Interior's $18M Riverbank Stabilization Contract Awarded to Akron Building & Outdoor Maintenance Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,959,952 ($18.0M)

Contractor: Akron Building & Outdoor Maintenance Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2022-09-13

End Date: 2025-10-31

Contract Duration: 1,144 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: CUVA - RIVERBANK STABILIZATION

Place of Performance

Location: BRECKSVILLE, CUYAHOGA County, OHIO, 44141

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $18.0 million to AKRON BUILDING & OUTDOOR MAINTENANCE INC for work described as: CUVA - RIVERBANK STABILIZATION Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the scope of heavy civil engineering construction. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Contract duration of over 3 years indicates a significant, long-term project. 4. Firm fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. 5. The contract is positioned within the 'Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction' sector. 6. Geographic focus on Ohio for this critical infrastructure project.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $18 million for riverbank stabilization over a period of nearly three years suggests a substantial investment in infrastructure. Benchmarking this against similar large-scale civil engineering projects would be necessary for a definitive value assessment. However, the firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the government, which is a positive indicator for value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. With three bidders participating, the competition level suggests a degree of market interest and potential for price discovery. The specific details of the bidding process and the spread of the bids are not publicly available, but the open competition is a positive sign for achieving a reasonable price.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to lower prices and better quality services compared to sole-source or limited competition scenarios.

Public Impact

Benefits the National Park Service by ensuring the structural integrity of riverbanks within its jurisdiction. Services delivered include heavy and civil engineering construction, likely involving erosion control and bank reinforcement. Geographic impact is concentrated in Ohio, specifically within the service area of the National Park Service in the state. Workforce implications may include employment opportunities for skilled construction labor in the Ohio region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in long-term civil engineering projects if not managed tightly.
Environmental impact assessments and mitigation strategies are critical for riverbank stabilization projects.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract limits the government's exposure to cost increases.
Full and open competition suggests a robust bidding process.
Long contract duration allows for phased execution and potential learning curve efficiencies.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the 'Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction' sector, which encompasses a broad range of infrastructure projects. The market for such services is significant, driven by federal, state, and local needs for maintaining and upgrading public works. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve looking at other large-scale erosion control, flood mitigation, or waterway infrastructure projects managed by agencies like the Army Corps of Engineers or the Department of Transportation.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. This suggests that the primary award went to a larger entity capable of handling the scale of the project. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses within the project's execution.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the National Park Service, an agency within the Department of the Interior. Oversight mechanisms would typically involve regular progress reports, site inspections, and adherence to contract specifications. Accountability is ensured through the firm fixed-price structure and the potential for penalties or contract termination for non-performance. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though detailed performance metrics may not always be readily available.

Related Government Programs

Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Programs
Federal Highway Administration Infrastructure Projects
Bureau of Reclamation Water Projects
Environmental Protection Agency Infrastructure Grants

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may increase exposure to changing economic conditions or material costs.
Environmental compliance is critical for riverbank projects and requires diligent oversight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $18.0 million to AKRON BUILDING & OUTDOOR MAINTENANCE INC. CUVA - RIVERBANK STABILIZATION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AKRON BUILDING & OUTDOOR MAINTENANCE INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (National Park Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $18.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-13. End: 2025-10-31.

What is the track record of Akron Building & Outdoor Maintenance Inc. with federal contracts, particularly in civil engineering?

A review of federal contract databases indicates that Akron Building & Outdoor Maintenance Inc. has been awarded multiple federal contracts, primarily with the Department of the Interior and other agencies. While specific details on past performance for large-scale riverbank stabilization projects are not immediately available from the provided data, their history suggests experience in government contracting. Further investigation into past performance reviews and the types of projects undertaken would be necessary to fully assess their capabilities and reliability for this specific contract. The number of bids received (3) in this instance suggests the agency had confidence in the pool of available contractors.

How does the $18 million contract value compare to similar riverbank stabilization projects undertaken by the National Park Service or other federal agencies?

Benchmarking the $18 million contract value requires comparing it to similar projects in terms of scope, complexity, and geographic location. Riverbank stabilization projects can vary significantly in cost based on factors like soil conditions, length of the area to be stabilized, environmental sensitivities, and the specific engineering solutions employed. Without access to a database of comparable NPS or DOI projects, a precise comparison is difficult. However, for large-scale civil engineering efforts, $18 million over three years for a critical infrastructure need like riverbank stabilization is within a plausible range, especially considering the firm fixed-price nature which often includes contingency for unforeseen issues.

What are the primary risks associated with this 'Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction' contract, and how are they mitigated?

Key risks for this contract include potential environmental impacts during construction, unforeseen geological or hydrological conditions affecting the stabilization work, and project delays due to weather or site access. The firm fixed-price contract type mitigates financial risk for the government by capping the total cost. Mitigation for technical and environmental risks would rely on robust project management, detailed site investigations prior to and during construction, adherence to strict environmental compliance plans, and potentially performance bonds from the contractor. The contract duration of over three years also allows for phased implementation, potentially reducing risks associated with executing the entire scope at once.

What is the historical spending pattern for riverbank stabilization or similar civil engineering projects by the National Park Service?

Historical spending patterns for riverbank stabilization by the National Park Service are not detailed in the provided data. However, the NPS, like other land management agencies, faces ongoing needs for infrastructure maintenance and protection, including erosion control and waterway management. Spending in this category can fluctuate based on specific infrastructure needs, disaster recovery efforts, and budget allocations. Analyzing multi-year spending trends for the 'Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction' category within the NPS or the broader Department of the Interior would provide context on the typical investment levels for such projects.

What does the 'definitive contract' award type imply for the flexibility and potential modifications of this contract?

A 'definitive contract' is a standard contract type that establishes the final terms and conditions for the purchase of supplies or services. In this case, it signifies a binding agreement with a fixed price and delivery schedule. While definitive contracts provide a clear framework, they can be modified through contract modifications (change orders) if necessary, subject to agreement by both parties and compliance with federal acquisition regulations. The firm fixed-price nature suggests that modifications would likely be scrutinized to ensure they do not unduly increase costs without corresponding benefits or scope changes. The duration of over three years may necessitate some flexibility through modifications to adapt to evolving site conditions or unforeseen challenges.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction › Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR NONBUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 140P2022R0048

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 92 31ST ST NW, BARBERTON, OH, 44203

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,959,952

Exercised Options: $17,959,952

Current Obligation: $17,959,952

Actual Outlays: $17,959,952

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline