-scale repairs, costs can range from tens of thousands to several hundred thousand dollars. Factors influencing cost include the type of infrastructure (roads, bridges, buildings, utilities), the severity of damage, site accessibility, environmental considerations, and the required level of detail in the design documents. The $250,624 awarded to DOWL, LLC for the Mount Rainier ERFO repairs appears to be within the mid-range for such specialized services, assuming a moderate scope of design work. A more precise comparison would require detailed project scopes from comparable contracts.

How does the fixed-price contract type mitigate risk compared to other contract types for this project?

A fixed-price contract type, like the one used for this project, mitigates risk for the government by establishing a firm ceiling on the total cost. The contractor, DOWL, LLC, assumes the primary risk of cost overruns. This means that if the design work costs more than anticipated, the contractor absorbs the additional expense, rather than the government paying more. This contrasts with cost-plus contracts, where the government reimburses the contractor for allowable costs plus a fee, potentially leading to higher final costs if not managed carefully. For design services where the scope can be clearly defined, fixed-price is often preferred to ensure budget certainty for the agency.

What is the track record of DOWL, LLC in performing federal engineering design contracts?

DOWL, LLC has a history of performing engineering and design services for various government agencies, including federal, state, and local entities. While specific details on their track record with federal emergency repair projects or within national park settings would require a deeper dive into contract databases, their general experience in civil engineering, transportation, and infrastructure design suggests they possess the foundational capabilities. Assessing their past performance ratings, any past performance issues, and the scale of previously completed federal projects would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their suitability and reliability for this specific contract.

What are the potential long-term implications of this design contract for Mount Rainier National Park's infrastructure?

The long-term implications of this design contract are significant for Mount Rainier National Park's infrastructure resilience and visitor experience. The engineering designs developed will dictate how effectively and durably emergency repairs are implemented, directly impacting the safety and accessibility of park facilities and roads. Well-executed designs can lead to more robust infrastructure that can better withstand future environmental events, reducing the likelihood and cost of future emergency repairs. Conversely, designs that do not adequately account for environmental factors, climate change, or future usage patterns could lead to recurring issues and higher long-term maintenance costs for the park.

How does the $250,624 award compare to overall federal spending on engineering services for park maintenance?

The $250,624 award represents a relatively small portion of the overall federal spending on engineering services for park maintenance. Agencies like the National Park Service, Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management, along with other departments managing federal lands and infrastructure, collectively spend billions annually on design, engineering, and construction-related services. This specific contract is focused on a particular emergency repair phase for a single park. While significant for the immediate task, it is a fraction of the total federal investment in maintaining and upgrading the vast network of national park infrastructure across the country.

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: 8410 154TH AVE NE STE 120, REDMOND, WA, 98052

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $250,624

Exercised Options: $250,624

Current Obligation: $250,624

Actual Outlays: $51,681

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 69056722D000001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline