Interior's National Park Service awards $14.5M contract for Fort Jefferson repairs and dredging to Stone & Lime Imports, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,469,755 ($14.5M)

Contractor: Stone & Lime Imports, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2023-10-02

End Date: 2026-06-25

Contract Duration: 997 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: DRTO 244370/244372 - REPAIRS TO FORT JEFFERSON COUNTERSCARP & MAINTENANCE DREDGING AT DRY TORTUGAS NATIONAL PARK

Place of Performance

Location: KEY WEST, MONROE County, FLORIDA, 33040

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $14.5 million to STONE & LIME IMPORTS, INC for work described as: DRTO 244370/244372 - REPAIRS TO FORT JEFFERSON COUNTERSCARP & MAINTENANCE DREDGING AT DRY TORTUGAS NATIONAL PARK Key points: 1. The contract value of $14.5 million is significant for heavy civil engineering construction. 2. Stone & Lime Imports, Inc. secured the award through full and open competition. 3. The project addresses critical infrastructure needs at Dry Tortugas National Park. 4. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs, but duration could pose risks.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $14.5 million appears reasonable for extensive repairs and dredging at a national park. Benchmarking against similar large-scale civil engineering projects would provide further context.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a robust process for soliciting bids and ensuring fair pricing. This method generally leads to competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential infrastructure maintenance and preservation of a national park, ensuring long-term accessibility and safety.

Public Impact

Preserves historical structures at Fort Jefferson, a key tourist attraction. Ensures safe navigation and access to Dry Tortugas National Park through dredging. Supports environmental protection by maintaining park infrastructure. Potential for disruption to park visitors during construction phases.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration (997 days) increases risk of cost overruns or scope creep.
Fixed-price contract may not account for unforeseen site conditions in dredging.
Lack of small business participation noted.

Positive Signals

Essential infrastructure repair and maintenance.
Full and open competition promotes fair pricing.
Contract awarded to a single entity for streamlined execution.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the 'Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction' sector. Spending in this sector is often project-specific and driven by infrastructure needs, with values varying widely based on project scope and complexity.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded to a small business. There is no indication of specific small business subcontracting goals within the provided data, suggesting limited direct impact on small business participation for this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

The National Park Service is responsible for overseeing this contract. The definitive contract award type implies a structured process, but the long duration warrants diligent monitoring for performance and cost adherence.

Related Government Programs

Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
Department of the Interior Contracting
National Park Service Programs

Risk Flags

Long contract duration increases risk.
Potential for unforeseen site conditions impacting cost.
Lack of small business participation.
Fixed-price contract may not cover all contingencies.
Environmental factors could affect long-term effectiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $14.5 million to STONE & LIME IMPORTS, INC. DRTO 244370/244372 - REPAIRS TO FORT JEFFERSON COUNTERSCARP & MAINTENANCE DREDGING AT DRY TORTUGAS NATIONAL PARK

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is STONE & LIME IMPORTS, 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 $14.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-10-02. End: 2026-06-25.

What specific unforeseen conditions could significantly impact the cost of the maintenance dredging, and how are they addressed in the contract?

Unforeseen conditions in maintenance dredging could include encountering unexpected subsurface obstructions, harder-than-anticipated materials, or environmental issues requiring specialized handling. The contract's fixed-price nature may not adequately cover these, potentially leading to change orders and increased costs. A thorough review of the contract's contingency clauses and dispute resolution mechanisms is crucial.

How will the long duration of the contract impact the long-term effectiveness of the repairs and dredging, considering environmental changes or material degradation?

A nearly 1000-day duration for repairs and dredging raises concerns about the longevity of the work. Environmental factors like storm surges, saltwater corrosion, and natural sedimentation could degrade new repairs or necessitate re-dredging sooner than anticipated. The effectiveness hinges on the quality of materials used and the contractor's adherence to specifications throughout the extended period.

What is the baseline cost for similar counterscarp repair and maintenance dredging projects in comparable coastal park environments to assess value?

Benchmarking requires detailed project scope, location, and material costs. However, large-scale civil engineering projects for historical preservation and coastal maintenance can range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars. Without specific comparable data, assessing the $14.5 million value is difficult, but it appears substantial, necessitating scrutiny of the detailed cost breakdown and contractor's bid.

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: 140P2023R0033

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 52 ALLEN RD, BROOKFIELD, MA, 01506

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,469,755

Exercised Options: $14,469,755

Current Obligation: $14,469,755

Actual Outlays: $12,399,105

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline