The National Park Service Can Improve Cost Estimates for Great American Outdoors Act Construction Contracts

Date Issued

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Submitting OIG

Department of the Interior OIG

Agencies Reviewed/Investigated

Department of the Interior

Components

National Park Service

Report Number

2022-CGD-051

Report Description

We assessed NPS’ process for estimating and adjusting project cost estimates for construction contracts awarded using GAOA funds.

Report Type

Inspection / Evaluation

Agency Wide

Yes

Number of Recommendations

Questioned Costs

Funds for Better Use

Report updated under NDAA 5274

Open Recommendations

This report has 2 open recommendations.

Recommendation Number	Significant Recommendation	Recommended Questioned Costs	Recommended Funds for Better Use
2022-CGD-051-03	No	$0	$0
We recommend that NPS develop servicewide guidance to aid National Park Service staff when determining whether National Park Service cost estimating personnel and contracted architect and engineer firms should be required to conduct site visits when developing construction estimates.
2022-CGD-051-04	No	$0	$0
We recommend that NPS develop a method to track and monitor independent government cost estimate accuracy for Great American Outdoors Act Legacy Restoration Fund construction projects and develop a process to evaluate trends that lead to inaccurate estimates, to include the types of construction projects.