Army contract for marsh restoration awarded to Weston Solutions Inc. for over $20 million

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,051,577 ($20.1M)

Contractor: Weston Solutions Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2009-11-25

End Date: 2011-07-02

Contract Duration: 584 days

Daily Burn Rate: $34.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: ARRA BOLIVAR MARSH, 200-ACRE MARSH CELL TAS::96 3136::TAS $5,323,125.20 TAS::96 8862::TAS $1,774,375.06

Place of Performance

Location: HOUSTON, HARRIS County, TEXAS, 77077

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $20.1 million to WESTON SOLUTIONS INC for work described as: ARRA BOLIVAR MARSH, 200-ACRE MARSH CELL TAS::96 3136::TAS $5,323,125.20 TAS::96 8862::TAS $1,774,375.06 Key points: 1. The contract value of over $20 million for marsh restoration suggests a significant investment in environmental remediation. 2. The firm-fixed-price contract type indicates that the contractor assumes the risk for cost overruns. 3. Awarded under full and open competition, this contract likely benefited from a competitive bidding process. 4. The duration of approximately 584 days points to a moderately complex and lengthy project. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 237310 categorizes this as Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction, which may be a broad classification for environmental restoration. 6. The contract was awarded by the Department of the Army, indicating a federal interest in the project's objectives.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific details on the scope of work and the acreage restored. However, a $20 million investment for a 200-acre marsh restoration project suggests a cost of approximately $100,000 per acre. This figure needs to be compared against similar large-scale environmental restoration projects to determine if it represents good value for money. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract shifts cost risk to the contractor, which can be a positive indicator of value if the contractor is experienced and efficient.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 10 bidders (no) indicates a healthy level of interest and competition for this project. This broad competition is generally expected to drive down prices and ensure that the government receives the most advantageous offer.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process for this contract likely resulted in a more cost-effective outcome for taxpayers, ensuring that federal funds were used efficiently for the marsh restoration effort.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries of this contract are likely the ecosystems within the ARRA BOLIVAR MARSH, with improved environmental conditions and habitat restoration. The services delivered involve the restoration and management of a 200-acre marsh cell, contributing to coastal resilience and environmental health. The geographic impact is localized to the specific marsh area in Texas where the restoration is taking place. While not directly a workforce development contract, the project may indirectly support jobs in environmental engineering, construction, and ecological management.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The NAICS code 237310 (Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction) may not fully capture the specialized nature of marsh restoration, potentially leading to less targeted competition or oversight.
The contract duration of 584 days, while substantial, might be insufficient for complex ecological restoration projects that can be subject to environmental variables.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the restoration efforts.
The absence of information regarding small business subcontracting raises questions about the extent to which small businesses are involved in this large federal contract.

Positive Signals

The award under full and open competition suggests a robust process that likely yielded competitive pricing.
The firm-fixed-price contract type transfers cost overrun risk to the contractor, Weston Solutions Inc., which can be beneficial for budget predictability.
The significant investment in marsh restoration indicates a commitment to environmental stewardship and potentially long-term ecological benefits.
The contract's focus on a specific environmental restoration project aligns with broader federal goals for conservation and habitat improvement.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the environmental services and construction sector, specifically focusing on ecological restoration. The market for environmental remediation and restoration services is substantial, driven by regulatory requirements, corporate sustainability initiatives, and government investments in infrastructure and conservation. Comparable spending benchmarks for large-scale marsh restoration projects would typically consider factors like acreage, complexity of ecological challenges, and the specific restoration techniques employed. Federal agencies frequently engage in such projects to address environmental degradation and enhance natural resources.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct small business set-aside implications. However, as a large federal contract, there may be opportunities for subcontracting. Without specific information on subcontracting plans or actual performance, it is difficult to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem. Federal regulations often encourage prime contractors to utilize small businesses for subcontracting, but the extent to which this occurred here is not detailed.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program office within the Department of the Army. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract, requiring the contractor to deliver the specified restoration services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, which provide public access to contract awards. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Remediation Services
Coastal Zone Management
Wetlands Restoration
Army Corps of Engineers Projects
ARRA Funded Projects

Risk Flags

NAICS code mismatch potential
Environmental project complexity and variability
Lack of detailed performance metrics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $20.1 million to WESTON SOLUTIONS INC. ARRA BOLIVAR MARSH, 200-ACRE MARSH CELL TAS::96 3136::TAS $5,323,125.20 TAS::96 8862::TAS $1,774,375.06

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WESTON SOLUTIONS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $20.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-11-25. End: 2011-07-02.

What specific restoration activities were undertaken as part of this contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific restoration activities. However, given the contract's classification and focus on marsh restoration, activities likely included measures such as sediment management, hydrological restoration, vegetation planting, invasive species control, and potentially the construction of protective barriers or structures. The 200-acre scope suggests a significant intervention aimed at improving the ecological function and resilience of the marsh ecosystem. Further details would typically be found in the contract's statement of work or performance reports.

How does the cost per acre of this marsh restoration project compare to similar federal projects?

The approximate cost per acre for this project is $100,000 ($20,051,576.8 / 200 acres). Comparing this to similar federal projects requires access to a database of comparable environmental restoration contracts. Factors influencing cost per acre include the geographic location, the severity of degradation, the specific ecological goals (e.g., habitat creation vs. erosion control), the complexity of the required interventions, and prevailing market rates for labor and materials. Without specific benchmarks for Texas marsh restoration or similar projects nationwide, it is difficult to definitively state whether this represents a high, low, or average cost. However, it is a substantial figure that warrants comparison with other large-scale ecological restoration efforts.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how was performance measured?

The provided data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or details on how performance was measured. Typically, for environmental restoration contracts, KPIs might include metrics related to vegetation survival rates, water quality improvements, habitat suitability indices, reduction in erosion, or successful establishment of native species. Performance would likely be assessed through regular site inspections, progress reports submitted by the contractor, and potentially independent ecological assessments conducted at milestones or upon completion. The effectiveness of the restoration would be evaluated against the objectives outlined in the contract's statement of work.

What is the track record of Weston Solutions Inc. in performing similar environmental restoration contracts for the federal government?

Weston Solutions Inc. is a known entity in the environmental services sector. A thorough assessment of their track record would involve reviewing their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving ecological restoration, wetlands, and coastal projects. This would include examining past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), any history of contract disputes or terminations, and the scale and complexity of previously completed projects. Their experience with similar projects would be a key indicator of their capability to successfully execute this $20 million marsh restoration contract.

Were there any significant risks identified during the bidding or execution phases of this contract?

The provided data does not explicitly list identified risks. However, potential risks inherent in large-scale environmental restoration projects include unforeseen site conditions (e.g., soil contamination, unexpected hydrology), weather-related delays, challenges in obtaining permits, difficulties in establishing native vegetation, and potential cost overruns (though mitigated by the firm-fixed-price structure). The fact that it was competed under 'full and open competition' suggests that the agency assessed the risks and believed sufficient qualified contractors could bid. The contractor, Weston Solutions Inc., would have factored potential risks into their bid price.

How does this contract fit into the broader context of federal spending on environmental protection and restoration?

This $20 million contract represents a specific investment within the larger federal budget allocated to environmental protection, conservation, and infrastructure resilience. Federal agencies, particularly the Department of Defense (through the Army Corps of Engineers) and the Environmental Protection Agency, allocate significant funds towards restoring degraded ecosystems, managing natural resources, and mitigating environmental impacts. Contracts like this contribute to national goals related to biodiversity, water quality, coastal protection, and climate change adaptation. Its funding source (likely ARRA, given the data context) also places it within a specific period of federal stimulus spending aimed at economic recovery and infrastructure improvement.

Industry Classification

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

Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Weston Solutions Holdings, Inc. (UEI: 118341234)

Address: 5599 SAN FELIPE ST STE 700, HOUSTON, TX, 77056

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $22,807,591

Exercised Options: $20,051,577

Current Obligation: $20,051,577

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W912BV08D2012

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline