Nearly $14.5M for Mesa Verde National Park roadway construction, awarded to Kirkland Construction

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,439,357 ($14.4M)

Contractor: Kirkland Construction, L.l.l.p.

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2007-04-06

End Date: 2011-08-31

Contract Duration: 1,608 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: CONSTRUCTION ON 25.64 MILES OF ROADWAY IN MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK, MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO.

Place of Performance

Location: MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK, MONTEZUMA County, COLORADO, 81330

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $14.4 million to KIRKLAND CONSTRUCTION, L.L.L.P. for work described as: CONSTRUCTION ON 25.64 MILES OF ROADWAY IN MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK, MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO. Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in national park infrastructure. 2. Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type offers cost certainty for the government. 4. Project duration of over four years indicates a substantial construction undertaking. 5. Awarded by the Federal Highway Administration, highlighting a focus on transportation infrastructure. 6. The project is located in Montezuma County, Colorado, specifying the geographic impact.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $14.5 million for 25.64 miles of roadway construction in a national park appears to be within a reasonable range for such specialized infrastructure projects. However, without specific benchmarks for national park road construction or comparable projects in similar terrain and environmental conditions, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost predictability, which is a positive indicator for the government.

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 bids. This method generally promotes a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and quality. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition suggests that multiple firms likely vied for the contract, potentially driving down costs.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the pool of potential bidders, increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and ensuring that taxpayer funds are used efficiently.

Public Impact

Benefits park visitors by improving access and safety within Mesa Verde National Park. Enhances the overall visitor experience by providing well-maintained roadways. Supports local and regional economies through construction-related employment and material sourcing. Preserves the natural and cultural resources of the park by ensuring stable and safe access routes. The project directly impacts the transportation infrastructure within a significant national park.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen site conditions arise, despite the fixed-price contract.
Environmental impact during construction phases requires careful monitoring and mitigation.
Long project duration could lead to extended disruptions for park visitors.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.
Full and open competition suggests a robust bidding process.
Awarded by a specialized agency (FHWA) indicating expertise in transportation projects.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the construction sector, specifically focusing on heavy civil engineering and infrastructure development. The market for national park infrastructure projects is specialized, often involving unique environmental and logistical challenges. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found in other large-scale road construction projects, though the national park setting adds a layer of complexity and potentially higher costs due to preservation requirements and accessibility issues.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract. Therefore, it is presumed that small businesses could have participated as prime contractors or subcontractors if they met the qualifications. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether small businesses were awarded subcontracts or participated in the bidding process.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the National Park Service. Mechanisms likely include regular progress reports, site inspections, and quality assurance reviews. Accountability is ensured through the contract terms, including performance standards and payment schedules. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, though specific oversight details are not provided.

Related Government Programs

National Park Service Infrastructure Projects
Federal Highway Administration Road Construction
Department of Transportation Construction Contracts
Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction

Risk Flags

Potential for environmental impact during construction.
Risk of schedule delays due to weather or unforeseen site conditions.
Long project duration may impact park operations and visitor access.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $14.4 million to KIRKLAND CONSTRUCTION, L.L.L.P.. CONSTRUCTION ON 25.64 MILES OF ROADWAY IN MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK, MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KIRKLAND CONSTRUCTION, L.L.L.P..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $14.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-04-06. End: 2011-08-31.

What was the specific scope of work for the 25.64 miles of roadway construction in Mesa Verde National Park?

The contract primarily involved the construction and rehabilitation of approximately 25.64 miles of roadway within Mesa Verde National Park. This likely included tasks such as grading, paving, drainage improvements, bridge repair or replacement (if applicable), and potentially the installation of safety features like guardrails and signage. The goal was to improve the condition, safety, and accessibility of key park roads, enhancing the visitor experience and ensuring the longevity of the infrastructure while respecting the park's natural and cultural resources.

How does the awarded amount of $14.5 million compare to similar national park road construction projects?

Benchmarking this contract's value requires comparison with similar projects in terms of mileage, complexity, and location. National park road construction can be more expensive per mile than standard highway projects due to factors like remote locations, environmental regulations, historical preservation requirements, and specialized construction techniques. Without access to a database of comparable national park road projects, it's difficult to definitively state if $14.5 million for 25.64 miles is high or low. However, the firm fixed-price nature and full and open competition suggest an effort to achieve value.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) or success metrics for this construction contract?

Key performance indicators for this contract would likely have included adherence to the project schedule, completion within the firm fixed-price budget, quality of construction meeting specified standards (e.g., pavement smoothness, durability), compliance with environmental regulations, and safety performance (e.g., low incident rates). Successful completion would be measured by the delivery of functional, safe, and durable roadways that meet the needs of park visitors and management for the specified duration.

Were there any significant challenges or risks identified during the contract period (2007-2011)?

Construction projects of this scale, especially in environmentally sensitive areas like national parks, often face risks such as adverse weather conditions impacting schedules, unforeseen geological or archaeological discoveries requiring project modifications, potential environmental compliance issues, and logistical challenges related to material delivery and workforce access. The firm fixed-price contract structure places the risk of cost overruns due to these factors primarily on the contractor, Kirkland Construction, though significant unforeseen issues could lead to change orders.

What is the historical spending pattern for roadway construction within Mesa Verde National Park or similar national parks?

Historical spending on roadway construction within national parks varies significantly based on the park's size, age, existing infrastructure condition, and funding priorities. Major rehabilitation or new construction projects are typically infrequent and represent substantial investments. Data on specific historical spending for Mesa Verde National Park's roadways would require a deeper dive into NPS budget allocations and past contract awards. Generally, federal agencies like the NPS and FHWA allocate funds for infrastructure maintenance and upgrades based on need and available appropriations.

What is the track record of Kirkland Construction, L.L.L.P. in completing similar federal infrastructure projects?

Assessing Kirkland Construction's track record would involve reviewing their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving road construction, infrastructure development, and projects in challenging environments. Information on contract performance ratings (e.g., CPARS), past project successes, and any history of disputes or contract terminations would be crucial. Without specific performance data for Kirkland Construction on similar projects, it's difficult to provide a detailed assessment of their capabilities and reliability for this specific contract.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCT NONBUILDING FACILITIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SEALED BID

Solicitation ID: DTFH6807B00006

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2101 MAIN ST, RYE, CO, 03

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,439,357

Exercised Options: $14,439,357

Current Obligation: $14,439,357

Timeline