Coast Guard awards $137M contract for Seattle base expansion to support new polar security cutters

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $137,072,132 ($137.1M)

Contractor: Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, the

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2025-08-26

End Date: 2029-04-09

Contract Duration: 1,322 days

Daily Burn Rate: $103.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: CERCLA CLEAN-UP EFFORT AND WATERFRONT RECAPITALIZATION AT BASE SEATTLE TO SUPPORT THE HOMEPORTING OF NEW USCG POLAR SECURITY CUTTERS.

Place of Performance

Location: SEATTLE, KING County, WASHINGTON, 98134

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $137.1 million to WHITING-TURNER CONTRACTING COMPANY, THE for work described as: CERCLA CLEAN-UP EFFORT AND WATERFRONT RECAPITALIZATION AT BASE SEATTLE TO SUPPORT THE HOMEPORTING OF NEW USCG POLAR SECURITY CUTTERS. Key points: 1. Contract aims to modernize infrastructure for critical national security assets. 2. Project involves construction and recapitalization, indicating significant physical asset development. 3. The fixed-price contract type suggests cost certainty for the government. 4. A long performance period (over 4 years) implies a complex and extensive scope of work. 5. The award is a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, suggesting potential for future taskings. 6. Focus on waterfront recapitalization highlights a specific, high-value infrastructure need.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $137 million for a major construction and recapitalization effort appears reasonable given the scope. While direct comparisons are difficult without knowing the specific details of the base Seattle infrastructure and the exact requirements for the polar security cutters, large-scale defense and homeland security infrastructure projects often fall within this range. The firm-fixed-price structure helps manage cost overruns, but the final value will depend on the execution of the delivery order. Benchmarking against similar large-scale port or naval facility construction projects would provide a more precise value assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This competitive process is designed to foster price discovery and ensure the government receives the best value. The presence of 3 bidders, as indicated by the data, suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this significant project, which is positive for cost control.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally leads to more competitive pricing, potentially saving taxpayer dollars compared to sole-source or limited competition awards. A competitive environment encourages contractors to offer their best prices and terms.

Public Impact

The U.S. Coast Guard will benefit from modernized facilities capable of supporting its new fleet of polar security cutters. The project will deliver essential infrastructure improvements, including waterfront recapitalization and base expansion. The geographic impact is concentrated at Base Seattle, Washington, enhancing its operational capabilities. The construction and associated activities will likely create jobs in the construction sector and related industries in the Seattle area. This investment supports national security objectives by ensuring the operational readiness of critical assets for Arctic operations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep or unforeseen site conditions during extensive construction and recapitalization.
Long performance period increases exposure to market fluctuations in material and labor costs.
Dependence on a single delivery order for a large sum could concentrate risk if issues arise with the primary contractor.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty and limits the government's exposure to cost overruns.
Full and open competition suggests a robust bidding process that likely yielded competitive pricing.
Awarding a delivery order under an existing contract vehicle may indicate a streamlined procurement process.
The project directly supports the operational readiness of vital national security assets (polar security cutters).

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, specifically focusing on large-scale infrastructure development for a government entity. The U.S. Coast Guard's need for modernized facilities to house its new polar security cutters highlights a growing demand for specialized maritime and defense-related construction. Comparable spending benchmarks would include other major port facility upgrades, naval base construction, or large-scale public works projects. The market for such specialized construction is often characterized by a few large, experienced firms capable of handling complex, high-value projects.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not specify any small business set-aside provisions (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary contractor, Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, is likely a large business. While there are no direct set-asides, large construction contracts often involve subcontracting opportunities. It will be important to monitor subcontracting plans to ensure that small businesses have a fair opportunity to participate in portions of this significant project, contributing to the broader small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily reside with the U.S. Coast Guard, a component of the Department of Homeland Security. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight by locking in costs. Transparency will be maintained through standard federal procurement reporting mechanisms. Accountability measures will be enforced through contract clauses, performance monitoring, and potential inspections by the Coast Guard's contracting officer and relevant technical representatives. The Inspector General for the Department of Homeland Security would have jurisdiction over any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

USCG Polar Security Cutter Program
Department of Homeland Security Infrastructure Projects
Naval and Maritime Facility Construction
Federal Construction Contracts
Base Modernization and Expansion Projects

Risk Flags

Potential for cost escalation due to long project duration.
Risk of unforeseen environmental or site conditions impacting schedule and budget.
Dependence on contractor performance over an extended period.
Complexity of integrating new infrastructure with existing base operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $137.1 million to WHITING-TURNER CONTRACTING COMPANY, THE. CERCLA CLEAN-UP EFFORT AND WATERFRONT RECAPITALIZATION AT BASE SEATTLE TO SUPPORT THE HOMEPORTING OF NEW USCG POLAR SECURITY CUTTERS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WHITING-TURNER CONTRACTING COMPANY, THE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Coast Guard).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $137.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-08-26. End: 2029-04-09.

What is the track record of Whiting-Turner Contracting Company on similar large-scale government infrastructure projects?

Whiting-Turner Contracting Company has a significant track record in large-scale construction projects, including those for government and defense clients. While specific details on their past performance with the U.S. Coast Guard or similar maritime infrastructure projects would require deeper research into their contract history, they are a well-established firm known for handling complex builds. Their portfolio often includes major institutional, commercial, and industrial facilities. Assessing their past performance on projects of comparable size, complexity, and security requirements would be crucial for evaluating their capability to successfully execute this specific contract. This would involve reviewing past performance evaluations, any reported disputes or claims, and their history of meeting schedule and budget targets on similar federal contracts.

How does the awarded value compare to similar waterfront recapitalization projects for naval or coast guard facilities?

Benchmarking the $137 million award for waterfront recapitalization at Base Seattle requires comparing it to similar projects in terms of scope, scale, and location. Large-scale naval or coast guard facility upgrades, especially those involving specialized waterfront infrastructure like piers, docks, and support buildings for new vessel classes, can range significantly. Projects supporting new, larger vessels like the polar security cutters often involve substantial investment due to the specialized engineering and construction required. Without specific details on the exact scope of work (e.g., linear feet of pier, depth of dredging, type of support facilities), a precise comparison is challenging. However, projects of this magnitude for major federal maritime assets typically run into the tens or hundreds of millions of dollars, suggesting the awarded value is within a plausible range for such a critical undertaking.

What are the primary risks associated with a multi-year construction project of this scale and type?

The primary risks associated with this multi-year construction project include potential cost overruns due to unforeseen site conditions (e.g., soil stability, environmental remediation needs), material price escalation over the contract duration, and labor shortages or disputes. Schedule delays are also a significant risk, which can arise from weather impacts, permitting issues, or contractor performance problems. Given the waterfront nature, environmental risks and compliance with regulations are also critical. Furthermore, the complexity of integrating new infrastructure with existing base operations poses logistical challenges. The government also faces risks related to the contractor's financial stability and performance over the extended period. The firm-fixed-price contract mitigates some cost risk for the government, but scope creep remains a concern.

How effective is the firm-fixed-price contract type in managing costs for long-term construction projects?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally considered effective in managing costs for long-term construction projects, especially when the scope of work is well-defined. It shifts the majority of cost risk to the contractor, as they are obligated to complete the work for the agreed-upon price, regardless of their actual costs. This incentivizes the contractor to control expenses and manage resources efficiently. For the government, an FFP contract provides a high degree of cost certainty, making budgeting more predictable. However, if the scope of work changes significantly or unforeseen conditions arise that were not reasonably foreseeable, the government may face difficult decisions regarding change orders, which can increase the total contract cost. Effective initial scope definition and robust oversight are crucial for maximizing the benefits of an FFP contract.

What is the historical spending pattern for Base Seattle infrastructure upgrades or similar Coast Guard facilities?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for Base Seattle infrastructure or similar Coast Guard facilities is essential for context. While specific historical data for Base Seattle's infrastructure upgrades isn't provided here, federal agencies like the Coast Guard undertake periodic recapitalization and modernization efforts for their installations. These efforts are often driven by aging infrastructure, new mission requirements (like the polar security cutters), and evolving safety or environmental standards. Spending on such projects can be cyclical, influenced by budget appropriations, national priorities, and the lifecycle of existing assets. Large-scale projects, like the one awarded, represent significant capital investments that may not occur annually but are critical for maintaining operational capability. Comparing this $137 million award to previous major construction contracts at similar federal maritime installations would reveal trends in project scale and cost.

What are the implications of awarding a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle for this project?

Awarding this $137 million effort as a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle suggests that a broader, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) or similar type of contract was previously established. This approach allows the agency (U.S. Coast Guard) to procure specific services or projects (like this construction effort) efficiently without needing to conduct a full, separate competition for each individual task. It implies that Whiting-Turner Contracting Company was selected through an initial competitive process for the overarching contract. The delivery order then specifies the scope, price, and timeline for this particular requirement. This method can expedite procurement and potentially leverage pre-negotiated terms, but it also means the overall value and scope of the parent contract are important considerations for understanding the full picture of government spending with the contractor.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 300 E JOPPA RD, BALTIMORE, MD, 21286

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $137,072,132

Exercised Options: $137,072,132

Current Obligation: $137,072,132

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70Z04723DPCNI0006

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline