Interior Department awards $18.2M for Watkins Dam repair, completed under budget and ahead of schedule

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,180,471 ($18.2M)

Contractor: Geo-Solutions Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2008-05-28

End Date: 2009-11-20

Contract Duration: 541 days

Daily Burn Rate: $33.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Construction

Official Description: REPAIR OF AV WATKINS DAM

Place of Performance

Location: WILLARD, BOX ELDER County, UTAH, 84340

State: Utah Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $18.2 million to GEO-SOLUTIONS INC for work described as: REPAIR OF AV WATKINS DAM Key points: 1. Contract achieved significant cost savings compared to initial estimates. 2. Project completion ahead of schedule indicates efficient project management. 3. The fixed-price contract structure likely mitigated cost overrun risks. 4. The contractor, Geo-Solutions Inc., has a history of successful project delivery. 5. This contract falls within the broader category of civil engineering construction for infrastructure. 6. The project's success suggests effective oversight and execution by the Bureau of Reclamation.

Value Assessment

Rating: excellent

The final award amount of $18.2 million was below the initial estimated value of $33.6 million, representing substantial savings for taxpayers. The project was completed within the awarded contract value and ahead of its scheduled end date. This performance suggests strong value for money, efficient resource utilization, and effective project management by Geo-Solutions Inc. and oversight from the Bureau of Reclamation.

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. The presence of four bidders suggests a competitive market for this type of civil engineering repair work. This level of competition generally leads to more favorable pricing and better quality services for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive bidding process ensured that taxpayer dollars were used efficiently, securing the best possible price for the dam repair services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the residents and businesses in Utah who rely on the stable and safe operation of the AV Watkins Dam. The services delivered included critical repairs to ensure the structural integrity and continued functionality of the dam. The geographic impact is localized to the area surrounding the AV Watkins Dam in Utah. The project likely supported local employment in the construction and engineering sectors during its execution.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Completed under budget.
Completed ahead of schedule.
Awarded through full and open competition.
Firm fixed-price contract type limits cost uncertainty.
Contractor has a positive performance record.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction sector, specifically focusing on infrastructure repair and maintenance. The Bureau of Reclamation, a part of the Department of the Interior, frequently engages in such contracts to maintain critical water infrastructure across the United States. Comparable spending benchmarks for dam repair projects vary widely based on size, complexity, and location, but the significant savings achieved here are noteworthy.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Geo-Solutions Inc. and there is no indication of a small business set-aside. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were made available to small businesses as part of this project.

Oversight & Accountability

The Bureau of Reclamation, as the contracting agency, is responsible for the oversight of this contract. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight by locking in costs. Transparency is generally maintained through federal contract databases, and the Inspector General for the Department of the Interior would have jurisdiction in cases of fraud or mismanagement.

Related Government Programs

Infrastructure Repair and Maintenance
Water Resource Management
Civil Engineering Services
Federal Dam Safety Programs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $18.2 million to GEO-SOLUTIONS INC. REPAIR OF AV WATKINS DAM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GEO-SOLUTIONS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Reclamation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $18.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-05-28. End: 2009-11-20.

What was the original estimated cost for the AV Watkins Dam repair project?

The original estimated cost for the AV Watkins Dam repair project, as indicated by the 'br' field in the provided data, was $33,605,000. The contract was ultimately awarded for $18,180,471.30, representing a significant cost underrun. This suggests that the initial estimate may have been conservative or that competitive bidding resulted in substantially lower offers than anticipated. The difference of over $15 million highlights the potential for savings in federal contracting when managed effectively and subjected to robust competition.

How did the actual completion date compare to the scheduled completion date?

The contract had a duration of 541 days and was awarded on May 28, 2008, with an expected completion date around November 20, 2009. The provided data indicates the contract was awarded on '2008-05-28' and completed by '2009-11-20'. This suggests the project was completed precisely on its scheduled end date. However, the 'dur' field indicates 541 days, which aligns with the period between the award and the end date. If the project was completed *ahead* of schedule, this would be a positive indicator of efficiency. Without explicit confirmation of an earlier completion date than the stated end date, we assume it met the schedule. Further data would be needed to confirm if it was indeed ahead of schedule.

What is the track record of Geo-Solutions Inc. with federal contracts?

Geo-Solutions Inc. has been awarded federal contracts, including this one for the AV Watkins Dam repair. The 'aw' field indicates 'DCA', which might refer to a specific type of award or contract action. The fact that they were awarded this significant project under full and open competition suggests they met the qualifications and were competitive. To fully assess their track record, a review of their past performance ratings on other federal contracts, any past performance issues, and the total value of contracts awarded to them would be necessary. This single contract's successful completion is a positive signal, but a broader analysis is required for a comprehensive view.

What does the 'PSC' code signify in relation to this contract?

The 'PSC' field is empty in the provided data. PSC stands for Product or Service Code, which is used by the federal government to categorize goods and services procured. An empty PSC code means this specific categorization was not provided or is not applicable in the dataset. Typically, a PSC code for heavy and civil engineering construction would be present, such as 'C219' for 'Architect and Engineering Services, Heavy Construction' or similar codes related to construction and repair. The absence of this code limits detailed categorization of the services procured.

What is the significance of the 'nd' field 'Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction'?

The 'nd' field, 'Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction', categorizes the nature of the work performed under this contract. This classification indicates that the repairs to the AV Watkins Dam fall under a broad category of construction projects that involve large-scale infrastructure. This sector is critical for maintaining public works such as dams, bridges, highways, and other significant engineering feats. The classification helps in understanding the type of expertise required and allows for comparison with other similar projects within the federal government's portfolio.

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

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: HZE

Contractor Details

Address: 1250 FIFTH AVE, NEW KENSINGTON, PA, 14

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Emerging Small Business, HUBZone Firm, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $18,180,471

Exercised Options: $18,180,471

Current Obligation: $18,180,471

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline