Forest Service awards $3.2M for bridge replacement on Davidson River Road, North Carolina

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,211,464 ($3.2M)

Contractor: Williams Construction & Cabinetry, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2025-09-23

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 464 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: REPLACEMENT OF BRIDGES 475-3.3 AND 475-4.2 ON NFSR 475 - DAVIDSON RIVER ROAD & COVE CREEK

Place of Performance

Location: ASHEVILLE, BUNCOMBE County, NORTH CAROLINA, 28801

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $3.2 million to WILLIAMS CONSTRUCTION & CABINETRY, INC. for work described as: REPLACEMENT OF BRIDGES 475-3.3 AND 475-4.2 ON NFSR 475 - DAVIDSON RIVER ROAD & COVE CREEK Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for bridge construction, pending detailed cost analysis. 2. Full and open competition suggests potential for competitive pricing. 3. Project duration is substantial, indicating complex scope or potential for delays. 4. Fixed-price contract shifts risk to the contractor. 5. Geographic location in North Carolina may impact local labor and material costs. 6. Contractor has experience in construction, but specific bridge experience needs review.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.2 million for replacing two bridges on a Forest Service road in North Carolina seems within a reasonable range for such infrastructure projects. Without specific details on the scope of work, materials, and labor involved, a precise benchmark is difficult. However, comparable bridge replacement projects of similar scale and complexity can range from several hundred thousand to several million dollars. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract indicates that the contractor has assumed the risk for cost overruns, which is generally favorable for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be broad, certain sources were excluded for specific reasons, possibly related to specialized capabilities or prior performance. The number of bidders is not specified, but the exclusion of sources might limit the pool of potential offerors. This could potentially impact the level of price competition achieved compared to a truly unrestricted full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: While the competition was not entirely unrestricted, the 'full and open' aspect suggests an effort to solicit multiple bids. This should have provided some level of price discovery for taxpayers, though the exclusion of sources might have prevented the most competitive outcome possible.

Public Impact

Benefits the Forest Service by ensuring the safety and usability of critical infrastructure within the Pisgah National Forest. Services delivered include the complete replacement of two bridges, enhancing structural integrity and longevity. Geographic impact is localized to the Davidson River Road area in North Carolina, a popular recreational zone. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for construction labor and related trades in the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost increases if excluded sources possessed unique capabilities that drove up prices for the selected contractor.
Risk of schedule delays if the contractor encounters unforeseen site conditions or material shortages.
Limited transparency on the specific reasons for excluding other potential bidders.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract structure transfers cost overrun risk to the contractor.
Competition, even with exclusions, likely led to a more favorable price than a sole-source award.
Project aims to improve critical infrastructure, ensuring long-term safety and access.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction sector (NAICS 237310). This sector is characterized by projects involving the construction and repair of roads, bridges, tunnels, and related infrastructure. Spending in this sector is often driven by government infrastructure initiatives and maintenance needs. The market size for bridge construction is substantial, with significant federal investment allocated annually to maintain and upgrade the nation's aging bridge inventory.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a primary set-aside consideration for this specific award (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses through set-asides is minimal. However, the prime contractor, WILLIAMS CONSTRUCTION & CABINETRY, INC., may engage small businesses as subcontractors for specialized services or material supply, which would indirectly benefit the small business ecosystem. Further analysis of subcontracting plans would be needed to fully assess the impact.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the U.S. Forest Service contracting officers and project managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver the specified bridges within the agreed-upon cost and schedule. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed justifications for source exclusions may not be publicly available. The Inspector General's office may conduct audits or investigations if specific concerns regarding fraud, waste, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

Federal Highway Administration Bridge Program
National Forest System Road Maintenance
Appalachian Development Highway System
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Projects

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion.
Risk of unforeseen site conditions impacting schedule and cost.
Environmental compliance during construction.
Contractor's specific experience with Forest Service projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $3.2 million to WILLIAMS CONSTRUCTION & CABINETRY, INC.. REPLACEMENT OF BRIDGES 475-3.3 AND 475-4.2 ON NFSR 475 - DAVIDSON RIVER ROAD & COVE CREEK

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WILLIAMS CONSTRUCTION & CABINETRY, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-23. End: 2026-12-31.

What is the track record of WILLIAMS CONSTRUCTION & CABINETRY, INC. on similar federal bridge construction projects?

A review of federal contract databases indicates that WILLIAMS CONSTRUCTION & CABINETRY, INC. has been awarded contracts primarily in the construction sector. While specific details on their experience with large-scale federal bridge replacements are not immediately apparent from the provided data, their past performance on projects within the NAICS code 237310 (Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction) would be a key factor in assessing their capability for this project. A deeper dive into their contract history, including any past performance evaluations or awards/debarments, would provide a clearer picture of their suitability and reliability for this specific bridge replacement task. The Forest Service would have conducted this due diligence prior to award.

How does the awarded amount compare to the average cost of similar bridge replacement projects managed by the Forest Service or other federal agencies?

Benchmarking this $3.2 million contract against similar federal bridge replacement projects requires access to a broader dataset of comparable contracts. Factors such as bridge size, span length, material type, site accessibility, and environmental considerations significantly influence project costs. Generally, the cost per linear foot or per square foot of bridge deck area is used for comparison. Without these specific metrics for the Davidson River Road bridges, a precise comparison is challenging. However, for context, smaller bridge replacements can range from a few hundred thousand dollars, while larger, more complex structures can easily exceed $10 million. The Forest Service likely used internal benchmarks and market research to determine the reasonableness of this award.

What are the primary risks associated with this specific bridge replacement project, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks for this project include potential environmental impacts during construction (e.g., water quality, wildlife disruption), unforeseen geological or hydrological conditions at the bridge sites, and contractor performance issues (schedule delays, quality defects). Mitigation strategies likely involve detailed environmental impact assessments and compliance plans, thorough geotechnical surveys prior to construction, and robust contract oversight by the Forest Service. The firm-fixed-price contract also mitigates financial risk for the government by capping the contractor's potential profit and placing the burden of cost overruns on them. The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition might also indicate a risk mitigation strategy if specific capabilities were deemed essential and only available from a limited pool.

What is the expected impact of these bridge replacements on the accessibility and safety of the Pisgah National Forest's road network?

The replacement of bridges 475-3.3 and 475-4.2 on Davidson River Road is expected to significantly enhance the accessibility and safety of this section of the Pisgah National Forest. Aging bridges can pose structural risks, leading to weight restrictions or complete closures, thereby limiting access for visitors, recreational users, and administrative vehicles. New bridges will restore or improve load-bearing capacity, ensure structural integrity for the long term, and reduce the likelihood of emergency repairs or closures. This directly supports the Forest Service's mission to provide safe and sustainable access to national forest resources and recreational opportunities.

How does this contract align with broader federal infrastructure spending priorities, such as those outlined in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act?

This contract aligns with broader federal infrastructure spending priorities by addressing critical needs in transportation infrastructure, specifically within a national forest. While the specific funding source isn't detailed, projects like bridge replacements are a core component of initiatives aimed at modernizing the nation's infrastructure, improving safety, and ensuring economic vitality. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) provides substantial funding for repairing and replacing aging bridges across various jurisdictions, including federal lands. This Forest Service project contributes to the overall goal of enhancing the resilience and functionality of the U.S. transportation network.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 12445225R0043

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3148 TALLULAH RD, ROBBINSVILLE, NC, 28771

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,211,464

Exercised Options: $3,211,464

Current Obligation: $3,211,464

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12445224D0056

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline