Multnomah Falls Viaducts Repair contract awarded for $14.2M, addressing critical infrastructure needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,190,896 ($14.2M)

Contractor: HP Civil Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2023-11-17

End Date: 2026-05-29

Contract Duration: 924 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: OR FLAP DOT CRGNSA 100(8), MULTNOMAH FALLS VIADUCTS REPAIR: THIS 2.6-MILE PROJECT INCLUDES REPAIR OF TWO HISTORIC REINFORCED CONCRETE VIADUCTS. ONE VIADUCT IS A 86-SPAN, 863-FOOT LONG STRUCTURE AND THE OTHER IS A 20-SPAN, 403-FOOT LONG STRUCTURE.

Place of Performance

Location: BRIDAL VEIL, MULTNOMAH County, OREGON, 97010

State: Oregon Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $14.2 million to HP CIVIL INC for work described as: OR FLAP DOT CRGNSA 100(8), MULTNOMAH FALLS VIADUCTS REPAIR: THIS 2.6-MILE PROJECT INCLUDES REPAIR OF TWO HISTORIC REINFORCED CONCRETE VIADUCTS. ONE VIADUCT IS A 86-SPAN, 863-FOOT LONG STRUCTURE AND THE OTHER IS A 20-SPAN, 403-FOOT LONG STRUCTURE. Key points: 1. The contract addresses the repair of two historic reinforced concrete viaducts, crucial for regional transportation. 2. The project involves significant structural work on two long viaducts, indicating a complex and substantial undertaking. 3. The award was made under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' suggesting a competitive process with specific justifications. 4. The contract type is a Definitive Contract with a Firm Fixed Price, providing cost certainty for the government. 5. The duration of 924 days highlights the extensive nature of the repair work required. 6. The project is located in Oregon, impacting local infrastructure and potentially local employment.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $14.2 million for the repair of two historic viaducts appears reasonable given the scope of work. The project involves extensive structural repairs on over 1200 feet of roadway, including 106 spans. While specific benchmarks for historic viaduct repair are difficult to ascertain without more granular data, the firm fixed-price nature of the contract suggests a degree of cost control. Further analysis would require comparison with similar bridge repair projects of comparable complexity and age.

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 open, there were specific reasons for excluding certain sources. The number of bidders is not explicitly stated, but the 'exclusion of sources' suggests a potentially narrower field than a purely full and open competition. This procurement approach may have implications for achieving the lowest possible price.

Taxpayer Impact: The exclusion of sources, even with an intent for open competition, could potentially limit the number of competitive bids received, possibly impacting the final price paid by taxpayers compared to a scenario with broader participation.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are users of the transportation network relying on the Multnomah Falls Viaducts, ensuring continued safe passage. The services delivered include critical structural repairs to historic infrastructure, preserving its integrity and functionality. The geographic impact is localized to the Multnomah Falls area in Oregon, affecting regional travel and tourism. Workforce implications may include employment opportunities for construction workers, engineers, and specialists in historic preservation and structural repair.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition method warrants further investigation to ensure maximum value for taxpayer dollars.
The long duration of the contract (924 days) could lead to potential cost overruns if not managed effectively.
The historic nature of the viaducts may introduce unforeseen complexities and costs during the repair process.

Positive Signals

The firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty and limits the government's exposure to cost increases.
The project addresses critical infrastructure needs, ensuring the safety and longevity of historic structures.
The contract is managed by the Department of Transportation, a relevant agency for infrastructure projects.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction sector, a significant segment of the construction industry. Federal spending in this area is crucial for maintaining and upgrading national transportation infrastructure. The market for such specialized repair work, particularly on historic structures, can be competitive but also requires contractors with specific expertise. Benchmarks for comparable projects are often project-specific due to unique structural and historical considerations.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract, nor does it mention subcontracting goals. Without this information, it is difficult to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem. However, large infrastructure projects often involve subcontracting opportunities, which could potentially benefit small businesses if actively pursued by the prime contractor.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, which incentivizes the contractor to complete the work within budget. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific details of ongoing oversight activities may not be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Federal Highway Bridge Program
National Historic Preservation Fund
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

Risk Flags

Potential for unforeseen conditions due to historic structure complexity.
Risk of schedule delays impacting transportation flow.
Dependency on specialized contractor expertise for historic preservation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $14.2 million to HP CIVIL INC. OR FLAP DOT CRGNSA 100(8), MULTNOMAH FALLS VIADUCTS REPAIR: THIS 2.6-MILE PROJECT INCLUDES REPAIR OF TWO HISTORIC REINFORCED CONCRETE VIADUCTS. ONE VIADUCT IS A 86-SPAN, 863-FOOT LONG STRUCTURE AND THE OTHER IS A 20-SPAN, 403-FOOT LONG STRUCTURE.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HP CIVIL INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Federal Highway Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $14.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-11-17. End: 2026-05-29.

What specific criteria led to the exclusion of certain sources in this 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' award?

The justification for excluding specific sources in a 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' award typically stems from unique requirements, specialized capabilities, or prior performance issues that limit the pool of eligible contractors. For this Multnomah Falls Viaducts Repair project, the historic nature of the reinforced concrete viaducts likely necessitated specialized engineering and construction expertise, potentially excluding firms without proven experience in heritage structure rehabilitation. The Federal Highway Administration would have documented these specific criteria, possibly related to historical preservation standards, material compatibility, or advanced structural analysis techniques required for such unique assets, to justify the limited competition.

How does the $14.2 million cost compare to similar historic viaduct repair projects nationwide?

Directly comparing the $14.2 million cost to similar historic viaduct repair projects nationwide is challenging due to the highly project-specific nature of such undertakings. Factors like the length and complexity of the spans (86 and 20 spans respectively), the specific structural deficiencies, the materials used, the level of historic preservation required, and regional labor and material costs all significantly influence the final price. However, major bridge and viaduct rehabilitation projects can range from tens of millions to hundreds of millions of dollars. Given the scope of work on over 1200 feet of historic viaducts, $14.2 million appears to be within a plausible range, though a detailed benchmark would require access to a database of comparable historic structure repairs with similar technical specifications.

What are the primary risks associated with the 924-day duration of this contract?

The primary risks associated with a 924-day (approximately 2.5 years) duration for the Multnomah Falls Viaducts Repair contract include potential cost escalation due to inflation, unforeseen site conditions that could extend the timeline further, and the risk of contractor performance degradation over a prolonged period. Weather-related delays, especially in a region like Oregon, can also significantly impact the schedule. Furthermore, extended construction periods can lead to increased disruption for local communities and travelers. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract mitigates direct cost escalation for the government, but the contractor bears the risk of managing these extended timelines efficiently to maintain profitability.

What performance metrics or milestones will be used to evaluate the success of this contract?

While specific performance metrics are not detailed in the provided data, typical evaluations for such infrastructure contracts focus on adherence to the project schedule, quality of workmanship, compliance with safety regulations, and successful completion of all specified repair and rehabilitation tasks. Milestones would likely include the completion of structural assessments, specific repair phases for each viaduct, material testing and approval, and final inspections. The Federal Highway Administration would monitor progress against the contract's technical specifications and the established timeline. Successful completion would be defined by the restored structural integrity and functionality of both viaducts, meeting all engineering and historical preservation standards.

Has HP Civil Inc. a history of successfully completing large-scale bridge or historic structure repair projects?

To assess HP Civil Inc.'s track record, a review of their past performance on similar projects would be necessary. This would involve examining contract databases for previous awards, project completion records, and any reported issues or successes. For a project involving historic viaducts, specific experience with heritage structures, reinforced concrete repair, and adherence to preservation guidelines would be particularly relevant. Without access to HP Civil Inc.'s detailed project history and performance reviews, it is difficult to definitively state their capability for this specific contract, though their selection suggests they met the agency's pre-qualification criteria.

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: SEALED BID

Solicitation ID: 69056723B000019

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8795 AUMSVILLE HWY SE, SALEM, OR, 97317

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,190,896

Exercised Options: $14,190,896

Current Obligation: $14,190,896

Actual Outlays: $11,484,966

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline