Nearly $1.5M awarded to Granite Construction for 2.7-mile trail and parking area project in Idaho

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,482,727 ($1.5M)

Contractor: Granite Construction Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2026-10-02

Contract Duration: 177 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: FUNDS CONSTRUCTION PROJECT ID BOR SRAO TCROWN(1), CROWN POINT TRAIL AND PARKING AREA. WORK INCLUDES TRAIL CONSTRUCTION, TRAIL RESURFACING, SLOPE REPAIR, AND PAVING. TOTAL LENGTH IS 2.7 MILES. LOCATED IN VALLEY COUNTY, IDAHO.

Place of Performance

Location: PAYETTE, PAYETTE County, IDAHO, 83661

State: Idaho Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $1.5 million to GRANITE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY for work described as: FUNDS CONSTRUCTION PROJECT ID BOR SRAO TCROWN(1), CROWN POINT TRAIL AND PARKING AREA. WORK INCLUDES TRAIL CONSTRUCTION, TRAIL RESURFACING, SLOPE REPAIR, AND PAVING. TOTAL LENGTH IS 2.7 MILES. LOCATED IN VALLEY COUNTY, IDAHO. Key points: 1. Project scope includes trail construction, resurfacing, slope repair, and paving over 2.7 miles. 2. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Fixed-price contract type may limit cost overruns but could impact contractor flexibility. 4. Project duration of 177 days indicates a focused, relatively short-term construction effort. 5. Location in Valley County, Idaho, suggests a specific regional infrastructure improvement. 6. The award amount of $1,482,727 appears to be a significant investment for a trail project.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $1,482,727 for a 2.7-mile trail and parking area project seems substantial. Without specific benchmarks for similar trail construction projects in Idaho or comparable regions, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the government, but the per-mile cost is high if only considering trail construction.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. With 3 bids received, the competition level appears moderate. This suggests that while multiple companies were aware of and interested in the project, the number of bids might not have been extensive enough to guarantee the absolute lowest price.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging lower bids. However, the moderate number of bidders in this case means there's a possibility that a more competitive environment could have yielded further cost savings.

Public Impact

Benefits local residents and visitors by improving recreational access and infrastructure in Valley County, Idaho. Enhances the natural landscape and public use of the Crown Point Trail area. Supports local and regional economic activity through construction employment and material sourcing. Improves transportation infrastructure related to recreational access, potentially boosting tourism.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions arise, despite fixed-price contract.
Limited flexibility for scope changes due to fixed-price contract terms.
Dependence on contractor's ability to meet tight schedule for completion.

Positive Signals

Clear project scope and defined deliverables for trail and parking construction.
Firm fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for the government.
Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a fair market price was sought.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction sector, specifically focusing on recreational infrastructure. The Federal Highway Administration often funds projects that improve access to public lands or enhance transportation networks. While the total contract value is significant for a single trail project, it is modest within the broader context of federal transportation infrastructure spending, which often runs into billions annually for larger road and bridge initiatives.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. This suggests that the primary contractor, Granite Construction Company, will likely manage the project with its own resources or through larger, non-small business subcontractors. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for specialized services.

Oversight & Accountability

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is responsible for overseeing this contract. As a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, oversight would likely involve regular progress reviews, site inspections, and verification of milestones against the project schedule. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though detailed internal oversight reports are not typically publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud or significant mismanagement.

Related Government Programs

Federal Highway Administration Construction Projects
National Forest Service Trail Maintenance
Bureau of Land Management Recreation Access Projects
State of Idaho Transportation Department Grants

Risk Flags

Potential for environmental impacts during construction.
Risk of weather-related delays impacting project schedule.
Fixed-price contract may limit flexibility for scope adjustments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $1.5 million to GRANITE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY. FUNDS CONSTRUCTION PROJECT ID BOR SRAO TCROWN(1), CROWN POINT TRAIL AND PARKING AREA. WORK INCLUDES TRAIL CONSTRUCTION, TRAIL RESURFACING, SLOPE REPAIR, AND PAVING. TOTAL LENGTH IS 2.7 MILES. LOCATED IN VALLEY COUNTY, IDAHO.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GRANITE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $1.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-10-02.

What is Granite Construction Company's track record with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Transportation or similar agencies?

Granite Construction Company is a large, established construction firm with a significant history of performing federal contracts. They have worked extensively with various agencies, including the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of Defense, on a wide range of infrastructure projects. Their federal contract history typically includes road construction, bridge building, airport infrastructure, and utility projects. While specific performance ratings for this particular contract are not available, their general track record suggests experience in managing complex projects. A deeper dive into their past performance on similar DOT projects, including any reported issues or successes, would provide further context on their reliability for this specific award.

How does the cost per mile of this trail project compare to similar federal or state-funded trail construction projects?

The provided data indicates a total contract value of $1,482,727 for a 2.7-mile trail and parking area. This equates to approximately $549,158 per mile. Benchmarking this figure requires careful consideration of project specifics, as trail construction costs can vary dramatically based on terrain, materials, required amenities (like extensive paving or specialized slope stabilization), and labor costs in the region. Federal and state trail projects can range from under $100,000 per mile for simple dirt paths in flat terrain to well over $1 million per mile for complex, engineered trails in mountainous or environmentally sensitive areas, especially when including significant paving, retaining walls, or extensive parking facilities. Without detailed specifications of the trail's construction complexity and the extent of the parking area development, a precise comparison is difficult, but the reported figure appears to be on the higher end, suggesting a project with substantial engineering or paving components.

What are the primary risks associated with this specific contract, considering its scope and location?

The primary risks for this contract include potential environmental challenges given the trail's location in Valley County, Idaho, which may involve sensitive ecosystems or unexpected geological conditions impacting slope repair and construction. Schedule risk is also present due to the relatively short 177-day duration, especially if weather delays occur during critical construction phases. Furthermore, as a firm fixed-price contract, Granite Construction faces financial risk if unforeseen site conditions or material cost escalations exceed their initial estimates. The remoteness of the location could also pose logistical challenges for material delivery and workforce access, potentially impacting costs and timelines.

What is the expected impact of this project on local employment and the regional economy in Valley County, Idaho?

This project is expected to have a positive, albeit likely temporary, impact on local employment and the regional economy in Valley County, Idaho. The construction activities will require a workforce for tasks such as trail building, paving, and site preparation, potentially creating jobs for local laborers, equipment operators, and supervisors. Granite Construction Company may also source materials and services from local suppliers, further injecting funds into the local economy. Additionally, the improved trail and parking facilities are intended to enhance recreational opportunities, which could attract visitors and support local tourism-related businesses, such as lodging, restaurants, and outdoor gear outfitters, in the longer term.

How does the $1.48 million award compare to historical federal spending on similar recreational trail or access projects managed by the FHWA?

The $1.48 million award for this specific trail and parking area project is a notable sum for a single recreational access initiative. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) typically allocates funds to a wide array of transportation projects, including those that enhance access to public lands and recreational areas. While FHWA's overall budget runs into billions, individual trail projects can vary significantly in cost. Awards in the range of $1-2 million are not uncommon for projects involving substantial engineering, paving, or significant infrastructure development like parking areas and access roads. However, compared to simpler trail maintenance or basic path construction, this award suggests a more complex undertaking. Historical data would be needed to determine if this specific award represents a typical investment level for FHWA's recreational access funding or if it is on the higher end due to specific project requirements.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction › Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 69056725R000014

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Granite Construction Company Guam

Address: 585 W BEACH ST, WATSONVILLE, CA, 95076

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,482,727

Exercised Options: $1,482,727

Current Obligation: $1,482,727

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 69056725D000003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline