Joplin Debris Removal contract awarded to Weston Solutions Inc. for over $47.4 million
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $47,419,317 ($47.4M)
Contractor: Weston Solutions Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2011-05-30
End Date: 2013-03-31
Contract Duration: 671 days
Daily Burn Rate: $70.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 12
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: E - JOPLIN DEBRIS REMOVAL&DISPOSITION
Place of Performance
Location: JOPLIN, JASPER County, MISSOURI, 64804
State: Missouri Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $47.4 million to WESTON SOLUTIONS INC for work described as: E - JOPLIN DEBRIS REMOVAL&DISPOSITION Key points: 1. Contract value exceeds $47.4 million for debris removal and disposition services. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. Contract duration of 671 days suggests a significant, long-term project. 4. Services provided in Missouri, impacting a specific geographic region. 5. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can present cost control challenges. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized for this contract.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The total award amount of $47.4 million for debris removal and disposition is substantial. Benchmarking this against similar disaster recovery contracts is challenging without more specific service details and geographic scope. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type, while allowing for flexibility, can sometimes lead to higher costs if not managed tightly, as the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a fixed fee. The contract's duration of 671 days suggests a comprehensive effort, but the value per day is approximately $70,670, which needs to be assessed against the complexity and volume of debris handled.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 12 bidders indicates a healthy level of competition for this significant debris removal project. A competitive process like this generally helps to ensure that the government receives fair pricing and that the most capable contractor is selected. The number of bidders suggests that the market for such services is robust.
Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition for this contract likely resulted in more favorable pricing for taxpayers compared to a sole-source or limited competition award. It also increases the likelihood that taxpayer funds were used efficiently to secure the best available services.
Public Impact
Residents and businesses in Joplin, Missouri, benefited from the cleanup and restoration of public spaces following a disaster. The contract facilitated the removal and disposition of debris, aiding in the recovery and rebuilding process. Geographic impact is concentrated in Joplin, Missouri, addressing specific local needs. The project likely involved a significant workforce for debris removal, transportation, and disposal operations.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type may incentivize higher costs if not closely monitored.
- The substantial award amount requires diligent oversight to ensure value for money.
- Debris removal can be complex, with potential for unforeseen challenges impacting timelines and costs.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition with 12 bidders, suggesting competitive pricing.
- The contract addresses a critical post-disaster need, contributing to community recovery.
- The fixed fee component of the CPFF contract provides some cost predictability.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction sector, specifically related to disaster recovery and debris management. The market for such services is often project-driven, with significant demand following natural disasters. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without knowing the exact nature and volume of debris, but large-scale recovery efforts can involve tens to hundreds of millions of dollars. This contract represents a significant investment in post-disaster infrastructure support.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, and there is no indication of specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. This means that large businesses were the primary focus for bidding and performance. The absence of set-aside provisions may limit direct opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific contract, although they might be involved as subcontractors to the prime contractor.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and their representatives within the Department of the Army. Given the CPFF structure and the nature of disaster recovery, regular progress reports, site inspections, and audits would be crucial to ensure compliance and cost control. Transparency would be facilitated through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific details of ongoing oversight are not provided.
Related Government Programs
- FEMA Disaster Relief Fund
- Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Programs
- State and Local Emergency Management Agencies
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires careful monitoring for cost efficiency.
- Disaster recovery projects can be subject to unforeseen complexities and scope changes.
- The substantial award amount necessitates robust oversight to ensure value for taxpayer money.
Tags
construction, defense, department-of-the-army, missouri, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, cost-plus-fixed-fee, debris-removal, disaster-recovery, heavy-and-civil-engineering
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $47.4 million to WESTON SOLUTIONS INC. E - JOPLIN DEBRIS REMOVAL&DISPOSITION
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is WESTON SOLUTIONS 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 $47.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2011-05-30. End: 2013-03-31.
What was the specific nature and volume of debris removed under this contract?
The provided data does not specify the exact nature or volume of debris removed. However, given the context of disaster recovery in Joplin, Missouri (likely following the 2011 tornado), the debris would have consisted of construction and demolition waste, household goods, vegetation, and potentially hazardous materials. The scale of the Joplin tornado suggests a massive volume of debris requiring extensive removal, sorting, and disposal operations. Understanding the precise composition and quantity would be crucial for a detailed cost-benefit analysis and for comparing this contract's efficiency to other debris removal efforts.
How does the per-day cost of this contract compare to similar disaster debris removal contracts?
The contract's average daily cost is approximately $70,670 ($47,419,316.53 / 671 days). Comparing this figure directly to similar contracts is challenging without standardized metrics for debris removal. Factors such as the type of debris (e.g., hazardous vs. non-hazardous), the density of the affected area, the distance to disposal sites, and the specific services included (e.g., sorting, recycling, landfilling) significantly influence costs. However, this daily rate provides a benchmark for further investigation into the efficiency of the operations performed under this specific contract, especially when considering the complexity and volume of work undertaken.
What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) for Weston Solutions Inc. under this contract?
The provided data does not detail the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) established for Weston Solutions Inc. In debris removal contracts, typical KPIs often include metrics related to the volume of debris removed per day, adherence to safety protocols, environmental compliance, timely completion of milestones, and the accuracy of reporting. For a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, KPIs would also focus on cost management and efficiency within the agreed-upon fee structure. The effectiveness of the oversight mechanisms would be directly tied to how well these KPIs were defined, monitored, and enforced.
What is the track record of Weston Solutions Inc. in handling large-scale disaster recovery contracts?
Weston Solutions Inc. has a significant history of involvement in environmental services and disaster recovery projects. While specific details of their performance on contracts of this exact scale and type are not provided in this dataset, the company is known to undertake large, complex projects, including those involving hazardous waste management, site remediation, and emergency response. Their experience in the broader environmental engineering and construction sector suggests a capacity to manage substantial contracts. A deeper dive into their past performance reviews, client feedback, and project outcomes would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment of their track record.
Were there any significant cost overruns or contract modifications during the life of this award?
The provided summary data does not indicate whether there were significant cost overruns or contract modifications. For a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, modifications can occur due to changes in scope, unforeseen conditions, or adjustments to the fixed fee. Assessing the financial history of this contract would require access to contract modification logs and detailed financial reports. Without this information, it's impossible to determine if the final cost deviated significantly from the initial award or if the project scope evolved substantially over its 671-day duration.
How did the geographic concentration in Missouri affect the overall cost and efficiency of the debris removal?
The geographic concentration in Joplin, Missouri, means that the logistical challenges were focused on a specific area. This can lead to efficiencies in terms of transportation and resource deployment compared to a contract spread across a vast region. However, the density and specific characteristics of the Joplin disaster site would have dictated the complexity of the removal operations. Factors like road accessibility, proximity to disposal facilities, and the types of structures destroyed would all influence the cost and efficiency. A concentrated effort can streamline operations but also means the entire impact is localized, requiring thorough planning for that specific zone.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS PROTECTION
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: W9128F07R0022
Offers Received: 12
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Weston Solutions Holdings, Inc. (UEI: 118341234)
Address: 1400 WESTON WAY, WEST CHESTER, PA, 19380
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Small Agricultural Cooperative, Small Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $47,419,317
Exercised Options: $47,419,317
Current Obligation: $47,419,317
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W9128F08D0031
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2011-05-30
Current End Date: 2013-03-31
Potential End Date: 2013-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-04-29
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