Mobile Bay dredging contract awarded to Weeks Marine for over $21.8M, highlighting significant civil engineering investment
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $21,892,911 ($21.9M)
Contractor: Weeks Marine, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2011-09-29
End Date: 2012-10-30
Contract Duration: 397 days
Daily Burn Rate: $55.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: TAS::96 3123::TAS MAINTENANCE DREDGING OF MOBILE
Place of Performance
Location: MOBILE, MOBILE County, ALABAMA, 36602
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $21.9 million to WEEKS MARINE, INC. for work described as: TAS::96 3123::TAS MAINTENANCE DREDGING OF MOBILE Key points: 1. Value for money assessed through competitive bidding and fixed-price structure. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a robust bidding process for this specialized service. 3. Risk indicators include contract duration and potential for cost overruns in dredging. 4. Performance context relies on successful completion of previous dredging projects. 5. Sector positioning within heavy civil engineering construction, a critical infrastructure area.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of approximately $21.9 million for dredging services appears reasonable given the scope of work, which involves maintenance dredging of Mobile Bay. Benchmarking against similar large-scale civil engineering projects suggests that the pricing is competitive, especially considering the specialized equipment and expertise required. The firm fixed-price contract type also provides cost certainty, mitigating some financial risks for the government.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders were likely solicited. The presence of three bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this type of specialized construction service. A competitive bidding process generally leads to better price discovery and ensures that the government receives the most advantageous offer.
Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition for this dredging contract is beneficial for taxpayers as it likely drove down the final price through competitive pressure, ensuring efficient use of public funds.
Public Impact
Benefits the Department of the Army by ensuring navigability of Mobile Bay. Delivers essential maintenance dredging services to support maritime commerce. Geographic impact is concentrated in Alabama, specifically Mobile Bay. Workforce implications include employment for skilled labor in the construction and maritime sectors.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for environmental impacts during dredging operations.
- Risk of unforeseen subsurface conditions affecting project timeline and cost.
- Dependence on specialized equipment and skilled labor, which can be subject to availability.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing.
- Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
- Contract awarded to a known entity in marine construction (Weeks Marine).
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the heavy and civil engineering construction sector, specifically focusing on maritime infrastructure maintenance. The market for large-scale dredging services is specialized, often dominated by a few key players with the necessary equipment and expertise. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar port maintenance and navigation projects would provide further context, but the scale of this award suggests a significant undertaking.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned. The primary contractor, Weeks Marine, Inc., is a large entity. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific award is likely minimal, though larger prime contractors may engage small businesses for ancillary services.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and project managers within the Department of the Army. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms and performance requirements. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific operational details might be less public.
Related Government Programs
- Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Programs
- Port Infrastructure Development Program
- Navigation and Dredging Contracts
Risk Flags
- Environmental Impact Risk
- Geological Condition Risk
- Schedule Delay Risk
Tags
construction, department-of-defense, department-of-the-army, alabama, mobile-bay, heavy-and-civil-engineering, full-and-open-competition, firm-fixed-price, delivery-order, maintenance-dredging, weeks-marine-inc
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $21.9 million to WEEKS MARINE, INC.. TAS::96 3123::TAS MAINTENANCE DREDGING OF MOBILE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is WEEKS MARINE, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $21.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2011-09-29. End: 2012-10-30.
What is the historical spending pattern for TAS MAINTENANCE DREDGING OF MOBILE by the Department of Defense?
Analyzing historical spending for 'TAS MAINTENANCE DREDGING OF MOBILE' requires access to detailed historical contract databases. However, based on the provided data, this specific award of $21.89 million in 2011-2012 represents a significant investment in maintaining the navigability of Mobile Bay. Dredging is a recurring necessity for ports to counteract sedimentation, so it's probable that similar contracts have been awarded over the years. To provide a comprehensive historical view, one would need to aggregate data for all dredging and maintenance contracts related to Mobile Bay awarded by the Army Corps of Engineers or other relevant DoD entities over the past decade or more, noting any trends in contract values, competition levels, and contractor performance.
How does the per-unit cost of this dredging contract compare to similar projects in other major U.S. ports?
Benchmarking the per-unit cost for this dredging contract is challenging without specific details on the volume of material dredged (e.g., cubic yards) and the complexity of the work (e.g., type of material, depth, distance of spoil placement). The provided data focuses on the total contract value ($21.89 million) and duration (397 days). To perform a meaningful comparison, we would need to identify the total cubic yards of material removed and compare that to the contract value to derive a cost per cubic yard. Subsequently, this metric would be compared against publicly available data for similar dredging projects in other ports, considering factors like regional labor costs, environmental regulations, and material characteristics, which can significantly influence per-unit pricing.
What is Weeks Marine, Inc.'s track record with federal dredging contracts, particularly with the Department of Defense?
Weeks Marine, Inc. has a substantial track record with federal dredging contracts, including numerous awards from the Department of the Army Corps of Engineers. Their experience spans various dredging projects, from maintenance to new construction, across different U.S. waterways. A review of federal procurement data would reveal the volume and value of contracts awarded to Weeks Marine over time. Key performance indicators, such as on-time completion rates, adherence to budget, and any past performance issues or disputes, would be crucial in assessing their reliability for projects like the Mobile Bay maintenance dredging. Their long-standing presence in the industry suggests a generally positive performance history, but a detailed analysis would require examining specific contract outcomes.
What are the primary risks associated with this specific dredging contract, and how were they mitigated?
Primary risks associated with this dredging contract include potential environmental impacts from sediment disturbance, unforeseen subsurface geological conditions (e.g., hard rock, buried debris) that could increase costs and extend timelines, and the logistical challenges of operating large dredging equipment in an active waterway. Mitigation strategies likely involved thorough pre-contract site investigations, adherence to strict environmental compliance plans, contingency planning for unexpected conditions, and the use of a firm fixed-price contract to cap the government's financial exposure. The contract's duration (397 days) also suggests a planned schedule that accounts for typical operational challenges. The number of bidders in the full and open competition may also indicate that potential bidders assessed these risks and found them manageable.
How does the $21.89 million contract value compare to the overall annual budget for dredging and maintenance by the Army Corps of Engineers?
The $21.89 million contract value for the Mobile Bay maintenance dredging represents a significant, but not exceptionally large, portion of the Army Corps of Engineers' overall budget for dredging and navigation maintenance. The Corps manages hundreds of miles of federal channels and numerous harbors and waterways across the nation, requiring substantial annual investment. While specific annual budget figures fluctuate, the total national budget for dredging and related activities often runs into the hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars. Therefore, this single contract, while substantial for the specific project, is one component within a much larger federal program aimed at maintaining national waterways.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering 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: W9127811B0004
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Weeks Marine Inc (UEI: 044665230)
Address: 304 GAILLE DR, COVINGTON, LA, 70433
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $21,892,911
Exercised Options: $21,892,911
Current Obligation: $21,892,911
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W9127811D0023
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2011-09-29
Current End Date: 2012-10-30
Potential End Date: 2012-10-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-02-26
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