Investigation of Carlsbad Caverns Construction Contract Problems

We investigated allegations that National Park Service (NPS) contracting officials mismanaged a construction contract at Carlsbad Caverns National Park (CCNP) in Carlsbad, NM. We also investigated allegations of an improper relationship between an NPS contracting official and the contractor’s vice president. Finally, we investigated an alleged romantic relationship between an NPS employee and a subcontractor, and allegations of a post-employment ethics violation.  

 

Our investigation substantiated that NPS contracting personnel did not provide adequate construction management oversight for the project. Our investigation also revealed substandard performance by the contractor. We also substantiated that an NPS employee assigned to the project had a short-term romantic relationship with a subcontractor. 

 

We found no evidence of an improper relationship between NPS and contractor personnel or misconduct by contracting officials. We did not substantiate an allegation of a post-employment ethics violation by a former NPS employee.

 

We provided this report to the Director of NPS for any action deemed appropriate.